iPad Mini (2024) review: Small in size, big in power

While the iPad Mini hasn't had a new version for several years, Apple has released a new generation of its small tablet. We were able to test it before its release.

The iPad Mini is often referred to as the “ugly duckling” among Apple's tablets. It must be said that this small format is not suitable for many people since it does not come with the lowest price in the range. In the Apple tablet catalog, the iPad Mini is located in the middle according to the following diagram: iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro.

Marketed from 609 euros, the iPad Mini is therefore smaller than the classic model, but also more expensive! The miniaturization of the parts costs a few euros more to produce and this often discourages consumers from purchasing.

However, the iPad Mini (2024) presents excellent arguments that we were able to try out in preview before its official release. Check out our official review of the iPad Mini (2024).

Editor's note: This review was conducted entirely using a copy loaned by the brand. The brand had no say in our review before publication.

A small design with large borders

The design of the iPad Mini has radically evolved since its latest generation launched in 2021. However, the small tablet does not have any evolution in terms of design with its new 2024 version which includes an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, an absence of a “home” button and flat aluminum edges. The latter are also very beautiful and allow a very good grip. one or two hands.

© Linternaute/Julian Madiot

The only downside is the black borders at the front, which are still very prominent and spoil the immersion in our videos or games a little. Apple considers that these edges allow for a better grip with the thumb placed on the sides of the screen, but we remain doubtful.

The sides of the iPad Mini are smooth except for the few buttons you might find. The iPad Mini is the only Apple tablet to still have buttons, which are all located on the top of the tablet where other iPads have their volume buttons on the side. A rather strange decision since it is easier to access the sides of the iPad Mini than the top edge when the device is held horizontally. The volume is therefore quite complicated to reach with one hand, but the power button remains well placed and still has Touch-ID to ensure the security of the iPad, failing to be able to use Face-ID.

On the back of the iPad Mini (2024) is the Apple logo as well as the camera housed in a single small corner. The latter is quite discreet but it still stands out from the device which makes it tilt when used on a flat surface. For the purposes of this test, we therefore used a portfolio provided by the brand which allows for better use and better handling overall.

It's not the size that makes the quality of the screen

The iPad Mini (2024) screen is therefore an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina panel with True Tone technology that brings out colors and hues more. Without too many surprises, this screen is very good. The colors displayed are rich and teeming with details while the blacks are deep. Watching content on the iPad Mini (2024) is a real pleasure even if this screen is not perfect.

First of all, in terms of brightness, which can go up to 500 nits maximum. This is the value established on all iPads currently on the market, with the exception of the Pro model, which can go up to 1000 nits. We would have really appreciated it if Apple had made a little effort on this subject and allowed a brightness higher.

The iPad Mini (2024) screen is good, but could have been better. © Linternaute/Julian Madiot

Another concern that comes up frequently when we talk about Apple devices: the refresh rate. The iPad Mini (2024) displays a rate of 60 Hz, which is a fairly standard value in the industry. However, it is entirely possible to find tablets in the same price range that offer a display with 90 or 120 Hz.

It's also a shame that the iPad Mini (2024) screen is so unresistant to fingers. A few minutes of use and the tablet is covered in marks. We therefore recommend equipping yourself with a cloth (not necessarily Apple) or an Apple Pencil.

Significantly improved performance, but timid artificial intelligence

The main new features of this iPad Mini (2024) compared to the previous generation are in power and storage.

The iPad Mini (2024) is equipped with an A17 Pro processor (while its predecessor had the A15 chip). This is the same chip that can be found at the heart of the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and which is compatible with the firm's AI coming to Europe in 2025, Apple Intelligence.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

An artificial intelligence that is unfortunately barely found in the iPad Mini (2024) like the iPhone 16. If AI functions such as summarizing audio recordings or rewriting text are still not available with iOS 18.0.0, it is still already possible to take advantage of the new “math notes” application that can be found in the calculator and that is able to solve your operations and draw graphs of functions that can then be copied or shared across other documents. A dream come true for students!

The math functions in iPadOS 18 are very practical © Linternaute/Julian Madiot

In terms of power, the iPad Mini (2024) is served thanks to the new A17 Pro chip. It's a bit of a shame that this tablet, designed for artificial intelligence, does not benefit from the processor found on the latest iPhone 16, but the latter was surely designed too late to be integrated within the iPad Mini (2024).

Never mind, the A17 Pro chip's performance remains excellent. Quite graphically intensive games like the latest “Zenless Zone Zero” or “Genshin Impact” automatically run with the graphics set to “high”. By pushing them to the max, it is quite makes it possible to play for long hours without feeling any particularly annoying heating or FPS losses that would mar the experience.

©& nbsp;Linternaute/Julian Madiot

Photos of high quality… Correct

Although it is not the primary use of a tablet, the iPad Mini (2024) still has a lens for taking photographs. It is a single 12 MP sensor capable of taking rather good shots, but without making any particularly sparkle. The result is correct, but the whole thing clearly lacks detail and zest. We often end up with fairly flat shots with fairly dull colors, but which will suit a majority of users. The iPad Mini (2024)'s single sensor is also capable of zooming up to x5, but the quality soars.

In low light or at night, it's even worse since the iPad Mini (2024)'s small sensor generally fails to capture enough light to ensure good readability in your scenes. Also, don't count on any macro to photograph objects very close up.

~img alt=”” src=”https://img-4.linternaute.com/KewJQpGPLOb03Zl8Z5lpgyUjDDs=/1080x/smart/5583637aae1246f881d825dd5c2fadb1/ccmcms-linternaute/66722289.jpg” />

Unbreakable connectivity

The iPad Mini (2024) benefits from the iPadOS operating system (version 18 at its launch) and therefore all of Apple's expertise in terms of connectivity. Pairing an AirPods Max headset, a HomePod speaker or AirPods earphones is disconcertingly easy and will only take you a few seconds. An ecosystem that has already proven itself in the past on multiple Apple devices and that continues to surprise.

One of the new features of this iPad Mini 2024 vintage comes from its compatibility with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. This allows the tablet to benefit from the best network connections available on a variety of internet boxes, but also to improve the Bluetooth area to be able to connect to another device. It is thus easy to enjoy headphones or a headset while moving away from the iPad Mini. Nothing to complain about the Bluetooth of the iPad Mini (2024) since we had no trouble pairing several devices to the tablet and we did not notice any latency or loss of connection during our tests.

A decent battery life for a recharge that will take its time

Apple announces a battery life of 10 hours for watching videos or browsing the web with the iPad Mini (2024). A figure that we have not been able to verify but which is exactly the same as for the latest iPad Pro M4 or iPad Air M2 that we were able to test when they were released. The battery life of the iPad Mini (2024) seemed to us to be indeed the same since we were able to use the latter on the side of a latest-generation iPad Pro for the same operations and the battery drained at the same speed.

On the charging side, the iPad Mini (2024) is… A little slow. Once our tablet was completely drained of battery, we plugged it in. Here are our measurements taken with a fast charger:

• 3:15 p.m.: 1%
• 3:25 p.m.: 10%
• 3:35 p.m. amp;nbsp;: 23%
• 3:45 p.m.: 34%
• 3:55 p.m.: 40%
• 16h05: 58%

It therefore takes about 45 minutes to recharge half of the iPad Mini (2024) battery. To fill up, you will have to wait for more than an hour and a half.

Our conclusion to the iPad Mini (2024) test

The iPad Mini (2024) is without a doubt an excellent product. If you like having a tablet with a small format, this is clearly one of the best tablets on the market. Its screen, its connectivity with the Apple environment and its very high performance make it a very good choice for those who want a small tablet that is similar to an e-reader in format.

What a shame, however, that this 2024 version of the iPad Mini is rather stingy in new features. We would have really appreciated that Apple improves the tablet's charging a little, but also the camera or the edges of the screen which are quite prominent.