iPad mini
If you want a tablet that's smaller than your iPhone but as powerful as it, the iPad mini is the tablet for you. It resembles the iPad Pro in appearance when compared to other iPads, as it has a powerful chip, USB-C, 5G, Center Stage, and second-generation Apple Pencil support.
History
In October of 2012, Apple released the iPad mini for the first time. Back in the presentation, this iPad was compared to the ordinary model: the basic model was 9.7 inches, while the tiny model was 7.9 inches. Apple said at the time that the name was "easy to recall."
The business provided this iPad a small improvement a year later, in 2013, with the A7 chip and a Retina display. The iPad mini 3 was released in 2014, and it was the first tablet to include Touch ID as well as support for Apple Pay.
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The iPad mini 4 was unveiled in September 2015 alongside the first iPad Pro, but it was overshadowed by the iPhone 6s and a new Apple TV, which were also announced at the same conference. It received an A8 chip and its first redesign, which had a body that was slightly taller and wider than prior generations.
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When everyone thought Apple wouldn't create another iPad mini, the fifth version was released in March of 2019. With a large processing boost and first-generation Apple Pencil functionality, this was the most important update for the mini line at the time.
Apple released the sixth-generation iPad mini two years later. It completely revamped its most portable tablet. Touch ID on the upper button, a bigger display with fewer bezels, the A15 Bionic, improved cameras, and new colors are all available now.
iPad mini Specs
The sixth-generation iPad mini includes a Liquid Retina display with smaller bezels and an 8.3-inch screen. Apple claims that the A15 Bionic chip speeds up the iPad mini by 80% over the previous edition, making it the most capable iPad mini ever.
Users will also get the option of 64GB or 256GB of storage, as well as a new USB-C port for speedier networking and cellular variants with 5G for more flexible mobile workflows.
Users may have even more interesting video calls with the new 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and Neural Engine. Center Stage automatically pans the camera to keep users in view as they move about. When others join the chat, the camera identifies them as well and smoothly zooms out to include them. Center Stage improves the naturalness of video calls in FaceTime and third-party video-calling apps.
It also boasts a 12MP main camera that, for the first time, can record in 4K. This iPad also includes support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, which can be attached to the tablet's side for the first time.
Customers who like to type on a conventional keyboard can use a third-party wireless keyboard from Apple.
Black, white, dark cherry, English lavender, and electric orange are among the five new colors offered. The Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular (5G) variants are available. This iPad has a Lightning port for charging and a "all-day battery life" with 10-hour support.
iPad mini 6 ‘jelly scrolling’ display refresh bug and other screen problems
Although many people complimented the new iPad mini, a "jelly scrolling" problem was discovered by some buyers.
The right side of the display updates faster than the left side while gazing at the iPad mini in portrait mode with the camera at the top. When the page is turned upside down, the left side will now update faster than the right. Surprisingly, when using the iPad mini in landscape orientation, the lag is much harder to detect.
LCD yellowing and distortion have also been reported by several users.
iPadOS 15 features
iPadOS 15 is pre-installed on the new iPad mini. This version of the operating system features a revamped Home Screen with widgets and support for the App Library.
FaceTime group calls can now be shown in a grid on iPadOS 15, making it simpler to view everyone. While on the phone, you can also share your screen, listen to Apple Music songs together, and watch Apple TV+, HBO Max, Disney+, and other apps.
Even while Apple made it easier to rely on multitasking features, Apple didn't introduce all the tools pro customers hoped to take full benefit of their new M1 iPad Pro in the productivity section.
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Users can use the Apple Pencil to add a brief note with the Quick Note function. Simply slide the pencil through the bottom right corner of the screen to the middle of the screen and begin writing.
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iPadOS 15 launched for all iPads on September 20. Learn more about it here.
iPadOS 15.1 features
Apple published iPadOS 15.1 a month after releasing iPadOS 15. More importantly, SharePlay functionality for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV has finally arrived. Unfortunately, Universal Control was not included in this updated version's features. What's more, here's what's new:
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Translate
Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan) support in the Translate app and for system-wide translation
Home
New automation triggers based on the current reading of a HomeKit-enabled humidity, air quality, or light level sensor
Shortcuts
New pre-built actions let you overlay text on images or gifs, plus a new collection of games lets you pass the time with Siri.
iPadOS 15.2 features
Apple Music Voice Plan
Apple Music Voice Plan is a new subscription tier that gives you access to all songs, playlists, and stations in Apple Music using Siri
Apple ID
Digital Legacy allows you to designate people as Legacy Contacts so they can access your iCloud account and personal information in the event of your death
TV app
Store tab lets you browse, buy, and rent movies and TV Shows all in one place
Swift Playgrounds
Apple updated Swift Playgrounds 4 with the ability to create and publish apps using the iPad
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Apple is currently testing iPadOS 15.3.
Pricing
The 64GB storage option with Wi-Fi only on the sixth-generation iPad mini starts at $499. With 256GB of storage and Wi-Fi + 5G, the price might rise to $799. Here are the full costs for Apple's sixth-generation mini:
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64GB with Wi-Fi: $499
64GB with Wi-Fi + Cellular: $649
256GB with Wi-Fi: $649
256GB with Wi-Fi + Cellular: $799