This review compares the difference between the iPad Mini 6 released in September 2021 and the iPad Mini 5 released in March 2019.
Below are two tables covering the key differences between the two iPad Mini, and another full comparison table further below.
Missing IP Rating and Ceramic Glass Shield[tie_index]Missing IP Rating and Ceramic Glass Shield[/tie_index]
Before looking at the comparison of two tablets, it is noteworthy that the new iPad Mini 6 does not have the following important features found on the larger iPad Pro:
- IP68 rating
- Ceramic glass shield
Even though the iPad Mini is not a “Pro” series tablet, the way it was presented in the Apple Event shows that the design intent is a very handy, in-the-pocket, tablet at work, indoors and outdoors. The decision to leave out IP68 and the Ceramic Glass Shield is probably due to cost, however, they should then create an iPad Mini Pro instead.
Visible Differences[tie_index]Visible Differences[/tie_index]
The most visible difference is are the sharper, rectangular edges like the iPad Pro, which allow the Apple Pencil to clip on via magnetic catch. All previous iPad Mini models have rounded edges on 4 sides.
Another visible change is much smaller but nonetheless very important and noticeable, which is the USB-C port at the bottom of the iPad Mini 6. This enables a higher data transfer rate and higher charging power, and the USB-C cables are also more widely used today.
There is no Face ID, but Touch ID will remain and is via the power button at the top of the iPad Mini 6.
Apart from these external differences, the rest of the differences are self-explanatory based on the comparison table below, such as Wi-Fi 6, camera upgrades, and processors.
Table 1: Key Differences Between iPad Mini 6 and 5[tie_index]Key Differences Between iPad Mini 6 and 5[/tie_index]
| Tech Specs | Apple iPad Mini 6 (2021) | Apple iPad Mini 5 (2019) |
| Release Date | 14 Sep 2021 | 18 Mar 2019 |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.24 in | 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm 8 x 5.3 x 0.24 in |
| Weight | Wi-Fi: 293g (10.3oz) Wi-Fi+Cellular: 297g (10.5oz) | Wi-Fi: 300.5g (10.6oz) Wi-Fi+Cellular: 308.2g (10.9oz) |
| IP Rating | No | No |
| Operating System | iPadOS (13.x, 12.x) | iPadOS 14 |
| System chip | Apple A15 Bionic 16-core Neural Engine | Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) Neural Engine |
| Processor | Hexa-core | Hexa-core 2×2.5 GHz Vortex 4×1.6 GHz Tempest |
| GPU | 5-Core Apple GPU | 4-Core Apple GPU |
| RAM/Storage | 64GB 256GB | 3GB/64GB 3GB/256GB |
| Stylus Support | Up to Apple Pencil 2 | Apple Pencil 1 only |
| Screen Size | 8.3in | 7.9in |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 pixels 1.52:1 aspect ratio 326 PPI | 2048 x 1536px (QXGA) 4:3 aspect ratio, 326 PPI |
| Screen-to-body | 82% (estimated) | 70.60% |
| Rear camera Specs | 12MP, f/1.8 | 8MP, f/2.4 |
| Video recording | 4K: 24/25/30/60 fps 1080p: 25/30/60 fps 720p: 30 fps | 1080p Slo-mo: 240 fps |
| Front Camera Specs | 12MP, f/2.3, 122deg FOV (Ultra-wide) | 7MP, f/2.2 |
| Video Recording | 1080p: 25/30/60 fps | 1080p: 30fps |
| Cellular Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, hotspot |
| Connector | USB-C Magnetic | Lightning USB 2.0 |
| Battery Capacity | 5124 mAh (19.3 Wh) | 5124 mAh (19.1 Wh) |
| Wired Charging | 20W standard | 12W (5.2V/2.4A) standard 18W (9V/2A or 5V/3A) max |
The following is the full comparison table with most of the specifications, and separated into different sections.
Table 2: Full Comparison Table[tie_index]Full Comparison Table[/tie_index]
| Tech Specs | Apple iPad Mini 6 (2021) | Apple iPad Mini 5 (2019) |
| Release Date | 14 Sep 2021 | 18 Mar 2019 |
| Form Factor | ||
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.24 in | 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm 8 x 5.3 x 0.24 in |
| Weight | Wi-Fi: 293g (10.3oz) Wi-Fi+Cellular: 297g (10.5oz) | Wi-Fi: 300.5g (10.6oz) Wi-Fi+Cellular: 308.2g (10.9oz) |
| Glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Materials | Back: Aluminum | Back: Aluminum |
| Colors | Space gray, pink, purple, starlight | Space gray, silver, gold |
| Hardware & OS | ||
| Operating System | iPadOS (13.x, 12.x) | iPadOS 14 |
| System chip | Apple A15 Bionic 16-core Neural Engine | Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) Neural Engine |
| Processor | Hexa-core | Hexa-core 2×2.5 GHz Vortex 4×1.6 GHz Tempest |
| GPU | 5-Core Apple GPU | 4-Core Apple GPU |
| RAM/Storage | 64GB 256GB | 3GB/64GB 3GB/256GB |
| Storage expansion | No | No |
| Sensors | Touch ID (Top button) Three-Axis Gyro Accelerometer Barometer Ambient light sensor | Touch ID (button) Gyro Accelerometer Compass Ambient light sensor |
| Speakers | 4 stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm Earjack | No | Yes |
| Stylus Support | Up to Apple Pencil 2 | Apple Pencil 1 only |
| Microphone | 2 mics | 2 mics |
| Display | ||
| Screen Type | IPS LED-Backlit Multi-Touch | IPS LED-Backlit Multi-Touch |
| Screen Size | 8.3in | 7.9in |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 pixels 1.52:1 aspect ratio 326 PPI | 2048 x 1536px (QXGA) 4:3 aspect ratio, 326 PPI |
| Screen-to-body | 82% | 70.60% |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Contrast | NA | NA |
| Color Gamut | DCI-P3 | DCI-P3 |
| Features | Anti-reflective coating, fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, true tone display, 1.8% reflectivity. | Anti-reflective coating, fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, true tone display, 1.8% reflectivity. |
| Rear Camera | ||
| Rear camera Specs | 12MP, f/1.8 | 8MP, f/2.4 |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom up to 5x Five-element lens Quad-LED True Tone flash Autofocus with Focus Pixels Panorama (up to 63MP) Smart HDR 3 Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos Advanced red-eye correction Photo geotagging Auto image stabilisation Burst mode Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG | Five-element lens Hybrid IR filter Backside illumination Live Photos Wide color capture for all photos Autofocus Panorama (up to 43 MP) HDR for photos Exposure control Burst mode Auto image stabilization Photo geotagging Tap to focus Timer mode |
| Video recording | 4K: 24/25/30/60 fps 1080p: 25/30/60 fps 720p: 30 fps | 1080p Slo-mo: 240 fps |
| Video Features | Quad-LED True Tone flash Slow-motion video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps Time-lapse video with stabilisation Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps Cinematic video stabilisation (4K, 1080p and 720p) Continuous autofocus video Playback zoom Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264 | Time‑lapse video with stabilization Video image stabilization 3x video zoom Video geotagging |
| Front Camera | ||
| Front Camera Specs | 12MP, f/2.3, 122deg FOV (Ultra-wide) | 7MP, f/2.2 |
| Video Recording | 1080p: 25/30/60 fps | 1080p: 30fps |
| Features | Smart HDR 3 Time-lapse video with stabilisation Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps Cinematic video stabilisation (1080p and 720p) Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos Lens correction Retina Flash Auto image stabilisation Burst mode | Retina Flash Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos Auto HDR for photos and videos Backside illumination Burst mode Exposure control Timer mode |
| Connectivity | ||
| SIM Type | Nano SIM, eSIM | Nano SIM, eSIM |
| Cellular Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Wi-Fi | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| NFC | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| Infrared Port | No | No |
| Connector | USB-C Magnetic | Lightning USB 2.0 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Capacity | 5124 mAh (19.3 Wh) | 5124 mAh (19.1 Wh) |
| Battery Type | Li -Ion, non-removable | Li -Ion, non-removable |
| Battery Life | Up to 10h | Up to 10h |
| Charging Time | Under 2h | 2-3 hours |
| Wired Charging | 20W standard | 12W (5.2V/2.4A) standard 18W (9V/2A or 5V/3A) max |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Features | No | No |
