IPad mini iOS. Every iPhone and iPad that iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will no longer support

Every iPhone and iPad that iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will no longer support

For the past few years, owners of older iPhone models have been able to breathe a sigh of relief as Apple has continued to support their devices with new versions of iOS. But in 2022, that won’t be the case. On Monday, during the WWDC 2022 keynote, Apple revealed iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. The updates will bring several major new features to iPhone and iPad. As a result, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are dropping support for some older devices.

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Which iPhone models will iOS 16 support?

In a press release on Monday, Apple confirmed that iOS 16 will be available this fall as a free software update for iPhone 8 and later. That means the upcoming software update will drop support for the following devices when it rolls out:

If you own any of these devices, you won’t be able to update past iOS 15.6. With that in mind, here are all of the iPhone models that will be able to update to iOS 16:

In addition to the devices listed above, iOS 16 will obviously support and ship with the 2022 iPhone that launches this fall. Rumors suggest Apple will release the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max in September.

Which iPad models are supported in iPadOS 16?

iPadOS 16 is arguably an even more substantial update than iOS 16. The update gives iPad owners the ability to create overlapping Windows that can easily be resized. The iPad might finally serve as a viable laptop replacement. But, much like iOS 16, iPadOS 16 won’t support every device that iPadOS 15 supported, dropping these tablets:

Meanwhile, iPadOS 16 will support all of the following Apple tablets at launch this fall:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)

The fact that Apple supported some of these devices as long as it did is fairly incredible. The iPad Air 2 came out in 2014, and although it isn’t running quite like it used to, it’s still getting daily use in my home. There’s really no way it would have been able to handle multiple apps running in resizable Windows, though, so this is probably for the best.

If you want to give iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 a test run, the developer betas rolled out on Monday after Apple’s keynote address. Apple says that the public beta won’t be available until July, so most of us will probably have to wait until next month

FAQ

iOS 16 supports all iPhones starting at i Phone 8 and later

iOS 16 supports iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (5th generation and later) iPad mini (5th generation and later).

21 iPad mini

Apple’s redesigned iPad mini packs a powerful A15 Bionic into a pleasantly small and super lightweight package, with a few trade-offs.

Every so often an Apple product brings a spark of delight with its first use. The first Retina display on iPhone 4, Face ID on iPhone X, Airpods, and now iPad mini 6 evokes the same feeling.

While the flat-edge and rounded corner body style originated with the 2018 iPad Pro, there’s something about this design coming to a smaller device that feels futuristic and desirable. Modern iPads are universally thin and light, save the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but iPad mini takes the form factor to the portable extreme.

iPad mini may not be a productive powerhouse, and its limited screen real estate can make multitasking cumbersome, but it shines in unique ways compared to other iPads. Especially the Starlight color.

New iPad mini hardware design

iPad mini now shares the same design language as the iPad Air and iPad Pro. Even though this flat-edge iteration of the iPad has existed since 2018, it’s fun to see it with an 8.3-inch display.

Despite its size, the iPad mini feels sturdy, and it could probably withstand a drop. Though users are less likely to drop this device, considering it can be grasped in one hand. This iPad mini is also the lightest iPad in the lineup, weighing in at just 0.65 pounds (293 grams).

We reviewed the Starlight color, which looks excellent across varying light sources and environments. iPad mini comes in four color options, Space Grey, Pink, Purple, and Starlight, two fewer options than the iPad Air.

There is no Face ID on the iPad mini, instead it shares the Touch ID / sleep button combination like on the iPad Air. Coming from an iPad Pro with Face ID, there were times I stared at the screen waiting for it to unlock, only to remember Touch ID was waiting for my fingerprint.

Considering the small size and its need to dedicate an entire side to wireless charging for Apple Pencil, the volume buttons are also located on the top of the device along with Touch ID. These buttons are unique in that they change function depending on the orientation of the device.

In portrait orientation with the FaceTime camera at the top, the right button raises volume while the left lowers it. Flip the iPad mini upside-down, and the buttons flip function to match the orientation of the screen.

While an 8.3-inch display may not sound that much smaller than the iPad Air’s 10.9-inch display, the size and weight differences are significant. Having a device as light as the iPad mini translates to longer hand-held use, which is a substantial advantage for reading, FaceTime calls, and various kinds of fieldwork.

iPad mini 6

Equipped with the A15 Bionic chip and an edge-to-edge 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the 2021 iPad mini 6 also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil.

21 iPad mini. performance

iPad mini is powered by the new A15 Bionic with Neural Engine, the same chip in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. Through Geekbench testing, the iPad mini scores 1589 / 4619 in single-core and multi-core respectively. This is slightly lower than the iPhone 13 Pro which scores 1719 / 4469.

As expected, the iPad mini scores in-between the iPad Air, which still runs the A14 Bionic, and the M1 iPad Pro. There isn’t a noticeable difference in performance between the iPad mini and iPad Air during real-life use.

In our testing, photo exports from Lightroom, audio exports from Ferrite, and video renders are noticeably slower on iPad mini vs. M1 iPad Pro. Depending on your project, it could mean the difference between several seconds or multiple minutes waiting on an app to finish exporting.

As with multiple aspects of the iPad mini, these differences will be most noticeable when compared side-by-side. If the iPad mini was your only tablet device, its performance would be more than adequate in all but the heaviest computational tasks.

Multitasking on iPad mini also performs admirably. Side-by-side apps, Slide Over Windows, and accessing the App Switcher is fluid and speedy. The greater challenge when multitasking is the limited screen real estate on this.size device.

Cameras have also been improved on iPad mini, which sports a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera on the rear, and another 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front-facing camera. Users can now enable Center Stage on iPad mini that will automatically pan and zoom to FOCUS on subjects in the frame.

Apple also brought center Stage to the entry-level 9th-generation iPad, making the iPad Air the only iPad in the lineup lacking the Ultra Wide, front-facing camera with this feature.

Battery life is good. With moderate use, the new iPad mini will last through a day without issue. Given that a smaller device necessitates a smaller battery, the iPad mini won’t see the same longevity as the iPad Air but is more than adequate for most use cases.

iPad mini also includes two speakers that provide stereo sound when placed in landscape orientation. It can’t match the superb sound of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 4-speaker array, but for casual use it sounds terrific.

The Lightning port on previous iPad mini models has been replaced with a USB-C port compatible with hubs and docks. Like they can with the iPad Pro and iPad Air, users can connect external drives, HDMI displays, and other peripherals using the port.

Liquid Retina Display on the iPad mini

The iPad mini’s 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display sports a resolution of 2266 by 1488. While these measurements are less than iPad Air and iPad Pro, the smaller screen size gives iPad mini the highest pixel-per-inch ratio at 326 ppi.

This gives the iPad mini an extremely sharp screen and displays app icons and text at a smaller native size. For the first time since owning iPads from the beginning, I had to increase the text size one notch.

Thankfully, iPadOS 15 allows users to adjust text size on a per-app basis, and there is a toggle for enabling larger app icons on the home screen.

Now that the iPhone 13 lineup includes OLED screens, and the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro has the incredible Liquid Retina XDR display, the iPad mini display can seem lackluster when viewing these devices side-by-side. The black levels on iPad mini can’t compete with OLED displays on the iPhone, or mini-LED on iPad Pro.

Despite not being the best display among Apple’s mobile devices, the iPad mini looks great in most scenarios, even outside in bright sunlight. Overall, users will be more than content with the razor-sharp iPad mini display.

Jelly scrolling?

Once the iPad mini started hitting users, reports surfaced about the screen showing a wobble. While mileage may vary depending on the variances between any two people’s eyes, if you look closely while scrolling up and down a list of albums in Apple Music, or when viewing text, the wobble is most visible.

We were able to capture the wobble on the iPad mini in our video review, but observed a similar effect on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s ProMotion display. The wobble is less pronounced on the iPad Pro, and most users may never see it, but it certainly exists.

Apple says that this happens on all liquid crystal displays, and that’s true to some extent, given how LCD works. However, it is more prevalent on the iPad mini than it is on other models.

Sensitivity to this, and for that matter, being able to differentiate between 60Hz and 120Hz in the iPhone 13 Pro models, varies very much person to person. Unless users purposefully stare at the iPad mini’s screen while attempting to scroll quickly to find the wobble, it will probably go unnoticed in day-to-day use.

We suggest trying one out in person before purchase to see if this bothers you.

Consuming media on the iPad mini

A device like the iPad mini is perfect for reading. Whether it’s reading Apple News, website articles, or eBooks, users should be able to hold the iPad mini for extended periods comfortably.

When reading indoors and in shaded areas, the iPad mini’s display is top-notch. Things get a little more complicated for those that prefer outdoor reading sessions. iPad mini is bright enough for most days, even in the Florida sunshine where we tested it, but having a glass front still invites lots of glare.

For heavy ebook readers, the decision between a new Kindle Paperwhite and the iPad mini is difficult. If users plan to use their reading devices outside most of the time, like at the beach or poolside, Kindle’s e-Ink display can’t be beaten. Plus, a new Kindle is hundreds of dollars cheaper.

On the other hand, Kindle is a single-purpose device. If you plan to do anything else with your tablet device, the iPad mini wins. For all but the die-hard outdoor ebook users, the iPad mini would be a great reading device.

Wireless Connectivity

iPad mini can be purchased with 5G cellular data support for an additional 150. Unlike the iPhone 12 and newer models, or the M1 iPad Pro, iPad mini does not support mmWave 5G speeds.

Every iPad mini does support Wi-Fi 6 with simultaneous dual-Band and speeds up to 1.2 Gbps, just like iPad Air and iPad Pro.

Accessories

Given the size of the iPad mini, there is no Magic Keyboard case available from Apple. Instead, users can pair any Bluetooth keyboard, trackpad, or mouse with the device.

If any accessory is a must-get with the iPad mini, it’s the second-generation Apple Pencil (available at Amazon). Using Scribble, Apple’s handwriting-to-text feature, users can jot down notes, fill out forms, and even search in Safari with ease.

Apple Pencil also transforms iPad mini into a sketchbook, graphic design tool, or podcast editing machine. While the smaller screen can make some of these tasks slightly tedious, iPad mini can handle them all.

There is also a first-party Smart Folio case that comes in five colors, English Lavender, Dark Cherry, Electric Orange, White, and Black. Costing 59, the Smart Folio case not only protects iPad mini but can fold to make a stand perfect for table-top viewing.

Who should buy the iPad mini?

The new iPad mini starts at 499 with 64GB of storage. Most users should upgrade to 256GB of storage which brings the price to 649. Add cellular connectivity and the total cost of iPad mini comes to 799.

Comparing this to a 139 Kindle Paperwhite is a tough pill to swallow for the ebook readers out there. If reading books is your primary use for a new tablet, consider the new Kindle devices that include USB-C for charging and an adjustable warm light display.

If you don’t already own an iPad of any kind, the question of buying an iPad mini is more complicated. Given the small screen real estate, its usefulness as a productivity device is limited.

Users looking to buy their very first iPad may want to consider the iPad Air. While it may lack some features like Center Stage, 5G cellular data, and has the year-old A14 Bionic processor, the larger screen and compatibility with Magic Keyboard make it a better combo for work and play.

The iPad mini is a great option for those who already own a larger iPad, especially if it’s several years old, and want a smaller, portable device. It will be hard to beat iPad mini’s feature set when used to supplement other devices or specialized use cases like heavy travelers or those working in the field.

Plus, it’s just fun to use and a delight to hold.

2021 iPad mini pros

• Very light and portable
• Capable A15 Bionic chip
• Sharp, Liquid Retina display
• USB-C Port
• Beautiful design

2021 iPad mini cons

• Tedious multitasking
• Jelly scroll may or may not make a difference to you
• High price tag versus the entry level iPad
• No Face ID
• Not ideal for outdoor reading

Where to buy

AppleInsider readers can save on every new model in the iPad mini 2021 Price Guide, with instant savings and exclusive discounts at your fingertips.

At the time of this iPad mini review, Expercom is marking down every capacity and finish with this special pricing link. Amazon also periodically offers cash discounts on the tablets.

tnet-primary

Haven’t seen Stephen do a video before. Really nice job, sir. Appreciated the honest perspective and use case analysis. Considering one for my mother.

zimmermann

I’m a Mini fan. I love everything about it, and so far haven’t had disappointments, although… the three months Apple Arcade feel a bit underwhelming, especially if you don’t do games. I would have gladly swapped that for anything else.

mike1

Considering this to replace my 9.7 Pro. Will have to compare them side by side to see if I will care about the difference in screen size.

Eric_WVGG

there’s one really unexpected drawback to the Mini 6 that i haven’t seen anyone write about yet: loads of websites and apps use 768px wide (“screen points”) as the starting point for tablet UIs. The Mini 6 is 744 wide.

Websites like Digg.com are rendering with this awful stretched out phone view. The Overcast pocast player is missing the sidebar, again looking like an oversized phone app instead of a tablet app.

i am very worried that developer ambivalence is going to lead to a crummy experience for the future on the iPad mini.

charlesn

The listed cons are really kind of odd.

Tedious multitasking? Sure, and I guess it’s a con of a Porsche 911 Turbo that it’s tedious for hauling cargo. (Small trunk! I can’t even do a Costco run!) I’m mean, c’monit’s an 8-inch display. Small size is its raison d’être. Who exactly is buying this as their multitasking machine?

High price tag versus entry level iPad. Well, in that case, this would be a con of every iPad that’s not the entry level unit, which makes no sense. It costs more because you get more: better display, much faster processor, way better camera system, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 future-proofing, 5G cellular, etc. Only the buyer can determine if all this is worth an extra 170, but the higher price tag can hardly be considered a con against the Mini. Paying more to get more is pretty much how all pricing works.

No Face ID. Personally, I prefer Face ID, but Touch ID fans aren’t a small minority, there’s an ongoing wish for Touch ID under the display, so I’d call this one a toss-up at best.

Not ideal for outdoor reading. When hasn’t this been true of LCD tablet displays from every company? And this is a con of the Mini?

But the con that surprised me most was the obvious one that was missed: the lack of a Smart connector and accessory keyboard solution. The Mini is an ideal light-duty work laptop for a weekend away or a train commute, but even just dealing with email requires a keyboard to do it efficiently. I’m sure third parties will come up with bluetooth answers, but it’s not like Apple to leave easy accessory money like that on the table.

iPad mini 6 extended-use review – There’s no substitute for portability [Video]

I’ve been using Apple’s dramatically redesigned iPad mini for about two months now, and my biggest takeaway is that it’s a great device for reading and note taking. But as you’ll see in my iPad mini 6 extended-use review, it’s not without compromise.

Although the 2021 iPad mini isn’t without its flaws, its strengths – namely, portability and pound-for-pound capability – have made it an integral part of my workflow. Should you consider making it a part of your technology stack? Is it worth the 100 price increase over the outgoing model? Watch my hands-on video as I discuss the merits of Apple’s pint-sized tablet after some extended usage.

The obvious things

The 6th-generation iPad mini is extremely small, but that is immediately obvious. The tablet is shorter than the 5th generation iPad mini, fitting into a more compact form factor, yet it features a larger screen (8.3 inches) with more resolution than its predecessor (7.9 inches).

This screen size increase inside a smaller form factor isn’t a new phenomenon for modern Apple devices, and it’s one that we’ve seen before in redesigns of the iPhone and the larger iPad tablets. The so-called edge-to-edge display makes it possible to cram a larger screen area inside a smaller surface area, which contributes to the device’s increased portability. That said, the iPad mini is slightly thicker than the outgoing model, and eschews the tapered edges that previously helped mask thickness in favor of flat edges.

Apple offers the iPad mini 6 in four hues, including the standout starlight color, which is like a subtle mix of gold and silver. Additional hues include pink, purple, and, of course, the dusty and worn-out space gray.

Video: iPad mini 6 extended-use review

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And after using the 2021 iPad Pro and now the iPhone 13 Pro Max on a regular basis, one of the things about the iPad mini that stands out like a sore thumb is the lack of ProMotion. ProMotion is Apple’s marketing name for its variable refresh rate technology, which can ramp up or scale back the display’s refresh rate according to what’s happening on screen.

One of the key benefits of ProMotion, besides less impact on battery life when the refresh rate throttles down, is the super-smooth experience when scrolling through text-heavy websites and documents. On the iPad mini’s display, the lack of ProMotion makes text appear blurry when scrolling, not to mention the so-called jelly scroll effect that’s common on LCD displays.

Of everything that the iPad mini may lack when compared to its bigger brothers, ProMotion is the feature that I miss the most by far. Even after extended usage with the iPad mini, the lack of ProMotion was still readily apparent when scrolling through text.

A solid electronic reader

At just 0.65 pounds (Wi-Fi model), the featherweight iPad mini, at 7.69 inches tall, 5.3 inches wide, and 0.25 inches thick, is a portable powerhouse. Compare that to the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s 0.52-pound weight, and it’s easy to see why the iPad mini 6th-generation is a beacon for portable productivity.

What I most appreciate about the iPad mini is just how balanced it is. The way the 0.65 pounds is spread throughout the device makes the tablet easy to hold with one hand – even with just a few fingers – which makes it work well for extended reading sessions.

Over the past two months, I’ve been using the iPad mini as my full-time reading device, using it to catch up on my Feedbin feeds, eBooks, website articles, Apple News, etc. One can debate the merits of e-ink technology found in Kindle devices over LCD technology, but this is my preferred reading device due to its wealth of capability combined with a relatively large display in such a compact and light chassis.

Writing, note taking, and artistry

In addition to reading, the iPad mini 6 is also a more capable note-taking device, thanks to the arrival of second-generation Apple Pencil support. To be clear, the previous 5th-generation iPad mini sported Apple Pencil support as well, but only for the older rounded-style first-gen Apple Pencil.

One of the biggest issues with the first Apple Pencil was that it was hard to keep up with unless you owned a case that included a for storage. The second-generation Apple Pencil features enhanced functionality, but most importantly, it magnetically attaches to the long side of the iPad mini for storage, and to facilitate pairing and recharging. Having the Apple Pencil attached to the side of the iPad mini means that it’s always available, which greatly ups the likelihood of it actually being put to use.

Unlike the bigger iPad models, the iPad mini isn’t great for long-form typing, as there’s no first-party attachable keyboard, and the virtual keyboard is way too small for long-form projects. But again, this serves to elevate the value of the Apple Pencil, which can be used for text input using iPadOS features like Scribble.

Throughout the last month, I found myself using the Apple Pencil to write notes, annotate video scripts, and create storyboards for upcoming video ideas in the Notes app. Artists may particularly enjoy having a portable digital canvas using popular apps like Procreate, Linea Sketch, Affinity Designer, and more.

Granted, the iPad mini lacks the screen real estate for someone who may want a tablet primarily for artistry, but its portability makes it a great travel companion for artists who often find themselves inspired while out and about.

USB-C flexibility

One of the biggest new additions to come to the iPad mini is the adoption of USB-C connectivity. Not only is USB-C used for recharging the iPad mini, but it also features faster USB 3.1 (Gen 1) 5Gbps connectivity for speedy offloading of photos and videos. It’s not as capable as the iPad Pro, which features faster Thunderbolt connectivity and works with a wider away of products, but even plain old USB 3.1 opens up a litany of peripheral options at more usable speeds.

With a single USB-C cable you can easily connect external drives, microphones, audio interfaces, and more. Having this sort of flexibility present in the I/O removes workflow roadblocks associated with iPads sporting Apple’s slow and outdated Lightning connector. Especially for photographers and videographers, who regularly offload photos and videos, the presence of the ubiquitous USB-C connector makes a huge difference in productivity.

iPadOS 15 should also not be overlooked in this area, because it features an upgrade to the file transfer interface, with Finder-like time remaining statistics that are clearly inspired by the Mac. Having better insight into in-progress file transfers is priceless when transferring large files to and from the iPad mini.

Camera and video

The 12MP ƒ/1.8 camera on the iPad mini 6 presents a significant improvement over the 8MP ƒ/2.4 camera in the iPad mini 5. Not only does the camera feature a 50% boost in resolution, but it also gathers more light, resulting in cleaner photos and videos with less noise. The small size of the iPad mini makes it easier to shoot with than larger iPads. I don’t regularly take photos or videos on my iPads, but in a pinch, and more importantly, with the right lighting conditions, it’s quite doable.

Like its direct predecessor, the iPad mini 6 Liquid Retina display maxes out at 500 nits of brightness, meaning that it doesn’t support HDR video playback. This won’t be a big deal for most people, but for me, someone steeped in HDR workflows, it’s one of the first things I noticed about the iPad mini’s display, and it’s still something I miss after extended usage.

The lack of brightness capability also means that HDR videos shot on an iPhone 13 or iPhone 12 cannot play back in full HDR luminance when viewed on the iPad mini 6. Again, this probably isn’t a huge deal for the majority of people, but it will be quickly noticed by people who care for such things.

Regarding the camera, one of the most impressive technologies is support for Center Stage with the front-facing camera. Center Stage, which is specifically designed for video calls like FaceTime and even third-party apps like Zoom, automatically pans the camera to keep you centered in the frame. As you move about the frame, the camera moves with you, and as multiple people appear inside the frame, the camera will zoom out to ensure that each subject is well represented.

Obviously, there is no moving camera with variable focal length inside of the iPad mini, so Apple makes the Center Stage effect happen via a wider camera, clever software tricks, and machine learning powered by the A15 Bionic’s faster Neural Engine. It starts with the new ultra-wide 12MP camera with 122-degree field of view, compared with the wide-angle 7MP camera found in previous iPad mini models.

Thanks to the huge increase in the field of view and greater resolution, Center Stage can capture a larger scene area and use machine learning to digitally pan around the frame without a drastic loss in resolution. Although I was sure this feature would be a gimmick when I first tried it on the iPad Pro, I ended up loving it. It lends a dynamic look and feel to video calls that make them feel less static and robotic, and I especially appreciate this during the video call renaissance that the world has gone through recently.

Everything else

In the past, I’ve usually started my iPad reviews by raving about the performance and talking about the latest system on a chip. However, after using the iPad mini for well over a month, specs tend to take a back burner, and overall usability comes to the forefront.

The iPad mini 6 is a major step forward in performance over the 5th-generation model. And, as mentioned, the iPad mini is indeed slightly faster than its larger brethren, the iPad Air.

With the A15 Bionic’s slightly increased GPU performance over the A14 in the iPad Air, most Apple Arcade games run great, but almost no one should buy the iPad mini solely as a gaming machine. Considering that the entry-level iPad mini with 64GB of storage costs as much as modern-day flagship consoles, it’s not a good buy for that purpose. However, if gaming is a secondary use case, the iPad mini makes for a solid portable gaming machine, especially for those who subscribe to Apple Arcade.

For watching videos and even editing videos via apps like iMovie and LumaFusion, the iPad mini 6, with its 8.3-inch display, provides a better experience than an iPhone 13 Pro Max, for instance. But the iPad mini is only available in either 64GB or 256GB configurations, which can quickly fill up when working with high-fidelity ProRes video. Couple that with the 500 nits max brightness, and it’s clear that Apple thinks serious video editors should opt for its pro-designated tablets instead.

A few other things: There are stereo speakers, which are available when the device is oriented into landscape mode. The speakers are nowhere near iPad Pro level, but they are good enough for such a pint-sized device. You do, however, lose access to the 3.5mm headphone jack found on the previous iPad mini. While this omission won’t affect most users, if you have a tried-and-true workflow that depends on the headphone jack, it’s something to take into consideration before purchasing.

5G connectivity is also an option, although I purchased the Wi-Fi-only model. Apple charges a hefty 150 premium for 5G capability, which I couldn’t justify based on how I’ve been using my iPad mini. With that being said, there’s a certain sense of freedom that you get from a cellular-enabled iPad, not to mention a faster 5G cellular-enabled iPad. If you plan on using your mini on a regular basis while traveling, opting for the cellular model makes perfect sense.

Conclusion

The iPad mini 6 is hands-down the best portable tablet on the market today. It’s a portable device that can pretty much do everything well, but it isn’t necessarily amazing in any one area. For example, it’s a wonderful reading device because of its large screen and lightweight, balanced design, but it suffers due to the lack of ProMotion. And the screen is larger than the iPad mini 5, but there’s no jump in screen fidelity, color, or brightness.

It’s also a powerful mobile video solution, but it lacks the higher-end storage tiers, more capable Thunderbolt connectivity, and HDR playback.

One thing I failed to mention was battery life, which Apple touts as being all-day capable. I don’t use my iPad mini in that way for hours on end, but a single charge has regularly lasted me for several days of intense reading and note-taking. I was more than satisfied with the battery life, and I think if you’re reasonable in your expectations, you will be as well.

The one area where the iPad mini particularly excels is in its note-taking capability, largely thanks to the support for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to the side of the tablet. But with that said, it lacks the screen real estate that some artists and note-takers might desire.

All in all, the iPad mini is an amazing device for portability, and it’s really the only option for those looking for a portable tablet with class-leading software support, that can do pretty much everything that its more powerful brothers and cousins can do. However, with that portability comes compromises in various areas. Personally speaking, I’m more than willing to live with those compromises, because there’s nothing that comes close to the iPad mini in a comparable form factor.

Because of the iPad mini’s portability, I found that I was more willing to take it with me while traveling, because why not? It can easily fit inside my glove box or center console when not in use. I can even fit it easily inside of an oversized coat Because of its size and weight distribution, I also find that I prefer to use it over the iPad Pro when reading in bed.

Even if you already own the 5th-generation iPad mini, I think it’s a worthwhile upgrade. You get a much faster tablet, support for a much better pencil, a larger display, and 5G connectivity as an option. That makes the iPad mini 6 a pretty good upgrade over the older mini models.

What are your long term thoughts on iPad mini 6? Sound off down below in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев with your thoughts.

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iPad mini

The iPad mini includes the A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine, 7.9‑inch Retina display with True Tone, Touch ID, and support for Apple Pencil.

The iPad mini is the tablet you’re looking for if you want a portable screen but bigger than your iPhone and as powerful as it. When compared to all other iPads, it looks closer to the iPad Pro, as it features a powerful chip, USB-C, 5G, Center Stage, and second-generation Apple Pencil support.

History

The iPad mini was first introduced in October of 2012. Back in the keynote, this iPad contrasted with the standard model: 9.7 inches for the base model, and 7.9 inches for the mini one. “Easy to remember,” Apple said at the time.

One year later, in 2013, the company gave this iPad a minor upgrade with the A7 processor and a Retina display. Only in 2014, with the iPad mini 3, Apple introduced the Touch ID on the tablet while adding support for Apple Pay.

Alongside the first iPad Pro, the iPad mini 4 was announced in September of 2015, but with the iPhone 6s and a new Apple TV also presented at this keynote, the iPad mini 4 was overshadowed. It received an A8 processor and its first redesign with a slightly taller and wider body than the previous models.

When everyone thought Apple wouldn’t launch another iPad mini, the company released the fifth generation in March of 2019. This was the most significant update for the mini line at the time, with a major processor upgrade and the first-generation Apple Pencil support.

Two years later, Apple unveiled the sixth-generation iPad mini. It changed everything about its most portable tablet. Now with Touch ID on the upper button, a larger display with thinner bezels, A15 Bionic, better cameras, and new colors

iPad mini Specs

The sixth-generation iPad mini has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with thinner bezels. With the powerful A15 Bionic processor, Apple claims it’s 80% faster than the previous model, making it the most capable iPad mini ever.

Users also get 64GB and 256GB storage options and a new USB-C port, allowing faster connectivity and cellular models with 5G bringing more flexible mobile workflows.

With a new 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and Neural Engine, users can enjoy even more engaging video calls. As users move around, Center Stage automatically pans the camera to keep them in view. When others join in, the camera detects them too, and smoothly zooms out to include them in the conversation. Center Stage makes video calls more natural in FaceTime as well as third-party video-calling apps.

It also has a 12MP main camera that can record in 4K for the first time. This iPad also brings for the first time support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, also attaching to this tablet’s side.

Apple offers third-part wireless keyboard options for customers who want to type with a proper keyboard.

It’s available in five new colors: black, white, dark cherry, English lavender, and electric orange. You can choose between the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Cellular (5G) models. This iPad offers an “all-day battery life” with 10-hour support and has a Lightning port for charging.

iPad mini 6 ‘jelly scrolling’ display refresh bug and other screen problems

Although many people praised the new iPad mini, some customers started noticing a “jelly scrolling” bug.

When looking at the iPad mini in portrait with the camera at the top, the right side of the display updates faster than the left side. Upside down, the left side will now update quicker than the right side. Curiously, the lag is much harder to discern when using the iPad mini in landscape mode.

Some people are also complaining about LCD discoloration and distortion issues

iPadOS 15 features

The new iPad mini comes with iPadOS 15. This operating system brings a redesigned Home Screen with widgets and App Library support.

On iPadOS 15, FaceTime group calls can finally appear in a grid, so it’s easier to see everyone. It’s also possible to share your screen, listen to Apple Music songs together, or watch Apple TV, HBO Max, Disney, and others while in a call.

In the productivity section, Apple, unfortunately, didn’t bring all the features pro users wanted to take full advantage of their new M1 iPad Pro, even though Apple made it easier to rely on multitasking features.

With the Quick Note feature, users can use the Apple Pencil to add a quick note. They just need to slide the pencil through the bottom right corner to the center of the screen and start writing.

iPadOS 15 launched for all iPads on September 20. Learn more about it here.

iPadOS 15.1 features

One month after releasing iPadOS 15, Apple released iPadOS 15.1 notable, the company finally brought SharePlay support for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Unfortunately, Universal Control wasn’t one of the features added with this new version. Here’s what else is new:

• New automation triggers based on the current reading of a HomeKit-enabled humidity, air quality, or light level sensor
• 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

Five weeks after releasing iPadOS 15.1, Apple is releasing iPadOS 15.2. It brings more features that were expected to launch alongside iPadOS 15 but, unfortunately, Universal Control is still nowhere to be seen. Here are the top features of this version:

• Apple Music Voice Plan is a new subscription tier that gives you access to all songs, playlists, and stations in Apple Music using Siri
• App Privacy Report in Settings lets you see how often apps have accessed your location, photos, camera, microphone, contacts, and more during the last seven days, as well as their network activity
• Communication safety setting gives parents the ability to enable warnings for children when they receive or send photos that contain nudity
• 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
• Apple TV app: Store tab lets you browse, buy, and rent movies and TV Shows all in one place

iPadOS 15.3 features

Six weeks after releasing iPadOS 15.2, Apple is releasing iPadOS 15.3. This update foregoes new features in favor of under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements. One of the most notable changes here is a fix for a Safari vulnerability that may have been leaking your browsing history and Google ID data to the websites you visited.

iPadOS 15.4 features

iPadOS 15.4 finally brings one of the most important features expected from iPadOS 15 and that got delayed: Universal Control. Here’s everything new with iPadOS 15.4:

• Universal Control: This feature allows you to control your Mac and iPad using the same keyboard and mouse/trackpad. Universal Control needs iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3;
• New Siri voice: Siri has a fifth American voice. Apple says a member of the LGBTQ community recorded the voice and it’s non-binary;
• emoji: iPadOS 15.4 also brings new emojis. You can discover all of the new characters here;
• Shortcuts automation: Adds support for running Personal Automations in the background without requiring a pesky banner notification.

iPadOS 15.5 features

Different from other software updates, iPadOS 15.5 only improves the Podcast app experience, as Apple focused on Wallet changes for the iPhone this time:

• Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your iPhone and automatically delete older ones

iPadOS 15.6 features

iPadOS 15.6 is yet another small update for iPad users. Here’s what’s news:

• TV app adds the option to restart a live sports game already in progress and pause, rewind, or fast-forward.
• Fixes an issue where Settings may continue to display that device storage is full even if it is available.
• Fixes an issue that may cause Braille devices to slow down or stop responding when navigating text in Mail.
• Fixes an issue in Safari where a tab may revert to a previous page.

iPadOS 15.7 features

iPadOS 15.7 only brings bug fixes and small security improvements as the company is currently testing iPadOS 16.

Pricing

The sixth-generation iPad mini pricing starts at 499 for the 64GB storage option with Wi-Fi only. The can go up to 799 with the 256GB storage option and Wi-Fi 5G. Here are the full of the sixth-generation mini Apple sells:

• 64GB with Wi-Fi: 499
• 64GB with Wi-Fi Cellular: 649
• 256GB with Wi-Fi: 649
• 256GB with Wi-Fi Cellular: 799

Lower may be available from Apple’s official Amazon store.

iPad mini Review

Apple Watch Ultra weight could be reduced, with upcoming refresh

Which iPads support iPadOS 17? Here’s the list …

Apple today formally introduced iPadOS 17, alongside iOS 17 and macOS 14. As always, Apple aims to allow as many older iPads as possible to support the latest version, without compromising performance on hardware too weedy to do it justice.

The company has provided a list of the iPad models able to run iPadOS 17 …

iPad mini remains the best for people who want a portable tablet

The iPad lineup has grown considerably in recent years. If you go to an Apple Store (or just open Apple’s website) now, you’ll find six different models available, ranging from the entry-level 9th generation iPad to the expensive 12.9-inch iPad Pro. I have two iPads: the latest M2 11-inch iPad Pro and the iPad mini 6. And the more I use both models, the more I’m sure the iPad mini is my favorite – here’s why.

Here’s when to expect the iPad mini 7 and why a foldable tablet can’t replace it

Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is out with some fresh predictions this morning for the iPad mini. After the major refresh of Apple’s smallest tablet in 2021, Kuo believes the company could miss a 2023 launch for the next generation. Meanwhile, he explains why Apple’s first foldable won’t replace the mini.

One Month with iPad mini

When it was announced during the September iPhone event, I immediately thought that the sixth-generation iPad mini was the star of the show. New iPhones are cool and all, but this iPad mini seemed like it was tailor-made for how I was (and wasn’t) using my iPad Pro. I ordered one before the end of the event, and having used it for a month now, I have to say this is by far the most fun I’ve ever had with an iPad.

And more importantly, it has completely absolved me of my iPad guilt.

iPad Guilt

I’ve used some version of the iPad Pro from the moment it was released. It is an absolutely screamin’ machine, and it’s kind of wild to think about how capable and powerful a thin slab of glass can be.

But over the years, I’ve discovered that being able to do something on my iPad and wanting to do something on my iPad have increasingly become two very different things for me.

One example is writing. I’ve had a version of Apple’s keyboard case attached to my iPad Pro since the original keyboard folio for the 10.5″ model, but I don’t enjoy writing on it. Can I do it? Absolutely. But given the choice, I’d rather use my clicky keyboard (or even my MacBook Pro).

Another example is any kind of multitasking. Even though iPadOS has advanced in recent years, I still want to use my Mac if I need to have multiple Windows open at once (which I often do for a lot of my admin tasks).

This left me in a weird place of not wanting to use my iPad for my “real work.” Even though I create sketchnotes videos every week, I felt like I was not using the iPad the way it was meant to be used. I felt like my use of it was only a small percentage of what it was made for, and I felt more and more resistance when trying to justify an upgrade based on my limited use.

Yes, it’s great for audio editing and taking sketchnotes, but I was increasingly hesitant when considering spending 1500 on a new iPad (and accessories) if I’m not going to use it “the right way.”

I was starting to think that the iPad just didn’t have a place in my life anymore. I couldn’t justify the high cost for a powerful “computer” I was going to primarily use as a notebook.

I was suffering from iPad guilt.

But the iPad mini has significantly improved my relationship with the iPad.

For one thing, the smaller size forces me to abandon some of the use cases that weren’t appealing to me anyway. I don’t even think about sitting down to write with my iPad anymore because attaching a keyboard to a screen that small would be ridiculous. I can do it if I need to in a pinch, but I don’t even think about using the device that way.

And with the lower price, I don’t feel like the iPad needs to be capable of absolutely everything in order to justify a place in my personal workflow.

I can simply let the iPad mini do what’s it’s good at. And as I do, I’m finding my usage of the iPad has drastically increased in the last month.

How I’m Using the iPad mini

When I first saw the iPad mini announced, I immediately thought that it would be the perfect tool for my sketchnote workflow using GoodNotes.

I LOVE the roughly A5 size of the iPad mini. It feels very natural for me. In fact, the iPad mini is almost identical in size to my Ugmonk Heirloom journal:

Even though I primarily work from home, I always have my notebook with me. The size of the iPad mini makes it easy to grab as well.

I also enjoy mind mapping on the iPad mini using MindNode, though not much has changed here since my move from the 11″ iPad Pro. Being able to physically touch your ideas and move them around feels magical on any device, and the small screen (or canvas) hasn’t bothered me.

I also use my iPad as a teleprompter using OBS for presentations and Zoom meetings (details can be found at the bottom of this post), and I was concerned the smaller screen size might be an issue. But this has been completely fine and the smaller size of the iPad mini makes it a little bit easier to position it correctly.

One area where I do miss the larger size is for sheet music. I play guitar on the worship team at my church and use scanned documents in GoodNotes for my sheet music. I pair an AirTurn Bluetooth pedal that allows me to turn pages without touching my iPad. If I’m going to see the entire document at once, the iPad mini screen size is honestly a little small. But since I try not to look at my music anyway and use it only for reference, it isn’t that big of a deal. And when my iPad occasionally goes to sleep (seems to happen irregularly regardless of settings), it’s much easier to wake it back up using TouchID on stage than FaceID.

I’ve also found some new uses for the iPad in my workflow. The most surprising one to me has been using it for journaling in Obsidian. I have a very particular workflow for this (which I document here and here), which I expected I would do from my iPhone at the end of the day. But it’s never really felt quite right on the iPhone, and the smaller size of the iPad mini means it’s usually nearby and I’ve found that I really enjoy using Obsidian on the iPad mini.

I also enjoy using the iPad mini for research and podcast prep. The iPad Pro felt big and cumbersome, but I love sitting on the couch and prepping show notes with my iPad mini using Safari and Google Docs in Split Screen.

There are also a couple of workflows that I have ended up moving from my iPhone to the iPad mini. Communication for work, which usually happens in Slack or Notion, is much more pleasant for me on the iPad mini. And with the screen size so similar to dedicated e-readers like the Kindle, it’s pretty obvious that it’s a great reading device because it’s so thin and light. While I still prefer to read physical books, I’ve found that I love using the iPad mini for reading RSS (and newsletters that I send there using FeedBin).

In short, the way I’m using my iPad mini is very different from how I was using my iPad Pro. But I also end up using it a lot more than I ever thought I would.

What I Love About the iPad mini

The benefits of the iPad mini for me go far beyond the technical specs. Here’s what I love about it:

• The smaller size makes it more portable, which means I reach for it more often.
• I know it’s not as powerful as the brand new iPad Pros, but it still packs a punch. The hardware isn’t the thing holding the iPad platform back at this point.
• The roughly A5 size complements my BuJo notebook workflow well.
• It is the perfect size for carrying presenter notes while speaking.
• All the features of iPadOS are there (for the most part, in my opinion), and don’t feel cramped on the smaller screen. Yes, it will be weird if you use slide over in portrait mode. But I don’t do that very often, so I don’t notice it.
• TouchID is not a big step down from FaceID like some people say (and means I don’t have to get uncomfortably close to my iPad on stage anymore).
• The second-generation Apple Pencil feels like it was made for this iPad. I absolutely love it.

There are a couple of things I miss though from my iPad Pro:

• The refresh rate isn’t quite as high. For the most part, this isn’t a big deal, but I did feel it a tad using the Apple Pencil.
• Because the Apple Pencil is as big as the iPad mini, I am in constant fear that I will knock it off while carrying it around. (hasn’t happened yet, so maybe it’s unfounded.)
• I had a Paperlike screen protector on my iPad Pro that I loved. I’ve pre-ordered one for my mini, but it hasn’t shipped as of this writing. Writing right on the glass feels really weird to me.
• As mentioned earlier, the screen is a little small for sheet music.

Overall, I absolutely adore this little device. It’s made me fall in love with the iPad again. No, it’s not perfect — but it is perfect for me. Some people may prefer FaceID or miss the higher refresh rate more than I did. But those features come with a cost, and I feel the tradeoffs Apple made to keep the price down are the right ones.

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