Smaller than an iPad, but quite a bit bigger than an iPod touch, the Apple iPad mini is the long-awaited and much-rumoured in-betweener in the brave new world of tablets. Here's our full iPad mini review.
iPad mini screen
Although it's the same physical size as its seven-inch rivals, it packs a bigger 7.9in screen. You wouldn't think it, but this extra not-quite-an-inch gives the iPad mini around 35 percent more screen real-estate than a 7in tablet, and the difference is noticeable. See iPad 4 review.
We like the 4:3 form factor, which is only really a disadvantage when it comes to watching videos, since 16:9 content has to be shown with black bars at the top and bottom, or the sides cropped so it fills the screen. See also Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7 tablet comparison review.
To keep things simple, and likely to keep costs down, the screen has the same 1024 x 768 resolution as the iPad 2. This means it can run the existing - and extensive - catalogue of iPad-specific apps. Most Android tablet owners have to put up with the phone versions of apps. Visit Google Nexus 7 review.
The iPad mini's display has a higher pixel density than the original iPad and iPad 2 because it's around 2in smaller, but it's obvious that it's not as crisp as the iPhone or bigger iPad's Retina displays. Fortunately, it's still an IPS panel, so colours are vibrant and viewing angles excellent. See also Amazon Kindle Fire HD review.
iPad mini build
What strikes you as you pick up the iPad mini is how light it is. It's less than half the weight of a third- or fourth-generation iPad, and 23 percent thinner. Despite this, build quality is spectacular and the mini feels as solid as a rock. The mini is also noticeably thinner and lighter than most of its 7in rivals, including the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. Take a look at our iPhone 5 review.
As you'd expect, it has the new Lightning connector, so you'll need an adaptor to use 30-pin accessories - not all of which will work.
UPDATE: Apple has now released a wide selection of Lightning cables and adapters, including the extremely expensive £39 Digital AV Adapter (read HDMI output). Beware that some apps (particularly catch-up TV) do not support HDMI output, so don't invest in the adapter thinking you can get around the AirPlay restrictions this way.
The button layout is identical to a 9.7in iPad.
Like all recent Apple iPads, the iPad mini has dual-band Wi-Fi, allowing it to roam across the less crowded 5GHz radio band. Apple also lists channel bonding in its spec, where two adjacent 20MHz channels are combined to make a 40Hz channel for potentially greater throughput. Most people won't get this benefit, though, as few have a router with a 5GHz radio, or one that can operate on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz simultaneously.
iPad mini cameras
Both cameras on the iPad mini are brilliant, the rear one especially so. It takes sharp photos in dingy conditions (the photo below was taken with just a table lamp lighting the room) and great-looking images with accurate colours in good light.
It's great for videos too (it has stabilisation as well), and you'll feel more at home using this smaller iPad rather than the big version for capturing what's going on. Plus, there's face recognition on both cameras for photos and videos.
iPad mini performance
Another similarity with the iPad 2 is the processor. The A5 chip is getting a bit old, but our benchmark results show it can still rub shoulders with the current crop of 7in tablets. Importantly - and this is something benchmarks often fail to reflect - the iPad mini feels snappy in use, whether loading apps, scrolling around maps or browsing the web.
In the SunSpider JavaScript test, the iPad mini scored 1442ms, which puts it towards the head of the pack, but in the synthetic Geekbench 2, it managed only 752 - not a great score compared to the Nexus 7 (1452) and even the Kindle Fire HD (1124). For gaming, it's still pretty good, managing 24fps in GLBenchmark 2.5.1. The Kindle Fire HD could muster only 8.2fps here, and the Nexus 7 just 14fps. It shows that, when it comes to more demanding games, the iPad mini leads the way.
In terms of battery life, we found the mini didn't quite live up to Apple's 10-hour claim. Running our usual video-looping test, we recorded just 7 hours and 21 minutes with Wi-Fi turned on. That was at maximum screen brightness, however, so at a lower brightness, you might just reach 10 hours.
iPad mini software
A slight surprise is the presence of Siri - Apple's voice assistant - as it was previously thought the processor was the reason for not including it on the iPad 2. The mini has most of the other headline iOS 6 features as well, including flyover maps and VIP mail, but doesn't get a panorama mode in the Camera app. You can, of course, download any number of apps which will automatically stitch photos together for you. Try Microsoft's Photosynth for great 360-degree vistas.
One neat addition to iOS is that it recognises if you're resting your thumb on the side of the screen or interacting with an app. The side bezels are just 5mm wide so touching the screen is inevitable, especially when reading an eBook.
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Comments
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Thomas1991 said: Apple iPad mini is a solid stylish device with perfect size amp weight ideal for travelling Great for gaming reading and browsing A bit pricey if you dont use discount codes You can get 64GB Wifi white version like me at zavvicom for only 368 incl free samph to UK amp Europe Just use code ZV16127166 to get 10 OFF first purchase when opening a new account Use the money you save on some cool accessories or just buy yourself a beer or two
Paulsmithjere said: nice but over priced
Jignesh Padhiyar said: Very interesting review What caught my attention was One neat addition to iOS is that it recognizes if youre resting your thumb on the side of the screen or interacting with an app Thats quite a great thing about the iPad Mini Im afraid we dont find such features in Android tabs
usetablet.com said: Yeah I personally thing that If Steve Jobs was in charge he wouldnt have fallen this far with all this mini iPad thing Not that this is better than iPad its even worse technically it has lower attributes but people are still buying it Cant argue that this is really fashionable and good looking gadget to say the least but come on people Apple marketing specialists are really incredible to sell this kind of product at those rates and especially this price Ive already said my verdict about mini iPad on my bloghttpusetabletcombut Nonetheless keep up the good work
Yaesu_vx7r said: But thats why you can either use a Bluetooth head set or the wired ear pieceearphonesObviously not even thought of when mobile phones were first adoptedI have the Samsung galaxy note amp the Samsung galaxy tab 77 GT-P6800The 77 galaxy tab is 12 month old and truly wipes the floor with the iPad mini and is also constructed with a brushed aluminium rearFaster processor Super amoled Plus display which truly is more pleasing to the eyesThe colours are so vibrant and even puts the retina display to shame as i own the 3rd gen and ipad mimiWhich i regret buying its very poor display wise and painfull to the eyes too The GT-P6800 Has expandable SD memory card slot has 3G capabilities so can calltxt unlike the miniThis particular tablet was known as the iPad killer amp I totally agree
J Williams said: The new Mini iPad and Nexus 7 arent the only new tablets released this month -- the Novo 7 Flame 32GB also just launched - an impressive 7 Inch tablet priced at 189 at a site called TabletSprint -- The Novo 7 Flame Android tablet definately has a cool factor and is sleek and compact with a brush metal back cover and offers a 1280x800 Hi - Res screen Dual Core CPU 32GB Memory MicroSD portable storage an HDMI connection to your TV with full 1080p HD thats great for movie downloads a 5 megapixel Rear Camera with AF amp LED Flash and a 2 MP webcam Plus great connection - Bluetooth WiFi Ethernet and options for 3G The tablet is made by Ainol Electronics which received a Best Tablet of the Year award at CNET Consumer Electronics Show 2012 -- TabletSprint also offers a free 3G4G 500MB monthly data plan with full internet accessVoIP calling in the US -- worth comparing this model to others--
Simpleton said: Goodbye big ipad Hello low margin ipad mini If this lower quality product is as good as the more expensive product logic would dictate weve been conned into thinking spending lots brings us practicality and value for money I think apple willalwaysmake the best hardware but make an inferior OS This product will not get the all important new user because of the price No one will cry if they lose their Nexus 7 but will if they lose their ipad mini
Eresin said: yes it can
Zulu-warrier said: It fits in one hand I wonder if thats the same hand that the iPhone 5 comfortably fits in
Keane said: Just got one 2 days ago work seamlessly and of course feels exactly like using a normal 97 iPad
sip said: I was an early adopter of cellphones and carried around a brick of a phone That phone didnt make one look like a prick the way that phablets do
COyZAn said: Can it transfer a file via bluetooth to a Macbook Pro Or any Mac Or to an iPhone
Dave Wilson said: Im surprised that Apple is even making an ipad mini Why First a smaller ipad will cannibalize the larger ipads Second its gonna inevitably lead everyone to an all-in-one device like the Samsung Galaxy Note At a certain point people are going to refuse to pay for and carry two different devices when you could just buy one Phablets are the future and when they become the premier mobile device Apple will be in big trouble as a company
CasperEvis said: googlXrtDU
CasperEvis said: Phillip explained I cant believe that any one able to profit 8721 in one month on the network did you look thisClick on menu Home
Rdmhero said: Dont buy it if u dont like it I think it will be another great tablet from apple Cant wait to get mine
Meandmydad56 said: brilliant works fine
COyZAn said: Still no bluetooth
Mikee Smith said: nice but overpriced and absence of Micro SD slot to force you to buy the grotesquely expesive memory upgraded versions is an insult