The 5th generation iPad mini combines a well-known design with modern hardware. In addition to a Retina display with True Tone technology it also supports the Apple Pencil. Find out what else you can expect from this latest iPad mini iteration and what parts Apple left unchanged in our review.
When looking at our iPad mini 4 test unit not much seems to have changed at first glance. An impression we also had when reviewing the current Air, and there is a simple reason: over the past four years Apple has been recycling the well-known iPad design as well as the name over and over again. Accordingly, the unchanged case now contains brand-new hardware that might be most interesting to those users with older models.
Starting at $399 owners of previous iPad minis, such as the iPad Mini 3, can switch to a brand-new device with Wi-Fi without having to adapt and get used to a new form factor. You get to keep the design you love and are accustomed to, but now equipped with the Apple A12 Bionic SoC that also powers the iPhones XR, XS, and XS Max. A total of 64 GB of internal storage should be plenty for apps and files, and $150 more will catapult you to a total of 256 GB. Another optional upgrade is the LTE modem that will set you back yet another $120. In other words; the most expensive iPad mini 5 will cost you $679 plus tax.
If you are considering an iPad mini you are most likely not interested in possible competitors. However, should you be so inclined there are several worthy and more than just adequate alternatives outside Apple’s ecosystem. For the sake of this review, we have chosen the iPad mini’s own predecessor, the iPad mini 4, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, the Huawei MediaPad M5 8.4, and the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4.
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Case
The iPad mini can be had in three different colors: silver, space gray, and gold. Build quality is excellent, and the device left us with a very satisfied feeling when held in one’s hand. Our review unit was the Wi-Fi-only SKU, whose rear cover is made of edge-to-edge aluminum that covers the entire device up to the edges of the display. The cut-outs for the buttons, the camera, the speakers, and the microphone are perfect and the buttons themselves sit firm in their respective openings. The Touch ID sensor is located underneath the display and sits atop a firm mechanical button with soft and gentle feedback.
Visually, there are almost no differences between the fifth generation and its predecessors, and weight and dimensions have remained almost identical as well. The latter are hard to compare with the iPad’s competitors due to its unique 4:3 display, which makes it wider than the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 and the Huawei MediaPad M5. In return, the Huawei is longer and manages to incorporate an 8.4-inch display inside a case with a very similar footprint. The iPad mini remains the thinnest and lightest device in our test group.
Connectivity
Apple equipped its 5th generation iPad mini with its own A12 Bionic SoC, the A12 Bionic GPU, and 64 GB of eMMC flash storage. According to Geekbench it also comes with 3 GB of RAM.
As before, wired data transfers rely on Apple’s Lightning port with support for USB, HDMI, or card readers via the appropriate dongles. In addition, the iPad mini 5 also supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil but lacks a smart connector to attach a keyboard cover.
Software
At the time of writing, the tablet shipped with iOS 12.2, which is going to get updated regularly in the coming years. Thanks to the fast hardware the OS felt very smooth, and we failed to notice any dropped frames or other slowdowns during our test period. Streaming HD videos via Netflix or other services is supported.
