➤ iPad mini 6, the review of Apple's smallest tablet that winks at video games 🎮

Among the protagonists of the California Streaming event that was held on September 14th, iPad mini 6 did not generate the same hype as the new iPhone 13 models, but it was certainly one of the most welcome surprises of the presentation, partly because its announcement was not so obvious, but above all because of the characteristics that greatly differentiate it from both the previous one version, both from other members of the iPad family. On the other hand, it was two and a half years that Apple did not update his tablets smaller, while three and a half had passed between the fourth and fifth generation.

The fact is that, finally, iPad Mini 6 has arrived: characterized by a compact design that aligns with the style of iPad Air and iPad Pro and by a technical data sheet that leaves very little room for compromises, iPad mini 6 is an option. interesting for those who need a tablet that they can always carry with them to create, study, work and play, although any purchase must necessarily go through some reflections. Let's find out which ones in ours iPad Mini 6 review.

Technical features

iPad mini 6, the review of Apple's smallest tablet that winks at video games — iPad Mini 6 in all its beauty

The beating heart of iPad mini 6 is the A15 Bionic processor, the same mounted by the latest generation of iPhone: it is a SoC that counts on 6 cores for the CPU and 5 cores for the GPU, thus proving to be a quick partner for both work and gaming. It is quite surprising in this sense that Apple chose to mount the same version of the A15 Bionic as the iPhone 13 Pro, and not the "reduced" version of the iPhone 13 with one less core for the GPU: the result is that iPad Mini is currently the most powerful Apple tablet in the catalog immediately after the iPad Pro with the new M1, thanks to a chip which currently represents the best in the mobile environment. However, there is a small compromise related to the slight downclock that led the A15 to run at 2.9 GHz instead of the 3.2 GHz of smartphones, probably with the aim of increasing the autonomy of the not huge. battery.

The 16-core Neural Engine is also very important, responsible for managing artificial intelligence and machine learning thanks to which iPad Mini can support second generation Apple Pencils. On the connectivity side there is everything you need, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC chip and support for 5G networks in the case of Cellular models.

The storage space is instead of 64 or 256 GB, strictly not expandable as usual for Apple products. iPad mini is available in four versions, different for memory size and for the support or not of mobile networks.

Amazon 2021 offer Apple iPad mini (8,3 ", Wi-Fi, 64GB) - purple (6th generation)

€559,0

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Technical Data

Processor: A15 Bionic
colors: Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Galaxy
Memory: 64 256GB
Dimensions and weight: 195,4 x 134,8 x 6,3mm e 293 grammi
Display: 8,3-inch Liquid Retina (2266 x 1488 pixels)
Camera:
Rear: 12MP wide angle with f / 1.8 aperture
Front: ultra-wide angle with Center Stage FOV 122 °
Speaker: stereo
Connectivity: USB-C and 5G for the Cellular model
Security: touch ID
Price and memory:
iPad mini to 64 GB: € 559 are Amazon
iPad mini to 256 GB: € 729 are Amazon
iPad mini da 64 GB + Cellular: 729€ su Amazon
iPad mini da 256 GB + Cellular: 899€ su Amazon

Design

Among the happiest notes of the iPad Mini 6 there is certainly the one relating to a design that abandons the now dated solutions of the previous model to embrace a style more consistent with that of the latest iPhones. Green light therefore to square lines, reduced frames and flat edges, which join a larger screen and weight and dimensions (195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm for 293 grams), which turn out to be inferior to those of the last generation, with the exception of a slightly more pronounced thickness.

In reality the bezels are not very thin, but the reason is easily understandable: a tablet is held (usually) with both hands and in a different way than a smartphone, which is why there must be a space around the screen to facilitate grip. fingers without risking unwanted input. iPad Mini 6 will probably not be small enough to be used comfortably with one hand, but it is still one of the most "portable" tablets currently in circulation, to the advantage of those looking for a device that can be inserted more or less anywhere.

During our test we really enjoyed the form factor iPad Mini: despite being compact, it almost always manages to be adequate for most of the various tasks carried out by the "big brothers", but with the advantage of being less demanding to handle and, ultimately, extraordinarily comfortable.

The assembly is flawless as per Apple tradition, which this time also has had an eye on the sustainability of the materials, which come mostly from recycling processes: the body, for example, is made of 100% recycled aluminum. Also noteworthy is the different position and functionality of the keys, with the volume controls now located at the top along with the power button that integrates the fingerprint sensor for Touch ID, eliminating the need for the antiquated Home button.

A small gem concerns the volume keys that are "intelligent": whatever the orientation of the tablet, the one at the top will always be the one that raises the volume. On the right side is the SIM slot and here it is also possible to magnetically hook and charge a second generation Apple Pencil (sold separately, ça va sans dire), while at the bottom there are the new stereo speakers and the USB port- C which replaces the now obsolete Ligthing connector and allows easier use of accessories.

IPads are obviously the terrain in which Apple is starting to introduce USB-C, which will inevitably also arrive on iPhones for the happiness of practically everyone, including the European Commission. Four colors are available - sidereal gray, pink, purple and galaxy - which those who wish can combine with the new Smart Folio covers made for the occasion in English lavender, electric orange, dark cherry, black and white.

Display

The panel mounted by iPad mini 6 is an 8,3 "Liquid Retina with a resolution of 2226x1488 and a PPI index of 326. It is a very good, extremely defined, with brilliant colors, sharp images and adequate brightness which, with a peak of 500 nits, guarantees ideal readability in practically all conditions. In this regard, it is worth noting the support for the P3 color range and the True Tone function, which adjusts the color parameters on the screen based on what the front camera detects in the surrounding environment. The refresh rate instead stops at 60 Hz, without therefore returning the same sensation of fluidity of a 120 Hz screen as that of the iPad Pro, but the overall performance is still appreciable. However, it remains a drawback considering the technical sheet at the top of everything else.

Overall we are clearly far from the quality of an OLED, which however would have inevitably led to a further increase in the already important price. The small size of the screen, however, makes it a tool suitable for a wide range of activities, but the price to pay is evidently in multitasking, with the division of spaces that can make it difficult to read small texts or make precision selections. Finally, the oleophobic and anti-reflective treatment appeared to be particularly effective, making the tablet perfectly usable even under sunlight.

Cameras

Il photo gallery has always been a non-fundamental element for a tablet, even if the small size of a device like iPad mini 6 can push towards a more intensive exploitation of this feature.

Apple must obviously have reasoned this out, because the cameras of iPad mini 6 actually have an edge over those of many other competitors and illustrious members of the iPad family. The sensor rear is a 12MP with f / 1.8 aperture, 5x digital zoom and ability to record videos up to 4K at 60 FPS, while in the front punch hole nestled in the upper frame there is space for a 12MP with ultra-wide angle lens at 122 degrees and f / 2.4 aperture, with videos that can go up to 1080p. Let's be clear, we are not talking about a setup capable of replacing the shots that can be taken with any mid-range smartphone in yield and effectiveness, but both cameras prove to be reliable enough to return discrete photos, and above all they perform well when called into question by applications that exploit them for augmented reality and the like.

The front camera is also perfectly at ease with video calls and video conferences, with the icing on the cake being the support for Center Stage technology that allows the lens to follow the subject in case of movement and always keep it in the center of the frame. All elements that actually give a sense of modernity from this point of view and that could represent a plus for someone.

Battery

Apple never discloses the technical specifications of the battery of their devices, and iPad mini 6 is no exception. From Cupertino they declare an autonomy of 10 hours about with moderate use that mainly involves web browsing via Wi-Fi, an estimate that from our test is quite plausible, albeit perhaps a little optimistic.

There are obviously a whole series of variables that can reduce these times, from the use of mobile networks to the intensive exploitation of multitasking or drawing via Apple Pencil, for a battery life that in any case should not fall below 8 hours. Good but not exciting values, which are flanked by charging times that are also average: using the quick charger from 20W included in the package it goes from 0 to 100 in about an hour and a half. From this point of view, we have to underline once again Apple's reluctance to implement fast-charging solutions, now standard for the entire industry.

Then there is no wireless charging, as well as support for MagSafe accessories.

Experience of use

Especially if you come from a previous version of the same model, the impact with theuser experience of iPad mini 6 is extremely positive, the result not only of the maturity and continuous refinement of iPadOS but also and above all thanks to some features inspired by others belonging to the great Apple family.

Moving the volume control keys upwards requires a few moments of adaptation but is undoubtedly functional, as well as the abandonment of the Home button and the integration of touch ID in the power button, with a fingerprint detection that is always quick and precise.

The lower incidence of the bezels on the visible surface is another good point in favor of the iPad mini 6, which however, as previously mentioned, pays duty when it comes to dividing the display into multiple windows for the multitasking: at the cost of seeming trivial, we want to underline that this is a much more suitable model for that type of user who usually uses one application at a time, while for a more demanding public the various iPad Pro or Air remain the most performing solutions. On the other hand, Apple's iPad line is perhaps even too wide and varied, which is why it is possible to find the tablet closest to your needs with relative ease.

If with all the other iPads the screen size is quite generous and therefore the discriminant is basically linked to the technical data sheet, iPad mini represents a unicum: a device without a doubt with limits but also with extraordinary merits (reading the comics is a show, seeing is believing) and supported by a truly remarkable hardware. From a productivity point of view, I'm a little sorry for the absence of a special version of the Magic Keyboard, available instead for the iPad Air and Pro: those interested in this type of peripheral will necessarily have to make use of a less elegant bluetooth keyboard or trust in some third-party manufacturer.

Video streaming

Given its compact size, it's only natural to think of the iPad mini 6 as an ideal companion for anyone looking to enjoy film e series on the move, and the almost cinematic ratio of the screen is a further indication of this.

In fact, the Apple device also performs very well in the management of video content in streaming on platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney + (also supporting HDR10 and Dolby Vision), and if on the one hand you cannot expect the definition and depth of blacks typical of the finest OLED panels, on the other you can enjoy a excellent audio system, with two stereo speakers that guarantee remarkable quality and power and support for the Dolby Atmos format. The applications of the various services have obviously already been adapted to the tablet screen, which is why they are used without any problem and with perfect responsiveness.

Video Game

We said at the beginning that iPad mini 6 is probably one of the closest devices in the world of Gaming never produced by Cupertino. An affinity declared in an extremely clear way.

In fact, Apple has never hidden to focus a lot on iPad mini 6 in the guise of a sort of portable console, strong in technical characteristics that allow it to run perfectly the Games more complex and of a format that, being in fact a cross between a smartphone and a classic tablet, is the ideal compromise for game on the go. Using the A15 SoC with all GPU cores unlocked might seem almost excessive considering that iPad Mini 6 will probably not be bought by those who have as their very first interest the use of highly demanding applications from a performance point of view. But if you look at it from a gaming perspective, it takes on a different and fully sensible value, because it gives the perspective of a hardware on which to run practically everything in maximum detail and with optimal performance.

Our test with the most popular titles such as Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact, PUBG and Asphalt 9 highlighted an impeccable rendering for fluidity and quantity of detail (both always at maximum values), but also a remarkable enjoyment of the experience as a whole, thanks to a display large enough to make the action on screen more readable but at the same time compact enough to guarantee the right ergonomics. Apple Arcade then, with his ever-expanding catalog, he finds in iPad Mini 6 an almost perfect environment where even heavy games like The Pathless and Oceanhorn 2 run very well.

Finally, accompanied by a physical controller, iPad Mini 6 can prove to be a more than valid partner for users of streaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming o Google Stadia, which can count on a device that guarantees excellent performance, a more than good visual rendering and above all a marked portability, also doing justice to the games that are best expressed on a fairly large screen. The only drawback in this extremely interesting picture for gamers is the absence of 120 Hz on the screen, which would have represented the classic icing on the cake.

Comment

Price 559 € / 899 €

Resources4Gaming.com

8.5

IPad Mini has always been able to prove itself particularly attractive in its combination of versatility and power in a small size, but with the iPad Mini 6, Apple wanted to strongly relaunch the product line with a profound revision, able to convince with many lights and few shadows. . Certainly the screen area brings with it some compromises and limits in the use of certain applications, but in most cases the great handling is appreciated through a pleasant and satisfying user experience. The finally modern design and the exceptional power of the A15 Bionic SoC are guarantees that by buying iPad Mini 6 you will be able to use it for a long time with satisfaction. If portability is therefore a primary necessity, iPad Mini 6 is an advisable, versatile and at times exciting, albeit expensive, choice.