| iPad mini | |
| Developer: | Apple Inc. |
| Manufacturer: | Foxconn, Pegatron[1] |
| Family: | iPad |
| Type: | Tablet computer |
| Os: | iOS (2012–2019) iPadOS (2019–present) |
| Connectivity: | WiFi and cellular |
| Releasedate: | (1st generation) |
| Service: | App Store, iTunes, Game Center, iCloud, FaceTime, iMessage |
The iPad Mini (branded and marketed as iPad mini) is a line of small tablet computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It is a sub-series of the iPad line of tablets, with screen sizes of 7.9 inches and 8.3 inches. The first-generation iPad Mini was announced on October 23, 2012, and was released on November 2, 2012, in nearly all of Apple's markets.[2] [3] [4] [5] It featured similar internal specifications to the iPad 2, including its display resolution.
The iPad Mini 2, with a A7 processor and a Retina Display, was announced on October 22, 2013, and released on November 12, 2013. The iPad Mini 3 was announced on October 16, 2014 and was released on October 22, 2014, alongside the iPad Air 2; it features the same external hardware as the Mini 2 and the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor compatible with Apple Pay.[6] On September 9, 2015, Apple released the iPad Mini 4; which is a smaller version of the iPad Air 2. On March 18, 2019, Apple released the fifth-generation iPad Mini with support for the Apple Pencil alongside the third-generation iPad Air. The sixth-generation iPad Mini was announced on September 14, 2021 alongside the ninth-generation iPad, with both devices being released on September 24, 2021. Matching the new design language of the current Pro and Air iPads, features included a larger 8.3-inch full-screen display, USB-C port (instead of Lightning), top button with Touch ID (with home button removed), and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil.
On October 16, 2012, Apple announced plans for a media event on October 23 at the California Theatre in San Jose, California.[7] [8] The company did not give the subject of the event, but it was widely expected to be the iPad Mini.[9] At the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced a new version of MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac, then unveiled the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini.[10]
See also: iOS, iPadOS, iOS 6, iOS 7, iOS 8, iOS 9, iOS 10, iOS 11, iOS 12, iPadOS 13, iPadOS 14, iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16.
The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts.[11] Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes and to Apple's iCloud online service. Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a VoIP application, such as Skype.[12] iPads offer dictation when connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
Applications from Apple and third-party developers can be downloaded through the App Store, an application distribution market for iOS that is maintained and regulated by Apple. The service allows users to browse and purchase applications. Optional apps from Apple that can be purchased through the App Store include GarageBand, iMovie, iPhoto, and the iWork apps (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers) are available.[13]
The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore.[14] Several major book publishers including Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have committed to publishing books for the device.[15] Despite the iPad being a direct competitor to both the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook,[16] both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble offer e-reader apps for the iPad.[17] [18]
On June 8, 2015, it was announced at the WWDC that all four generations of the iPad Mini would support iOS 9. However, certain new multitasking features, such as Slide Over and Picture in Picture, will be limited to the second, third, and fourth generation. Split View, another new multitasking feature, is available only on the iPad Mini 4.[19]
The current version of iPadOS, iPadOS 16, is supported on iPad Mini 5 and up. The upgrade to this version is available as a free download.
The first-generation iPad Mini shipped with iOS 6.0[20] and the highest supported version is iOS 9.3.6 (for cellular models) or iOS 9.3.5 (for Wi-Fi models).
There are four buttons and one switch on the iPad Mini, including a "home" button near the display that returns the user to the home screen, and three aluminum buttons on the right side and top: wake/sleep and volume up and volume down, plus a software-controlled switch whose function varies with software updates. The tablet is manufactured either with or without the capability to communicate over a cellular network. All models can connect to a wireless LAN via Wi-Fi. The iPad Mini is available with 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB[21]) of internal flash memory, with no expansion option. Apple sells a "camera connection kit" with an SD card reader, but it can be used only to transfer photos and videos.
The first-generation iPad Mini features partially the same hardware as the iPad 2. Both screens have resolutions of 1024 × 768, but the iPad Mini has a smaller screen and thus higher pixel density than iPad 2 (163 PPI vs. 132 PPI). Unlike the iPad 2, it has 5 MP and 1.2 MP cameras and the Lightning connector. The system-on-chip is A5, which is the same one found in the later revision of the iPad 2 (32 nm). The audio processor is the same found in iPhone 5 and iPad 4th generation, which allows the iPad Mini to have Siri and voice dictation unlike the iPad 2. The graphics processor (GPU) of the first-generation iPad Mini is the same one found in the iPad 2 (PowerVR SGX543MP2).[22]
iPads with a data connection can download data through cellphone networks, but can not make voice calls. They can act as a hotspot, sharing the Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.[23]
See main article: iPad accessories. The Smart Cover, introduced with the iPad 2, is a screen protector that magnetically attaches to the face of the iPad. A smaller version is now available for iPad Mini. The cover has three folds, which allow it to convert into a stand, held together by magnets.[24] Smart Covers have a microfiber bottom that cleans the front of the iPad, and wakes up the unit when the cover is removed. It comes in six colors of polyurethane.[25] [26]
Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard, several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the Lightning connector.[27] AppleCare and free engraving are also available for the iPad Mini.[28] [29]
The most recent model is the iPad Mini (6th generation). The iPad Mini models are listed in a comparison grid.
| Legend: |
|---|
| Model | Announced | Released with | Release date | Discontinued | Final supported OS | Support status | Support lifespan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Mini (1st generation) | October 23, 2012 | iOS 6.0 | November 2, 2012 | June 19, 2015 | iOS 9.3.6 | September 12, 2016 (GPS Update: July 22, 2019) | (Wi-Fi) (Wi-Fi + Cellular) | |
| iPad Mini 2 | October 22, 2013 | iOS 7.0.3 | November 12, 2013 | March 21, 2017 | iOS 12.5.7 | January 23, 2023 | ||
| iPad Mini 3 | October 16, 2014 | iOS 8.1 | October 22, 2014 | September 9, 2015 | iOS 12.5.7 | January 23, 2023 | ||
| iPad Mini 4 | September 9, 2015 | iOS 9.0 | September 9, 2015 | March 18, 2019 | iPadOS 15.8.2 | March 5, 2024 (occasional security fixes) | ||
| iPad Mini (5th generation) | March 18, 2019 | iOS 12.2 | March 18, 2019 | September 14, 2021 | Latest iPadOS | Active | ||
| iPad Mini (6th generation) | September 14, 2021 | iPadOS 15.0 | September 24, 2021 | Current | Latest iPadOS | Active |
| Model | iPad Mini (1st generation) | iPad Mini 2 | iPad Mini 3 | iPad Mini 4 | iPad Mini (5th generation) | iPad Mini (6th generation) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Initial | iOS 6.0 | iOS 7.0 | iOS 8.1 | iOS 9.0 | iOS 12.1.4 | iPadOS 15.0 | |
| Highest supported | iOS 9.3.6 | iOS 12.5.7 | iPadOS 15.8.2 | Latest iPadOS | ||||
| Model number | A1432 (Wi-Fi) A1454 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) A1455 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) | A1489 (Wi-Fi) A1490 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) A1491 (Wi-Fi + Cellular TD-LTE) | A1599 (Wi-Fi) A1600 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) A1601 (Wi-Fi + Cellular TD-LTE) | A1538 (Wi-Fi) A1550 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) | A2133 (Wi-Fi) A2124, A2126 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) A2125 (Wi-Fi + Cellular TD-LTE) | A2567 (Wi-Fi) A2568, A2569 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) | ||
| Announcement date | October 23, 2012 | October 22, 2013 | October 16, 2014 | September 9, 2015 | March 18, 2019[30] | September 14, 2021 | ||
| Release date | November 2, 2012 | November 12, 2013 | October 22, 2014 | 16, 64, 128 GB: September 9, 2015 32 GB: September 7, 2016 | March 18, 2019 | September 24, 2021 | ||
| Discontinued | 32, 64 GB: October 22, 2013 16 GB: June 19, 2015 | 64, 128 GB: October 16, 2014 16 GB: September 7, 2016 32 GB: March 21, 2017 | All: September 9, 2015 | 16, 64 GB: September 7, 2016 32 GB: March 21, 2017 128 GB: March 18, 2019 | All: September 14, 2021 | In production | ||
| Unsupported | September 13, 2016 July 22, 2019 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) | January 23, 2023 | Current | |||||
| Launch price | Wi-Fi models 16 GB: $329 32 GB: $429 64 GB: $529 Wi-Fi + Cellular models 16 GB: $459 32 GB: $559 64 GB: $659 | Wi-Fi models 16 GB: $399 32 GB: $499 64 GB: $599 128 GB: $699 Wi-Fi + Cellular models 16 GB: $529 32 GB: $629 64 GB: $729 128 GB: $829 | Wi-Fi models 16 GB: $399 32 GB: $399 64 GB: $499 128 GB: $599 Wi-Fi + Cellular models 16 GB: $529 32 GB: $629 64 GB: $629 128 GB: $729 | Wi-Fi models 64 GB: $399 256 GB: $549 Wi-Fi + Cellular models 64 GB: $529 256 GB: $679 | Wi-Fi models 64 GB: $499 256 GB: $649 Wi-Fi + Cellular models 64 GB: $649 256 GB: $799 | |||
| SoC | Name | Apple A5 | Apple A7 | Apple A8 | Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic | ||
| Motion coprocessor | Apple M7 | Apple M8 | ||||||
| CPU | 1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 | 1.3 GHz dual-core Apple Cyclone | 1.5 GHz dual-core Apple Typhoon | 2.49 GHz 6-core (2 × high performance Vortex + 4 × high efficiency Tempest) | 2.93 GHz 6-core (2 × high-performance Avalanche + 4 × high efficiency Blizzard) | |||
| GPU | Dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 | Quad-core PowerVR G6430 | Quad-core PowerVR GX6450 | Apple-designed 4-core GPU | Apple-designed 5-core GPU | |||
| Memory | 512 MB DDR2 RAM | 1 GB LPDDR3 RAM | 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM | 3 GB LPDDR4X RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4X RAM | |||
| Storage | 16, 32, or 64 GB | 16, 32, 64, or 128 GB | 16, 64, or 128 GB | 64 or 256 GB | ||||
| Display | 7.9inches multi-touch display with LED backlighting and a fingerprint and scratch-resistant coating | 8.3inches multi-touch display with LED backlighting and a fingerprint and scratch-resistant coating | ||||||
| Fully laminated display, antireflective coating | Fully laminated] display, anti-reflective coating, 500-nits Max Brightness, Wide-Color Display (P3), True Tone display, 1.8% Reflectivity and Apple Pencil (1st Generation) Support | Fully laminated display, anti-reflective coating, 500-nits Max Brightness, Wide-Color Display (P3), True Tone display, 1.8% Reflectivity and Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) Support | ||||||
| 1024 × 768 pixels at 163 ppi | 2048 × 1536 pixels at 326 ppi (Retina Display) | 2266 × 1488 pixels at 326 ppi (Retina Display) | ||||||
| Camera | iSight | 1080p HD still and video camera 5 MP, 30fps and 5× digital zoom, geolocation | 1080p HD still and video camera 8 MP, 30fps and 5× digital zoom, geolocation | 1080p HD still and video camera 8 MP, 120fps and 3× digital zoom, geolocation | 4K still and video camera 12 MP, 240fps and 5× digital zoom, geolocation | |||
| FaceTime | 1.2 MP still, 720p video, geolocation | 7 MP still, 1080p HD video, geolocation | 12 MP still, 1080pHD video, geolocation | |||||
| Wireless | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | ||||
| Cellular | 3G transitional LTE on Cellular model | Gigabit-class LTE | 5G NR | |||||
| Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (supports Apple SIM) | Nano-SIM (with eSIM) | ||||||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | |||||
| Geolocation | Wi-Fi models | Wi-Fi, Apple location databases | ||||||
| Wi-Fi + cellular models | Above plus: Assisted GPS, GLONASS, Apple databases, Cellular network | |||||||
| Sensors |
|
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| Battery | 4440mAh lithium-polymer battery | 6471mAh lithium-polymer battery | 5124mAh lithium-polymer battery | |||||
| Back color | Silver, Slate | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight | ||||
| Front color | White, Black | Black | ||||||
| Dimensions | Height | 199.9mm | 203.2mm | 195.3mm | ||||
| Width | 134.6mm | |||||||
| Depth | 7.1mm | 7.4mm | 6.4mm | |||||
| Weight | Wi-Fi models | 0.68lb | 0.73lb | 0.65lb | 0.66lb | 0.646lb | ||
| Wi-Fi + Cellular models | 0.69lb | 0.75lb | 0.67lb | 0.683lb | 0.655lb | |||
| Mechanical keys |
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| Connector | Lightning Connector | USB-C | ||||||
| Greenhouse gas emissions | 120 kg CO2e[31] | 120 kg CO2e[32] | 170 kg CO2e[33] | 120 kg CO2e[34] | 72 (originally 70) kg CO2e[35] [36] | 68 kg CO2e | ||
Reviews of the first generation iPad Mini have been positive,[37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] with reviewers praising the device's size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of expandable storage and Retina Display for the first-generation iPad Mini.[43] [44] The device competes with tablets such as the Amazon Kindle Fire HD, Google Nexus 7, and Barnes & Noble Nook HD.[45] Joshua Topolsky of The Verge praised the industrial design of the iPad Mini, however panned its lack of Retina Display and price. The iPad Mini 2 was well received, praising the Retina Display and Apple A7 chip performance, with criticisms on the price increase and the quality of the camera.[46] [47]