iPad Mini (6th generation)

The sixth-generation iPad Mini (stylized and marketed as iPad mini and colloquially referred to as iPad Mini 6) is a tablet computer in the iPad Mini line, designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on September 14, 2021, and released on September 24, 2021, alongside the ninth-generation iPad, iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. Its predecessor, the fifth-generation iPad Mini, was discontinued on the same day.[3] It is available in four colors: Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, and Purple.

iPad Mini (6th generation)
An iPad mini (6th generation)
Also known asiPad mini 6
DeveloperApple Inc.
ManufacturerFoxconn
Product familyiPad Mini
TypeTablet computer
Generation6th
Release dateSeptember 24, 2021 (2021-09-24)
Operating systemOriginal: iPadOS 15
Current: iPadOS 17.0.3, released October 4, 2023[1]
System on a chipA15 Bionic with 64-bit architecture and embedded motion co-processor
CPUHexa-core (2× 2.93 GHz Avalanche and 4× 1.82 GHz Blizzard)
Memory4 GB
Storage64 or 256 GB
Display8.3 inches (210 mm) 2266×1488 px (326 ppi), 500-nits Max Brightness, Wide-Color Display (P3), True Tone Display, Fully Laminated Display, 1.8% Reflectivity and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support
GraphicsApple-designed 5 core GPU
SoundStereo speakers (landscape)
InputMulti-touch screen, headset controls, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, digital compass, dual microphone, Touch ID fingerprint scanner, barometer
CameraFront: 12 MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, burst mode, timer mode, exposure control, face detection, Smart HDR 3, wide-color capture, auto image stabilization, Retina flash, 1080p HD video recording
Rear: 12 MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture, five-element lens, quad-LED True Tone flash, burst mode, timer mode, exposure control, noise reduction, face detection, Hybrid IR filter, Live Photos with stabilization, Autofocus with Focus Pixels, face detection, Smart HDR, panorama, wide-color capture, auto image stabilization, 4K 60fps video recording, video stabilization, slo-mo, time-lapse
Connectivity
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular:
802.11 Wi-Fi 6 dual-band (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) and MIMO

Bluetooth 5.0

Wi-Fi + Cellular:
GPS & GLONASS
GSM
UMTS / HSDPA
850, 1700, 1800, 1900 MHz
LTE
Multiple bands
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G NR
Multiple bands
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
Power3.82 V 19.19 W·h (5034 mA·h)[2]
Dimensions
  • 7.69 in (195 mm) (height)
  • 5.31 in (135 mm) (width)
  • 0.25 in (6.4 mm) (depth)
MassWi-Fi models

0.65 pound (293 grams)

Wi-Fi + Cellular models

0.66 pound (297 grams)
PredecessoriPad Mini (5th generation)
RelatediPad Air (4th generation)
iPad (9th generation)
Websitehttps://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/

It is the first major redesign of the iPad Mini, and resembles the fourth-generation iPad Air in design and with its top button Touch ID (removing the home button), with a larger 8.3-inch display, USB-C port (replacing the Lightning port), and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil.

Features

Hardware

It is the first redesign of the iPad Mini since the iPad Mini 4 in 2015, and the first major redesign since its introduction in 2012. Externally, it is essentially a smaller version of the 4th-generation iPad Air and third-generation and newer iPad Pro. It lacks a Smart Connector for a keyboard, likely due to its smaller size. Internally, it has an A15 Bionic SoC which is underclocked to 2.92 GHz instead of the iPhone models' 3.23 GHz.[4] The chip has a six-core CPU, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine.

It has an 8.3-inch 2266x1488 Liquid Retina display, taller and slightly narrower than previous models while maintaining the pixel density of 326 PPI, which is the same on all iPhones with Retina LCDs since the iPhone 4, excluding the Plus models. The display is laminated and has an anti-reflective coating, as well as wide color and True Tone. A 12 MP front camera was implemented in the iPad, replacing the older 7 MP camera, and features the Center Stage technology that detects the user and moves the camera view accordingly during video recording and video calls using on-device processing, while the rear camera is upgraded to 12 MP with a True Tone flash and 4K video recording at up to 60fps, replacing the 8 MP camera, which the module is identical to the third-generation iPad Pro.

The Home Button is removed, with the Touch ID sensor relocated to the Sleep/Wake button. The volume control buttons have been moved to the top edge of the device to accommodate the second-generation Apple Pencil. Landscape stereo audio effect is also added to the system's audio recording system.

Connectivity

The sixth-generation iPad Mini discontinues the proprietary Lightning port in favor of a universal USB-C port that is used for charging as well as connecting external devices and accessories. All models have Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless capabilities while the cellular models support 5G connectivity but lack mmWave support unlike the iPad Pro (5th generation).

Accessories

It is only compatible with the second generation of Apple Pencil, but not compatible for Magic Keyboard for iPad or Smart Keyboard Folio, likely due to the small size.

Reception

This model received a very positive reception, noting a new design was long overdue and felt 5G was a nice surprise, with Jason Perlow from Zdnet calling it "Apple's most exciting new product in years".[5]

Timeline

Timeline of iPad models

Source: Apple Newsroom Archive.[6]

References

  1. "About iPadOS 17 Updates". Apple Support. 17.0.3.
  2. iPad Mini 6th Generation Repair – iFixit
  3. Casey, Henry T.; Wawro, Alex (2021-09-14). "iPad mini 6 release date, specs, design, colors and news". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  4. "New iPad Mini Has Downclocked A15 Chip Compared to iPhone 13". MacRumors. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  5. Perlow, Jason. "Why the iPad Mini 6 is Apple's most exciting new product in years". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  6. Apple Inc. (2010–2011). iPad News – Newsroom Archive. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
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