Apple · iPad mini

iPad mini (6th generation)

Released September 2021

The iPad mini (6th generation) is Apple's 2021 8.3-inch iPad, the first mini with an all-screen design, USB-C and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support, suited to reading, note-taking and use on the move.

Model history · 6 models, 2012–2021

Screen: 8.3″
Display: LCD, 60 Hz
Chip: A15 Bionic
Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 64 GB – 256 GB
Weight: 293 g

Compact

What reviewers say

Reviewers call the iPad mini (6th generation) the best small tablet available, praising its compact, stylish design, fast A15 Bionic chip and sharp screen. Tom's Guide found it pricey and missed a headphone jack and keyboard support, while TechRadar wanted longer battery life.

From techradar.com and tomsguide.com

Specifications

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Display

Screen size: 8.3″
Resolution: 2266 × 1488
Sharpness: 327 pixels per inch
Panel: LCD
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Brightness: 500 nits
Display type: Liquid Retina display, LED-backlit IPS LCD
Pixel density: 326 ppi
Display features: Wide colour (P3); True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating with 1.8% reflectivity; fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating; no ProMotion (Apple's compare page)

Performance

Chip: A15 Bionic
Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 64 GB, 256 GB
CPU: 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
GPU: 5-core GPU
AI engine: 16-core Neural Engine

Cameras

Rear camera: 12 MP
Ultra wide camera: None
Front camera: 12 MP
Rear camera: 12MP Wide, ƒ/1.8, five-element lens, autofocus with Focus Pixels, Quad-LED True Tone flash, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 3
Front camera: 12MP Ultra Wide, 122° field of view, ƒ/2.4, Centre Stage
Video recording: 4K at 24, 25, 30 or 60 fps; 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps; 720p at 30 fps; slo-mo 1080p at 120 or 240 fps; cinematic video stabilisation (4K, 1080p and 720p)

Battery and connections

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 10 hours
Battery capacity: 19.3 Wh
Mobile data option: Yes
Stylus: Supported, sold separately
Keyboard made for it: No
Battery life detail: Up to 10 hours surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video; up to 9 hours surfing the web on mobile data
Charging: 20W USB-C Power Adapter in the box
USB-C: USB-C with charging, DisplayPort and USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gb/s); one external display up to 4K at 30Hz
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO, up to 1.2Gb/s
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0
Mobile network: 5G (sub-6 GHz) and LTE; nano-SIM and eSIM
Stylus support: Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C), attaching magnetically

Design

Weight: 293 g
Thickness: 6.3 mm
Height × width: 195.4 × 134.8 mm
Operating system: iPadOS
Biometrics: Touch ID in the top button
Speakers: Landscape stereo speakers
Microphones: Dual microphones
Sensors: Three-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor
Colours: Space Grey, Pink, Purple, Starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C Charge Cable (1 m), 20W USB-C Power Adapter

Storage options

Storage
64 GB
256 GB

Pros and cons

Pros

8.3-inch display in a 293 g, 6.3 mm body
A15 Bionic chip, 5G on cellular models and Touch ID in the top button
Works with Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which charges on its side

Cons

60Hz LCD with no ProMotion
4GB of memory, half the iPad mini (A17 Pro)'s, and no Apple Intelligence
Starts with 64GB, and Apple doesn't make a keyboard for it

Closest rivals

Model	Screen	Display	Chip	Memory	Storage	Weight	Released
AppleiPad mini (5th generation)	7.9″	LCD	A12 Bionic	3 GB	64 GB – 256 GB	300.5 g	Mar 2019
AmazonFire HD 8 (2024)	8″	LCD, 60 Hz	MediaTek MT8169A	3 GB – 4 GB	32 GB – 64 GB	337 g	Oct 2024
AppleiPad (9th generation)	10.2″	LCD	A13 Bionic	3 GB	64 GB – 256 GB	487 g	Sept 2021

Previous model: iPad mini (5th generation). Newer model: iPad mini (A17 Pro).

Sources

Photo: apple.com

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