iPad mini (2024) — Review

Sometimes, you’re just stuck between a MacBook and an iPad. Both are powerful devices with common purposes, though one offers more convenience and portability over the other’s processing capabilities. But both are not the cheapest Apple devices to own, and that’s where the iPad mini (2024) comes in.

At 8.3-inch, it’s significantly smaller than a 13-inch MacBook Air or 10.9-inch iPad, but easier to hold with one hand. It’s also a great device to carry around, offering more real estate compared to a 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max, though at the current way the American tech giant has been rolling out new devices, it raises the question of whether it truly upgrades its 2021 predecessor, or if you’re better off with a regular iPad.

The main appeal of the iPad mini remains the same — it’s a smaller device that works well in meetings and classrooms, as Apple’s petite offering continues to gain traction and maintain a strong presence in the market. Known for its compact form factor and robust performance, the iPad mini has consistently proven itself as a unique hardware offering, instead of being the smaller version of the coveted iPad. Following a brief hiatus after its 2021 release, during which no new models were introduced, the iPad mini makes a compelling comeback in 2024. With a blend of familiar aesthetics, enhanced performance, and long-awaited features, the latest iteration may not completely redefine expectations, but enhances what users love and infuses it with new power and efficiency.

At the heart of the iPad mini (2024) is its stunning 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, offering a physical advantage that’s not too big or small, and the right size to have it everywhere you go, for a ride on the bus, train or even in your hand carry when flying. The screen resolution remains at 2266 by 1488, at 326 ppi (pixel per inch), providing the sharp details and text, as well as the vivid colours that Apple devices are known for. It retains key features such as a True Tone screen, P3 wide colour which offers richer and more saturated colours, an anti-reflective coating, and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic layer on the rear panel.

While some of these features continue to contribute to a vibrant viewing experience, others feel rather old, including the 60Hz refresh rate that feels woefully outdated in 2024. Fans may be disappointed that Apple hasn’t upgraded this particular aspect, as a higher refresh rate would greatly improve the overall experience, particularly for gaming and media consumption; however, it’s important to note that the iPad mini isn’t the best the company has to offer. It’s typically geared more toward tasks such as note-taking, reading and drawing, alongside some light productivity, prioritising general basic functions over technological superiority. It also explains why refresh rate isn’t that crucial to audiences who are only looking at entry-level features, and not for a device focused on high-performance gaming or media. Additionally, user concerns about jelly scrolling have been addressed and resolved by Apple.

The iPad mini (2024) takes a significant leap in performance thanks to the powerful A17 Pro chip, moving beyond the A15 Bionic found in its predecessor. Apple claims the 6-core CPU is now up to 30 percent faster, while the 5-core GPU delivers up to 25 percent faster performance, complete with impressive features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Putting the tablet through its paces in Genshin Impact yielded a consistently smooth performance at 60 frames per second (FPS), with enhanced thermal management capabilities proving highly efficient at dissipating heat to prevent overheating even during extended gaming sessions.

What really stands out, though, is the increase in RAM from 4GB to 8GB. This boost in memory not only enhances multitasking but also makes a noticeable difference when working with creative apps like Lightroom, or even video editing software like Premiere Pro. You’ll find that tasks flow more effortlessly. 

In terms of design, both the 2024 and 2021 models maintain a lightweight and compact form factor, making them easy to carry on the move. However, while the new version introduces four attractive colours: Starlight, Space Gray, Purple, and the new Blue, the Pink option from the 2021 range has sadly been removed. Notably, the shade of Purple here is lighter, adding a fresh twist to the colour palette. Despite these new colours, the overall design remains largely unchanged, including the dimensions, weight, and button placements, which may leave some users wishing for more innovation.

A notable upgrade over its predecessor is stylus compatibility on the 2024 iPad mini, which supports both the original Apple Pencil and the new Apple Pencil Pro. The latest stylus enhances the creative experience with features like improved precision, low latency, and effective palm rejection that prevents accidental touches on the screen, making it ideal for artists and creators. Its innovative functions, including squeeze commands, barrel roll actions, haptic feedback, and Find My support, provide added convenience and customisation, positioning the iPad mini as a powerful tool for maximising creativity.

The upcoming release of iPadOS 18.1, scheduled for 28 October, brings a suite of new features under Apple Intelligence. Notable additions include enhanced notification summaries, a Photos app cleanup tool to remove unwanted objects from your photos, and a redesigned Siri interface. One standout improvement is the ability to interact with your screen even while Siri is active, making multitasking smoother. However, the Photos app’s cleanup tool still feels underdeveloped in its current beta state, with room for improvement before the full release.

The introduction of AI-powered writing tools for apps like Notes and Pages also brings added convenience for editing tasks and enhancing productivity, representing a shift toward an overreliance on technology for content creation. This update highlights Apple’s commitment to incorporating advanced AI features, though its impact on user habits and content creation processes remains to be seen.

As for connectivity, the new USB-C port now boosts data transfer speeds from 5 Gbps to 10 Gbps and ensures faster data transfers and greater compatibility with other devices. The 2024 iPad mini supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, aligning it with the latest wireless standards for improved performance.

The pricing for the 2024 iPad mini remains competitive, starting at S$699 for the base model with 128GB of storage, an increase from the 64GB offered in the previous model. Additionally, a new 512GB option is now available for power users. However, the price climbs significantly with higher storage, topping out at S$1,799 with the inclusion of other accessories like Apple Pencil Pro, WiFi and Cellular, Smart Folio and Apple Care, making the price bump feel steep.

In summary, the 2024 iPad mini stands out as an excellent choice for creators and those seeking a portable device with impressive battery life. With its compact size, powerful performance, and enhanced features, the device is an attractive option for creatives. Users can expect similar long-lasting battery life, augmented by the efficiency of the new chip and low power mode for extended usage.

Debbi Koh

Living multiple lives, Debbi is a singer-songwriter and music coach by day, FPS gamer and variety streamer by night. Let’s not forget being a full-time dog mom to her Cavapoo, Buddy. With life like this, who needs a multiverse?