Full comparison: iPad mini (6th generation) vs iPad mini (5th generation)
Is it worth buying the 6th generation
If you follow the happenings in the Apple world, you surely didn’t miss this fall’s first Apple Keynote earlier this week. At this anticipated conference, Apple traditionally unveiled new iPhones with the 13 and 13 Pro. But it certainly didn’t stop there, as the Apple phones were just such icing on the cake.
Even before them, the Californian giant introduced the Apple Watch Series 7 and new generations of iPad and iPad mini. All these devices will be covered in turn in our magazine. In recent days, you may have come across mainly comparison articles. This article will compare the iPad mini (6th generation) and the iPad mini (5th generation).
Processor, memory, technology
We’ll start in the guts, as we did with the other comparison articles. iPad mini (6th generation) features Apple’s latest and most advanced A-series chip — specifically, the A15 Bionic chip. It has six cores, two of which are performance and four power-efficient. This chip is found, for example, in the latest iPhones 13 and 13 Pro.
However, it should be mentioned that compared to Apple phones, the performance of the A15 Bionic chip in the iPad mini (6th generation) is artificially throttled, so the performance is not the same as Apple phones.
The maximum clock frequency of this chip is 3.2 GHz, but the iPad mini (6th generation) has it set at 2.93 GHz. iPad mini of the previous generation offers the older A12 Bionic chip, which is found in the iPhone XS, for example. This chip also has six cores, and the same division into two performance cores and four power-saving cores.
The maximum clock frequency is set at 2.49 GHz. Apple claims that the new iPad mini has improved its performance by up to 80% compared to the previous generation. Apple never mentions how much RAM they have when introducing new products. This means we always have to wait a few hours or days for this figure to appear.
The good news is that we recently learned this information to reveal it to you. Specifically, the iPad mini (6th generation) offers 4GB of RAM, whereas the previous generation offers 3GB of RAM. Both models being compared then offer Touch ID biometric protection. However, this is hidden in the power button on the new iPad mini, whereas the previous generation iPad mini has it hidden in the desktop button.
The desktop button is no longer found on iPad mini (6th generation), thanks to a complete redesign and reduction of the bezels around the display. And if you get the Wi-Fi + Cellular version, you’ll get 5G support on the new iPad mini, whereas the previous one only had LTE. You can connect to a mobile data network using nanoSIM or eSIM.
Battery and charging
We mentioned above that Apple didn’t specify the RAM size when it was introduced. But the truth is that apart from this figure, it also does not indicate the same battery capacity. However, we know this figure, too, so we’ll let you know. The iPad mini (6th generation) has a battery capacity of 5078 mAh, while the previous model offers a slightly larger battery, specifically with 5124 mAh.
The package of both devices includes a charging cable and a power adapter. The iPad mini (6th generation) includes a USB-C to USB-C cable, while the older generation includes a Lightning to USB-C cable. Specifically for web endurance, Apple states that both models last up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or watching a video or up to 9 hours on a mobile data network.
Design and display
Both the new generation iPad mini and the previous generation iPad mini have an aluminum body. However, when you put the two models side by side, you’ll see that there have been some really big changes. iPad mini (6th generation) comes with a new design, which means it’s rounder and has sharper edges, just like iPad Pro and iPad mini.
In addition, the bezels around the display have also been reduced, leading Apple to remove the desktop button. On the top of the iPad (6th generation), you’ll find the volume and power buttons with Touch ID. These are located on the left side of the older model.
In the new generation, the arrival of the USB-C connector is also pleasing, while the fifth-generation iPad mini has the outdated Lightning connector. There’s a camera on the back of both iPad mini. The lens sticks out of the body on the iPad mini (6th generation), while on the 5th generation, the lens is aligned with the body.
We’ve also seen changes in the display area. iPad mini (6th generation) now offers a Liquid Retina display, with a diagonal of 8.3″ and a resolution of 2266 × 1488 pixels at 326 pixels per inch. The iPad mini (5th generation) features a classic Retina display, which is 7.9″ and has a resolution of 2048×1536 at 326 pixels per inch.
It’s worth noting that while the iPad mini (6th generation) has a larger display, it hasn’t gotten bigger overall, but even smaller. The two models also offer an oleophobic anti-smudge treatment, anti-glare coating, support for a wide P3 color gamut, and TrueTone.
iPad mini (6th generation) boasts 2nd generation Apple Pencil support, whereas, with the previous generation, you have to make do with first-generation support.
Camera
We’ve seen some nice changes with the new iPad mini regarding the camera. Specifically, it offers a 12MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture, up to 5x digital zoom, four-dot True Tone flash, and Smart HDR 3 support for photos. On the other hand, the iPad mini (5th generation) has a weaker camera — it has 8MP resolution, f/2.4 aperture, and up to 5x digital zoom.
However, it lacks, for example, an LED for scene illumination, plus it only supports Auto HDR for photos, while the sixth generation offers Smart HDR 3. It can shoot up to 4K at 60 FPS. At the same time, the fifth generation only has to settle for 1080p video at a maximum of 30 FPS. iPad mini (6th generation) offers an extended dynamic range for video, up to 30 FPS.
Slow-motion video can be recorded in 1080p at up to 240 FPS with the new generation of an iPad mini. The previous generation could only record slow-motion video in 720p at 120 FPS. You can then use 3x digital zoom and time-lapse shooting on both models. The sixth-generation iPad mini offers a 12MP ultra-wide-angle front-facing camera with an f/2.4 aperture.
At the same time, the previous generation has an older 7MP wide-angle FaceTime HD camera with an f/2.2 aperture. iPad mini (6th generation) supports Center Stage or 2x zoom with its ultra-wide-angle camera. There’s also dynamic range support for video, up to 30 FPS, and Smart HDR 3. Both iPads being compared can do cinematic video stabilization and 1080p video shooting and also offer Retina Flash.
Colors and storage
Before you buy a sixth- or fifth-generation iPad mini, you still have to choose a color and storage. You can get an iPad mini (6th generation) in space gray, pink, purple, and star white, while an iPad mini (5th generation) comes in silver, space gray, and gold. In terms of storage, both models can choose 64GB or 256GB. Both models are then available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular versions.
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