Apple iPad mini 2024: what’s new and what’s different?
Apple’s new iPad mini is finally here. A 2024 update brings a load of new gear that is sure to put it back on top as the tiny tablet of record.
It has been a long time between drinks for the iPad mini. It has a cult following who have been eagerly waiting for a new model, and now that patience has paid off. Here’s what’s new.
What is it?
The iPad mini is Apple’s smallest iPad. It sits between the iPhone Pro Max and the iPad Air.
It’s a diminutive device, with a screen size always measuring around 8-inches and typically weighing around 300g/10oz. Compare that to the most recent iPad Air at 462g/1.02lb and you can see it’s attractive for folks on the go.
I bought the very first iPad mini when it came out way back in 2012 and it’s easily one of my favourite pieces of tech ever. It’s so portable and powerful and allows you to get just about anything done on the go.
The new model brings more of what we need in that segment. It’s still small, but it’s more powerful, more capable and geared for Apple Intelligence.
Here’s what got updated.
iPad mini 2024 vs iPad mini 2021: what’s different?
The last time the iPad mini range was updated, it was back in 2021. Weren’t things much simpler back then??
Here are the differences between the old model from 2021 we tested and the new model from 2024 we’re about to get our hands on.
Performance: more power in the same tiny space
The last processor in the iPad mini 2021 model was the A15 Bionic chip. To give you an idea of its power, that’s the same chip that powered the iPhone 13 family of devices.
It wasn’t a slouch by any stretch. Presumably if you’re someone who owns the 2021 iPad mini, you haven’t noticed a drop in performance at all since you bought it.
The new processor is the A17 Pro processor. You’ve seen it before in the iPhone 15 Pro range of devices.
It’s a 3nm process, which means more performance and greater power efficiency, and also comes with support for the highly-anticipated release of Apple Intelligence in December 2024.
It’s still a more conservative processor than what you’ll find under the hood of the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. Both have graduated to Apple’s M-series processors which deliver huge power for gamers and creatives.
Here’s the breakdown of the difference between the different M-series chips from both iPads and MacBooks alike. I also got my hands on the most recent iPad Air and iPad Pro with M-series chips to put them through their paces.
The A17 Pro processor might have slightly less grunt than the M2 or M3 chips, but unless you’re putting the new iPad mini 2024 through the ringer with games or visual design apps, you probably won’t even notice day-to-day.
The M2 processor at the heart of the iPad Air 13-inch has as many “efficiency” cores as the A17 Pro processor. An efficiency core is the part of the processor that runs when you’re just doing day-to-day tasks. The difference comes when you really want to push it to the limit and level up to the “power” cores. The A17 Pro packs in two power cores, while the M2 has four.
Long story short: if you’re a day-to-day iPad user who wants to do big jobs every once in a while like play a game or edit a video, you’re going to have all the power you need.
Storage: more room for your stuff
Need more storage space on your device? The iPad mini 2024 is here to deliver.
You have the usual 128GB and 256GB models, but there’s a new 512GB model that joins the line-up. That means you get twice as much storage at the top end on the 2024 model.
The 2021 model topped out at just 256GB. More room for activities!
More connectivity speed with 5G cellular and Wi-Fi 6E
5G finally joins the iPad mini range with the 2024 model. That means if you opt for a cellular model, you can connect to newer networks and cop higher speeds than any other iPad mini has before.
The one thing you need to watch out for, however, is the removal of the physical SIM slot from the iPad mini 2024. It supports eSIM only, which means you can’t stick a physical piece of plastic into the device to bring it to life on a mobile network. eSIMs are better, though.
The new model also nabs you Wi-Fi 6E for better range on supported Wi-Fi networks.
Same size display, only brighter
Both the 2021 and 2024 iPad mini models feature the 8.3-inch display, but the newer model has a screen that is brighter than my future.
The 2021 model topped out at 450 nits, while the new model will nab you 500 nits of brightness. It’s not a huge leap, but it’s slightly better in bright, directly-sunlit environments. 500 nits of brightness puts you on par with the iPad Air 2023 model.
Apple also says the display on the new iPad mini is also less reflective, so it’s going to be prettier to look at in just about any environment.
Compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro
The iPad mini is a perfect little device for scratching out a sketch on the go for creatives. The good news here is that the new iPad mini 2024 supports the more-capable Apple Pencil. Pro
The Pro version of the Apple Pencil offers increased pressure sensitivity and tilt detection, allowing for more nuanced control when drawing or writing. It features haptic feedback, providing subtle vibrations that simulate the feel of traditional tools like pens or brushes, enhancing the tactile experience.
The Apple Pencil Pro also supports advanced gesture controls, enabling quick access to shortcuts like switching tools or erasing with a simple tap or swipe. Additionally, its improved latency ensures smoother, more responsive input.
Better low-light cameras
You shouldn’t take photos on an iPad but people still do it so let’s talk about it.
The iPad mini 2024 bumps the camera up to the 12-megapixel rear camera. It can’t take it to the new cameras in iPhone 16, for example, but better hardware support means better photos in low-light. That’s also thanks to a new quad-tone flash module.
Don’t take photos on an iPad at a social function. Just…don’t. Use it for scanning your documents instead.
The front-facing camera tech now also supports Apple’s Centre Stage tech which keeps you as the primary subject in your video calls. It’s honestly great, and every time the camera repositions itself to follow and centre me in the frame, people in my calls ask me how I’m doing it. It’s weird what people respond to.
Sleeker design
And of course, the new iPad mini fits in snugly with Apple’s latest design language.
You get four colours: the silvery-black we’re all used to; a soft gold; a soft pink sand, and a soft teal green.
There’s a range of new covers that are reminiscent of the original Smart Covers, but there’s no Apple-branded keyboard. The iPad Air and iPad Pro range both support the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio and Magic Keyboard (respectively). I tested them both and they’re honestly awesome first-party keyboard covers – if slightly too expensive.
If you want something like the Magic Keyboard for the iPad mini, Apple will recommend you the new Logitech Keys-to-Go keyboard. It doesn’t connect to the iPad directly, however, and needs to be used externally on a bundled stand.
The new iPad mini also made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium from old MacBook and iPad models, so you’ll feel better about your purchase.
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I’m a big fan of iPad. It’s able to do a tonne of stuff and in a lot of cases, it can actually replace your laptop. If you want more power, check out the 2023 iPad Air review I did after using it for months as my primary device.
