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, 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.
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 An iPad mini (6th generation) | |
| Also known as | iPad mini 6 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Foxconn |
| Product family | iPad Mini |
| Type | Tablet computer |
| Generation | 6th |
| Release date | September 24, 2021 |
| Discontinued | October 15, 2024 |
| Operating system | Original: iPadOS 15 Current: iPadOS 18.1, released October 28, 2024[1] |
| System on a chip | A15 Bionic with 64-bit architecture and embedded motion co-processor |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2× 2.93 GHz Avalanche and 4× 1.82 GHz Blizzard) |
| Memory | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 or 256 GB |
| Display | 8.3 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 |
| Graphics | Apple-designed 5 core GPU |
| Sound | Stereo speakers (landscape) |
| Input | Multi-touch screen, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, digital compass, dual microphone, Touch ID fingerprint scanner, barometer |
| Camera | Front: 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 |
|
| Power | 3.82 V 19.19 W·h (5034 mA·h)[2] |
| Dimensions |
|
| Mass | Wi-Fi models
0.65 pound (293 grams) Wi-Fi + Cellular models 0.66 pound (297 grams) |
| Predecessor | iPad Mini (5th generation) |
| Successor | iPad Mini 7 |
| Related | iPad Air (4th generation) iPad (9th generation) |
| Website | https://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 Touch ID on the power button (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.
The iPad Mini 6 was discontinued on October 15, 2024, with the announcement of the iPad Mini (7th generation).
Features
editHardware
editIt 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
editThe 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
editThe sixth-generation iPad Mini is compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation and USB-C). Compatibility with Magic Keyboard for iPad or the Smart Keyboard Folio isn't possible due to its smaller form factor.
Reception
editThis 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
edit| Timeline of iPad models |
|---|
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References
edit- ^ "About iPadOS 18 Updates". Apple Support. iPadOS 18.1.
- ^ iPad Mini 6th Generation Repair – iFixit
- ^ 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.
- ^ "New iPad Mini Has Downclocked A15 Chip Compared to iPhone 13". MacRumors. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ Perlow, Jason. "Why the iPad Mini 6 is Apple's most exciting new product in years". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ Apple Inc. (2010–2011). iPad News – Newsroom Archive. Retrieved June 7, 2018.