iPad mini review: a cross between an e-reader and a handheld
The iPad mini (2024) falls somewhere between a smartphone and a tablet on the size spectrum. As a result, I managed to use it in a variety of day-to-day situations.
The iPad mini (2024) is the smallest tablet in Apple’s lineup. While it only boasts minor improvements over the 2021 iPad mini, it’s still worth taking a look at these new developments. As it’s kitted out with the A17 Pro chip, the 2024 model offers significantly better performance and supports the new Apple Pencil Pro. The question is: how will I be able to use this little tablet in my daily life? Well, thanks to Apple’s collaboration with numerous app developers, a surprising number of things.
Procreate: my digital sketchbook
At 8.3 inches, the iPad mini is the perfect size for sketching on the go. With a resolution of 2266 × 1488 pixels, the device gives you a sharp image. It’s slightly smaller than an A5 sheet of paper, so you can take it anywhere without it taking up too much space. The inclusion of Procreate on the iPad mini means I always have my favourite art program at my fingertips. It’s exclusively available on the iPad. Alongside other iPad apps, it supports the Apple Pencil Pro’s handy functions.
When it comes to digital art, there’s a wealth of possibilities. The iPad mini’s so compact that I can do some sketching on the train, draw ducks and swans at the lake and wander around the art museum with it. At the museum, I’m able to capture exciting works of art in sketch form there and then, or use the camera to photograph them for later.
Source: Michelle Brändle
You can save pictures you’ve drawn to the device’s internal memory (up to 256 gigabytes), save them to the Cloud or transfer them to your computer via USB-C 3.2 at up to 10 Gbit/s. For comparison, the previous iPad mini was equipped with USB 3.1 (Gen 1), reaching a transfer rate of up to 5 Gbit/s. If you have an iPhone, you can access saved images directly in your Photos app and seamlessly post them on social media.
Zbrush: create 3D models on the go
The developers behind 3D program ZBrush have teamed up with Apple to create an iPad version of their software. In contrast to the desktop version, the program’s been modified so that you don’t necessarily need a keyboard to use it. Instead, you can execute commands by tapping with your finger or using the Apple Pencil. There’s also an on-screen shortcut keyboard. The motto behind everything is «work as quickly as possible, in a way that’s personalised as much as possible».
Source: Michelle Brändle
If you’re new to the program and want to try your hand at this type of 3D art, I’ve created an introduction to the iPad version with the help of ZBrush expert and designer Paul Gaboury.
Genshin Impact: my gaming handheld
While an 11-inch iPad is too large to pass for a handheld, the iPad mini is a different story. I test it with two graphics-heavy mobile games: Genshin Impact and Sky – Children of the Light.
Source: Michelle Brändle
Apple’s given the iPad an LCD display with an IPS panel (so not an OLED), but the picture still looks crisp, with popping colours. In the 3DMark graphics benchmark, the iPad mini achieves a score of 1,221 and only 10 fps.
Compared to the iPad Air with the M2 chip (2,766 points and at least 20 fps), that seems pretty poor. In terms of performance, the iPad mini’s chip falls right between the iPhone 15’s A16 Bionic and the iPhone 16’s A18 Bionic. This is also consistent with benchmarks.
Broadly speaking, the iPad mini is a bigger iPhone 15.5. Since the games in the App Store are tailored to the performance levels of smartphones, even graphics-heavy games such as Genshin and Sky run smoothly on the device.
The new calculator app is unbelievably practical
You never used to be able to use an Apple calculator on the iPad. The apps were only available via third parties. However, Cupertino’s now finally seen fit to provide the gadgets with a calculator. The release of iPadOS 18 brought in a sophisticated calculator app. Alongside standard calculations, it also features scientific functions, mathematical notes and a converter.
Source: Michelle Brändle
You can use the converter for currencies, e.g. US dollars to euros, but it also works for length, speed and other measurements.
Scientific functions include sine, cosine and tangent, but also roots, logarithms and exponential functions. Things get interesting when it comes to mathematical notes. You just write out your calculations by hand on a note page, put an «=» next to them and the app will automatically work out the solutions and jot them down next to the calculations. The program even mimics your handwriting. You can see it in action in this video from 5:00 onwards.
You can also make adjustments to the calculation you’ve noted down, and the solutions will update in real time. I use the feature to list my personal expenses one after the other. If I draw a line under a few numbers, the app understands the request and adds them up.
Source: Michelle Brändle
E-books and sheet music: a bookshelf in your pocket
If you ask me, the technology in e-readers is unsatisfactory right now. It’s slow and often messy. Mind you, the devices are obviously very economical with power, and their paper-like displays make them pleasant to read on. On the flip side, if you just want to read a comic, it’ll either be displayed too small or the colours won’t pop, depending on the e-reader you’re using. Plus, you usually can’t do much more on them than read or listen to books.
With the iPad mini, you have the advantages of a fast chip and a colour display without lugging around a huge tablet. However, it does have two small downsides. Unlike an e-reader, the battery lasts for 10 hours, not three weeks. Still, a 10-hour runtime is fine. The display technology doesn’t make for quite as pleasant reading as an e-reader’s E-ink technology, so I need to take a break from the screen every now and again. Even so, I’d say that’s an acceptable compromise too.
Another one of my hobbies is playing the guitar. I used to print out the songs, but I’ve now saved my collection onto the iPad using the Ultimate Guitar app. It helps me when I’m unfamiliar with a song’s chords or want to play along to a particular tune.
Source: Michelle Brändle
In a nutshell
The iPad mini fills all the gaps
Combining a wieldy size with the performance of a mid-range smartphone, the iPad mini is a great all-rounder. I use it to read comics and books, play games or figure out my household budget using the calculator’s notes feature. With Procreate and ZBrush, Apple has brought art programs you wouldn’t get on an Android tablet to the device. As a result, you can do creative work almost anywhere.
All in all, Apple’s found a successful balance with the iPad mini. I’d recommend the device if you travel often and want access to the possibilities offered by numerous gadgets, without needing to take extra luggage. Its 10-hour battery life isn’t exactly outstanding, but it’s more than enough to last the day.
However, if higher performance and a larger display are worth your while, the 11-inch M2 iPad Air is just a small step up in terms of price. It only costs 100 francs or euros more, and would be worthwhile for applications such as video editing. Alternatively, if you just want to watch videos on a larger display, the iPad 2022 (10th Gen) costing under 400 francs or euros might be a better option for you.
Pro
- Wieldy size for a tablet
- E-reader alternative
- Digital notebook and sketchbook
- Versatile calculator
- Fares well as a gaming handheld
Contra
- Middle-of-the-road battery life
- Performance is nothing to write home about
Header image: Michelle Brändle
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In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
