Review of the Apple iPad mini 5 tablet - neat, compact and angry

When Apple showed off the new iPad mini, I instantly fell in love with the tablet.

Here is a rare case where the Cupertino team does exactly what is expected of it, without any changes. After 2 weeks, the same “mini” appeared in my hands.

I've already spent a week with him and am ready to share my real impressions. Is it really worthy of attention or is it just another trinket? I'll tell you about everything in order.

The Legend of the Lost Tablet Market

I first became acquainted with the iPad mini in 2013. The promotion of one of the retailers was successful. For 20 thousand rubles you could buy the maximum version (64 GB + Cellular) and in addition get an Apple TV of some generation. The latter was of little interest to me, so the console was safely sold under the hammer. Thus, I bought a new iPad mini at the top with an official guarantee for only 16,500 rubles. It's time for us all to hug and cry together. In the comments.

The first mini made me incredibly happy. It was extremely compact, very thin and powerful. Its display was much larger than the current smart phones at that time, and its dimensions allowed it to be taken anywhere. A sort of super advanced Kindle, but not for reading, but for everything in general.

iPad mini price in 2015

A couple of years passed, iOS 7 was released with a new design and a bunch of its own goodies. The update simply killed the tablet, freezes, lags, crashes and endless brakes began. Essentially a fast and modern tablet overnight turned into a single-tasking device for working in a taxi.

It was 2015, a time when everyone had long played enough with tablets. And Android device manufacturers have completely relaxed. They began to rivet disgusting game with hardware that was far behind the smartphone market. But not Apple. The company continues to create powerful, ultimate solutions for the tablet market to this day. Consider the iPad Pro 11, which suddenly turned out to be much more productive than the MacBook Air 2018. I’m generally silent about the screens of both devices. However, Apple completely forgot about the legendary iPad mini. The fourth, now previous, generation has not been updated since September 2015.

And now, the long-awaited update has finally happened!

Meet the iPad mini 5th Gen. The device received the most modern hardware at the level of the iPhone XS Max, but at the same time retained a compact and extremely thin body. Of course, that's not all.

Interface and functionality

iPad mini 2022 runs on iOS 12.2. This is the latest version of the operating system so far. Here you will find a whole range of useful gestures, which may even be too many. Apple developers decided to compile many of the older programs with the new ones.

By the way, the good old round button has been preserved here, which will always return you to the home screen or open the multitasking panel. However, any action with a button has a similar functional gesture on the screen.

I find the multitasking gestures on the Apple iPad mini 2022 not the easiest, but they are still fast. Often, some actions are convenient and simple, but not very intuitive. In this case, I recommend exploring the capabilities of iOS, including the not so obvious ones.

Apple has added support for the first-generation Apple Pencil stylus to the small tablet. This will appeal to designers and those who still value the experience of writing over typing. When I used the new iPad mini, I always enjoyed taking notes - holding the tablet with one hand and writing down the necessary notes with the other.

I will say this: although this is the newest iPad, it is more than a simple update to the line. True, I would like to use Face ID (face unlocking) on ​​it, otherwise it has become inconvenient to reach for the button with my finger.

Display

Key screen parameters have not changed. This is still the same IPS matrix with a comfortable resolution:

• diagonal. 7.9 inches
• 2048 by 1536 pixels
• DPI density: 326
• oleophobic coating

Compared to the previous iPad mini, the brightness has increased slightly (from 450 to 500 nits), and the anti-glare coating has also improved. Plus, support for the P3 color profile is now announced. Professionals working with photography, graphics and design will appreciate the innovation.

They also brought True Tone technology. Depending on the lighting, the color temperature on the screen is adjusted to the most comfortable value for the eyes. To put it simply, color rendering always leaves warm, slightly yellowish tones. Once you try it, you won’t want to go back to regular screens with a predominance of blue.

The second innovation is support for Apple Pencil. I am sure that illustrators, designers, and mobile artists have already been waiting for such a compact, neat and powerful solution for working on the road.

Yes, of course, you can remember the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and its previous versions. However, this is a little different. The smartphone is excellent and extremely functional, but its screen is large only by smartphone standards. For comfortable drawing and editing, you need a larger display. Ideally, iPad Pro 12.9 or at least iPad 9.7. However, these devices may not always be convenient due to their size. But the iPad mini is an almost perfect tool. Not for creating work from scratch, but for proofreading almost finished images, layouts or models. On the way home, to work or to the airport.

There is only one caveat. During operation, if you press hard with your finger or Apple Pencil, the display bends slightly. I don't think this will have any impact on the durability of the tablet. It’s just that the iPad Pro didn’t have such nuances.

Design and usability

It's hard to say why this is, but the fifth generation iPad mini has not received any visual changes. The entire history of Apple's line of compact tablets has been going on since October 2012, and during this time the appearance of the gadget has never changed. No, several small details were touched upon (Touch ID appeared, the sound mode switch disappeared, color options were added, the tablet “lost weight” once), but it cannot be said that this somehow changed the appearance. On the one hand, this is a pretty good move, because the user does not need to get used to something new and change habits. But on the other hand, the device needs to be refreshed somehow, because this design has, frankly speaking, become boring a long time ago.

Like the appearance, the dimensions of the case have not changed: 203.2 × 134.8 × 6.1 mm, weight - 300 grams. The tablet still fits into some pockets, takes up very little space in a backpack or bag, and is a little easier to use than larger options. The iPad mini, in my opinion, is an excellent tablet for children and people who are constantly traveling somewhere and need portable gadgets. Even with frankly large frames by today's standards, the Mini still remains a small gadget that is convenient to take with you almost anywhere.

As with the iPad and iPad Air, the mini still charges and connects to your computer using a Lightning connector, while USB-C remains the exclusive domain of the Pro models. Also, the number and placement of buttons have not changed. It will be possible to find the difference only between models with and without an LTE module, because in this case there will be a small cutout of the antenna unit on the back side.

If the buyer is satisfied with the appearance, then he will still enjoy using the device. Here, good materials are also used for the case, which is perfectly assembled (even if it is difficult to repair). However, I repeat, without a stand the gadget is still not the most comfortable and you need to buy a Smart Cover (the proprietary version will make the device $40 more expensive). When choosing a color, you should choose light gray or “gold”, then the front panel will be white, and fingerprints will be almost invisible on it. At the same time, I wouldn’t say that “space gray” looks bad, it’s just a little less practical.

Performance

I'm incredibly upset about Android tablets. Even the most current models are 1-2 generations behind smartphones in performance. But it’s so convenient to play on tablets. The grip is more comfortable, the screen is larger, and it’s much easier to spot an enemy hidden in the battle royale grass.

And only Apple has not disappointed for many years now. The Pro versions received a chipset even more powerful than that installed in the latest generation iPhone - A12X Bionic. Our hero is not far behind, because the usual A12 Bionic is used as the “brains”. Well, what about “ordinary”? This is just one of the most powerful processors in the world. And so, nothing special.

In any case, it copes well with any, even the most sophisticated title like PUBG Mobile and The Elder Scrolls: Blades. If you notice at least one lag or slight freeze, it’s worth focusing on the optimization of a specific game. The same PUBG Mobile runs at maximum graphic settings. The “ultra” item has not worked for several years now, even on the iPad Pro. As for me, this is some kind of canard from the developers of the title, they say, look, we will soon make it even cooler (no).

4K video with a frequency of 60 frames, video editing, music mixing - all this successfully rotates and rotates on the relatively large screen of a miniature tablet. And it itself weighs 308 grams and fits in the inner pocket of a jacket or windbreaker. Not bad.

Technical equipment

True Tone display reduces eye strain when using the device. The tablet is equipped with a fairly powerful A12 processor and 3GB of RAM. The device runs on the iOS 12 platform and allows you to open up to five applications simultaneously.

The device supports Apple Pencil technology, bringing support for a modern pencil to your tablet. The 8 megapixel camera provides pretty good shooting quality. With full use of the device, you don’t have to worry about charging the battery for at least 36 hours.

Important!

Listening to music, surfing the Internet, playing games and editing photos, you don't have to worry about the device running out of juice quickly. Energy-saving technologies and a powerful battery eliminate problems with battery charging up to 96 hours with light equipment load.

AR - augmented reality

Today, augmented reality is one of the most computationally challenging mobile tasks. However, the iPad mini 5 can handle it just fine.

Nothing slows down or lags in any AR application. By the way, I was recommended to evaluate the work of augmented reality in the JigSpace program. In turn, I will forward the project to you. It has a bunch of pre-installed virtual 3D models that can be placed on a real table to study their structure in detail.

And very soon, Angry Birds AR will be available in the App Store - the release date is April 30. I had a chance to try the title and it seems that Rovio were able to breathe new life into a long-worn toy. Three-dimensional birds and pigs right on your table - it’s really exciting. Not only do I know for how long.

Changes at the design level

Just at first glance, and for this the photos you already saw on the cover and in the previous section are worth it, you can already see that these are two aesthetically different iPads. Unlike other generations, these two have different design lines, which we analyze in detail in the following sections.

Form factor and colors

The fifth-generation iPad mini starts with a classic design characterized by a Home button and main screen, but with pronounced bezels. On its sides we see a curve that goes to its flat back, something Apple has traditionally always maintained in its tablets until recently.

For its part, the sixth generation iPad mini is already a standard carrier of the brand. modern tablet design. It does away with the classic center button and instead widens the screen, making it much more of a protagonist with bezels that, despite being present, are significantly smaller than previous ones. All this with a flat finish on the sides that only looks curved when it reaches the corners.

iPad mini 6

As for the color palette , we find a more subdued style in the 2022 iPad mini, which comes in classic silver, space gray and gold. The last one is especially noticeable because it looks more pink. For the "mini" of 2022 we are already finding new options with star white, which could well be called broken white, which is accompanied by the classic space gray with bright colors such as purple or authentic pink, which already completely leaves golden shades. .

Is the change in size noticeable?

By removing just 2 millimeters of thickness and making the iPad mini 6's screen larger, which we'll tell you more about in the next section, the iPad mini 5 is bigger . In the context that, despite this, the iPad is still very convenient and controllable, there is no doubt that ultimately the new generation looks more compact and comfortable.

As for weight , I’ll tell you that the decrease in this sense is also noticeable. It's not anything exaggerated, but it's noticeable when you have one in each hand. And this is exactly the iPad mini 6, which fits in the palm of your hand . Be careful, this does not mean that it is comfortable to operate as it is also difficult, but it is amazing since in a sense this device can even be considered the "iPhone Max Max".

Ease of use anywhere is present in both. Or use it at home, holding it in your hand, on a support, on your lap, on a table, on a bed, a sofa... Any of them are also more than acceptable for traveling on public transport, being excellent travel companions. read, check your email, or go watch a TV series or movie.

More screen in less space

Here we come to one of the most interesting differences. While the iPad mini 5 has a 7.9-inch panel, the sixth generation comes with an 8.3-inch screen. Of course, it's worth pointing out the misconception that the 'mini' 6 has a smaller screen because the iPad itself is smaller.

love still an IPS panel with technology similar to the iPad mini 5. Now they don't look the same . It's not that this is an exaggerated change, but the iPad mini 6 has better qualities, such as higher resolution and a color palette that makes viewing content like photos or videos more enjoyable.

Where both leave much to be desired is brilliance , at least in certain contexts. Under normal indoor conditions there is usually no problem, but outdoors they both suffer from a maximum brightness of 500 nits, which is not enough when there is a lot of sunlight shining on them. It's true that these are difficult situations for any screen, but this one feels particularly challenging.

What to do with the iPad mini 5 in 2022?

Well, first of all, read. This is one of the most convenient and sophisticated e-readers on the market. No options, but with one caveat. Buying an iPad mini 5 just for reading is really strange. And extremely expensive. In addition, the tablet itself will be offended that its fierce power is used only for reading. You understand.

Viewing huge PDF and DjVu files is another popular functionality for this tablet. Older iPads are too large and there is not always room for them in the workspace. And the little mini will fit anywhere. At the same time, on its screen the docks open to their full height without the need for scaling.

Drawing, sketching, 3D modeling, designing - we've already dealt with all this. A tablet is perfect for this kind of thing. However, in my opinion, for more serious, professional work it is better to use an adult iPad Pro. And the “mini” will be an excellent addition to it on the road, when you need to be very light.

The A-Pencil and iPad mini 5 pairing can be used to edit and organize millions of notes. For example, the GoodNotes application can recognize handwritten text. Moreover, he does this even in Russian and even if you are a doctor. A beginner, during or after residency, of course.

By the way, the manufacturer of the legendary notepads Moleskine came to the rescue and released special applications for tablets: Timepage, Actions and Flow. The first is an advanced calendar with a custom design. Actions is the craziest organizer. There are so many possibilities that it can blow your mind. But it is functional. Flow will be appreciated by fans of quick sketches. Sketch a diagram, make a caricature, get distracted and just draw a little - for this, here, in the sense, in the Flow application. It is made in Moleskine tube design, so fans of the brand will be delighted. And of course, get ready to shell out a little. Still, Moleskine, that's all.

Timepage

Flow

There is another option. Buying a new and modern iPhone XS or XS Max is expensive. And you always want fresh, productive hardware. The solution is simple - buy an iPad mini 5 and keep your old smartphone.

I have a good friend who chats and calls on an iPhone 6, and handles all other work and not so important issues on an iPad mini. She got used to it a long time ago and she feels so comfortable.

Sound

The iPad mini still has two speakers. They sound great and will even allow you to play music, but there is a big problem here - placement. Both speakers are also located on the bottom edge (or side in horizontal orientation). Thus, when watching videos or movies, the user will hear sound from only one side. The same situation applies to the iPad and iPad Air. I am sure that watching videos is one of the most common uses of a tablet, and the only option in which the sound will be heard from both sides of the picture is the iPad Pro line.

For situations where you don't need to disturb others, or you just want to get rid of external sounds, the tablet has Bluetooth for wireless headsets, and a standard jack for wired headphones. The latter worked well with my Monster Jamz and Ultimate Ears.

Cameras. There are more cameras!

There is one 8 MP camera at the back. There's probably no need for more. Moreover, it shoots very well for a tablet. Below is a visual comparison of the “mini” and the monster iPhone XS Max.

Yes, there is a lot of noise and less detail. But in general, the difference is not so colossal as to seal the camera’s peephole with a plaster once and for all.

The HDR mode very often saves the situation: it returns the azure sky to its rightful place, simultaneously highlighting excessively dark bushes or ground.

No HDR

HDR

No HDR

HDR

No HDR

HDR

The same applies to the front camera - you can’t do without HDR. Plus, compared to the iPad mini 4, the resolution has increased significantly. Well, you already know.

No HDR

HDR

The tablet is also good at video shooting. The recording parameters are no frills (1080p, 30 fps), but the picture quality is quite decent. There's even image stabilization.

Battery life

Official data from the company website looks like this:

• a model with only Wi-Fi on board works up to 10 hours in mixed mode (video + music + Internet via “waffle”)
• the configuration with Wi‑Fi and LTE module lasted 9 hours when browsing the Internet and checking email via a cellular network

In practice, this means 6-7 days of battery life with the tablet screen turned on for an average of 1 hour per day. At the same time, I watched YouTube, listened to music, surfed the Web via Safari, and so on. I did not install a SIM card.

A full charging cycle from a standard power supply (10 W) takes 3 hours 20 minutes. If you use a more powerful 30 W adapter (from MacBook Air 2018), the charging speed increases. But not much - 2 hours 30 minutes.

Autonomy

The battery remains the same - 19.1 Wh. As always, the estimated operating time is 10 hours for models without an LTE module, and an hour less with it. In the Geekbench battery life test, the result was slightly less - 6 hours 44 minutes. But in everyday use, depending on the load, the tablet will be able to work for more than 8 hours, which, again, corresponds to the work of the previous model.

The included power supply will require more than three and a half hours to fully charge. It's quite long. The process can be speeded up a little by purchasing a more powerful power supply, or by charging the tablet from a Macbook power supply using a USB-C-to-Lightning cable. Again, this will increase the cost of the device, and given the good battery life, I personally don’t see much point in speeding up charging.

What about the prices?

You can officially buy iPad mini 5 in Russia in four variations:

• 64 GB - 32,990 rubles only with Wi-Fi / 43,990 rubles. with LTE support
• 256 GB - 45,490 rub. / RUB 56,490

For my taste, the most optimal version is 64 GB with Wi-Fi only. The Internet can always be shared from a smartphone, and a combination of 64 “gigs” and cloud storage should not cause any discomfort in terms of memory. Thus, for 33 thousand rubles you get top-end hardware, an excellent screen, good cameras and very reasonable battery life. As I already said, there is an option to save on a smartphone. But just shh...

Technical characteristics comparison table

Translating the specifications into a real-world environment is very important to know what these iPads are like. And that's where we'll focus this comparison, analyzing the most relevant ones in everyday and everyday use. Now we have to start from the beginning and tell you which characteristics we will later analyze in practice, and this comparison table is very good for this.

*RAM data is not officially provided by Apple, although it has been certified based on various tests conducted by specialized tools.

Bottom line

I have an iPad Pro 11 in the top configuration. This is an endlessly cool tablet, absolutely the best on the market. What makes it so is its exceptional 120Hz display and the world's most powerful mobile processor, the A12X Bionic. Seriously! All the tests are here. Competitors have no chance. What can I say? Even the latest MacBook Airs have few of them. And this is actually a computer, that’s all.

And even despite all the fierce agility of the iPad Pro, now my favorite is the 5th generation iPad mini tablet. And all thanks to the most compact body, which hides the truly evil filling. We got what we wanted. Thanks Apple!

Apple iPad mini iPad mini 5

Touch ID

All current iPhone models no longer use fingerprint scanners, like the iPad Pro, but recognize owners by face (Face ID). The iPad mini remained with the classic Home button, which houses the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The method is time-tested and still pretty good. The scanner button perfectly recognizes the prints of the five fingers assigned to it, in any position convenient for the user. It can only work poorly when the finger is wet, but otherwise there will be no problems, and the reaction speed will not keep you waiting for the “opening” of the desktop.