Seven Reasons Why I Think You Should Buy an iPad Mini 6th Gen. (Despite What You Think is Coming!)
Monday Review (22nd April 2024)
Many months ago, I had to say goodbye to my original iPad Mini (Gen. 6). My YouTube channel was still young, and my Substack account was but a twinkle in the virtual eye of the internet. In those early YouTube days (strange to think it was only a year ago), I had ZERO extra money coming to buy tech that I could review. So, when I wanted to keep the Kindle Scribe I had just purchased, which I also made a video about, I had to sell my iPad Mini (you can watch that goodbye HERE) to help pay for the Scribe.
It turns out that the Scribe video was the start of my channel finding an audience. With the help of a German writer's blog post (a bit random, I know), that video went somewhat viral. Consequently, I eventually surpassed the 1,000 subscriber mark and 4,000 watch hours needed for my channel to be accepted into the YouTube partners program. In other words, a little bit of money started coming my way. The long and short of this is that, along with other paid editing work, I found myself recently in a position to purchase another iPad Mini 6.
I'd never lost my love for this helpful little device. Over the last year, I've often watched videos from other tech YouTubers fawning over their iPad Mini. And it was while watching one of these videos last week that I was encouraged to take a look on Amazon to see what prices you might be expected to pay at the moment. I was pleasantly surprised to find an affordable renewed unit, so I took the plunge with the money I'd accumulated since I'd said goodbye to my original iPad Mini.
Here are 7 reasons I think you should consider buying one, too, despite rumours of new iPads seemingly in the pipeline.
1) COST
Let's start with that price, as this is nearly always the most significant barrier for someone to buy a new piece of tech. As mentioned above, renewed or refurbished iPad Mini models come at a significantly reduced price compared to brand-new units. If you look on the Apple store today, you'll find a brand new 64GB model starting at £569 and the 256GB at £749 (a strange jump in memory, I know!)
However, check out the renewed models on the Apple store (which are as new and even come with a proper warranty). You might find as much as £110 off depending on which version you're after and the availability. That might be tempting, but even better deals might be had on eBay, Back Market or Amazon, as with my model. I picked up a 64GB renewed version for just over £300, which is a massive saving! It looks as good as new, everything is as it should be, and you even get to split the cost over a few months with little interest to be paid.
Unless buying from eBay, renewing or refurbishing involves thoroughly testing the device for functionality and replacing defective parts. The device should then be cleaned and repackaged, often making it nearly indistinguishable from a new product in terms of appearance and operational capacity. This ensures that while the price is lower, the performance remains high. I purchased a couple of iPhones from Back Market, and I can attest to receiving great products in the condition I expected (if not better) at a reasonable price.
Purchasing a renewed device is not only economically savvy but also environmentally friendly. Opting for a refurbished tablet reduces waste and the demand for new resources, which has become appealing for those who are a bit eco-conscious.
Given these benefits, a renewed iPad Mini 6th generation presents a compelling value proposition if you're looking to maximise functionality and style without straining your budget.
2) DESIGN
The design and portability of the iPad Mini 6th generation make it a standout choice, particularly if you value compactness without sacrificing functionality. Apple redesigned the iPad Mini at the back end of 2021 and brought it inline, design-wise, to emulate the sleek aesthetics of the iPad Air and Pro models, featuring slimmer bezels and the removal of the Home button.
This redesign modernised the look and maximised the screen space, packing an 8.3-inch display into a form factor that's easy to handle and carry around.
In my experience, this compact size does not hinder the iPad Mini's capabilities. It still manages to house features like Touch ID, which is integrated into the power button for easy access and even supports the latest second-generation Apple Pencil (a 3rd gen. might be on the horizon). This makes it an ideal tool for on-the-go productivity.
The smaller frame of the iPad Mini 6 might appeal to you if you frequently travel or simply need a device that can easily fit into smaller bags and spaces. Despite its reduced size, it doesn't compromise on power or screen quality, offering a robust, high-resolution display perfect for everything from reading e-books to watching videos.
This balance of size, functionality, and aesthetic appeal makes it a valuable device.
3) USB-C
I have loved having USB-C on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and to be honest, I'd forgotten that Apple had already made the shift on the iPad Mini when they gave it that redesign in 2021 and replaced the Lightning connector with USB-C. So, remembering that the iPad is compatible with USB-C accessories was somewhat of a pleasant surprise. This gives the iPad Mini 6 usability beyond the basic tablet functionality of checking emails and watching streaming shows. USB-C allows the Mini to be used with external drives, docking stations, and even external monitors. So connect a Bluetooth mouse and a keyboard to this thing, and you'll have a little laptop ready to go!
These features collectively extend the functionality of the iPad Mini 6, transforming it from a simple tablet to a powerful tool capable of handling various tasks that require more than just a touchscreen.
I think this compatibility with the many USB-C accessories available justifies the investment in a renewed model and ensures the device's longevity and adaptability in various use cases. The support for high-quality peripherals underlines the ongoing relevance of the iPad Mini 6 in Apple's lineup, making it a smart purchase even if newer models appear in the next year or so.
4) PERFORMANCE
The performance of the iPad Mini 6th generation is another compelling reason to consider this device, thanks to its A15 Bionic chip. Even though it is a few generations old, this chip still ensures that the iPad Mini 6 offers robust processing power, capable of handling everything from everyday tasks to more demanding applications like basic video editing and graphically intensive games. I used my first iPad Mini 6 as a video editor for a few weeks while I traded in my iPad Pro once, and it performed more than adequately. I'm not saying it's amazing, but it can do the job in a pinch!
The Mini uses the A15 Bionic chip, which Apple also used in the iPhone 13 series (all my 3 children use the iPhone 13, and it is still a fantastic phone!). A6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, a 5-core GPU for graphics, and a 16-core Neural Engine that enhances machine learning capabilities, according to the specs.
This level of performance means that the iPad Mini 6 can run current applications smoothly and should be supported for a few years yet.
I believe that despite the inevitable advancements in technology that newer models might bring, the iPad Mini 6's performance means it remains competitive within the market.
5) CONTENT CONSUMPTION
Despite everything I have just written about how powerful the iPad Mini 6 is, I will probably only use it primarily for note-taking and content consumption. The Mini is there when I want something bigger than my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but I don't want to lug out my iPad Pro.
The iPad Mini 6 has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with vibrant colours and crisp detail. The screen's resolution ensures that the media you're watching is displayed with clarity and richness. The only slight downside is the 500 nits of brightness, which means watching on the Mini outside on a sunny day might be negatively affected. Something else you need to be aware of is the 'jelly' like scrolling many users complained about when the device was first released. I never had an issue with this scrolling effect, and it didn't bother me enough that I felt the need to call Apple out about it. Apparently, the 'jelly effect' happens due to the way the screen refreshes itself as you scroll. In all other circumstances, I don't think it will bother you.
Audio quality is another strong point for the iPad Mini 6. It includes stereo speakers that deliver clear and loud sound, making it great for watching movies or participating in video calls without needing external speakers. Although, to be fair, I only really listen to the Mini through my Apple AirPods Pros.
The iPad Mini 6 is relatively light (293 grams), and the design makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods, whether you're catching up on your favourite series or scrolling through articles. This ease of use is crucial for a device intended to serve as a media consumption tool, as it allows for longer, more enjoyable viewing sessions without the strain associated with larger, heavier tablets - again, another reason why sometimes I wouldn't grab my iPad Pro.
6) DIGITAL NOTE-TAKER
If you have been watching my YouTube channel for a while or read my Substack posts, you'll know I have fallen in love with my Kindle Scribe and its note-taking capabilities. So this section on how the iPad Mini also makes for an excellent note-taker might be a little surprising!
Firstly, the integration with the Apple Pencil 2 transforms the iPad Mini 6 into a dynamic tool for writing and drawing. The pencil's precise input is ideal for creating detailed artwork or (together with the size of the Mini) jotting notes during meetings or lectures. The responsiveness and pressure sensitivity of the pencil mimics a natural writing and drawing experience, which is further enhanced by apps like Apple Notes and Notability. These apps (amongst many others) allow for handwritten notes and support typing, making the iPad Mini a hybrid tool suitable for various types of content creation.
Secondly, the iPad Mini 6 is supported by powerful applications that expand its utility. For example, the aforementioned Notes app provides a straightforward interface for organising notes with folders and searchable content. Meanwhile, the Freeform app, Apple's collaborative whiteboard app, allows users to work on a flexible canvas where they can integrate text and sketches, photos, web links, and even audio recordings. This is particularly useful for project planning or creative brainstorming sessions where various types of media need to be compiled and shared. This is something you simply can't do on the Kindle Scribe, reMarkable 2, or any other e-ink device, as far as I'm aware.
Additionally, third-party applications like Notability offer enhanced features, such as importing PDFs, marking them up, and recording voice notes that sync with your written notes.
Writing on a Kindle Scribe feels like writing on a pencil on actual paper, but the iPad Mini 6 has this area (literally) covered, too. Accessories like the Paperlike screen protector can be added (there are cheaper options but this company leads the way by far). This screen protector not only protects the device but also adds a texture to the screen that simulates the feel of paper, providing a more familiar and comfortable writing experience and improving precision for handwriting and sketching.
7) NEW IPAD MINI?
Let me directly address the elephant in the room regarding the timing of a new iPad Mini release. Current insights from industry analysts and reports suggest that while Apple is planning an update to the iPad Mini series, but it's not expected to launch until later in 2024. Notable Apple analyst Mark Gurman has hinted at a release schedule that pushes the new iPad Mini to the latter part of the year, if not into 2025.
It seems that Apple is currently focusing on other products, such as the new iPad Airs, iPad Pros, and other hardware like a new Apple Pencil and redesigned Magic Keyboard. Prioritising these releases could be a way to maximise impact across its product lines, spreading out new introductions to keep consumer interest and sales momentum throughout the year
Considering the possibility that Apple might not replace the iPad Mini 6 any time soon, several factors are relevant. Apple has been known to extend the lifecycle of specific models when they still meet market needs effectively, even as newer technologies and models are introduced. The iPad Mini 6, with its strong performance metrics and unique size, continues to fill a niche that simply doesn't require immediate updating.
It's crucial to consider this: the economic and strategic benefits to Apple of maintaining a stable product line are significant. Frequent updates to every product line can lead to consumer fatigue and diminished brand loyalty as customers defer purchases in anticipation of the next update.
Additionally, if Apple chooses not to replace the iPad Mini soon, it could indicate a broader strategy shift, possibly towards integrating more advanced features in its larger iPads or focusing on other emerging product categories like wearables and AR/VR technologies. Such a shift could redistribute resources from smaller tablets to areas with higher growth potential, reflecting changing consumer preferences and technological advancements.
In this context, the decision not to rush a new iPad Mini to market might be seen not as a lack of innovation but rather as a deliberate choice to optimise product offerings across the board. This strategy could benefit consumers by maintaining a stable option in the mini-tablet category, known for its reliability and performance. At the same time, Apple enhances other areas of its product ecosystem.
So there you have it, my seven reasons for you to consider buying an iPad Mini now and not wait for a product that might never materialise, at least not anytime soon. The price that you can pick one of these up for now, I think, makes it a really compelling purchase, and maybe, just maybe, the Mini will worm its way into your gadget-focused heart, as it has for many tech YouTubers.
Like it has in mine.
I send out three different email newsletters EVERY week!
MONDAY REVIEW - Generally reviewing tech and sometimes other things that pique my interest
WEDNESDAY WISDOM - Tech tips ✅ Productivity advice ✅ Tech news ✅
FRIDAY’S INSIGHT - Sharing stories of my journey as a content creator