The sixth-generation iPad Mini, introduced by Apple Inc. in September 2021, marked the first major redesign of the iPad Mini line. Featuring a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port replacing the Lightning connector, and Touch ID integrated into the power button, it resembles the fourth-generation iPad Air. It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and was released alongside devices like the ninth-generation iPad and iPhone 13. Available in four colors, the iPad Mini 6 replaced the discontinued fifth-generation model but was itself discontinued in October 2024 with the launch of the seventh-generation iPad Mini.
Features
Hardware
It 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.2 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 has 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
The 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
The sixth-generation iPad Mini is compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation and USB-C), but not with Magic Keyboard for iPad or the Smart Keyboard Folio due to its smaller form factor.
Reception
This 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".3
Timeline
Timeline of iPad models
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See also: List of Apple products |
Source: Apple Newsroom Archive.4
References
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. https://www.tomsguide.com/news/ipad-mini-6-release-date-price-specs-and-rumors ↩
"New iPad Mini Has Downclocked A15 Chip Compared to iPhone 13". MacRumors. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-17. https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/16/ipad-mini-downclocked-a15-chip/ ↩
Perlow, Jason. "Why the iPad Mini 6 is Apple's most exciting new product in years". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-09-17. https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-the-ipad-mini-6-is-apples-most-exciting-new-product-in-years/ ↩
Apple Inc. (2010–2011). iPad News – Newsroom Archive. Retrieved June 7, 2018. /wiki/Apple_Inc. ↩