Editorials · Reviewer Insight
I think the iPad mini might secretly be the ultimate tablet
The iPad mini is now refined, but also — it's really just about the size.
This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
Refreshingly mini | Image by PhoneArena
I think the tablet industry has been getting a little too obsessed with size. Tablets have only grown larger in the past couple of years. For many users who already spend big bucks on a tablet, it makes sense that the device can also do double-duty as a laptop replacement (and one with a touchscreen!).
But what if you already own a laptop? And what if you still want a considerably bigger screen than your phone's, but small enough to take almost anywhere? Well, you have foldables as one option, but they still seem a bit too fragile and expensive. Plus, phones are a distraction. And I think that's where the iPad mini really shines, and it's also why I wish more tablet makers would follow Apple's lead.
With this new, eighth-generation iPad mini, Apple has finally made the upgrade I've been waiting for: a vibrant OLED display. This little soldier also packs the same A20 Pro chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, great for demanding games and apps.
And the more I use it, the more I think this is exactly what a tablet should be.
Image by PhoneArena
On the back, the new iPad mini looks much like older models, with a minimalist design and only a single rear camera.
Image by PhoneArena
Once you actually get to hold it, though, you notice that it's significantly thinner and lighter than before. In fact, it's visibly thinner than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and almost the same weight, despite a huge size difference.
Image by PhoneArena
Just like previous models, the new iPad mini can easily fit in your back pocket or in the pocket of some jackets.
Image by PhoneArena
I can also hold it with one hand. My hands are on the smaller side, so it's a bit of a stretch, but if you have larger mitts, you'd be able to grip it even easier.
Image by PhoneArena
Apple sells a few official accessories for the iPad mini, but the one that most people will reach to is probably the Smart Folio case. It protects the back and the screen of the iPad mini, and you can also use it as a kickstand.
Image by PhoneArena
The iPad mini also works with Apple Pencil. Here, we are using the Apple Pencil USB-C, and if you want to jot something quickly or draw, the 8.5-inch canvas on the iPad mini is a great size (I find it a big step up in comfort from the iPhone Duo).
Image by PhoneArena
Speaking of the iPhone Duo, the iPad mini is actually noticeably larger.
Image by PhoneArena
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch display with a 14:10 aspect ratio, while the iPad mini sports an 8.5-inch screen with a 3:2 (or 15:10) aspect ratio.
The two are not too far off, but the iPad mini actually has a nearly 22% larger screen area.
Image by PhoneArena
I also noticed that many games are not yet optimized for the iPhone Duo and have giant black bars, so the usable screen area is actually a lot smaller than the whole screen. In comparison, those same games run in full screen on the iPad mini.
Image by PhoneArena
And here is the iPad mini next to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Image by PhoneArena
The size difference here is much bigger. The iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display, but you understand the size properly when you look at the screen area, and the iPad mini has nearly twice the screen area of the iPhone.
Image by PhoneArena
One disappointing omission from the iPad mini, however, is Face ID. Instead, the mini uses the older Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which is definitely uncomfortable on a tablet where you flip the orientation so often.
Image by PhoneArena
This is the first mini iPad with an OLED screen and it looks beautiful, with more vibrant colors and deeper contrast compared to the older LCD technology used previously.
Unfortunately, this is not a 120Hz ProMotion display, and it's noticeable. Swiping and scrolling on the iPad mini often look a bit stuttery, especially if you are used to a modern phone's fluidity.
Image by PhoneArena
Multitasking on the iPad mini is richer than on the iPhone Duo as you can have floating apps in all sorts of configurations.
Image by PhoneArena
You can probably already tell that I am a big proponent of the compact iPad mini form factor. Now that it's thinner and lighter, the mini is almost perfect, but I will be doing my usual deeper dive in our PhoneArena-style full review coming soon.
Meanwhile, let me know if you have any questions about the iPad mini in the comments below.
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