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Bargain hunters may want to ignore the new iPad mini and get the iPad mini (2019) instead right now

By Adrian Diaconescu

Published: Sep 16, 2021, 4:33 AM

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Bargain hunters may want to ignore the new iPad mini and get the iPad mini (2019) instead right now

Unlike the ninth-gen "regular" iPad, which looks pretty familiar and, well, boring, the hot new iPad mini 6 is set to bring a number of major upgrades to the table compared to its 2019 predecessor on September 24, including a revised design with a larger than ever display squeezed into a smaller body, a significantly faster processor, and optional 5G support.

All that makes said 2019 predecessor feel a lot older and more outdated than the 7.9-inch slate really is, which doesn't necessarily mean the fifth-gen iPad mini should be completely ignored by 2021 bargain hunters.

Apple iPad mini (2019)

Wi-Fi, 64GB, Three Colors

Apple iPad mini (2019)

Wi-Fi, 256GB, Three Colors

No longer available directly from Apple (duh!) or Amazon at the time of this writing (huh!), the reasonably well-reviewed diminutive tablet is still on sale at Walmart for $299 and up. That's a whopping 200 bucks lower than the starting price of the iPad mini (2021) edition while marking a solid (and fairly rare) $100 discount from the original MSRP of the 2019 generation.

Obviously, we're talking about an entry-level 64GB storage configuration here, although the same retailer also has the 256 gig variant listed at $449 instead of its usual price of $549.99 in your choice of three different paint jobs.

Unfortunately, there are no deals to report on the 4G LTE-enabled front right now, and there are also no words on how long these compelling Wi-Fi-only promotions will last.

What we can tell you with a relatively high degree of certainty is that, despite its advanced age, the iPad mini 5 remains one of the best small tablets you can buy... for $300 and up. The Apple A12 Bionic performance should still be fairly satisfying for most users, not to mention the beautiful Retina display, solid battery life, and optional Apple Pencil.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.