Pavel Jelic If you follow the events in the apple world, you certainly did not miss this year's first autumn Apple Keynote at the beginning of the week. At this expected conference, Apple has of course traditionally presented new iPhones, this time with the designation 13 and 13 Pro. But it certainly didn't end there, because apple phones were the icing on the cake. Even before them, the Californian giant presented the Apple Watch Series 7, together with the new generations of iPad and iPad mini. We cover all these devices gradually in our magazine. In recent days, you may have mainly come across comparative articles. In this article, we will look at the comparison between the iPad mini (6th generation) and the iPad mini (5th generation).
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Processor, memory, technology
We'll start in the guts, as with other comparison articles. The iPad mini (6th generation) currently has the latest and most advanced A-series chip from Apple - namely the A15 Bionic chip. It has a total of six cores, two of which are high-performance and four economical. This chip can be found, for example, in the latest iPhones 13 and 13 Pro. However, it should be mentioned that compared to Apple phones, the performance of the A15 Bionic chip in the iPad mini (6th generation) is artificially throttled, so the performance with Apple phones is not the same. The maximum clock frequency of this chip is 3.2 GHz, but the iPad mini (6th generation) has it set to 2.93 GHz. The previous generation iPad mini then offers an older A12 Bionic chip, which is found, for example, in the iPhone XS. This chip also has six cores, and the division into two performance cores and four energy-saving cores is the same. The maximum clock frequency is set to 2.49 GHz. Apple claims that the new iPad mini has improved performance by up to 80% compared to its previous generation.
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When introducing new products, Apple never mentions how much RAM they have. This means that we always have to wait a few hours or days for this data to appear. The good news is that we recently learned this information, so we can share it with you. Specifically, the iPad mini (6th generation) offers 4 GB of RAM, while the previous generation offers 3 GB of RAM. Both compared models offer Touch ID biometric protection. However, this is hidden in the power button on the new iPad mini, whereas the previous generation iPad mini has it hidden in the desktop button. You will no longer find the desktop button on the iPad mini (6th generation) at all, thanks to a complete redesign and reduction of the frames around the display. If you then purchase the Wi-Fi + Cellular version, you will get 5G support for the new iPad mini, while the previous iPad mini only had LTE. You can connect to the mobile data network using a nanoSIM or an eSIM.
Battery and charging
We mentioned above that Apple does not specify the size of the operating RAM when presenting. But the truth is that, in addition to this data, it does not indicate the exact capacity of the battery. However, we now know this information, so we will share it with you. The iPad mini (6th generation) therefore has a battery with a capacity of 5078 mAh, while the previous generation model will offer a slightly larger battery, specifically with a capacity of 5124 mAh. The packaging of both compared devices includes a charging cable, together with a power adapter. The iPad mini (6th generation) comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable, while the older generation includes a Lightning to USB-C cable. Specifically, in the case of endurance on the web, Apple states that both models can last up to 10 hours when browsing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video, or up to 9 hours when browsing the web on a mobile data network.
Design and display
Both the new generation iPad mini and the previous one have a body made of aluminum. However, if you put both of these models side by side, you will find that there have been really big changes. The iPad mini (6th generation) comes with a new design, which means that it is rounder and has sharp edges, like the iPad Pro and iPad mini. In addition, there was also a reduction in the frames around the display, which led Apple to remove the desktop button. On the top side of the iPad (6th generation), you will find a volume button, in addition to the power button with Touch ID. These are located on the left side of the older model. The arrival of the USB-C connector will please the new generation, while the fifth generation iPad mini has an outdated Lightning connector. There is a camera on the back of both iPad minis. The one on the iPad mini (6th generation) sticks out of the body, while on the fifth generation the lens is flush with the body.
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We also saw changes in the field of the display. The iPad mini (6th generation) now offers a Liquid Retina display, with a diagonal of 8.3″ and a resolution of 2266 × 1488 pixels at 326 pixels per inch. The iPad mini (5th generation) then has a classic Retina display, which has a diagonal of 7.9″ and a resolution of 2048 × 1536 at 326 pixels per inch. It should be mentioned that even though the iPad mini (6th generation) has a larger display, the overall body size has not increased, but even decreased. Both compared models also offer an oleophobic treatment against smudges, an anti-reflective layer, and support a wide color range of P3 and TrueTone. The iPad mini (6th generation) then boasts support for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, with the previous generation you have to make do with the first generation support.
Camera
As for the camera, we have seen some nice changes in the new iPad mini. Specifically, it offers a 12 Mpx camera with f/1.8 aperture, up to 5x digital zoom, four-diode True Tone flash and Smart HDR 3 support for photos. The iPad mini (5th generation) has a weaker camera - it has a resolution of 8 Mpx, an aperture of f/2.4 and up to 5x digital zoom. However, it lacks, for example, an LED to illuminate the scene, in addition, it only supports Auto HDR for photos, while the sixth generation offers Smart HDR 3. In the case of video recording, of course, the sixth generation is better. It can record up to 4K quality at 60 FPS, with the fifth generation you only have to put up with 1080p video at a maximum of 30 FPS. The iPad mini (6th generation) then offers an extended dynamic range for videos, up to 30 FPS. With the new generation of iPad mini, you can record slow-motion video in 1080p resolution at up to 240 FPS, while the previous generation can only record slow-motion video in 720p at 120 FPS. When shooting, you can use 3x digital zoom and time lapse on both models.
The front camera was also improved. Specifically, the iPad mini of the sixth generation offers an ultra-wide-angle 12 Mpx front camera with an aperture number of f/2.4, while the previous generation has an older wide-angle FaceTime HD camera with a resolution of 7 Mpx and an aperture number of f/2.2. Thanks to the ultra-wide-angle camera, the iPad mini (6th generation) supports Center Stage or 2x zooming. There is also dynamic range support for video, up to 30 FPS, together with Smart HDR 3. Both compared iPads are capable of cinematic video stabilization and 1080p video recording, and also offer Retina Flash.
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Colors and storage
Even before you decide to buy a sixth or fifth generation iPad mini, you still have to choose a color and storage. You can get the iPad mini (6th generation) in space gray, pink, purple and star white, while the iPad mini (5th generation) comes in silver, space gray and gold. As for storage, it is possible to choose either 64 GB or 256 GB for both models. Both models are then available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular versions.
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| iPad mini (6th generation) | iPad mini (5th generation) | |
| Processor type and cores | Apple A15 Bionic, 6 cores | Apple A12 Bionic, 6 cores |
| 5G | year | ne |
| RAM | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Display technology | Liquid Retina | Retina |
| Display resolution and finesse | 2266 x 1488 pixels, 326 PPI | 2048 x 1536 pixels, 326 PPI |
| Number and type of lenses | wide angle | wide angle |
| Aperture numbers of lenses | f / 1.8 | f / 2.4 |
| Lens resolution | 12 Mpx | 8 Mpx |
| Maximum video quality | 4K at 60 FPS | 1080p at 30 FPS |
| Front camera | 12 MPx | 7 MPx |
| Internal storage | 64 GB to 256 GB | 64 GB to 256 GB |
| Color | space gray, pink, purple, starry white | silver, space gray, gold |
