iPad mini (2019): complete technical sheet, price and availability

In 2012, two years after the release of the original iPad, Apple launched its little brother: theiPad mini. If it generally has the same design - but more compact - and also uses the same software, it nonetheless remains different, especially when we look at its technical sheet. This thus integrates components which are not all those of the more classic iPads, which can change the situation on a daily basis and is logically not aimed at the same audience.

After testing the edition2019of the iPad mini for several months, at work and at home, we were able to discover the advantages and disadvantages. Here is our complete and detailed opinion on the most affordable touchscreen tablet from the Apple brand, with supporting photos.

Hardware aspect of the iPad mini 2019

Let's start with the exterior appearance of the iPad mini 2019, then let's take a look at the parts chosen by Apple to power it. Here we go!

Design by Apple

Above all, what is noticeable at first glance when you look at the iPad mini (2019) is its striking resemblance to the “just” iPad. Indeed, Apple's touch is recognizable among thousands and the work of its design department has been reiterated with the same result. The lines of the hull are elegantly curved and the edges are of acceptable size. In terms of dimensions, this is 203.2 x 134.8 mm: this is alreadysmaller than an A5 sheet! Suffice it to say that with the iPad mini 2019, you will have no transport problems and will even be delighted with its reduced size. Even the thickness is only 6.1mm. : it's not much.

As for the mass, it will be around 300 grams or a little more by choosing the 4G option (find the prices of each iPad mini 2019 model at the end of the page). Suffice to say here too afeatherweight. All available in three different colors at the moment: space gray, gold and silver. As for the layout of the buttons, there are four: home, which is also used to recognize the fingerprint, is under the screen. The volume controls are located on the right edge of the device, not far from the on/off button at the top. It's easy and natural to navigate, like on an iPhone.

Pure performance and storage of the iPad mini (2019)

The iPad mini (2019) comes with an in-house processor: this isApple A12 Bionic, based on a 64-bit architecture behind which the ARM company is actually hidden. Inside is integrated an M12 coprocessor as well as the Neural Engine, coupled with3 GB of RAM. Suffice it to say that it will be complicated to deal with a slowdown with this product, even when spending several hours playing on the Apple Arcade cloud gaming service (which costs 4.99 euros per month).

For storage, it's your choice: with the iPad mini 2019 you are entitled to64 Go ou 256 Go. No more, but it will also be sufficient for the majority of users who can count on an iCloud package anyway if they need more. Otherwise, there are also Lightning keys that plug into the eponymous port to serve as external memory. Finally, the Li-Po battery of the iPad mini 2019 has a capacity of5 124 mAh, which most of the time allows it to last around ten hours straight in web browsing and via Wi-Fi. This is its major drawback, but which is only noticed if you use it intensively,in which case the iPad Pro of 2020 will be a better solution for you.

iPad mini connectivity

The iPad mini (2019) is therefore equipped with a socketLightningowner. This means that you will have to use adapters or buy dedicated accessories as soon as you want to plug something into it: Apple has not chosen to rely on universal USB-C here, unfortunately. It's a shame. No Smart Connector either.

Keyboards, mice and controllers (compatible without problem with iPadOS 14) will therefore have to use theBluetooth 5.0 Low Energy, which is just as practical. As for the Internet, that's where Apple split its 2019 iPad mini intotwo versions: one with a 4G modem and a Wi-Fi chip (compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards), and the second, less expensive, without access to mobile data. A criterion to take into account if you are used to traveling in areas poorly covered by antennas, in which case you will therefore have to pay a little more.

A good camera?

Let's be clear from the start: the iPad mini 2019 is not made to serve as a camera phone. Which is understandable, given its size which is still quite large compared to an ordinary cell phone, and therefore difficult to take out of your pocket in the blink of an eye. But for the technical characteristics, here is what Apple offers:

• sensor with definition of8 MPxet mode HDR
• aperture ƒ/2.4
• hybrid infrared filter
• light sensor
• auto focus and stabilization
• possibility of taking panoramic photos (up to 43 MPx)
• burst mode, exposure adjustment and self-timer mode

As for the lens subcontractor, as usual it is the Japanese Sony, a reference in the field. Finally, for the front camera of the iPad mini 2019, it will be 7 MPx and an ƒ/2.2 aperture. Correct.

The iPad mini (2019) screen

The iPad mini 2019 has a small Retina touchscreen of7.9 inchesdiagonal, backlit by LEDs. Its pixel density reaches326 ppithanks to a 2K resolution (2048 x 1536 pixels exactly): it's very good and comfortable for the eyes! The display features True Tone mode which adapts colors and brightness depending on the environment, while an oleophobic coating helps resist potential user fingerprints, with the added bonus of a layeranti-reflectivefor use in direct sunlight (the luminance here reaches 500 nits).

Software: iPadOS 14

The iPad mini 2019 is powered by iPadOS, is eligible for the update to iPadOS 14. This new version, presented during the Worldwide Developer Conference 2020, brings some welcome new features such as more complete App Store presentation sheets in terms of confidentiality or even increased support from theApple Pencilwith Scribble mode to transform handwriting into text characters in all applications. Ingenious!

iPad mini 2019 interface

The design of iPadOS on the iPad mini 2019 is sober and refined, and differs very little from the iOS found on iPhone. And for good reason: it is a modified version of the original mobile operating system, which ran the previous models. The result isvery fluidon a daily basis, without bugs, and particularly optimized for the A12 Bionic chip because it is manufactured by the same publisher. Getting started is easy, multitasking mode improved:the MacBook Air 2020 and its 13 inchesjust have to behave.

Many basic applications

Like all other iPads, the iPad mini 2019 comes with around thirty apps created by Apple. Among them, we find in particular the library of Books, the Calendar, a Clock to prepare alarms or know the time in another country,FaceTimeto make video calls with friends or the very responsive Safari browser.

But that's not all, since thanks to the application storeApp Storeintegrated, you can access hundreds of thousands of other services created by third-party publishers and compatible with the iPad mini 2019. This ranges from the best known like the social network Facebook or the streaming service Spotify to tools from free independent developers and more discreet. Therefore, the possibilities are simply endless and you can use iPad mini (2019) to do just about anything you want.

Subscription services on iPad mini

In addition to its free applications on the iPad mini 2019, Apple also markets paid plans for certain services. The most used isApple Music, a direct competitor to Deezer which for 9.99 euros per month provides access to more than sixty million tracks for unlimited listening! Added to this is Apple Arcade, for video games, andApple TV+, a serious alternative to Disney+ for the same price.

In addition, Apple also offers subscriptions toiCloudwhich as we saw above acts as external storage space in the cloud. For example, this is very practical when you have a lot of photos in the Photos app and you want to be able to access them anywhere, from all your Apple mobile devices. The price is very affordable: from 0.99 euros per month for 50 GB of data.

Synchronization with other Apple devices

And precisely: the iPad mini 2019, being an Apple product, is THE tablet you need if you already have an iPod player, an iPhone, a Mac laptop or even AirPods Pro wireless headphones. For what ? Quite simply because Apple regularly imagines new solutions forinterconnectits devices, such as intelligent copy/paste or even receiving SMS messages which can be replied to either from a tablet or a mobile phone.

Another telling example:Handoff. This feature of the iPad mini 2019 allows you to continue watching a video after starting it on another device such as an iPhone, picking up where you left off. The same thing is possible with AirPods Pro for sound. Finally, last scenario:AirDrop. This tool, similar to what is possible with Bluetooth, uses Wi-Fi to quickly transfer a file from one device to another. But of course, all this doesn't work on Windows or Android.

Conclusion: iPad mini 2019, the best inexpensive tablet?

In short, and you have probably already guessed it by reading this technical sheet,The iPad mini 2019 is the best value for money you'll find among all Apple tablets. Indeed, its characteristics are very close to those of the iPad Air 2020 except for the size of the screen. The iPad mini 2019 will be a great choice above all for entertainment: games, films, music... In transport or in bed, it is ultimately an ideal alternative to the iPhone whose screen is sometimes too small.

We even see that certain professionals, such as restaurateurs or bars, use the iPad mini 2019 to act as a cash register with Tiller or simply as a background DJ. All this thanks toiPadOS 14, which is probably the smoothest tablet software on the market. So of course, the formatcompactof the iPad mini 2019 will not suit everyone and its price starts at459 euros -or 599 for the 4G version-(price of a high-end model from Huawei) will put off small budgets, but if you want to spend the money because you are an Apple aficionado you will not be disappointed that's for sure.

Finally, here is the table ofbest pricesof the iPad mini 2019 at various French resellers, which we update in real time according to current promotions: