iPad Mini 6 Design and Build

The iPad Mini 6 (2021) features a sleek aluminum body with a modern flat-edge design, offering both portability and elegance. Measuring just 7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 inches and weighing 293g (Wi-Fi) or 297g (Cellular), the iPad Mini 6 is perfect for on-the-go use. It comes in stylish color options like Space Gray, Pink, Purple, and Starlight, and features Touch ID on the top button for secure access—eliminating the need for a Home button. The iPad Mini 6 supports 2nd Gen Apple Pencil through magnetic attachment and replaces the Lightning port with a USB-C connector for faster data and charging. With an IP54 rating, the iPad Mini 6 offers limited protection against dust and splashes, making it a reliable companion in various environments. While users love its compact size and premium build, some have noted that the ultra-thin bezels on the iPad Mini 6 may cause accidental screen touches during one-handed use..

• Aluminum chassis, flat edges
• IP54 dust/splash resistance
• Top-mounted Touch ID, no Home button
• USB-C port
• Supports 2nd-gen Apple Pencil

iPad Mini 6 Display

The iPad Mini 6 features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD with a sharp 2266 x 1488 resolution (327 PPI), True Tone technology, and P3 wide color for vibrant, accurate visuals. With 500 nits of brightness, it's great for indoor use but can struggle in direct sunlight. While the 60Hz refresh rate may feel dated compared to the iPad Pro’s smoother 120Hz ProMotion, the Mini 6 still delivers responsive performance. Some users notice mild “jelly scrolling” during vertical movement, though it's subtle for most. Full support for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil makes it perfect for sketching and note-taking on the go.

• 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD
• 2266 x 1488 resolution, 327 PPI
• 500 nits brightness
• True Tone, P3 wide color
• 60Hz refresh rate
• Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating

iPad Mini 6 Performance and Software

Powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine), the iPad Mini 6 has 4GB RAM and storage options of 64GB ($499) or 256GB ($649), non-expandable. Running iPadOS 15 (upgradable to iPadOS 18), it supports Apple Intelligence (limited features) and offers 5 years of updates until 2026. It handles multitasking and light gaming well but lags behind the iPad Mini 7’s A17 Pro in AI tasks. Users report occasional stutters with heavy apps.

• Apple A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU
• 4GB RAM
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB
• iPadOS 15 (up to iPadOS 18)
• 5 years of software updates

The A15 Bionic is fast for its size, but 4GB RAM limits multitasking compared to the iPad Air’s 8GB. The compact form factor shines for casual use, though software updates are shorter than newer models.

iPad Mini 6 Camera System

The iPad Mini 6 features a 12MP rear camera (f/1.8, 5x digital zoom) with quad-LED flash and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera (f/2.4, 122° FOV) with Center Stage. It supports 4K video at 60fps (rear) and 1080p at 60fps (front). Image quality is solid for scanning or casual shots, but low-light performance is average. Center Stage enhances video calls, though tablet photography remains niche.

• Rear: 12MP (f/1.8, 5x digital zoom)
• Front: 12MP Ultra-wide (f/2.4, 122° FOV)
• Video: 4K 60fps (rear), 1080p 60fps (front)
• Features: Center Stage, Smart HDR 3, quad-LED flash

iPad Mini 6 Battery and Charging

The iPad Mini 6 features a 5078mAh battery that delivers around 10 hours of video playback or 8–10 hours of typical usage like web browsing and streaming. The iPad Mini 6 supports 20W fast charging via USB-C, reaching 50% charge in approximately 40 minutes, and includes a 20W adapter in the box. While wireless charging isn't available, the iPad Mini 6 still offers reliable battery life for everyday tasks. However, due to its compact size, the iPad Mini 6 has slightly shorter battery life compared to larger models like the iPad Air 5, and users report a quicker battery drain during intense gaming sessions.

• 5078mAh battery
• ~10 hours video playback, 8–10 hours real-world
• 20W wired charging (50% in ~40 min)
• No wireless charging
• 20W USB-C charger included

iPad Mini 6 Connectivity

The iPad Mini 6 offers impressive connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, and optional 5G (sub-6GHz) available on cellular models starting at $649. Designed for users who need speed and mobility, the iPad Mini 6 includes nano-SIM and eSIM support, along with A-GPS and GLONASS for precise location tracking. While the iPad Mini 6 does not feature mmWave or satellite connectivity, its Wi-Fi capabilities remain consistently strong across most environments. Some UK users, however, have reported occasional 5G signal drops in areas with weak network coverage, particularly on the iPad Mini 6 cellular variant.

• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
• Bluetooth 5.0
• 5G (sub-6GHz, cellular models)
• Nano-SIM, eSIM
• GPS: A-GPS, GLONASS (cellular)
• No mmWave or satellite connectivity

iPad Mini 6 Pricing and Availability

The iPad Mini 6 launched at a starting price of $499 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, with higher-tier options including the 256GB Wi-Fi and 64GB Cellular versions priced at $649. Available for pre-order from September 14, 2021, and released on September 24, the iPad Mini 6 was sold through Apple, major carriers, and online retailers like Amazon. Frequent discounts now bring the iPad Mini 6 down to £399–£449 in the UK, making it an excellent value. While the newer iPad Mini 7 introduces 128GB storage and Apple Intelligence, the iPad Mini 6 continues to be a highly portable and powerful tablet choice for everyday users.