Why the iPad Mini 6 is Actually Awesome

The iPad Mini got a complete makeover in 2021, and users are loving it. But before we dive in, here is a quick Pros and Cons rundown:

Apple iPad Mini 6 Display

The redesigned screen must be one of the most exciting updates the little tablet received this year. Apple replaced the old panel with the edge-to-edge one. The new display is 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS.

Thanks to 326-PPI and 2266 x 1488 resolution, the image on the new iPad is exceptionally sharp and vivid. As with other iPad models, this one has the True Tone feature, adjusting the intensity of the screen to the ambient light of the surroundings. These features make streaming a rather joyful experience.

The display is fully laminated and has a fingerprint-resistant and anti-reflective coating.

Performance

The latest Apple A15 Bionic chip powers the Mini 6. This tablet is incredibly fast, thanks to a six-core CPU, five-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. It allows to multi-task and run several apps in the background without any noticeable lag. 

Another cool thing about this new mini tablet has the Apple Pencil 2nd generation support. This means you can sketch and make other digital art on the go. Besides, The Mini 6 can detect your handwriting and make it into text. 

By now, you have likely heard that the new Mini does not have a headphone port. And while some users find it annoying, the outstanding audio via the Airpods totally makes up for it. In addition, the Mini 6 speakers offer a lot of depth and decent volume, which is delightful for such a small device. 

As for the battery, Apple promises up to 10 hours of life for Wi-Fi models and up to nine hours if using a cellular network. Battery life, however, largely depends on the usage.

Overall Design

As noted above, the look of the Apple iPad Mini 6 is completely overhauled. There is no Home button in the new iPad Mini version and its power button doubles as a Touch ID scanner. The model features a flat edge design, which allows for attaching the Pencil. It also works better with case covers and keyboard accessories. 

Apple iPad Mini 6 measures 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches and weighs only 0.65 lbs, making it lighter than the rival’s Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 comparable model. Because of the slim frame, the Mini 6 is very easy to operate with one hand.

Apple iPad Mini 6 Options and Pricing

The model comes in the following color options:

• Space Gray
• Pink (new)
• Purple (new)
• Starlight (new)

You also get to choose between 64GB and 256GB storage options. And just like with all other iPad models, you get an optional LTE configuration.

So, the cheapest 64GB Wi-Wi only Mini 6 model will cost you $499 plus tax. At the same time, the Cellular version is $649 plus tax. The 256GB model will run $649 and $799, respectively. Additionally, buyers can make monthly payments at 0% APR for 12 months. 

Lastly, if you are buying your Mini 6 iPad on Apple Sore site, you get an option to trade your older Apple gadget in during the checkout process. 

What to Do with an Older iPad You No Longer Want?

If you own an older iPad version but want to try something else, the second-best option after trading it in for a newer model is to resell it for some cash instead. And like any other Apple product, iPads hold a far better resale price over time than other brands. 

For example, if you have an earlier 2019 iPad Mini 5 64GB Wi-Fi version, it can yield you up to a $153 cash offer*. In comparison, the newer 2020 Galaxy Tab A7 model with the same storage size preowned goes for only $92 or less*. 

To sell a used iPad online, make sure to deregister and erase it first. It is important to turn off the Find My feature and sign out from your iCloud account before you do anything else. Resetting the device while still linked to your Apple ID will not remove it from your account. And iCloud-locked Apple devices have no resale value.

The Verdict

If you are on the fence about the new Apple iPad Mini 6, we say go for it. This almost pocket-sized tablet is a very capable device. Granted, you cannot connect the Magic Keyboard to it, but everything else is a fair game. The Mini 6 can replace your regular-size iPad and your Kindle. But it can also double as a portable iPad Pro, thanks to Apple Pencil support. Finally, if you have no need for your older preowned Apple gadget, we at Gadget Salvation will be happy to help you go green and get some green.

*Priced on 12/04/2021. Subject to change.