If you're on a tight budget, then you can't beat the regular iPad (9th Gen).
But still, it's a great combination of value and power if you don't mind the smaller screen size compared to the iPad Air 5 and iPad Pro models. The only bad thing about the new iPad mini 6 is that it starts at $100 more than its predecessor, making it $499 for Wi-Fi-only models and $649 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. And on the audio front, the iPad mini 6 comes equipped with a new set of landscape stereo speakers, making it a great device for watching movies or making video calls on.Īnd for the first time, the iPad mini has 5G connectivity, so you can stay productive anywhere, anytime. You get a 12MP rear camera but, possibly more importantly, the front camera has also been bumped up to 12MP with a larger field of view for Center Stage. Like the iPad Air and iPad Pro, the 2021 iPad mini can make use of the second-generation Apple Pencil, which magnetically attaches to the side of the device, though there's no Smart Connector on the back for attaching a keyboard accessory like its larger counterparts have. Plus, the iPad mini 6 comes in four beautiful colors: space gray, pink, purple, and Starlight. Still, it's 40% faster in terms of raw power and has 80% improved graphics over its predecessor. Though the A15 is what you'll also find in the iPhone 13 lineup, the one in the iPad mini 6 is slightly under-clocked. You get the A15 Bionic chip in the iPad mini 6, which has a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. Its data speeds aren't quite as fast as those offered by the iPad Air 5 which uses a newer USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port, but it's still enough for most folks. Apple also eliminated the Lightning port and replaced it with USB-C for faster charging and data transfers. With iPad mini 6, you're getting an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display in a newly redesigned body with flat edges, which means no more Home button! While there is no Home button, the iPad mini 6 still has a Touch ID sensor housed in the top button just like the iPad Air. As our review points out, the iPad mini looks a lot like a smaller iPad Air and they share a few similarities feature-wise, too. If the iPad Air 5 is a little too much, then you may want to consider the iPad mini 6 - as long as you don't mind having a smaller screen, that is. That being said, a lot of the iPad Pro bells and whistles are aimed at power users and may be overkill for a lot of students who just want a killer note-taking device. Where the device saves money versus the Pro, is in the lack of ProMotion in the display, Touch ID instead of Face ID, and a less advanced rear camera setup. With the fifth-generation model, the iPad Air also gained 5G support for the first time, making it a great device to tote around everywhere. Other great features include Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard support, a USB-C port with up to 10Gbs data transfer speeds, and a Center Stage-supporting front-facing camera which will be great for FaceTime calls with family back home. Inside, the iPad Air is now powered by the M1 chip - the same one that the top-end iPad Pro runs - meaning you'll have plenty of power for any tasks you need to complete in the classroom. The display features P3 wide color and True Tone, making everything look vibrant and the fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating means fewer smudges from your fingers.
With 2360-by-1640 pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (PPI), everything's going to look great, from your digital books to handwritten notes to educational videos. It also comes in a mid-range 10.9-inch size, making it perfect to take with you everywhere while offering enough screen space for whatever you need. For just $599, you get almost all of the features of the iPad Pro at a few hundred dollars less. Our review makes it clear that the iPad Air 5 is the best iPad for students - and for good reason.