iPad mini (2021): 5 things that stood out in the past week

Last Tuesday, at the California Streaming event, Apple announced the new iPad mini. With a completely new design and a big performance boost, the tablet gets the upgrade it deserves this year. But how does it work in practice?

Mark received the new iPad mini last Thursday and therefore also had the opportunity to try it out. In this article he tells you what stood out most in this first week and what feeling prevailed.

iPad mini: 5 things that stand out

For the first time since 2019, my favorite tablet, the iPad mini, has been upgraded. And it’s one I’ve actually only been looking forward to since last year. I have to admit that the tablet has been in need of renewal for some time, but I can’t deny that the iPad Air (2020) has refined my expectations.

I have been able to use the new iPad mini since last Thursday and during that first period I noticed a number of things. I list them for you:

#1 The completely new design

Implementing a redesign can be quite difficult for a company. This is mainly due to the fact that you always take a gamble with such a design. One likes it, the other hates it. Fortunately, Apple has waited so long to implement this design, that the iPad mini was actually considered obsolete in 2019. In that regard, the redesign comes when it is called.

This time, the iPad mini features a design that complements last year’s new iPhone 13, iPad Pro, and iPad Air. This means that the design is more angular, the camera system is designed with a small bump and there are a lot of new color options available. The iPad mini finally looks fresh again and joins “the big boys”. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, this is the most beautiful iPad from Apple’s current range, although that is of course a matter of taste.

In any case, it’s good to know that the iPad mini feels modern again and we haven’t had that feeling for a while.

#2 iPad mini: volume buttons and screen edges

The iPad mini’s volume buttons have been moved. Something that, as a person who usually owns all other Apple products, I find very difficult. This time they are not on the side of the tablet, but on the top of the model. Something that I personally don’t understand very well, given that the Apple Pencil could have easily been placed on the other side of the tablet. The consumer will logically quickly get used to it, but it is a striking decision to say the least.

What is less striking than it seems are the screen edges. At least, the choice to make them as they are. The screen edges of the iPad mini are just as large as those of the iPad Air (2020). But the smaller design makes it seem a lot thicker and that can kick some consumers in the shins. Only that decision is not wrong at all, because the screen edges are so large that you can still grip the tablet “normally”.

#3 The battery life also seems to be mini

When you compare a tablet with a smartphone, you will immediately notice that the battery life of the first product is much more impressive. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the iPad mini, which also seems to have a mini battery. After a week of use I got a good impression of this battery, but I will test it extensively for you soon.

However, it is good to know that with the iPad mini you are more in the smartphone spectrum than in the tablet spectrum in terms of battery. This simply means that if you use the tablet a lot in one day, you have to charge it at the end of each day. That doesn’t have to be annoying, but it is something to keep in mind.

#4 Apple Pencil inconvenient for the iPad mini

The second-generation Apple Pencil is supported by the iPad mini. That is in principle quite useful, if you want to use it a lot. Personally, I’ve noticed in the past week that I don’t find the stylus very suitable for this tablet.

This is partly due to the fact that the Apple Pencil itself is thicker than the iPad mini. This ensures that the pen quickly gets in the way when using it and that I put it aside more often than with other models. Furthermore, the tablet is of such a size that I myself do not have the feeling that I actually have to use the pen. Well, that’s me.

#5 A breath of fresh air on all fronts

No matter how you look at the iPad mini, the new tablet feels like a breath of fresh air. From the new design to the extremely powerful processor: it’s just really fun again. Everything simply feels fresh and that is exactly what this tablet needed.

The 2019 model has personally given me a lot of pleasure, but I must honestly say that this year’s model is really much more satisfying.

What do we think of the iPhone 13 Pro?

In addition to the iPad mini, the iPhone 13 Pro has also seen the light of day. We have also been able to test that product for a number of days.

Are you curious what we think of that? Be sure to check out the article above!