If you realize me and my work, you’re conscious I write so much about Android smartphones; I’ve been critiquing the units for years. Particularly, I’ve cherished and reviewed the HTC U12+, the Huawei P30 Pro, the Pixel 4 XL and, most lately, the S23 Ultra.
Whereas all these units maintain a particular place in my coronary heart for one cause or one other, I’ve slowly grown connected to Apple’s iPhone over the previous few years and, as of late, the iPhone 14 Pro. Nonetheless, the Cupertino, California-based tech big has but to launch a foldable, which is a disgrace since I like large screens (and I can’t lie).
Gadgets just like the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 4 have been my favorite smartphones in recent times. A 7.6-inch display screen that folds is a dream, however since Apple’s ecosystem has claimed my soul, I’m caught with the iPhone 14 Professional’s 6.7-inch show. Don’t get me fallacious, the display screen is undeniably strong, however I spend a number of time studying and watching content material on my smartphone, so an even bigger show works higher for me.
That is the place Apple’s 6th-gen iPad mini is available in.
Let’s begin with a quick story.
Just a few months in the past, MobileSyrup‘s Brad Bennett and I have been on our solution to New York Metropolis for an occasion. On the airport, I begin writing an article on my cellphone, and Brad pulls out a small pill with a stunning 8.3-inch show and begins engaged on it. It was love at first sight; I instantly requested him concerning the system, which he defined was the newest iPad mini he reviewed for MobileSyrup back in 2021. I’ve a depth of information about Android units, however I’m nonetheless discovering my footing within the Apple world, which is why this system fully flew underneath my radar.
After all, I needed to get the iPad mini for myself and check out it out. Now, I’ve spent a few months with Apple’s 2021 iPad mini to date, and it’s one in every of my favorite units I’ve ever used.
The right small pill
Apple’s iPad mini options an 8.3-inch 60Hz LCD show with a 1488 x 2268 pixel decision, and whereas these aren’t one of the best show specs on the market, they’re adequate for video games, streaming and studying.
Whereas this gained’t be the case for everybody — and never even for all my pants on account of its whole dimension (195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm) — the pill suits snuggly in my denims pocket. I discover this extremely helpful. When travelling, it’s not yet one more system I’ve to retailer in my bag. I can shortly put it in my pocket, and I’m off. I’ve discovered how pocketable the iPad mini may be very helpful when taking the subway, avenue automobile, an Uber, or on a flight.
I even have a bigger 10.2-inch 2021 iPad, however by way of pure utility, I undoubtedly discover the iPad mini higher.
Bigger tablets defeat the aim of portability. Although they’re nonetheless lighter than a laptop computer, they take up the identical quantity of house, so each time I’d be in a scenario the place I might carry my bigger iPad, I’d simply take my laptop computer as a substitute. The iPad mini, then again, isn’t a alternative for a MacBook. Nonetheless, due to its portability, it’s so much simpler to carry round in my pocket, or when it will possibly’t match, I lug it round in my jacket, aspect baggage or virtually the rest. Additional, if I plan to make use of it for work, I can take a wi-fi keyboard with me.
Not a cellphone alternative
I’m not saying you should purchase an iPad mini as a substitute of a smartphone, since you shouldn’t. The pill is small, however not that small. However the iPad mini is my favorite smartphone companion. I often stroll round with my iPad after I’m dwelling except I’ve to make a cellphone name or ship many messages, or I carry each units — one for messaging and the opposite for studying or enjoying video games.
That’s to not say you’ll be able to’t additionally ship messages on the iPad or make cellphone calls by way of FaceTime, however the giant display screen is a bit awkward for texting or calling (fortunately, I don’t take video calls usually). It’s value noting that you just won’t have points texting with the iPad mini given Brad Bennett has no issues sending messages with the pill.
Though the iPad can function mobile service, I nonetheless wouldn’t change my cellphone with a small pill. The iPad mini is, nevertheless, the perfect-sized pill and the system to purchase whereas ready for Apple to launch a foldable iPhone.
I additionally like that it’s so versatile. I can play video games, learn, watch content material, and do something an iPhone can. This is the reason I want the iPad over one thing like an e-reader.
The very best small pill
You continue to have iMessage, FaceTime and different advantages of an iPhone, alongside the power to observe content material on apps like Netflix and Crave and skim with Kobo, Play Books, Apple Books and different apps. I like to play video games like Pokémon Unite due to the pill’s bigger show that’s nonetheless not too large.
The iPad mini with 64GB of storage costs $679, which is much extra reasonably priced than most different comparable units, together with bigger tablets, laptops, smartphones and foldables.
Sooner or later, if Apple makes a foldable system, it would change the iPad mini, however till then, that is the pill for me.
Pictures by Brad Bennett
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