Apple's smallest iPad is thinner and lighter, with a larger OLED screen and water resistance. One limit on the screen may bother some buyers.
Apple has given the iPad mini its biggest update in years. The new model is thinner and lighter, has a bigger OLED screen, resists water, and runs on Apple's A20 Pro chip. A hands-on review from 9to5Mac finds a lot to like, with a couple of frustrations.
The body is the first thing you notice. The tablet is 5.4mm thick, down from 6.3mm, and weighs 255 grams instead of 293. The reviewer says it feels nicer to hold, more premium and less dense.
The screen grows from 8.3 inches to 8.5 inches, even though the tablet is about 2.2mm narrower. That works because the borders around the screen, called bezels, are 24 percent thinner than before.
The display is now OLED, a type of screen where each pixel makes its own light. It is Apple's first non-Pro iPad with OLED. Colors and contrast improve over the old LCD panel. Regular brightness rises from 500 to 600 nits, and HDR video can peak at 1200 nits.
The catch is the refresh rate, which is how many times the screen redraws each second. It stays at 60Hz. Apple's ProMotion feature, which goes up to 120Hz for smoother motion, is not offered. Scrolling is smoother than before, the reviewer says, but not as smooth as on Apple devices with ProMotion. The reviewer calls the choice frustrating.
For an extra $100, the 256GB and 512GB models can come with a nano-texture display. This special glass cuts reflections and glare. The reviewer says it suits a tablet carried into different kinds of light. The tradeoff is slightly less color vibrancy, which the reviewer calls very minor.
Apple also changed how the tablet makes sound. Its new Acoustic Display uses the screen itself to produce low and midrange sound, with small speakers hidden between the glass and the aluminum frame for high notes. The reviewer finds it sounds great for everyday use, though headphones or a speaker are better for serious listening.
The tablet is also rated IP67 for water and dust. That means it can be under 1 meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. It is the first iPad with an official water-resistance rating.
The reviewer points to reading as the use where these changes come together. The light body, glare-cutting glass and water resistance make it the most compelling iPad yet as an e-reader. It also suits people who want a small tablet for travel.
The material available here does not give the base price or the release date. It also does not say how the battery performs. Check Apple's site for those details before buying.
The new iPad mini is a strong pick for reading and travel, but the 60Hz screen may disappoint anyone who wants smoother motion.
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