Pricing on the new iPad mini starts at $399 for the 64GB WiFi-only model, with the 256GB model priced at $549. Cellular models are available for $130 more over the base price of each configuration. The first-generation Apple Pencil that works with the iPad mini is available for $99.
Are all iPads waterproof? No. In fact none of them are - at least officially. The reason why no IP ratings (certifying water and dust resistance) are given for the iPads is that the devices are not IP-rated, and make no claims in this area.
Depending on your iPhone model, you can look in the SIM card tray and shine a light into the phone, looking for the dreaded red color of the water damage indicator. Also, unlike many iPhones, iPads are not especially water-resistant. So you should try your best to keep your iPad from getting wet.
The new waterproof case for iPad Pro features an IP68 rating good for submersion down to 2m (6.6 feet) and offers drop protection from up to 4 feet with the military spec 810G rating.
Use a dry lint-free or microfiber cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, and other marks from your dirty iPad screen. Give your iPad screen a good wipe down with a clean, dry cloth. Move the cloth in small circles, working around the entire screen.
Are all iPads waterproof? No. In fact none of them are - at least officially. The reason why no IP ratings (certifying water and dust resistance) are given for the iPads is that the devices are not IP-rated, and make no claims in this area.
Unlike the iphones, almost all IPad Models, including the Pro versions are not water resistant. This means if you want to use it in a pool, you must carry a water sealable bag.
If you plan to keep your next iPad for a long time you should consider buying the iPad mini 5. If you're the type of person that likes to hold onto your gadgets for three plus years, buying a model from the current generation has a lot of appeal.
Overall winner: Apple iPad Mini 5
If you've had an iPad Mini 4 for years and you love the design, then the iPad Mini 5 is a no-brainer. You should upgrade right away, because it's the same tablet with a better processor, better front-facing camera, Apple Pencil support, and a couple of improvements to the display.What Can the iPad Mini Do?
- Take Notes with the Apple Pencil.
- Run Two Apps at the Same Time.
- Dive Into AR Experiences.
- Read eBooks Longer with True Tone.
- Connect a Keyboard When You Need To.
- Watch a Movie Picture in Picture.
- Use Apple Pay on the Web.
- Stream and Download Your Favorite Movies and Shows.
The new iPad Mini should be good for up to 10 hours of mixed use, just like its predecessor. Sadly, recharging is via the same old Lightning port in both, and there's no support for wireless charging.
Model comparison
| Model | iPad Mini (5th generation) |
|---|
| Release date | March 18, 2019 |
| Capacities and when discontinued | 64, 256 GB: In Production |
| Launch price | Wi-Fi models: 64 GB US$399, 256 GB US$549 Wi-Fi + Cellular models: 64 GB US$529, 256 GB US$679 |
| SoC | Apple A12 Bionic |
Face ID would have been a welcome addition: the facial recognition feature from the iPhone XS is present on the latest iPad Pros and it lets you unlock the slate without reaching for or pressing anything. The iPad Mini 5 includes the second-generation Touch ID sensor below the display, and it's fine: fast and reliable.
The iPad mini 5 is – in my opinion – the ultimate gaming tablet. It's powerful enough to run the most demanding iOS games, and it's small and lightweight at just 300 grams. But for media and gaming, it's arguably even better than a 9.7-inch iPad, simply due to its size and weight.
The best iPad mini 5 deals
The latest and greatest iPad mini is the iPad mini 5, and it's the one to go for if you want the fastest internals, the option of more internal storage, and support for the (first-gen) Apple Pencil.The easiest way to make phone calls with your iPad is by using the video conferencing software that comes with the iPad called FaceTime. FaceTime uses your Apple ID to place phone calls to anyone who also has an Apple ID, which is anyone who owns an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac computer.
8 simple ways to reuse your old iPad
- Turn it into a digital photo frame.
- Use it as a cookbook.
- Turn it into a kitchen TV.
- Use it as an offline movie player.
- Turn it into a security camera feed monitor.
- Let it bring you the latest news.
- Use it for focused reading.
- Don't be afraid of using it in extreme conditions.
If you plan to use your iPad mini primarily as an entertainment device for streaming shows and movies, playing games, and reading books, then 64GB should be enough on a day-to-day basis. If you're downloading large files all of the time, you might want to go with a bigger iPad.
After four autumn releases in a row, there's a difference of over 3 years. Hopefully, the new iPad mini will come to the market during October 2020. It's improbable that Apple will wait for another three and a half years. The company should return to the old pattern.
If you want to limit what you spend the new iPad mini is the better choice. It may be somewhat smaller (7.9" vs. 9.7" screen, about 18% smaller, which really isn't that much) but will be supported and fully capable to run everything you throw at it for a long time.
The fifth-generation iPad mini is available with either 64GB or 256GB of storage. Because while 32B is probably the bare minimum that you'd want to have on an iPad, 64GB is probably enough for most people.
The iPad mini 5 continues to have a headphone jack at the top, along with a sleep/wake button, and there are volume up/down buttons on the side. The iPad mini is 203.2mm tall (8 inches), 134.8mm wide (5.3 inches), and 6.1mm thick (0.24 inches).
You can find your phone number on your iPad in two different ways. If you have an iPad that has Wi-Fi + Cellular, it has a phone number associated with the SIM card – you cannot place a voice call to this number, since it is a data-only plan, but you can find it in the Settings app's About section.
Best iPads 2020: is the iPad Pro, Mini, Air or base the best iPad you can get right now?
- iPad Pro 11. The best iPad you can buy right now.
- iPad Pro 12.9. The best big iPad around.
- iPad 10.2. Apple's basic iPad gets a slightly bigger screen.
- iPad Air 10.5.
- iPad Mini (2019)
- iPad Pro 10.5.
- iPad 9.7.
- iPad 9.7 (2017)
iPads, sadly, don't have the reassuringly regular release schedule of the iPhones, and the mini line is even harder to predict than the rest. Here's when Apple has released iPad minis: iPad mini 4: September 2015. iPad mini (2019): March 2019.
The 2019 iPad Mini still costs about $400, so if you see a Mini 4 for $250 or less, it may be worth it, especially since it will likely have 128 GB of file storage for movies and TV shows.
The main difference between an iPad mini 4 and 5 is the location of the back microphone. On the 4 it's by the back camera lens, on the 5 it's in the middle back. So while the dimensions are exactly the same, putting a 4 case on a 5 will block that microphone.
The reason the new mini is more expensive than the one year old iPad is the better screen and faster chip. And Apple's idea of where each product belongs across their line. The new iPad mini has Apple's A12 chip whereas the 9.7” iPad was not refreshed and has the A10.
We think the iPad mini is worth the extra money though. In terms of whether you should upgrade from an iPad mini 4 to a 2019 iPad mini 5 we'd say yes. Even if you only bought an iPad mini 4 a few months ago. It really is a much much better device thanks to the processor update, and the improved FaceTime camera.
It's smaller. The new iPad 5 is smaller. The iPad 2, 3 and 4 had wider bezel areas. Newer 9.7 inch screen iPads, like the Air 1 & 2 and Pro are all smaller in size because they have smaller bezel areas.
Here are the best iPads in 2020:
- Best iPad overall: 2019 10.2-inch iPad.
- Best mid-range iPad: 10.5-inch iPad Air.
- Best small iPad: 7.9-inch iPad Mini.
- Best iPad Pro: 11-and- 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
- Best iPad stylus: Apple Pencil.
- Best iPad keyboard: Logitech K780.
