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Apple iPad and iPad Mini in Nepal: Here’s why Mini is better

Along with the release of the iPhone 13, Apple also has launched its Apple Watch Series 7 and two iPads, Apple iPad and Apple iPad Mini. 

There is not too much to get excited about the new iPad, but there are definitely some notable upgrades on them making them slightly better than the previous generations. The new iPad and iPad Mini now have got some new updates like a better processor from Apple. Also, the camera quality has been drastically increased.

Comparing the two, overall, iPad Mini stands better than the other version. You wonder why? Here we explain the details of the specifications as they are expected to come to Nepal in the next few weeks.

Specifications

SpecsiPadiPad Mini
Display10.2” Retina display8.3” IPS multi-touch
Resolution2160*1620 pixels2266*1488 pixels
DimensionHeight: 9.80 inches
Width: 6.80 inches
Thickness: 0.29 inches
Weight: 487 grams (Wi-Fi)
:498 grams (WiFi+Cellular)
Height: 7.69 inches
Width: 5.3 inches
Thickness: 0.25 inches
Weight: 293 grams (Wi-Fi)              
:297 grams (WiFi+Cellular)
Operating systemiPadOS 15iPadOS 15
ChipsetA13 BionicA15 Bionic
GraphicsApple GPU (4-core)Apple GPU (5-core)
CameraFront: 12 MP ultrawide (122 degree FOV)
Rear: 8 MP wide, f/2.4
Front: 12 MP ultrawide (122 degree FOV)
Rear: 12MP wide, f/1.8
Storage64/256GB64/256GB
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11ax Bluetooth 4.2, nano-sim , USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, nano-sim , USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort
SensorsTouch ID, three-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensorTouch ID, Three-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor
BatteryBuilt-in 32.4-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer batteryBuilt-in 19.3-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
ColorsSpace grey, silverSpace grey, pink, purple, starlight

Display and design

Photo: Apple

Both iPad and the iPad Mini are built with a glass front, aluminium back, and an aluminium frame. The new iPads almost have a similar design to their predecessors. The major change in the design of the iPad Mini is the home button has been removed. This means that Touch ID has been relocated to the on/off switch at the top of the device, just as on the iPad Air 2020. This also means the new iPad Mini has a bigger display than the iPad Mini of 2020 while the overall dimension remains the same.

To unlock the phone, there is a side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the iPad Mini and a front-mounted fingerprint sensor on the iPad.

Photo: Apple

The new iPad has a 10.2-inch standard Retina display whereas the iPad Mini has an 8.3-inch liquid Retina display. The iPad Mini offers a higher resolution of 2,266*1,488 pixels compared to 2,160*1,620 pixels of iPad. The iPad Mini also boasts wide colour (P3) while the iPad just has an sRGB.

Camera

Photo: Apple

Both iPad boasts a 12MP ultrawide camera at the front with an impressive 122field of view (FOV).  This is a huge jump for both models as both of them had a relatively low resolution camera in their previous-generation models. The iPad Mini offers Smart HDR 3 for this camera while the iPad just offers HDR making the Mini a better choice in the camera section.

On the rear, the iPad Mini boasts another 12MP camera with an aperture of 1.8 whereas the iPad has an 8MP camera with an aperture of 2.4.  The iPad Mini also can record at a higher resolution up to 4K@60 fps whereas the iPad only can record in 1080p@60 fps.

Buttons and connectors

iPad Mini (left) and iPad (right)

In this figure, we can see all the buttons and the location of the speakers. The iPad Mini has a dual stereo speaker both on the front and the read. The volume button and touch id sensor are also on the top of the tab. On the side, there is a nano sim tray (for cellular models) and a magnetic connector.

The iPad only has a single speaker at the bottom and above the speaker is the traditional home button of the Apple. At the top, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack and an on/off, sleep/wake button. On the side, there is a nano sim tray (for cellular models), volume buttons, and a smart connector.

Performance and battery life

Photo: Apple

The new iPad and iPad Mini run with the iPadOS 15 operating system while the iPad has an A13 Bionic and the iPad mini has an A15 Bionic chipset. This gives the iPad Mini a huge advantage over the iPad as the iPad Mini has the latest chipset to date and also the iPad Mini’s graphics are handled by Apple’s new 5 core GPU which is said to deliver up to 50% faster graphic performance. Meanwhile, the iPad’s graphics are handled by Apple GPU (4 cores).

But, battery life is where the new iPad stands out against the iPad Mini. The iPad has a 32.4Wh of non-removable Li-ion battery whereas the iPad Mini has a 19.34Wh of non-removable Li-ion battery.

Storage and connectivity

Photo: apple

Both the iPads have two memory options to date. There is a 64GB base variant and the other option is 256GB. The iPad Mini will get a 4GB RAM on both variants.

Both iPads support a nano sim card. The iPad Mini supports a 5G network as well. Both devices support dual-band Wi-fi 802.11. The new iPad Mini has Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity whereas the iPad has Bluetooth 4.2. The iPad supports a lightning USB 2.0 whereas the iPad Mini supports USB Type-C 3.1.

The base variant of the new iPad is priced at USD 329 whereas the base variant of the iPad Mini is priced at USD 499.

If you have to choose one between the two, it is a no-brainer that the iPad Mini reigns supreme over the new iPad. The Mini has a better and higher resolution display, a better camera, a faster processor, and better graphical performance. Also, the Mini supports a second-gen stylus. But if you want to save a few bucks and do not need a high-performing device, you can settle for the iPad.

Also, check the price of the iPad that is available in Nepal at the moment.

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Subba was a tech and auto writer at Onlinekhabar until December 2022.

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