Amazon’s Prime Day is over, but the iPad mini is still ridiculously cheap

Apple is expected to update the iPad mini later this year, according to Bloomberg, and likely update the internals of the compact tablet to make it usable Apple Intelligence. But if you can’t wait to get your hands on a revised version of Apple’s smallest tablet (and a great note-taking and comic-reading gadget, I might add), you can pick one up on Amazon for $349.99, a solid $149 discount off the tablet’s usual starting price of $499.

The iPad Mini was included with a whole treasure trove of older but still capable Apple products discounted during Amazon’s Prime Bid Deal Day sales event, and while Prime Day may be over, the discount has stuck. Compared to Apple’s other tablets, you pay a high price for the iPad mini’s more portable size. Apple last revised the device in 2021, introducing a new, flatter design, updated internals, a laminated screen, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. All together, these features still make the iPad mini a compelling, if expensive, alternative to the company’s larger tablet, but let’s dig into the details to see why a $149 discount is worth jumping on.

iPad mini punches above its weight

As fast as a normal iPad with some Pro features

Apple iPad Mini (2021)

$350 $499 Save $149

The Apple iPad mini (2021) is basically a mini version of the iPad Air (2022) – while adding a number of upgrades when it comes to hardware, including the processor and front-facing camera. It’s compatible with the second generation Apple Pencil, like the iPad Air (2022), and it’s great for portability. A good option if you are in the market for a tablet with a small form factor.

Mark

Apple

Storage

64 GB, 256 GB

CPU

A15

Operating system

iPadOS

Battery

Up to 10 hours, USB-C

Ports

USB-C

Camera (rear, front)

12-megapixel wide-angle camera

Display type

Liquid retina

Size

8.3 inches

Measurements

195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm, 293g

Colors

Space Grey, Pink, Purple, Starlight

Rear camera

12 megapixel wide

Expand

The 6th generation iPad mini has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2,266 x 1,488 and support for True Tone, Apple’s system for intelligently adjusting a screen’s color temperature. On the back there is a 12-megapixel camera and on the front a 12-megapixel selfie that works quite well for video calls. The device is powered by an A15 Bionic chip and comes in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi and Cellular variants with two different storage options: 64GB and 256GB. Amazon’s best deal is on the 64GB model, which feels criminal to offer as the starting storage amount for a device built for media consumption (you’ll be limited by how many Netflix shows you can download), but should still be good enough for day-to-day tasks such as e-mail, browsing the web and taking notes.

The iPad mini supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and works well as a digital notebook for school or work, although a stylus costs extra. Although the tablet’s chip is on the older side, it’s still very powerful to run all the apps you could want. Just know that because it’s not an M-series chip, you won’t be able to use any of Apple’s upcoming AI features, such as Writing toolsGenmoji or Image Playground. Aside from some missing software features, it’s hard to deny the appeal of an Apple tablet you can comfortably use with one hand. That was one of our biggest takeaways when we reviewed the 6th generation iPad mini, and it still stands out now, especially as tablets and smartphones have continued to grow in size.

If portability is what matters most to you in a tablet, and you won’t be using Apple Intelligence as soon as it’s ready, you’ll be very happy with the iPad mini. At $349.99, it’s right in the same sweet spot as Apple’s entry-level 10-inch iPad, and more than matches it in quality and amount of fun to use.

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