Apple iPad mini 2
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“If you have already decided to part with that sort of cash, the meaningful choice is really between the new iPad mini and the iPad Air. You can go left or right, but never wrong. In fact, picking the mini over the iPad Air seems to make a lot of sense.”
“If money's no object, the Retina iPad mini is the best small tablet you can buy today. It might even be the best tablet you can buy today, period. If you passed on the iPad mini last year in hopes of getting a Retina model this year, you made the right call, this is the one you were waiting for. If money is an object, if you're going to use your tablet mostly as an e-reading, movie-watching device, and if you don't have a ton invested in Apple's ecosystem, the 2013 Nexus 7 is there, waiting to accept you into its still-great, much-less-expensive arms.”
“If you're an iPhone user, or you're attracted by unique iOS exclusives like the Infinity Blade series of games, Toca Boca kids' apps, or the iWork office suite, that investment will probably be worth it. But I think all of those apps play even better on the big iPad. If you're looking for cross-platform applications like Kindle book reading, comics reading, casual games, or Web browsing, you can get them on a great tablet that costs a lot less. That makes the iPad mini a very highly rated tablet, but still not quite our Editors' Choice.”
“Apple's iPads definitely come at a premium price, but you should also consider they are worth much more when you are ready to move up to the newer model. I have used tablets running other operating systems, but keep coming back to an iPad because I still find the app selection, quality, functionality, and service offerings to be superior. I would likely give the iPad Mini with Retina display a perfect 10 if it had launched with Touch ID and all WiFi bands. The device really is nearly perfect and it will be in my collection for quite some time to come.”
Watch before you decide
What people say
Only a few ratings so far, not enough to show a trend yet.
1 rating so far
I love them I use them for everything I do I have one in my hand I'm very pleased with it i'm satisfied with it I love it
In Depth
This latest release from Apple addresses one of the biggest concerns of the original iPad Mini. By adding a Retina display to the device, you can now enjoy the true iPad experience in a portable, smaller format. Tech Radar notes that the display upgrade is “perhaps the most obvious difference to the tablet” and goes on to say that “its easily a match for the display on the new Google Nexus 7, but we prefer the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad mini’s screen, which makes it a more comfortable to browse web pages on.”
However, the display is just the start of what the tablet has to offer. Stuart Miles of Pocket Lint noted that compared to the iPad mini, it is “noticeably faster than its predecessor. It’s more powerful than the old iPad 4, getting innards closer to the iPhone 5S.”
Whether you are looking for a new tablet or simply upgrading an existing device, reviews agree that the new Mini 2 will be at the top of the charts for some time.
Patrick Goss of Tech Radar says that it is “faster, prettier and more featured, the new iPad mini is everything we hoped it would be” and Jonathan Bray of PC Pro notes that “for people upgrading from the original, it should be an immediate and visible boost to the way in which the mini handles.”
The latest model is more than an incremental update to the original. Most hardware has been upgraded or completely replaced. Powered by the same A7 chipset in the iPad Air, reviews show that the Mini 2 performs fluidly and offers plenty of power for the most graphic intensive apps and games. PC Pro notes that they were able to “whizz around iOS 7 and launch apps without experiencing any undue delay or stuttering.”
There are a couple of things to keep in mind about the device.
The first is the camera. While it has received an upgrade from the original, boasting a 5-megapixel sensor, many reviews note that it still takes pictures that are just average. Patrick Goss of Tech Radar said that it “isn’t going to (nor should it) replace your primary camera, but for every-day quick snaps it’s a step up from the original iPad mini and perfectly acceptable.”
The other consideration is the price. This latest edition has some stiff competition from other manufacturers at much lower price points. However, before you balk at the price, consider that the device comes with iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers and Keynotes pre-installed. For anyone already using a Mac this provides plenty of options to make the most of your new device and integrated seamlessly with your desktop’s programs as well.
Pocket Lint sums up the new Mini well when it states “We always liked the iPad mini because of the size and convenience: it was the iPad experience that you really could slip into your pocket. But now it’s all of that and more and although it will cost you to get the cheapest model, a fair hitch-up over the original.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Apple iPad mini 2 released?
The Apple iPad mini 2 was released on November 12, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Apple iPad mini 2?
The Apple iPad mini 2 has a 24 mAh battery.
Does the Apple iPad mini 2 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Apple iPad mini 2 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Apple iPad mini 2 have NFC?
No, the Apple iPad mini 2 does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I get support for the Apple iPad mini 2?
Visit Apple's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Apple iPad mini 2 manual?
You can view and download the Apple iPad mini 2 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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Hi Gail. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Larger Type. This increases font size in apps such as Calendar, Contacts, Mail, Messages, and Notes.