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Apple iPad mini 2 review

8.9/10 AVG.
RATING
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Apple iPad mini 2
Apple iPad mini 2
Apple iPad mini 2
Apple iPad mini 2
...


8.9/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad mini 2 currently has an Informr score of 8.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 45 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Beautiful retina display
  • Fast performance
  • Useful pre-installed apps
  • Solid design

What's bad

  • Price
  • Mediocre camera

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.”


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
1.3 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.3 GHz
7.8"
Screen Size
Screen Size
7.8"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
24 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Cnet
Cnet

It lacks the features and speed of a cutting-edge iPad, but the Mini 2 is still a solid tablet for basics, especially if you can buy it at a discount.

- Xiomara Blanco, Cnet
APC
APC

The iPad mini wins when you combine speed, screen resolution, battery life and weight.The battery life of 10hrs 15mins from a tiny 23-watt-hour battery is quite remarkable, particularly given the performance the A7 is capable of.Throw in the low 330-gram weight for the Wi-Fi only version and this is...

- Darren Yates, APC
Fone Arena
Fone Arena

Overall, the iPad Mini with Retina display is a great upgrade over the original iPad Mini. The iPad Mini with Retina display comes with one of the best processors from Apple – A7 and combines it with M7 co-processor. On the performance front, it is definitely on par with the iPad Air although...

- Monish Kumar, Fone Arena
The Inquirer
The Inquirer

The addition of the Retina screen is a real boost to the 8in tablet range from Apple, and it's impressive that this extra-high quality display and faster processor haven't dented battery life. We'd definitely award the iPad Mini 2 our highest score if it wasn't for the even higher starting price now...

- Madeline Bennett, The Inquirer
Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

There's no doubt in our mind that the iPad Mini with Retina Display is the best small tablet. It perfectly balances screen resolution and size with portability, with Apple producing a tablet that fits comfortably in one hand. Build quality is excellent, too, putting this tablet above the cheaper, bu...

- David Ludlow, Expert Reviews


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Quick view

Screen Size
7.8"

The Apple iPad mini 2's screen size is 7.8 inches with 1536 x 2048 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.3 GHz

There is a Apple A7 Dual core 1.3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the iOS 7 (Update Available: 12) operating system (OS).

Camera
5+ MP
You can take photos with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
16/32/64/128 GB

Internal memory is 16/32/64/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
24WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 24 WHr battery. Apple's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad mini 2 Specs

Overview
Release Date November 12, 2013
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 7 (Update Available: 12)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A7 Dual core 1.3 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32/64/128 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 1.19 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Lightning
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HID, HFP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Exposure, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Face detection
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1536 x 2048 pixels
Pixel density 326 pixels
Size 7.8 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 24 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 4 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 30 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Space Gray, Silver
Dimensions [H x W x D] 20 x 13.5 x 0.7 cm (7.9 x 5.3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 341
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: AAC, AAC+, AIFF, Apple Lossless, eAAC, MP3, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, AVI, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: XLS, RTF, PPT, PPTX, JPG, TIFF, GIF, DOC, DOCX, PDF, TXT, HTML
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Apple iPad mini with Retina display

Wi-Fi only version does not have GPS feature

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Apple iPad mini 2 Reviews
Where to buy Apple iPad mini 2
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