Tablets hit an elusive tech sweet spot: They combine the convenience of a smartphone with a bigger, more vibrant screen, but you don't have to fool with a bulky laptop. If you've been looking for a tablet for watching shows, reading books, playing games or just browsing the web without the pesky squinting, take note: the latest Apple iPad mini is $399, down from its regular price of $499. That's a rare deal on a device as versatile as it is powerful, so treat yourself.
Amazon
The new generation of this delightfully compact tablet features Apple Intelligence, an A17 Pro chip and 128GB memory — that's double the usual base standard.
Save $100 | Lowest price ever
$399 at AmazonWhy is this a good deal? ????
Priced at $100 off (that's this tablet's lowest price ever!) this just might be the iPad you've been waiting for. As a newer addition to Apple's lineup, it typically goes for full price, and we don't expect the discount to stick around for much longer.
Why do I need this? ????
Think this is just a slightly larger version of your phone? Think again. With a 3:2 aspect ratio compared with the iPhone's 2:1, the iPad mini is much wider and, if you use your tablet to read, it can fit more text and feels more like a book or magazine in your hand. Speaking of fitting in your hand, it's less cumbersome than a full-size iPad, making it great for travel or slipping into a backpack for your commute.
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As far as features go, this little tablet is packed. It's powered by the A17 Bionic chip, so you should experience zero lag (which I definitely cannot say for my Kindle). It also has a 12-megapixel camera on both the front and back, plus, with its smaller size, you won't look ridiculous holding it up to snap a photo. The optional (but highly recommended) Apple Pencil Pro can turn this tablet into an art studio, whether your medium is photography or digital art.
This is also the first iPad mini with Apple Intelligence. What is Apple Intelligence, you ask? It's Apple's way of making your device even more helpful and personalized. It learns from your habits and preferences to suggest things like reminders for meetings, photos from specific events or predictive text while you type, making things run smoother and faster.
Coupled with the optional Apple Pencil, the iPad mini becomes a powerhouse of an art studio. (Amazon)
What reviewers say ????
Since this iPad is so new, it has only a handful of ratings on Amazon so far, but most of them are five-star raves.
Pros ????
"I love the iPad mini, especially for use when I travel, and when I need to take it to family gatherings. It's a lot easier to manage than my larger iPad," said this fan. "I was concerned at first about the smaller screen, but since you can enlarge the type in the accessibility function on the iPad mini, I have had no problems using it. For portability, you can’t [beat] the smaller iPad."
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"Having used various larger iPads, I find this model strikes an ideal balance between being more expansive than a phone, yet more compact than a laptop," wrote a second reviewer. "Its size is perfect for on-the-go productivity and entertainment."
"I had the previous iPad mini and sold it to upgrade to this one," noted a repeat buyer. "It is the exact same excellent build quality and gorgeous display, but with twice the storage of my last one (128GB) and a much better processor. ... Apple Intelligence might sound like a gimmick, but I have been using the beta of iPadOS 18.2 and I am blown away by the image playground app. I am an author, and it has enabled me the power to visualize my characters just by describing them in the playground app. That alone is worth the price of admission for me to Apple Intelligence."
Cons ????
"It truly brings the Apple experience in a smaller package," said this fan. But they also offered this note of caution: "If you're upgrading from the mini 6, be aware: The improvements are minor, mostly focused on chip performance, and require a new Apple Pencil Pro."
Echoed this fan: "If you upgrade, know that the Apple Pencil 2 that you bought to use with your 6 will not work with the 7. You will have to buy a new Apple Pencil Pro."
Amazon
With a 3:2 screen ratio, this feels much more like a book in your hand than your iPhone.
Save $100 | Lowest price ever
$399 at AmazonSpeaking of the Apple Pencil Pro, it's on sale too:
Amazon
Want to draw, color, take notes, mark up documents on your iPad mini? This is the companion you'll need — and it charges magnetically by sticking to the side of your tablet. That's one less cord to worry about!
"I constantly use this Apple Pencil Pro with my new iPad," said a fan. "I really like the way it charges when stored on the edge of the iPad. It is always charged when I want to use it. It really keeps the screen cleaner from fingerprints. I had a generic one before that had to be plugged in to charge and I rarely used it and it wouldn't last long when I needed it. This one is great!"
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
