Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) vs. iPad mini (2021): The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad mini (2021) wins on performance thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and its compact size. However, the iPad 10.2 offers a larger screen for media consumption and a more affordable price point. It depends on your priorities: portability and power vs. screen real estate and value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) | Apple iPad mini (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in) | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb) | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) |
| Stylus support (1st gen only) | Stylus support (2nd gen only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| OS | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh) | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | A2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2 | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 |
| Price | About 430 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -29.4 LUFS (Average) | -29.7 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
- Larger screen for media consumption
- More affordable price
- Good value for money
- Familiar iPadOS experience
- Older A13 Bionic chip
- Less powerful than iPad mini
- Basic camera system
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Compact and portable design
- Excellent for gaming and demanding apps
- Improved performance
- Smaller screen
- Higher price
- Camera is still basic
Display Comparison
The iPad 10.2 (2021) boasts a 10.2-inch Liquid Retina display with a 1123:1 contrast ratio and 513 nits brightness. The iPad mini (2021) features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a slightly better contrast ratio of 1325:1 and a comparable 518 nits brightness. While the iPad 10.2 offers a larger viewing area, the iPad mini's smaller size makes it more comfortable to hold and use one-handed.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature capable cameras for their class, but neither excels. They are primarily suitable for casual photos and video calls. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The iPad mini's smaller size makes it slightly more convenient for quick snapshots.
Performance
Here's where the iPad mini (2021) truly shines. It's powered by the A15 Bionic chip, a significant upgrade over the iPad 10.2's A13 Bionic. This translates to noticeably faster performance in demanding apps, games, and multitasking. The A15 handles everything with ease, while the A13 is still capable but shows its age in more intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both iPads offer all-day battery life under typical usage. Apple claims up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback for both models. Real-world usage will vary depending on your activities, but you can expect a full day of use on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)? Students, casual users, and those who enjoy watching videos or browsing the web on a larger screen will appreciate the iPad 10.2's value and display. Who should buy the Apple iPad mini (2021)? Users who prioritize portability, gaming, and demanding apps will benefit from the iPad mini's powerful A15 chip and compact form factor.