Apple iPad mini (2021) vs iPad 10.2 (2021): The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad mini (2021) wins on performance and portability thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and smaller form factor. However, the iPad 10.2 (2021) offers a larger display and a more budget-friendly price, making it a great all-around choice for everyday use.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad mini (2021) | Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 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 |
| 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, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 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 | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) | 487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb) |
| Stylus support (2nd gen only) | Stylus support (1st gen only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; 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 | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort | Lightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) | Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight | Silver, Space Gray |
| Models | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 | A2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -29.7 LUFS (Average) | -29.4 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Ultra-portable design
- Excellent display quality
- Supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
- Higher price point
- Smaller screen size
- Limited storage options at base level
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
- Larger display for media consumption
- More affordable price
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Excellent value for money
- Older A13 Bionic chip
- Less powerful than iPad mini
- Design feels dated compared to iPad mini
Display Comparison
The iPad mini (2021) boasts a slightly better contrast ratio (1325:1 vs 1123:1) and marginally higher peak brightness (518 nits vs 513 nits), resulting in slightly more vibrant colors and better outdoor visibility. However, the iPad 10.2's larger 10.2-inch display provides more screen real estate for multitasking and media viewing.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature basic photo and video capabilities. While both are adequate for casual snapshots, neither is a standout performer. The iPad 10.2's camera is slightly more versatile due to its larger size allowing for slightly better stabilization. Image quality is comparable in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The iPad mini (2021) takes a clear lead in performance thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, a significant upgrade over the iPad 10.2's A13 Bionic. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games and creative applications. The A15's 5nm process also offers improved power efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two devices, offering around 10 hours of mixed usage. The iPad 10.2's larger battery capacity helps offset the slightly higher power consumption of the A13 chip. Both devices support charging via Lightning port.
Buying Guide
The iPad mini (2021) is ideal for users who prioritize portability, gaming, and demanding apps. It's perfect for travel, reading, and creative tasks on the go. The iPad 10.2 (2021) is a better fit for those who want a larger screen for media consumption, note-taking, and general productivity, especially on a budget.