Apple iPad mini (2021) vs. iPad mini (2019): A Detailed Comparison

The iPad mini has always been a beloved compact tablet, offering a powerful experience in a pocketable form factor. But with a refresh in 2021, how does the latest model stack up against its 2019 predecessor? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which iPad mini is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad mini (2021) is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster A15 Bionic chip, brighter display, and USB-C port. However, the 2019 model remains a solid choice, especially if budget is a primary concern and you don't need the absolute latest performance.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad mini (2021)	Apple iPad mini (2019)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 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, 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, 46, 66, 71 - A2126
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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
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, 46, 66 - A2124

Launch
Announced	2021, September 14	2019, March 18. Released 2019, March 18
Status	Available. Released 2021, September 24	Discontinued

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)	203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm (8.0 x 5.31 x 0.24 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz)	300.5 g (Wi-Fi) / 308.2 g (3G/LTE) (10.86 oz)
	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)	1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density)
Size	8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio)	7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz)	Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest)
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)	Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm)
GPU	Apple GPU (5-core)	Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OS	iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1	iOS 12.1.3, 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
Single	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF	8 MP, f/2.4, 32mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)	7 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard)
Video	1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP	5.0, A2DP, EDR
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only	GPS, GLONASS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort	Lightning, USB 2.0
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
Talk time	-	Up to 10 h (multimedia)
Type	Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh)	Li-Ion 5124 mAh, non-removable (19.1 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight	Space Gray, Silver, Gold
Models	A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2	A2126, A2124, A2133, A2125, iPad11,1, iPad11,2
Price	About 550 EUR	About 450 EUR
SAR	-	1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.99 W/kg (body)

Tests
Loudspeaker	-29.7 LUFS (Average)	-

Apple iPad mini (2021)

Significantly faster A15 Bionic chip
Brighter display (518 nits)
Modern USB-C port
Improved speakers
Available in new colors

Higher price
Storage options may be limited at lower tiers

Apple iPad mini (2019)

More affordable
Compact and portable design
Still a capable performer for everyday tasks
Good battery life

Slower A12 Bionic chip
Lower brightness display
Lightning port (older standard)
Less powerful GPU

Display Comparison

The 2021 iPad mini boasts a noticeable improvement in brightness, reaching 518 nits compared to the 2019 model's likely lower figure (around 450-500 nits). Both feature a vibrant Liquid Retina display, but the 2021's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The contrast ratio is excellent on both, providing deep blacks and vivid colors.

Camera Comparison

Camera improvements are minimal. Both models feature an 8MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera. Image quality is decent for casual snapshots, but neither is a standout performer. The 2021 model might offer slightly improved image processing due to the A15 chip.

Performance

This is where the 2021 iPad mini truly shines. The A15 Bionic chip is a massive upgrade over the A12 Bionic, offering significantly faster CPU and GPU performance. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a much better gaming experience. The A12 is still capable, but the A15 is in a different league.

Battery Life

Battery life is comparable between the two models, offering around 10 hours of mixed usage. While the 2021 has a slightly more efficient chip, the battery capacity is similar, resulting in similar real-world battery performance.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPad mini (2021)? Users needing maximum performance for gaming, creative tasks, or multitasking. Those who value a brighter display and modern USB-C connectivity. Who should buy the iPad mini (2019)? Budget-conscious buyers who still want a capable and portable tablet for everyday tasks like browsing, reading, and light media consumption.