Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) vs iPad mini (2021): The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Pro 11 (2021) is the clear winner for power users needing top-tier performance and a larger screen. However, the iPad mini (2021) shines as a supremely portable and enjoyable tablet for everyday tasks, reading, and entertainment, offering excellent value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) | Apple iPad mini (2021) |
| 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, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2301, A2459, A2460 | 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, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2301 | 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, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2459, A2460 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 21 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in) | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (1.03 lb) | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | Stylus support (2nd gen only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (typ) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| OS | iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | - |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | 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 | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh) | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | A2301, A2459, A2460, iPad13,4, iPad13,5, iPad13,6, iPad13,7 | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 |
| Price | About 870 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.7 LUFS (Average) |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)
- Blazing-fast M1 chip
- Stunning Liquid Retina display with ProMotion
- Advanced camera system with LiDAR
- Excellent performance for demanding tasks
- Powerful speakers
- Higher price point
- Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
- Can be overkill for basic users
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Ultra-portable and lightweight
- Excellent display brightness
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Improved design over previous mini
- More affordable
- Smaller screen size
- Less powerful than the iPad Pro
- Limited storage options at lower price points
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 11 (2021) boasts an 11-inch Liquid Retina display with ProMotion (120Hz adaptive refresh rate) and excellent color accuracy. The iPad mini (2021) features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a 1325:1 contrast ratio and 518 nits max brightness. While the mini's brightness is impressive, the Pro's larger size and ProMotion technology provide a noticeably smoother and more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature capable cameras, but the iPad Pro 11 (2021) has a more advanced system with a 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide camera, including LiDAR Scanner for improved AR experiences. The iPad mini (2021) has a 12MP Wide camera. Image quality is good on both, but the Pro offers more versatility.
Performance
The iPad Pro 11 (2021) is powered by the M1 chip, offering significantly faster performance than the iPad mini (2021)'s A15 Bionic. The M1 handles demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design with ease, while the A15 remains more than capable for everyday use and gaming. The M1's GPU also provides a substantial advantage for graphics-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is excellent on both devices. The iPad Pro 11 (2021) offers around 10 hours of web browsing, while the iPad mini (2021) provides a similar lifespan. The Pro's larger battery capacity contributes to its longevity.
Buying Guide
The iPad Pro 11 (2021) is ideal for creative professionals, students needing robust processing power, and anyone who values a large, immersive display. The iPad mini (2021) is perfect for those seeking a compact tablet for travel, reading, gaming on the go, and general entertainment.