Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) vs iPad mini (2021): The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is the powerhouse for demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design, thanks to the M2 chip and expansive display. However, the iPad mini (2021) shines as a supremely portable and surprisingly capable device, offering excellent value for everyday use and on-the-go entertainment.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) | 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 - A2764, A2437 | 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2764 | 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 | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2437, A2766 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 18 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 26 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 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 | 682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 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 | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.49 GHz performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (10-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| OS | iPadOS 16.1, 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, ProRes | 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, HDR | 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 | 5.3, 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 3), DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Po 10758 mAh (40.88 Wh) | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | A2764, A2437, A2766, A2436, iPad14,5, iPad14,6 | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 |
| Price | About 1450 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.7 LUFS (Average) |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)
- Blazing-fast M2 chip
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
- Advanced camera system with LiDAR
- Excellent for creative tasks
- ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate
- Expensive
- Large size can be cumbersome
- May be overkill for casual users
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Highly portable and compact
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Excellent value for money
- Vibrant Liquid Retina display
- Improved speakers compared to previous models
- Smaller screen size
- Less powerful than the iPad Pro
- No ProMotion display
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 12.9 boasts a stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting, offering incredible brightness, contrast, and HDR performance. The iPad mini (2021) features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, which is vibrant and sharp, but lacks the Pro's advanced technology. The mini's smaller size is its advantage for portability.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature capable cameras, but the iPad Pro 12.9 has a more advanced camera system, including a LiDAR scanner for improved AR experiences and more detailed photos. The iPad mini's camera is perfectly adequate for casual snapshots and video calls.
Performance
The M2 chip in the iPad Pro 12.9 delivers significantly faster performance than the A15 Bionic in the iPad mini. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and effortless handling of demanding tasks. While the A15 is still very capable, the M2 provides a noticeable edge for power users.
Battery Life
Battery life is excellent on both devices. The iPad Pro 12.9, despite its larger size and more powerful chip, offers comparable battery life to the iPad mini (2021) due to its larger battery capacity. Expect around 10 hours of mixed usage on both.
Buying Guide
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is ideal for creative professionals, students needing a large screen for productivity, and anyone who wants the absolute best iPad experience. The iPad mini (2021) is perfect for travelers, commuters, and those who prioritize portability without sacrificing performance for casual gaming, browsing, and media consumption.