The tablet market offers a wide range of options, from premium devices to budget-friendly alternatives. Today, we're pitting the Blackview Tab 6, a contender in the affordable space, against the Apple iPad mini (2021), a powerhouse known for its portability and performance. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which tablet reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad mini (2021) is the clear winner in terms of performance, display quality, and overall user experience. However, the Blackview Tab 6 offers incredible value for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize affordability over top-tier specs. It's a trade-off between power and price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 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 | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 15 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 207.6 x 124 x 9.5 mm (8.17 x 4.88 x 0.37 in) | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) |
| | - | Stylus support (2nd gen only) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Innolux Glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| OS | Android 11 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | Yes | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5580 mAh | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold, Blue | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | - | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
Blackview Tab 6
- Extremely affordable
- Decent battery life
- Large screen for media consumption
- Expandable storage (likely via microSD)
- Weak performance
- Mediocre display quality
- Basic camera
- Less polished software
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Blazing-fast performance (A15 Bionic)
- Stunning display
- Premium build quality
- Excellent app ecosystem
- Compact and portable
- High price
- Limited storage options on base models
- Lightning port instead of USB-C (on older models)
Display Comparison
The iPad mini (2021) boasts a significantly superior display with a 1325:1 contrast ratio and 518 nits of brightness, offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Blackview Tab 6's display is adequate for basic use but lacks the same level of clarity and color accuracy. The iPad mini's smaller size also contributes to a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the iPad mini (2021) generally produces better results thanks to Apple's image processing. The Blackview Tab 6's cameras are functional but lack detail and dynamic range. Camera quality is not a primary strength for either device.
Performance
The A15 Bionic chip in the iPad mini (2021) utterly dominates the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the Blackview Tab 6. Expect lightning-fast app loading, smooth multitasking, and effortless handling of demanding games and applications on the iPad mini. The Blackview Tab 6 can handle basic tasks, but struggles with more intensive workloads.
Battery Life
The iPad mini (2021) offers a respectable battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. The Blackview Tab 6's battery life is comparable, though it may drain faster under heavier load due to the less efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Blackview Tab 6? Students, casual users, or anyone needing a basic tablet for browsing, reading, and light tasks on a tight budget. Who should buy the Apple iPad mini (2021)? Users who demand high performance, a stunning display, and a premium experience, especially for gaming, creative tasks, or productivity on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview Tab 6 good for gaming?
The Blackview Tab 6 is suitable for very light gaming, but it will struggle with demanding titles. The iPad mini (2021) is a much better choice for gamers.
❓ What is the Blackview Tab 6's operating system?
The Blackview Tab 6 typically runs a customized version of Android, often with a focus on affordability and basic functionality. The iPad mini (2021) runs iPadOS, known for its smooth performance and extensive app library.
