Realme Pad Mini vs. Apple iPad mini (2021): Which Tablet Should You Buy?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple iPad mini (2021) is the clear winner in terms of performance and overall experience, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and iPadOS. However, the Realme Pad Mini offers incredible value for budget-conscious buyers seeking a basic tablet for media consumption and light tasks.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme Pad Mini | Apple iPad mini (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 04 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 08 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 211.8 x 124.5 x 7.6 mm (8.34 x 4.90 x 0.30 in) | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 372 g (13.12 oz) | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) |
| - | Stylus support (2nd gen only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.5% 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 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| OS | Android 11 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired 5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 6400 mAh | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | RMP2105, RMP2106 | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.7 LUFS (Average) |
Realme Pad Mini
- Excellent Performance
- Compact and Portable
- Premium Build Quality
- iPadOS Ecosystem
- Bright and High-Contrast Display
- High Price
- Limited Storage Options (base model)
- No Headphone Jack
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Lightweight Design
- Underpowered Processor
- Mediocre Display
- Plastic Build
- Limited Software Updates
Display Comparison
The iPad mini (2021) boasts a significantly brighter and higher-contrast display (518 nits, 1325:1) compared to the Realme Pad Mini. While the Pad Mini's display is adequate, the iPad mini's screen offers richer colors, better visibility in sunlight, and a more enjoyable viewing experience. The iPad mini also has a laminated display, reducing parallax.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the iPad mini (2021) generally offers slightly better image quality and video recording capabilities. Both cameras are primarily intended for video calls rather than serious photography.
Performance
Here's where the iPad mini (2021) truly shines. The A15 Bionic chip utterly dominates the Unisoc Tiger T616. Expect buttery-smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and effortless app performance on the iPad mini. The Realme Pad Mini can handle basic tasks, but struggles with demanding applications and heavier workloads.
Battery Life
The iPad mini (2021) offers excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The Realme Pad Mini's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the iPad mini's endurance, especially with intensive usage.
Buying Guide
The Realme Pad Mini is ideal for students, casual users, and those on a tight budget who primarily need a tablet for browsing, streaming videos, and basic productivity. The Apple iPad mini (2021) is perfect for users who demand high performance, a premium experience, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, even in a compact form factor.