Apple iPad mini 8.3" Purple 2024 Review

So you're looking at the 7th gen iPad mini with 512GB of storage. It's the ultimate pocket-sized tablet, and if you're someone who wants a premium, super-portable device for reading, watching shows, or just browsing the web, this is basically the only game in town. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is sharp and bright, and the new A17 Pro chip promises a big performance bump. People often ask, 'Is the iPad mini good for reading and media?' With scores in the low 60s for those specific tasks, it's solid, but its real strength is its unique form factor. You won't find another tablet this small and this polished.

The new A17 Pro chip is the star here. It puts the CPU and GPU performance in the 65th percentile, which is a healthy jump from the older A15. In practice, that means everything feels snappy. Apps launch instantly, and you can jump between a dozen tabs without a hiccup. For gaming, it handles even the most demanding titles from the App Store with high frame rates and great graphics. The benchmark scores confirm it's a powerhouse for its size. Just don't expect it to compete with the raw power of a full-sized iPad Pro or a high-end laptop—it's in a different, more portable class.

This is a tricky one. At nearly $800, the 512GB iPad mini is not cheap. You're paying a premium for the ultra-portable form factor and the Apple ecosystem. For that price, you could get a base model 11-inch iPad Pro or a high-end Android tablet with a much larger, higher-refresh-rate screen. The value is entirely in the size. If you need the smallest possible premium tablet and money isn't a huge object, it's your only option. If you can live with a slightly bigger device, you'll get more for your money elsewhere.

Let's name names. Compared to the 13-inch iPad Pro with the M5 chip, the mini is a toy. The Pro has a vastly better screen, speakers, and performance for creative work, but it's not pocketable. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is another beast entirely, with a massive 14.6-inch screen perfect for media and multitasking, but it's a completely different kind of device. A more direct competitor might be the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, which is a full Windows PC in a tablet form. It's heavier, but it can do real laptop work. The iPad mini doesn't compete on specs; it wins on being the one you'll actually carry everywhere.

Should you buy the iPad mini? It comes down to one question: how important is portability? If you want a tablet that literally fits in a coat pocket or a small bag, and you're invested in the Apple ecosystem for reading, videos, and light apps, then yes, this is the best small tablet you can get. The performance is great, and the screen is lovely. But if you think you might do any serious work, like digital art (where it scored a weak 39.7), note-taking, or multitasking, the small screen and limited RAM will frustrate you. For most people, a standard-sized iPad offers a much better balance of screen real estate and value.