Apple iPad mini Apple 2019 iPad mini 7.9-inch, WiFi, 256GB - Space Review
The 2019 iPad mini's gorgeous screen is let down by its crippling 1GB of RAM, making it frustrating for anything beyond basic media consumption.
Overview
Look, the 2019 iPad mini is a weird little time capsule in 2024. The one thing you need to know is that it's basically a luxury e-reader with a great screen, but it's hamstrung by its ancient 1GB of RAM. The A12 chip is still surprisingly capable, but that RAM is a deal-breaker for anything beyond the most basic tasks. It feels fast for a minute, then apps start reloading constantly.
Performance
Honestly, the biggest surprise is how well the A12 Bionic chip holds up. It's still smooth for scrolling and launching apps. But then you hit that 1GB RAM wall, and it all falls apart. Try switching between a few Safari tabs and a note-taking app? You'll be staring at reload screens. The GPU performance is in the 36th percentile, so it's fine for streaming, but don't expect to game on this thing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That 7.9-inch Retina display is still gorgeous and perfect for reading. 88th
- The compact size and weight make it incredibly portable. 72th
- The 256GB of storage is generous and lands in a solid 64th percentile.
- Battery life is decent for media consumption.
Cons
- 1GB of RAM is a complete joke in 2024. It cripples multitasking.
- The Lightning port feels ancient and slow compared to USB-C. 23th
- Connectivity is poor (13th percentile), meaning slower Wi-Fi.
- Cameras are just okay, but you're not buying this for photos.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Display
| Size | 7.9" |
| Resolution | 2048 |
Physical
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| OS | iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At $240, it's a tough sell. You're paying for a premium-feeling screen wrapped around seriously outdated guts. If your entire life is reading books and watching videos in one app at a time, maybe. But for that price, you can find newer used tablets that won't frustrate you.
vs Competition
Don't even look at the iPad Pro or Surface Pro here—they're in a different league. The real question is this versus a modern basic iPad. A newer base iPad, even used, will have more RAM, a USB-C port, and better long-term software support for a similar price. The mini's only win is its ultra-portable form factor. Also, ignore the gaming handhelds and rugged tablets on the competitor list; they're solving completely different problems.
| Spec | Apple iPad mini Apple 2019 iPad mini 7.9-inch, WiFi, 256GB - Space | Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 512GB, | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung 12.4" Galaxy Tab S10+ 256GB Multi-Touch | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED | Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus | Xiaomi Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 Only WiFi (No Calls or Text) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple | Apple M5 | MediaTek 9300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, QCM8650 | 2.2 GHz mediatek_helio |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 12 | 12 | 32 | 16 | - |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 512 | 256 | 1000 | 256 | 256 |
| Screen | 7.9" 2048x1536 | 11" 2420x1668 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 11" 2560x1600 |
| OS | iPadOS | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 15 |
| Stylus | false | true | true | false | false | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Verdict
I can't recommend buying this in 2024. The 1GB of RAM is a fatal flaw that makes the device feel broken for anything beyond the simplest use. It's a classic case of great hardware being sabotaged by one terrible spec. Spend your $240 elsewhere on a tablet that won't drive you crazy.