Apple iPad mini Apple 2021 iPad Mini 6 (8.3-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Review

The Apple iPad mini 6 is a compact, powerful tablet perfect for entertainment and portability. Its A15 chip and high RAM make it smooth for apps and games, though battery life is average. At around $300 for a renewed model, it's a solid value if you don't mind potential cosmetic wear.

If you're looking for a small tablet that's powerful enough for games and videos but still fits in your hand, the iPad mini 6 is probably the one you've heard about. It's Apple's 2021 compact tablet, and it's still a popular pick for anyone who wants a premium mini tablet experience. It has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, Apple's A15 Bionic chip, and up to 256GB of storage. It's a Wi-Fi-only model, so you won't be making calls with it, but it's perfect for reading, watching shows, and light gaming. The price can vary, but renewed models like this one often pop up around $300, which is a lot less than buying it new.

The A15 Bionic chip inside is the same processor used in the iPhone 13, and it's still plenty fast for this tablet. In our database, its CPU performance sits in the middle of the pack compared to other tablets, which means it's solid but not the absolute fastest. You won't have any trouble running apps or games. The GPU score is also about average, so it handles graphics well for most mobile games, but it's not designed for heavy, console-level gaming. The real standout here is the 64GB of RAM, which is best-in-class. That means multitasking is smooth, and apps stay open in the background without reloading. For everyday use, this thing feels quick and responsive.

At around $299 for a renewed model, the value proposition is interesting. You're getting near-flagship Apple performance and build quality in a mini form factor for a fraction of the original price. The main trade-off is accepting potential cosmetic imperfections from the renewal process. If you want a brand-new mini tablet, you'd pay significantly more. For this price, alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series or Lenovo Yoga tabs offer bigger screens and sometimes more features, but they don't have this specific Apple ecosystem polish and compactness.

Let's name a few competitors. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ is bigger, has a gorgeous screen, and is a powerhouse for Android. If you want a large canvas for media, it's a better pick. The 11-inch iPad Pro with the M5 chip is Apple's productivity beast; it's for people who want to replace a laptop. The iPad mini can't compete there. The Microsoft Surface Pro is a full Windows PC in tablet form; it's for work. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus has a unique design with a kickstand and great speakers for watching movies. If your main goal is a super-portable, premium Apple device for leisure, the mini 6 still holds its own against these bigger, more specialized options.

Skip this if you're a student or professional looking to do serious work like video editing, coding, or heavy document creation. Its productivity scores are low, and the small screen isn't ideal for multitasking. Also skip it if you're sensitive to cosmetic flaws and only want a brand-new, pristine device. For those use cases, consider an iPad Pro, a Microsoft Surface Pro, or a large Android tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+.

Should you buy this? If you want a small, powerful Apple tablet primarily for entertainment, reading, and light tasks, and you're okay with a renewed unit to save money, then yes, this is a great choice. The performance is smooth, the size is unique, and the price is attractive. But if you need a tablet for heavy work, video editing, or you absolutely must have a flawless, brand-new device, you should skip this. Look at an iPad Pro or a Surface Pro instead. For its intended niche, the iPad mini 6 is a delightful gadget.