An (almost) sneaky exit. Apple has just launched its new iPad mini. On the shelves, it is difficult to distinguish the vintage 2024 tablet from the one that preceded it in 2021, except by its new colors (blue, mauve, starlight and space gray). However, according to its manufacturer, the iPad mini has revised its copy. It’s even designed “for Apple Intelligence.” Does the small tablet deserve to join our bags to entertain us and help us produce? 20 Minutes Was able to use it for a week.
Size is everything!
A format that suits him well. As soon as configured, the iPad mini (2024) charms with its handling. Impeccable manufacturing quality, perfect ergonomics, but above all dimensions that allow it to accompany us in our daily lives: 20 x 13.47 x 0.63 cm for 297 grams.
We are immediately at ease with the small tablet which blends into a day of work or an evening of relaxation in front of the series of the moment, or even a good little game. Equipped with the Apple Pencil stylus (and now the ‘Apple Pencil Pro), the device is above all a perfect tool for drawing, taking notes, even solving equations, drawing graphs and this, with great speed. The students are clearly in the crosshairs.
Mini tablets, maximum performance
For this, the A17 Pro chip (that of the iPhone 15 Pro) is now on board and offers the mini maximum performance. Enough to appeal to users of applications that require large resources, such as Lightroom from Adobe to edit your photos. And enough to fuel you at full speed Apple Intelligence…when possible in Europe!
Because as with its iPhone 16, the Apple brand is facing regulatory issues which still complicate the deployment of its iA on the Old Continent. Damage. On October 28, however, a press release from Apple suggested that Apple Intelligence would be available in French in April 2025. Phew!
A screen already dated
Another regret: Apple did not see fit to add to its new generation of iPad mini a screen more in line with consumer expectations in 2024. Measuring 8.3 inches (21.08 cm), LCD LED, d A definition of 2,266 x 1,488 pixels, HDR10/10 + and Dolby Vision compatible, it is associated with good stereo speakers. The display is excellent. Indisputably, no need for 4K with such an image size. And we can enjoy a good little film, as we did with A woman at stakethe latest blockbuster from Netflix, and enjoy it, even without Bluetooth headphones or earphones.
But the black borders displayed are from another era, and the refresh rate of this screen is only 60 Hz. Very disappointing for the gamers.
And what a paradox: the new power of the machine makes it possible to run very graphically demanding games, such as Zenless Zone Zero. What will this iPad mini be worth in three years, if Apple renews it? We dare to hope that its eighth generation will be equipped with an OLED screen and the manufacturer’s ProMotion technology, with an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz…
In the meantime, the iPad Mini remains a very expensive tablet for a slate which, under the hood, has everything of a magic product, which but which displays certain technical shortcomings, even spatiotemporal constraints regarding the deployment of its total potential.
A price that really struggles to justify itself
Sold from 609 euros (Wifi) in 128 GB and 779 euros (Wifi + cellular)*, its price is clearly disproportionate if you are looking for a simple entertainment device. Not to mention the obligatory passage of a Smart Folio shell to protect it (69 euros). Sold for 149 euros in 128 GB, the Redmi Pad SE tablet with 8.7 inch (20.09 cm) 90 Hz screen and Dolby Atmos sound clearly does the job for watching videos on a budget divided by four!
As a digital notepad (a function widely praised by Apple), and equipped with the Apple Pencil Pro (149 euros), the iPad mini is an incomparable and undoubtedly unbeatable tool. But at what budget! All things considered, the ReMarquable 2 digital tablet, its stylus and its 10.3-inch (26.16 cm) screen remains, electronic ink requires, limited in its functions, but more accessible (489 euros) for working or taking notes. notes in a meeting or in a lecture hall. Any comparison ends there…
At 399 euros, stylus included, Bookeen’s Notéa notepad with a 10.3-inch screen is even more accessible. But without the firepower of the iPad mini. Certainly.
No matter how hard we look at the question, as it stands, and without Apple Intelligence yet being deployed in Europe, the iPad mini 2024 is really struggling to justify its price.
* 609 euros (128 Go); 739 euros (256 Go); 989 euros (512 Go).
