Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) vs Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
Get the iPad (A16). Unless you want a small tablet to carry everywhere, read in bed or take notes on — then the iPad mini.
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)
A full iPad that fits in a coat pocket, with Apple Pencil Pro support and Apple Intelligence. The design and screen are getting old.
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
The cheapest iPad: plenty fast for streaming, browsing, schoolwork and games, with 128GB to start. No Apple Intelligence and no Pencil Pro.
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The basic iPad's bigger 11-inch screen handles streaming, browsing and schoolwork for less. The mini fits in one hand, works with the Pencil Pro and runs Apple Intelligence, which is worth paying for if you'll carry it everywhere or take notes on the go.
- —You want a tablet to carry everywhere or read on in bed.
- —You take handwritten notes on the go.
- —You want Apple Intelligence.
- —You mostly stream, browse, video-call and read.
- —You want the bigger screen.
- —You want an iPad for as little as possible.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Small enough for one hand
- +Apple Pencil Pro support
- +Fast, with Apple Intelligence
- −Thick bezels and a 60Hz screen.
- −The front camera is on the short edge, so you're off-centre on video calls in landscape.
- −Too small to work on like a laptop.
- −Little changed from the previous mini.
- +Smooth for everyday use
- +128GB to start
- +Good battery life
- −No Apple Intelligence.
- −Works with the USB-C and first Apple Pencils only, not the Pencil Pro.
- −The screen is dimmer in bright light than on the Air.
- −Not much changed from the previous iPad.
Ready to choose?
- Is the iPad mini worth it?
- Is the iPad (A16) worth it?
- iPad Air (M4) vs iPad (A16)
- iPad Air (M4) vs iPad Pro (M5)
- iPad Air (M4) vs Galaxy Tab S11
- iPad mini vs iPad Air (M4)
- Best tablets
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.