Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) worth it?
Yes — if you want a small tablet for reading, notes and travel.
Its 8.3-inch screen makes it easy to hold in one hand for reading, notes and games, and it fits a small bag. The A17 Pro chip is fast and runs Apple Intelligence, and it works with the Apple Pencil Pro. The bezels are thick by today's standards, the screen is 60Hz, the front camera sits on the short side, and it's too small to replace a laptop. Apple raised its price in June 2026.
96%of 225 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Small enough for one hand
- Apple Pencil Pro support
- Fast, with Apple Intelligence
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What owners say
Owners love its small, light size, how easy it is to use and how fast it is. The most common complaint is battery life.
Good to know
- 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.
From 225 buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US) and Otto (Germany), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Small, light and portableMentioned a lot
- Easy to set up and useAlso mentioned
- FastAlso mentioned
- Well madeMentioned by some
- Sharp screenMentioned by some
What they complain about
- Battery drains fastVery rare
Get it if…
- You want a tablet to carry everywhere or read on in bed.
- You take handwritten notes on the go.
Skip it if…
- You want a tablet for films or to replace a laptop: get the Air.
- You want the cheapest iPad: the basic iPad costs less.
How we reached this verdict
T3 gives it five stars, praising its portability and the Pencil Pro support, while noting little change from the last model. Tom's Guide (4.5/5) likes the vivid screen, speed and battery life, but not the portrait-placed front camera. It came out in October 2024, so a new model may follow.
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: T3, Tom's Guide, Apple, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide