Apple has unveiled the new iPad mini with 5G connectivity and a new design. The new iPad mini has a reworked design, but Apple has also updated its base iPad model with a new camera for working from home.
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The base iPad model starts at a price of 329 dollars while the Mini from $499. Both will be available next week
Apple announced the sixth-generation iPad mini at its California Streaming event.
A surprise launch in light of the fact that the iPads were expected in the next few weeks alongside the new MacBook Pros, but Apple has decided to make the new minis official alongside the ninth-generation iPads.
XNUMXth generation iPad mini arrives on the market with a completely new design compared to the past. The smallest Apple tablet in the range is now totally consistent with the trend inaugurated by the iPhone 12, with flat edges and frames around the display significantly reduced compared to the past. An aesthetic update that, let's say it bluntly, was necessary.
In terms of technical features, a lot has changed. Starting from the display, a Liquid Retina whose diagonal grows thanks to the reduced bezels up to 8,3 inches; there is support for the DCI-P3 color space, True Tone together with a peak brightness of 500 nits, which makes iPad mini ideal even for outdoor use like the previous generation, which reached an identical peak.
The positioning of Touch ID is different, however, and to free up space on the display, it has been integrated into the on/off button, in the upper part of the frame, like on the iPad Air.
There is support for the popular second-generation Apple Pencil, which gives a new dimension to the new iPad mini, making it much more usable, also thanks to the fact that the digital pen can be magnetically secured to the frame of the tablet, thus starting the wireless charging process.
Apple confirms to be stingy with numbers and on the contrary very willing to communicate the improvements in percentage terms. Thus it turns out that the sixth generation iPad mini thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, the most powerful of the new iPhone 13 Pro, offers 40% more computing power than the previous generation and an 80% greater contribution from the graphics chip.
The Neural Engine, the component that handles artificial intelligence and real-time voice translation, has also been improved, while the new chip brings compatibility for SIM versions with 5G networks up to 3,5 gigabits per second in download.
The back of the sixth-generation iPad mini features an updated camera with a higher resolution than before: 12 megapixels with an f/1.8 aperture. There's a True Tone flash, HDR support thanks to the new image signal processor (ISP), and the ability to record 4K video.
The front camera for video calls and selfies is also 12 megapixels with Center Stage, a function that can keep the subject in the center of the frame compensating for any movements. The presence of stereo speakers is important for multimedia.
Apple is abandoning the Lightning connector even on the smallest tablet in its range: the sixth-generation iPad mini thus embraces the USB-C connector, a novelty that will please many. Not only for a question of practicality with a greater possibility of finding a charger around, but also for a question of speed in data transfer: thanks to USB-C the new iPad mini can transfer up to 5 Gbps, facilitating the transfer of larger files such as 4K videos.
La battery It is over 5.000 mAh, enough according to Apple to guarantee up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi (9 hours on 5G), video playback, or, in other words, a day of battery life.
From California Streaming they wanted to underline how for the creation of the sixth generation iPad mini they took into account great consideration is given to the theme of environmental sustainability.
The aluminum for the outer shell, the tin for the logic board solder, and the rare earths used for the speaker magnets are all 100% recycled.
XNUMXth generation iPad mini will be available in four colors – space gray, pink, purple and galaxy – with the Smart Folio accessory covers (65 euros in Italy) in five different colors – English lavender, electric orange, dark cherry, black, white.
Pre-orders are already open, while the first units will be available in Italy starting from Friday 24th September, at the same time as the USA. Below are the prices practiced in Italy:
- 64 GB Wi-Fi only: 559 euros
- 64 GB 5G + Cellular: 729 euros
- 256 GB Wi-Fi only: 729 euros
- 256 GB 5G + Cellular: 899 euros
Small note of color: the power supply with 20 watt USB-C cable is included in package.
iPad 9th Generation
Same design, new components
iPad 9th generation (the official name for now is simply “the new iPad”) it’s official: Apple The design remains more or less the same as the previous generation, but there are improvements in the technical specifications – the A13 Bionic SoC and the 12 MP camera stand out in particular.
A13 Bionic delivers up to 20% performance improvements compared to the previous generation; or up to 3 times faster than the best Chromebooks on the market and 6 times faster than the best-selling Android tablet, while the camera borrows the Center Stage functionality from the most prestigious products, which keeps the user in the center of the frame. The display also now offers True Tone technology, which adapts the white point based on the ambient light.
As for the old design, still with Home button, Lightning connector and much wider short edges than the two long ones, Apple says at least this allows for compatibility with a myriad of older accessories — including the Apple Pencil (but only the first-generation one). Apple notes that the tablet will launch immediately with iPadOS 15.
The ninth-generation iPad is already available for purchase on Apple's official website, including in Italy, with availability scheduled for September 24. Here are the announced prices for Italy:
- 64 GB, Wi-Fi: €389
- 64 GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular (4G): €529
A 256GB storage option is also planned, but Apple hasn’t shared specifics on that yet.
Source HDBLOG
Article published on 14 September 2021 - 21:05
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