Apple iPad mini 5From real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%
PROS 50%
CONS 50%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a small, light, portable tablet for everyday use
  • You value Apple Pencil (1st gen) support for note-taking or drawing
  • You're fine with a familiar, non-Pro design and lower price point

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're bothered by thick bezels and an outdated design vs newer iPads
  • You want USB-C or Apple Pencil 2 support
  • You're upgrading from an iPad mini 4 and want a bigger leap

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Mid
iPad Mini 6
Compact, pocketable sizeFavorite among pilots for aviation useGreat for reading ebooks and mangaLower refresh rate displayScreen quality not as good as ProSmall screen limits some tasks
iPad Mini 6
Compact, pocketable size
Favorite among pilots for aviation use
Great for reading ebooks and manga
Lower refresh rate display
Screen quality not as good as Pro
Small screen limits some tasks
2Premium
iPad Pro 11-inch
Ideal portable size
iPad Pro 11-inch
Ideal portable size
3Budget
iPad (A16)
Great for basic/casual useExcellent value for priceMissing Apple Intelligence not a lossNon-laminated, reflective screenNo native Apple Intelligence supportNot suited for heavy content creation
iPad (A16)
Great for basic/casual use
Excellent value for price
Missing Apple Intelligence not a loss
Non-laminated, reflective screen
No native Apple Intelligence support
Not suited for heavy content creation
4Premium
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
Portable, ideal sizeAttractive color optionsGood for productivity and creative workLimited RAMHigh priceNo USB 3.0 support
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
Portable, ideal size
Attractive color options
Good for productivity and creative work
Limited RAM
High price
No USB 3.0 support
5Premium
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
Major Upgrade From Older iPadsSmooth 120Hz DisplaySleek Modern DesignWeak Upgrade Case for Existing Pro OwnersHigh Price for Storage/AccessoriesHeadphone Jack Debate
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
Major Upgrade From Older iPads
Smooth 120Hz Display
Sleek Modern Design
Weak Upgrade Case for Existing Pro Owners
High Price for Storage/Accessories
Headphone Jack Debate
6Premium
iPad Pro (M2)
Long-lasting, future-proof hardwareExcellent for digital artStrong laptop-replacement capabilityMinor upgrade over M1iPadOS software limitationsHigh price for small gains
iPad Pro (M2)
Long-lasting, future-proof hardware
Excellent for digital art
Strong laptop-replacement capability
Minor upgrade over M1
iPadOS software limitations
High price for small gains
7Premium
iPad Pro (M5)
Strong creative workflow supportPowerful, long-lasting chipExcellent display qualityiPadOS software limitationsHigh priceBattery drain under heavy use
iPad Pro (M5)
Strong creative workflow support
Powerful, long-lasting chip
Excellent display quality
iPadOS software limitations
High price
Battery drain under heavy use
8Budget
iPad (9th generation)
Excellent value for priceLong-term durabilityDoubled storage recommendationPerformance degrades with heavy long-term useOutdated Lightning port instead of USB-CFront camera quality issues in landscape
iPad (9th generation)
Excellent value for price
Long-term durability
Doubled storage recommendation
Performance degrades with heavy long-term use
Outdated Lightning port instead of USB-C
Front camera quality issues in landscape
9Mid
iPad Air 2
Exceptional longevityLong software support from AppleGood battery lifeLimited storage on base modelsPerformance lag after iOS 15 updateShrinking app support
iPad Air 2
Exceptional longevity
Long software support from Apple
Good battery life
Limited storage on base models
Performance lag after iOS 15 update
Shrinking app support
10Mid
iPad Air 4
Great for studentsFast, capable A14 performanceExcellent for digital artNo Face ID64GB feels limitingNo 120Hz ProMotion display
iPad Air 4
Great for students
Fast, capable A14 performance
Excellent for digital art
No Face ID
64GB feels limiting
No 120Hz ProMotion display
You are here
22Mid
Apple iPad mini 5
Apple Pencil supportLong-term durabilityFamiliar reused designOutdated bezels and designMinimal upgrade over previous modelsNo Apple Pencil 2 or USB-C support
Apple iPad mini 5
Apple Pencil support
Long-term durability
Familiar reused design
Outdated bezels and design
Minimal upgrade over previous models
No Apple Pencil 2 or USB-C support

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Long-term durability and portability stand out most. Multiple commenters report using their iPad mini 5 for two, three, or even five-plus years without issue, calling it handy and reliable. Others describe it as light and easy to carry around, making it appealing for daily use. Several say they don't regret the purchase even years later, still running current iOS versions on the same hardware.

Apple Pencil support is valued but comes with caveats. Many users cite Pencil compatibility as the standout feature and a key purchase reason, with some calling it life-changing alongside keyboard-splitting gestures. However, several report pairing or connection problems, and others criticize the reliance on the older first-generation Pencil with its awkward charging setup via a Lightning-based cap rather than Pencil 2 magnetic charging.

Recycled design divides opinion sharply. Some commenters appreciate that Apple kept the old body style, calling it fast, familiar, and even eco-friendly for reusing parts, with a few buying it specifically for that reason. Others are disappointed by the retained thick bezels, lack of USB-C, and minimal changes from the iPad mini 4, arguing it's not a worthwhile upgrade and looks outdated next to newer tablets.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?