Apple iPad mini 5th Gen (7.9-inch, 2019)

Plenty of power ; Solid battery life ; Improved display ; Finally has Apple Pencil support

This design was dated even the last time around ; Unexciting cameras ; Comes with a slow 12W charger

Perfect size to tote around Works with the Apple Pencil Surprisingly powerful specs

Unchanged, bezel-heavy design Uses the older Apple Pencil Costs more than the iPad 9.7

The iPad mini 2019 is Apple’s most totable iPad, and it’s deceptively powerful for its small size. It has a bright 7.9-inch display that works with the Apple Pencil and a chipset that smokes the small tablet competition. Its price is equally deceptive,...

Bright, punchy and vibrant ; Lots of dark detail ; Crisp sound

Blacks could be deeper ; Speaker placement

The looks haven't changed, but under-the-skin improvements make the latest iPad Mini even better than before

All the same specs as the larger iPad Air in a smaller size ; Solid performance ; Headphone jack ; Buying one sends market signal that not all devices have to be gigantic

Seven-year-old exterior design with huge bezels ; First-gen Apple Pencil ; Lightning port instead of USB-C

People really love the iPad mini, so Apple’s updated it with Pencil support and a fast new processor. It’s great.

Powerful processor. Solid screen. Broad LTE options. Apple Pencil support. Light and easy to carry.

Compatible Apple Pencil isn't the better model. Aging design.

This year's iPad mini and the new iPad Air ($499) are basically bigger and smaller versions of each other. Here's how it steps up: The existing $329 iPad (just called iPad) is for all of your basic tablet needs. The $399 iPad mini is for people who...

Great performance; Bright and colorful display; Apple Pencil support; Excellent battery life; Best app selection ; Large bezels; No USB-C; So-so cameras ; The new iPad mini is the most powerful and versatile small tablet for the money, complete with...

Large bezels; No USB-C; So-so cameras ; The new iPad mini is the most powerful and versatile small tablet for the money, complete with Apple Pencil support, though the design is a bit dated.

The new iPad mini is the most powerful and versatile small tablet for the money, complete with Apple Pencil support, though the design is a bit dated.

Supreme power ; Best-in-class for the size ; TrueTone screen welcome ; Apple Pencil support

Design hasn't moved on ; Bezels are still huge ; Not a cheap option - it's pricier than the 9.7in iPad

There’s simply no better tablet at this size, with ultimate portability and unparalleled power for its price point.

Small and light ; Powerful ; Apple Pencil support

Big, fat bezels ; More expensive than the 9.7in iPad

On the face of it, there isn’t much wrong with the Apple iPad mini (2019). It takes a popular recipe and updates it, adding more performance and Apple Pencil support along the way.

Light and portable ; Powerful and fast ; Display is excellent ; Surprisingly versatile

Design feels dated ; Cameras aren’t amazing… ; … and neither are the speakers ; Uses the older Apple Pencil

Dated design aside, the best small tablet money can buy, with an excellent mix of portability, power and apps.