Customers enjoy the iPad mini (A17 Pro chip) for its size, citing its portability and ease of carrying in bags or pockets as key benefits. The compact form factor makes it ideal for on-the-go use. Many appreciate its convenient size for travel. There were no reported negative comments.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-17 of 17 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Portability
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro Chip) – Wi-Fi + Cellular
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
If you’re searching for the ultimate compact tablet that’s powerful, portable, and future-proof, the new iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip deserves your attention. After spending weeks with this device, here’s why the latest iPad mini is the small but mighty champion—and why it just might be the best $849 you can spend in tech this year.
Design & Display
The Starlight finish has subtle shimmer, exuding understated luxury whether you’re using it in a café or a client meeting. True to its mini moniker, it’s featherlight and slips easily into any bag or even a large jacket pocket.
The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display stands out for its color accuracy (P3 Wide Color, True Tone), crispness, and brightness. While the 60Hz refresh rate doesn’t match the iPad Pro, it remains perfectly smooth for reading, web browsing, creative work, and gaming—without the “jelly scrolling” issue that plagued older models.
Blazing Performance
Powering this miniature marvel is Apple’s A17 Pro chip, borrowed from the iPhone 15 Pro lineup. Benchmarks and real-world use back up Apple’s claims: a 30% boost in CPU performance and 25% jump in graphics vs. its predecessor. Apps open instantly; multitasking is effortless thanks to 8GB of RAM. Even under pressure—think big GarageBand projects or high-end gaming—frame drops and slowdowns are virtually nonexistent.
For daily productivity, photo editing, Apple Pencil Pro sketching, and console-grade gaming (yes, you can play AAA titles on the go), the iPad mini A17 Pro never misses a beat.
Built for Apple Intelligence
Unlike any mini before it, this iPad is future-ready. Apple Intelligence—Apple’s powerful on-device AI—brings features like:
Effortless document recognition in the Camera app
Advanced photo editing (like object removal)
Smart text assistance and creative writing help
Privacy-focused processing, right on your device
All this power, with no compromise on user privacy.
Connectivity & Versatility
The unlocked cellular model supports 5G and eSIM, so you’re always connected, traveling, or working remote—no more Wi-Fi hunting. The USB-C port is now twice as fast as before for file transfers, a big bonus for creative professionals.
Cameras & Audio
With a 12MP wide rear camera enhanced by Smart HDR 4 and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, the iPad mini is up for everything from snapping reference shots to nailing Zoom calls with Auto Center Stage.
Battery & Storage
Extended real-world battery life means you can power through a full day of reading, designing, or gaming. The massive 512GB storage ensures you have room for your photo/video library, offline docs, or games without worry.
Verdict: Is it Worth It?
The iPad mini (A17 Pro, 512GB Starlight, Unlocked) combines best-in-class power, stellar portability, and the latest Apple Intelligence features in a dazzling package. If you value freedom, power, and versatility—from field work to creative studios—this is the best small tablet you can buy today.
Whether you’re a student, artist, gamer, globetrotter, or all of the above, the new iPad mini redefines what’s possible in a palm-sized device. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Portability, Size
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Handy
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Posted . Owned for 5 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Nice size. Easy to fit in small backpack or medium purse. Love that the iPad pencil is magnetic.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Size
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
SMALL PACKAGE BUT OH SO MUCH CAPABILITY
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
LOVE IPADS. Had many over the years. Love this one in particular because it is compact and can easily fit in my small purse and packs. It is light weight. I tend to use it more than my other iPads as it offers all software needs for my work and home time enjoyments. The added upgrade internal functions such as speed and included software improvements are greatly appreciated by me.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Awesome device! Couldn't be happier. Very powerful and a delight to use. Setup was fast and easy. Transferring files from an android device was crazy easy.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I love my new Apple Mini! I bought it because I didn't want to travel with my large iPad. The mini is very easy to use & fits in my dress & coat kangaroo pocket. It was very helpful as I traveled trough Europe, accessing various airport's wifi; to save cellular text data. Very easy to watch downloaded videos and sound on the planes. Highly recommend new mini!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Portability
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Perfect size for the perfect use case
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I LOVED my old iPad mini, but wanted Apple Pencil Pro support and cellular for a trip I was taking. And boy, this iPad does NOT disappoint! The form factor is perfect for airline travel. I couldn’t tell me how many iPad 11 inch and 13 inch screens I saw on airlines which would not fit on the tray table in front of you, and instead forcing users to sit uncomfortably with the device at a 45 degree angle. This machine is PERFECT for travel purposes. I highly recommend!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Honestly the perfect size for on the go tablet computing. Almost the exact same size as my moleskin notebooks, making it easily replace them when using the apple pencil.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
If you want the perfect go anywhere device/tablet then this is it.
Sometimes, even the standard iPad, whether it's the Base, Air, or Pro, can be a bit much depending on what you feel like carrying and where you're going, etc.
The mini is the best size for reading, media, game play, and plenty powerful enough to actually get some things done that would be too difficult to do on a phone screen, yet don't feel you need a laptop.
This has the same chip as the iPhone 15 Pro/Max. The cellular service has an e-sim and -- like the ipad, itself -- is absolutely painless to set up. Depending on your mobile service provider, a data plan could be as affordable as $20/month!
If you can swing it, go for the 256gb or even the 512gb (the one I have). You really can't enjoy these devices if you constantly have to think about your available storage.
Also, remember: this is not an iPad Pro, and it's not trying to be.
"Jelly Scroll" hasn't been fully removed, but, it has been reduced, and can only be noticed if you really go looking for it. We take Pro Motion for granted until it's not there. So iPad Pro users will definitely need to reassess their expectations with the mini.
Maybe someday we will get OLED with promotion, Face ID, or the "iPad Mini Pro" that we all want. But that price will go up as well. After using this for a bit all those PRO things go away and you just have a convenient tablet in your hands.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
a few changes from the previous generation. More powerful chipset, AI and thankfully a more responsive display. At least my expensive case from 6th generation mini fits the new one. I still don't use an Iphone but won't give up iPad
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Excellent product. Easy to use. Purchased a cover that protects and fits perfectly. Knowledgable service personnel. Arrived two days ahead of expected delivery date which was appreciated.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
iPad Mini is Back.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The new iPad mini is back and it’s just Perfect. Would highly recommend checking this thing out.