Small but mighty, the iPad Mini 6th gen makes it way to the forefront to those that wants an iPad… but smaller. It does almost eveything a full sized iPad does, and does it with ease rocking the same processor found in both the iPhone 13 Pro and the regular iPhone 14. With it’s 8.3 inch display, it has capable room to pair with the 2nd gen apple pencil for those that likes to draw, or jot down ideas just a note pad. Though a great iPad, some elements fall short. You are locked to two storage options: 64 Gb or 256 Gb. When fully set up in the 64Gb option, you’re left with ~44Gb of usable storage. If you’re willing to shell out an additional $150, then go for the 256Gb. Other shortcomings is the lack of pro features found in the pro models such as 90hz variable refresh liquid retina dispaly. Additionally, you’re left with the older tech fingerprint reader as means of biometric autherntication; unlike the FaceID feature found in the iPad Pro. If thats a deal breaker, then look for other options. TL;DR: You have to want to get this because its a compact iPad that can used 2nd gen Apple Pencil. Otherwise, consider the similarly priced iPad Air.

If you're like me, you did some research and read opinions, etc etc on how bad 64GB storage is. You'll read how ppl say 64GB is enough. It is not. 64GB in 2024 is an absolute JOKE. personally, I thought 64GB was a joke in 2021.. but apple needs to buff their profit margins, I guess.

Let me say, the display is okay when it comes to colors and sharpness. However, you can tell apple cheaped out on the display, or cut corners, because it has that very indicative quality of water under the display when you press on it. I've had many cheap android tablets, and they also do this. it's a sign of going with lower quality. ALL IPS displays do this to some degree... but the lower quality they are.. the more it happens. i.g. my ipad mini 5 display NEVER did this with touches. the ipad mini 6 does this with very light touches... so apple cut corners on the storage and the display... I LOVE the MINI line of ipads. but the 256GB model is insanely overpriced.. (as is the 64GB but it's the only other option; apple wants to up-sell the more overpriced 256gb model so they didn't make a 128GB model like every other company does.)

anyways.. I digress from my main frustration. 64GB is absolute TR**H. I installed the main apps that so many ppl will install.. the classic social media apps, snap, insta, twitter, bluesky, discord, etc etc etc etc. the main streaming apps, netflix, hulu, disney+, prime, twitch, kick, etc etc etc. the classic productivity apps like goodnotes, notion, procreate, etc etc etc. I EVEN UNINSTALLED all the appl bloatware like TIPS, BOOKS, STOCKS, etc etc etc. I installed a few small games and genshin impact....

guess how much space I have left? 4.34GB of free space !
WOW ! so much space !

I consider myself a light/casual user... I don't do video editing... I don't take/store tons of videos/photos. and that's a good thing.. bc you can't store Jack on this 64GB model..... I don't even think I'll be able to install any iOS patches/updates without uninstalling a ton of my apps.....

I'll never be able to use features like, offline video watching that netflix, hulu, prime offer if I wanna watch shows/movies offline.. bc there isn't any storage left...

I can't store videos or photos.. bc 64GB is, or rather should be, a crime. I honestly think selling something like this that isn't 128GB base, or 256GB base, should be illegal.

last, the battery isn't good at all. this thing drains so fast. I'm almost inclined to believe this has a faulty battery, but I wouldn't be able to get solid evidence.

There isn't actually anything physically wrong (not counting the cheap IPS panel and illegally low battery screen-on time, but ig apple considers this a feature), so I don't think I can return it.

Like I said, I absolutely love the mini line. but 64GB of storage... at this price... how is this legal? if I can't even install the patch/ios updates without uninstalling all my stuff... how is this a premium experience?

it's absolutely insane that apple still sells 64GB models on their website, still, in 2024. ... the 9th gen 64GB.. the newly 10th gen has a 64GB... and the mini has the 64GB... this amount of storage is border-line useless. anyone who disagrees prob doesn't even actually use their tablet...

This IPad has the perfect specs! It has an A15 chipset with 6 cores for cpu & 5 for gpu, & it has 4 GBS of ram. The screen is 500 nits has hdr, true tone and supports apple pencil 1 & 2. The cameras are both 12MP front and back! It even has a flash & center stage. There are 4 speakers & it’s louder than the iPad 10th generation.
The IPad Mini 6 uses USBC charging, & the battery last a solid 10 hours!
My personal favorites about this IPad are the screen size, portability, and ease of use. This iPad should be supported for quite sometime as it has the same chipset as the 2022 Iphone 14s. The iPad Mini 6 is really fast, and using it for work, education, streaming, music is the perfect device! I like that I can disconnect from my phone and just use my ipad mini for calls, facetime and if a moment pops up I can still capture great photos! People complain 64GBS is not enough, get icloud storage! My ipad mini has alot on it, but not everything is saved!
If your debating what ipad to get right now, I would choose the mini 6 over the ipad 9 anyday! Yes it cost more, but you are getting so much more for your money! Plus the added upgrades, features, & longevity!
I hope my review helps someone! You can also edit photos built in! Just use your apple pencil!

Best Buy sent me a smashed iPad Mini refurb, which according to their guidelines, should look pretty much new when it arrives. When I say smashed, I mean the glass was completely broken and unusable. I made the mistake of thinking they would refund me. After all, I explained the situation and they approved the return, and I sent it back immediately.

After a couple of weeks waiting for the refund, I reached out a few times to their support people in chat who said the refund was approved and that it had already been refunded or would be refunded (different stories from each). They kept telling me to contact my financial institution (why do think that would help?).

Finally, after about a month, the iPad arrived back in my mailbox unannounced, in the same low quality box they sent in the first place. They included a little note saying they only accept returns that appear to be in new condition. Isn't that convenient for them?

Apple makes great products, including the iPad mini, but this will be the last time I buy anything from Best Buy.