Apple iPad mini 2 is one of those devices that tries to pack a lot into one package. Let us see if Apple has managed to put together a phone that is actually worth your money. Announced in 2013, October. Released 2013, November, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
Up front there is a 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm 2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) screen, pushing a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. In terms of design, the Apple iPad mini 2 keeps things modern and comfortable to hold. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Space Gray/Black.
Performance & Software
Under the hood you will find the Apple A7 (28 nm), paired with 1GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs iOS 7, upgradable to iPadOS 12.5.8 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
The camera setup is one of the talking points here, with a 5 MP sensor doing the heavy lifting. Point-and-shoot results are reliable, and that is exactly what most buyers want.
Battery
Battery duties are handled by a Li-Po 6470 mAh, non-removable (24.3 Wh) unit, which should comfortably see most people through a full day on a single charge.
Our Opinion
Coming to the important bit, our opinion on the Apple iPad mini 2. This is a phone that does not try to be the flashiest option on the shelf, and honestly that works in its favour. It gets the basics right, offering strong battery life, a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. In day-to-day use it feels like the kind of device you can rely on, whether you are replying to messages, scrolling through social media, watching videos or taking the odd photo. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. Overall though, the Apple iPad mini 2 is easy to recommend to the right buyer. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
