iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series)
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iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series)
Starting at
£312.06£569.00 new
iPad Pro (2021, M1 series)
Starting at
£476.53£749.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) and iPad Pro (2021, M1 series)?
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and refresh rate. Refurbished, the iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) starts at £312.06, £164.47 less than the iPad Pro (2021, M1 series).
Refurbished from
RAM
Screen size
Refresh rate
Weight
- The iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) has a bigger screen: 11 inch vs 8.3 inch.
- The iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) has a smoother screen: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) specs
The iPad mini 6 is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for users who want a portable device for everyday tasks. It has a higher pixel density and supports touch input. The iPad Pro 2021 offers a larger, brighter screen with a smoother 120 Hz refresh rate and more RAM, suiting users who work with demanding apps or prefer a spacious display. It also includes Face ID and a Lidar scanner for enhanced functionality. Storage options vary too, with the iPad Pro offering much larger capacities. Your choice depends on whether you value portability and simplicity or power and screen size.
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) price
Colour
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) battery life and software updates
Both devices offer the same level of support and run the same operating system version.
Software Support
This ensures you get current features and security patches on either device, making both reliable choices for long-term use.
Battery
Maximum operating system supported
Software updates
Year of release
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) performance
Performance differences come down to processor power, memory and storage. These affect how well the devices handle multitasking, demanding apps and file storage.
Processor and RAM
The iPad mini 6 has an Apple A15 Bionic processor with 4 GB of RAM, which is well suited for everyday use, such as browsing, media and typical apps. The iPad Pro 2021 features an Apple M1 chip paired with 8 GB of RAM, providing more muscle for multitasking and intensive applications like video editing or complex creative work.
Storage Capacity
The iPad mini 6 starts with 64 GB of storage, going up to 256 GB in stock. The iPad Pro 2021 starts at 128 GB and extends up to 2 TB, offering much more room for large files, apps and media libraries. This suits users who need extensive storage for professional or creative work.
Processor
RAM
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) screen
Screen quality affects clarity, brightness and smoothness. The iPad mini 6 and iPad Pro 2021 both have Liquid Retina displays but differ in size, brightness, resolution, refresh rate and pixel density.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPad mini 6 has an 8.3 inch screen with a resolution of 2266 x 1488, making it compact and easy to hold. The iPad Pro 2021 offers a larger 11 inch screen with a higher resolution of 2388 x 1668, providing more room for productivity and media.
Brightness and Refresh Rate
The iPad Pro 2021 reaches up to 600 nits brightness and supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations appear smoother, ideal for creative tasks and video. The iPad mini 6 has 500 nits brightness and a 60 Hz refresh rate, which suits everyday viewing and use.
Pixel Density
With 326 pixels per inch, the iPad mini 6 displays sharper text and images for close-up use, while the iPad Pro 2021 has 264 pixels per inch, balancing sharpness with its larger screen size.
Brightness
Display glass
Pixel density
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
True tone
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and speakers, important for video calls, photography and media consumption. Both devices share many similar specs but differ in speaker setup.
Camera Quality
Both the iPad mini 6 and iPad Pro 2021 have 12 megapixel front and rear cameras capable of 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. This means both devices are well equipped for high-quality photos, video calls and recording.
Speakers
The iPad mini 6 has stereo speakers designed for landscape use, suitable for clear sound in video playback. The iPad Pro 2021 features four speaker audio, which offers a richer, more immersive sound experience, especially noticeable when watching films or playing music.
Front camera
Front camera definition
Main camera
Rear camera definition
Speakers
Video recording
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) size and design
Miscellaneous features include form factor, connectivity and useful extras. These details often influence comfort, convenience and compatibility with accessories.
Size and Weight
The iPad mini 6 is smaller and lighter at 195.4 mm tall, 134.8 mm wide and 297 g, making it very portable and easy to hold with one hand. The iPad Pro 2021 is larger at 247.6 mm tall, 178.5 mm wide and heavier at 470 g, better suited for desk or lap use.
Biometric and Scanning Features
The iPad Pro 2021 supports Face ID for facial recognition, while the iPad mini 6 does not have this feature. The iPad Pro 2021 also includes a Lidar scanner, which benefits augmented reality applications and advanced depth sensing.
Touch and Input
The iPad mini 6 supports touch input, letting you interact directly with the screen. The iPad Pro 2021 is compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd generation and Apple Pencil (USB-C), as is the iPad mini 6.
Connectivity and SIM
Both tablets use USB Type-C connectors and support Bluetooth 5.0. Both are unlocked and support double SIM with Nano SIM format, offering flexibility for mobile network use.
Apple pen compatible
Bluetooth version
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Double sim
Face
Generation number
Headphones connectivity
Height
Lidar scanner
Minimum system requirements mac
Minimum system requirements windows
Promotion
Sim format
Touch
Weight
Width
Wifi technology
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) or iPad Pro (2021, M1 series): which should you buy?
Buy the iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £312.06, £164.47 less than the iPad Pro (2021, M1 series)
- you want a lighter build (297 g vs 470 g)
Buy the iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (11 inch vs 8.3 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) FAQs
iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and refresh rate. The iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB. The iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) has a bigger screen: 11 inch vs 8.3 inch.
The iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) is cheaper refurbished, from £312.06 compared with £476.53 for the iPad Pro (2021, M1 series).
The iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) is still supported and can run iPadOS 27. The iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) is still supported and can run iPadOS 27.
Refurbished, the iPad mini 6 (2021, A15 series) comes in 64GB and 256GB, and the iPad Pro (2021, M1 series) in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
