New iPad mini tested in games: performance is sufficient, but the screen remains at 60 Hz
Engadget rated the iPad mini with the A20 Pro at 8.5 out of 10. The tablet was praised for its OLED display, performance, and improved sound, while the main drawbacks were the high price and the lack of a higher refresh rate screen.
Reviewer Nathan Ingraham from the publication tested the new iPad mini with the A20 Pro processor. According to his assessment, Apple has significantly updated the compact tablet, though the starting price in the U.S. has risen to $699 for the 128 GB version.
One of the key improvements is the 8.5-inch OLED display. The author noted deep black colors and a more expressive image, especially when watching movies with dark scenes. However, the refresh rate remains at 60 Hz—the new model did not receive the smoothness of the 120 Hz displays found in the iPad Pro.
The test tablet was equipped with nano-texture glass. It noticeably reduced glare in bright lighting, but this option increases the minimum purchase price to $899, as it is available starting with the 256 GB configuration.
The A20 Pro’s performance was sufficient for *Control* and *No Man’s Sky*: according to the reviewer, the games ran without noticeable issues. In Lightroom, RAW photo edits were applied almost instantly. However, the author tested the higher-end 512 GB version, which has a more powerful processor and neural engine configuration. There was no direct comparison with the lower-end models in the review.
A full battery life test had not been completed at the time of publication. Over five days of use, the author achieved roughly five to six hours under high load, including gaming. When watching videos and browsing the web, the battery life approached Apple’s claimed ten hours. After half an hour of playing *Control*, the charge dropped by 11 percentage points.
Fast charging was tested separately: in 30 minutes, the battery level increased from 29% to 74%.
The reviewer also praised the richer sound from the speakers and the reduced thickness and weight of the body. Among the remaining limitations is the absence of Face ID: Touch ID in the power button is used for unlocking.
The main question, according to the author, concerns the price. The new iPad mini has become significantly more functional, but the price increase makes it a purchase for a narrower audience.
