Apple iPad mini 8.3" A17 Pro Starlight 2024

The iPad mini A17 Pro is a pocket-sized powerhouse with the same chip as the iPhone 15 Pro, making it the fastest small tablet on the market. It's perfect for reading, gaming, and note-taking on the go, though the 60Hz display and high price tag give some pause. If portability matters more than screen size, this is the one to get.

The A17 Pro chip is the star here, and it's kind of overkill for what most people do on a tablet this size. In our database, the CPU lands around the 60th percentile among all tablets, which sounds middling until you remember this is an 8-inch device competing with full-size laptops and desktop-replacement slabs. For everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and note-taking, it absolutely flies. Apps open instantly, multitasking with Slide Over and Split View is smooth, and even heavier creative work in apps like Procreate or Lightroom feels responsive.

Gaming is where the A17 Pro flexes. The GPU sits at the 61st percentile overall, but for a mini tablet, it's punching way above its weight class. Games like Genshin Impact and Resident Evil Village run at high settings without turning the back of the device into a hot plate. The 8GB of RAM helps here too, keeping games suspended in memory instead of reloading every time you switch to Messages. The 60Hz display is the one spec that feels a little dated in 2024. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you've used a 120Hz phone or iPad Pro, you'll notice the difference when scrolling.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the most direct competitor, and it's a interesting alternative if you prefer Android. It has a larger, higher-refresh-rate display and includes the S Pen in the box, which Apple still makes you buy separately. But Samsung's chip doesn't touch the A17 Pro in single-core performance, and the app ecosystem for tablet-optimized Android apps is still playing catch-up. The Xiaomi Pad 62779 is another option that undercuts the iPad mini on price, but its software experience and long-term update support don't inspire much confidence.

If you're considering something larger, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a completely different beast. It runs full Windows, has a bigger and better display, and can genuinely replace a laptop. But it's also twice the weight and not something you'd comfortably hold in one hand for reading. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro sits somewhere in the middle, offering a solid mid-range Android experience with a nice screen, but it lacks the premium fit and finish of the iPad mini. For pure portability and performance density, Apple still doesn't have a real rival in this size class.

Pricing on the iPad mini A17 Pro is all over the place depending on where you look. Across vendors, we're seeing a spread from $500 to $1,305, which is a massive range. The lower end is typically Wi-Fi only with less storage, while this 512GB cellular model sits at the premium end. If you can find a refurbished or renewed unit in the $600-700 range, that's the sweet spot. At full retail near $1,300, you're in iPad Pro territory, and that's a tough sell unless portability is your absolute top priority. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 and Lenovo Idea Tab Pro both offer more screen real estate and higher refresh rates for less money, but neither matches the iPad mini's combination of pocketable size and raw processing power.

The iPad mini A17 Pro is basically Apple saying "we're not giving up on small tablets," and honestly, we're glad. This thing packs the same A17 Pro chip you'll find in the iPhone 15 Pro into a 293-gram body that's barely bigger than a paperback. If you've been searching for a compact tablet that doesn't compromise on power, this is the one that keeps showing up at the top of everyone's list. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is sharp and color-accurate, and with 512GB of storage on this particular model, you won't be playing the "delete apps to make room" game anytime soon.

Apple is pushing this hard as "built for Apple Intelligence," their upcoming AI suite. While that's still rolling out, the hardware is clearly ready for it. The 8GB of RAM is a quiet but meaningful upgrade from previous iPad minis, and it shows when you're jumping between apps or editing photos. The whole package feels premium in a way that Android tablets in this size class rarely match. The laminated display, the perfectly weighted chassis, the speakers that are way better than they have any right to be on a device this small. It's just nice to use.

This particular unit is a Geek Squad Certified Refurbished model, which means it's been tested and comes with a 90-day warranty. For a device that normally pushes past a grand for the 512GB cellular configuration, going refurbished is a smart way to save some cash without giving up much. Just know that accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Smart Folio are sold separately, and you'll probably want at least one of them to get the full experience.

Skip the iPad mini if you plan to do a lot of typing or laptop-style work. Without Magic Keyboard support and with a screen that's cramped for multitasking, it's not a productivity machine. Artists who are sensitive to refresh rates should also look elsewhere. The 60Hz panel creates a slight lag between your Apple Pencil stroke and the line appearing on screen, which can be distracting if you're used to a 120Hz iPad Pro or a Wacom tablet. For those use cases, the 11-inch iPad Air or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 with its included S Pen and smoother display are better fits. Also, if you're on a tight budget, the base iPad does 80% of what this does for half the price.

The iPad mini A17 Pro is the best small tablet you can buy, full stop. It's not perfect. The 60Hz screen is a bummer, iPadOS feels cramped on 8.3 inches when you're trying to do real work, and the price climbs fast once you spec it up. But for reading, casual gaming, note-taking with the Apple Pencil Pro, and consuming content on the go, nothing else comes close. The A17 Pro gives it years of headroom, and the build quality is exactly what you expect from Apple.

Should you buy it? If portability is your number one priority and you want a tablet that fits in a jacket pocket or small bag, yes. This is the one. If you mostly use a tablet at home on the couch or at a desk, the 11-inch iPad Air or even a base iPad gives you more screen for less money. And if you're an artist or heavy note-taker, the 60Hz display might bug you more than you think. But for everyone else who just wants a tiny, powerful tablet that disappears into your daily carry, the iPad mini delivers.