Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen vs Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen and Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen is the cheaper of the two at $499 versus $999, a difference of about $500. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen stands out for ultra-portable at 293 g — perfect one-handed reading and note-taking, while Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) is praised for m5 chip with 3.5x ai performance vs m4. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen if…
- →Ultra-portable at 293 g — perfect one-handed reading and note-taking
- →A15 Bionic is plenty powerful for gaming and productivity
- →Apple Pencil 2 support with magnetic attach and charging
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) if…
- →M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
- →Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
- →Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 293 g — perfect one-handed reading and note-taking
- A15 Bionic is plenty powerful for gaming and productivity
- Apple Pencil 2 support with magnetic attach and charging
- USB-C replaces Lightning for universal accessories
- Beautiful 8.3" Liquid Retina display with wide color
Cons
- Jelly scrolling effect noticeable on some units in portrait mode
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion at this price point
- Only 4 GB RAM limits heavy multitasking
- Starting at $499 is pricey for an 8.3" tablet
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
Pros
- M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
- Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
- Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular
- Apple Pencil Pro support
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity
Cons
- Starting at $999 is expensive
- Still 5.1mm thin limits thermal headroom
- No headphone jack
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen | Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 15 (upgradable to iPadOS 17+) | iPadOS 19 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) | 444 g |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.1 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web browsing on Wi-Fi | Up to 10 hours |
| Capacity | 5124 mAh (19.3 Wh) | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 8.3 inches | 11.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 | 2420 x 1668 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU) | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C | Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip) |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | — | 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, LiDAR |
| Front camera | — | 12 MP TrueDepth, Center Stage |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen vs Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025)
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet)
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in tablets, see all Apple products or all Apple products. View full details for the Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen or the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025).