Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen vs Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025)
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen and Apple iPad Pro 13" (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 $1,299, a difference of about $800. The Apple iPad Pro 13" (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 13" (M5, 2025) is praised for largest ipad pro with tandem oled at 13 inches. 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 13" (M5, 2025) if…
- →Largest iPad Pro with tandem OLED at 13 inches
- →M5 chip for desktop-class performance
- →Apple Pencil Pro + Magic Keyboard support
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 13" (M5, 2025)
Pros
- Largest iPad Pro with tandem OLED at 13 inches
- M5 chip for desktop-class performance
- Apple Pencil Pro + Magic Keyboard support
- Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt
Cons
- $1299 starting price
- 579g is heavy for a tablet
- iPadOS still limits pro workflows vs macOS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen | Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 15 (upgradable to iPadOS 17+) | iPadOS 19 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) | 579 g |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm | 281.6 x 215.5 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 | 13.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 | 2732 x 2048 |
| 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 Pro 13" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
- Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025) vs Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet)
- Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025) vs Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2
- Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
- Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025) vs Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
- Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025) vs Microsoft Surface Pro 8
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 13" (M5, 2025).