iPad mini A12 Bionic 2019

Succeeding the much older iPad mini 4, the iPad mini (5th Gen/Early 2019) models offer an enhanced display, significantly faster hardware, upgraded connectivity, and now include support for the original Apple Pencil (A1603, MK0C2AM/A).

All iPad mini 5th Gen devices are equipped with a fully-laminated, antireflective 7.9-inch LED-backlit 2048x1536 (326 ppi, DCI-P3 color gamut) touch-sensitive "Retina" display.

The iPad mini 5th Gen models are driven by an Apple A12 Bionic processor, have 3 GB of RAM, and come with either 64 GB or 256 GB of flash memory storage. They are available in Black and Space Gray, White and Silver, or White and Gold cases.

Other key features include a dual-camera system—a rear 8-megapixel "iSight" camera for stills and 1080p HD video, and a front 7-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera also for stills and 1080p HD video. They support dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with HT80 with MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0, and are fitted with dual microphones and a single set of stereo speakers. They also retain a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, Touch ID support, and a Lightning port.

The battery life of this 5th Gen iPad mini model is reported to be 10 hours for activities like "surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music."

It should be noted that this Wi-Fi Only model does not support Gigabit-class LTE connectivity or A-GPS.

The Wi-Fi-only iPad mini 5 was enthusiastically received as a long-overdue revival of Apple's compact tablet line. Its most significant enhancement was the integration of the A12 Bionic chip, which provided a phenomenal performance leap over its predecessor, making it feel just as powerful as the flagship iPhones of its time. This upgrade ensured that the small tablet could handle demanding apps and graphic-intensive games without hesitation. Another universally praised feature was the addition of first-generation Apple Pencil support, which unlocked new potential for the device as a portable digital notebook and canvas for artists. The display was also notably improved, now featuring a P3 wide color gamut for more vivid colors and True Tone for more natural viewing in different lighting environments. While the physical design was unchanged, retaining the familiar bezels and Home button, this was often seen as a positive by users who appreciated the classic design and the presence of a headphone jack. For those who didn't need cellular connectivity, the A2133 model was hailed as the ultimate portable tablet, perfectly blending a compact, easy-to-hold size with a level of performance that had been missing from the mini lineup for years.