Which is better for taking notes in class?

The iPad mini. It is light, fits in one hand and works with the Apple Pencil (2nd gen). The Pro's larger canvas suits long writing sessions at a desk but is awkward to hold standing up.

Which has the better screen?

The iPad Pro. Its 13-inch panel is larger, sharper and has ProMotion for smoother scrolling and drawing. The mini's 8.3-inch screen is sharp for its size but capped at 60Hz.

The iPad Pro has more RAM and a newer M5 chip, so it should stay fast for demanding apps longer. The mini's A15 is fine for reading, browsing and notes but will show its age sooner on heavy work.

Is the Pro worth stepping up to?

Only if you draw, edit video or multitask with several apps. For reading, email and notes, the mini does the job in a much more portable package.

Do both work with a keyboard?

Yes, but differently. The mini pairs with small Bluetooth keyboards; the Pro supports Apple's keyboard cases with a trackpad, which suits typing for long stretches.

Which is better for travel?

The iPad mini. It slips into a small bag, weighs about a third of the Pro and has 5G cellular for maps and messages on the move.

Apple iPad Mini (6th gen) vs Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)

The iPad mini is the better pick for most people: it is small enough to hold in one hand, works with the Apple Pencil (2nd gen), and owners rate it 4.7 out of 5. The iPad Pro 13-inch M5 is a laptop-class tablet with a much larger, sharper screen, more RAM and a faster chip, but it is heavier and bulkier. Buy the mini for reading, notes and travel; buy the Pro for drawing, video and desk work.

Choose the iPad mini if you want a light, one-handed tablet for reading, note-taking and travel.
Choose the iPad Pro 13-inch if you need a big, high-resolution screen and desktop-level power for drawing, editing or multitasking.

Prices

Apple iPad Mini (6th gen): $508.84 at Amazon (last seen Nov 9)
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5): $1,399.00 at Amazon (last seen Nov 9)
Difference: the Apple iPad Mini (6th gen) is $890.16 cheaper than the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) at the latest prices (Nov 9)

Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular, 64GB)

What separates them

	Apple iPad Mini (6th gen)	Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)
Screen size	8.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2266 x 1488	13-inch, 2752 x 2064
Weight	About 0.65 lb, fits in one hand	20.5 oz, needs two hands or a stand
Chip and RAM	A15 Bionic, 6-core CPU	M5 chip with 12 GB RAM
Refresh rate	60Hz	ProMotion adaptive high refresh
Stylus	Apple Pencil (2nd gen), magnetic attach	Apple Pencil Pro support
Ports	USB-C at 5 Gb/s	Thunderbolt-class USB-C
Cellular	5G with eSIM and Nano-SIM	5G
Best use	Reading, notes, travel, one-hand use	Drawing, video, multitasking, desk work

Specs compared

Spec	Apple iPad Mini (6th gen)	Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)
color	Gray	Space Black
Screen Size	8.3"	13 in screen
Storage	256GB	512 GB Storage
Operating System	iPadOS	iPadOS
Display Resolution	2266 x 1488	2752 x 2064
size	0.2" x 7.7" x 5.3"	—
Screen Resolution	2266 x 1488 (326 ppi)	—
Chip	Apple A15 Bionic Chip \| 6-Core CPU	—
GPU	5-Core GPU	—
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	—
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0	—
Front Camera	12MP Ultra-Wide Camera	—

Show all 40 specs

Spec	Apple iPad Mini (6th gen)	Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)
Rear Camera	12MP Wide Camera	—
USB Connectivity	5 Gb/s USB Type-C Connectivity	—
Stylus Support	Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)	—
Brightness	500 nits	—
Connections	USB-C	—
Active Digitizer (Stylus pen)	Yes	—
Camera Resolution (front) (MP)	12.0	—
System on Chip (SoC)	Apple A15	—
Refresh Rate	60Hz	—

Apple iPad Mini (6th gen) vs Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)

Prices

Apple iPad Mini (6th gen) vs Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)

Prices

Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store