iPad mini Challengers: Unlike the iPhones, the iPad mini got a quiet launch from Apple. This hushed launch might lead many to believe that the latest 'smaller iPad' is perhaps not that big of a deal, but they would be so wrong. The new iPad mini does bring several spec-ups to the table. It comes with a 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LED back-lit multi-touch IPS display with a brightness of 500 nits, and is powered by the A17 Pro processor which is similar to the one Apple used in last year’s Pro iPhones.
It features a single 12-megapixel sensor on the back and another 12-megapixel one on the front. It also brings landscape stereo speakers, dual microphones, age-old Touch ID, and a battery that can last for up to 10 hours.
It runs on iPadOS 18, will be getting Apple Intelligence and also supports the Apple Pencil Pro 2. All this in a compact design that comes in four metallic colours. At its starting price of Rs 49,900, the iPad mini is not only the most affordable new iPad out there, but is also the most affordable Apple device to come with Apple Intelligence.
But all this does not make it immune to competition. Here are five other tablets you can consider if you are thinking of buying the iPad mini:
OnePlus Pad 2: Spec Monster
Price: Rs. 37,999
It is not as compact or “handy” proposition as the iPad mini, but in exchange for all that compactness, you get more display with the OnePlus Pad 2, which is not such a bad thing. The tablet features a large 12.1 inch IPS LCD with 3000 x 2120 pixels resolution, Dolby Vision and comes with a fast 144 Hz refresh rate and 600 nits brightness, all of which give it a spec edge over the iPad mini.
It also boasts a flagship-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor which is paired with up to 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, making it quite a powerful prospect. You get a 13-megapixel sensor on the back an 8-megapixel one on the front, and a massive 9,150 mAh battery that comes with support for 67 W fast charging support, with a charger in the box as well.
It runs on OxygenOS 14.1 out of the box, comes with OnePlus Stylo 2 support, and has six speakers on board. OnePlus has truly thrown the spec kitchen sink at it, making it a headache for all tablets not just in its price range, but even in those well above it.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Mandatory Samsung Alternative
Price: Rs 46,999
An Apple product naturally finds itself a Samsung rival and in the iPad mini’s case, that is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. The tablet comes with a big 12.4 inch IPS LCD display with 90 Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1600 x 2560. This is paired with stereo speakers, making the Tab S9 FE+ a multi-media master.
The tablet comes with a dual camera set up on the back with two 8-megapixel sensors while there is a 12-megapixel camera present on the front. The device is powered by Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset which is not in the same league as the A17 Pro but can handle everyday chores, and even some hefty gaming easily.
It runs on Android 13 out of the box but can be upgraded to Android 14 and above with a layer of Samsung's OneUI on top. The tablet sports a 10090 mAh battery with 45W fast charging support. But what makes it very different from the others in this list is support for IP68 dust and water resistance (very rare in tablets) and support for Samsung's famous S Pen.
Lenovo Legion Tab: Compact Gaming Tablet
Price: Rs 39,999
The compact Lenovo Legion tablet was built for high-end gaming and this shows in most of its anatomy. The tablet is compact and comes with an 8.8 inch IPS LCD display with 144 Hz refresh rate and a 1600 x 2560 resolution, Dolby Vision and HDR 10,. This is paired with stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, making it perfect for delivering a great multimedia experience.
You get a dual camera set up on the back with a 13-megapixel main sensor and a 2-megapixel macro one while there is an 8-megapixel sensor on the front. Yes, it is powered by a rather old Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and comes with Android 13 out of the box, but it comes with speedy RAM and storage and a 6,550 mAh battery with 45W charging support.
If you are looking for a relatively compact tablet with plenty of multimedia and gaming muscle, this is a super option.
Asus ROG Ally: Not A Tablet But Still A Headache For Others
Price: Rs 39,999
The Asus ROG Ally is technically not a tablet but a handheld gaming device. But hey, it runs Windows and can also be used as a PC if need be. The Ally comes with a 7-inch IPS LCD touchscreen display with 120 Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1920 x 1080, flanked by gamepad controls on either side, revealing its gaming genes.
It runs on Windows 11 Home and is powered by the very powerful AMD Ryzen 1 Extreme processor that can play just about every high-end game you throw at it. It brings a massive 16 GB RAM on board and has 512 GB storage, which can also be expanded. The device also features two speakers, a 3.5 mm audio jack, control pads, 40 wH battery, and 65W fast charging support.
There are no cameras here but if you are thinking of buying a compact touchscreen device for gaming and viewing multimedia, with some serious PC muscle thrown in, the Asus ROG Ally may be it.
iPad (10th Generation): Budget-Friendly iPad
Price: Rs 32,999 onwards
If it is the iPad experience that you are seeking and your budget strings are tight, the base iPad remains the option to go for. It does not have Apple Intelligence support or Apple Pencil Pro support but still packs in a decent tablet punch. It features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display LED back-lit multitouch display with 500 nits brightness and comes with excellent landscape stereo speakers and dual mics.
It runs on the slightly old A14 Bionic chip but because it is an Apple device you get iPadOS 18 out of the box on it and also support for the Apple Pencil (first generation, though). You also get two 12-megapixel cameras- one on the front, another on the back - and four different colour options.
You can get its 5G variant for the beginning price of the iPad mini. Makes it a sweet deal, unless you are crazy about Apple Intelligence.