Honestly, holding an iPad mini 5 in 2026 feels a bit like wearing a classic mechanical watch in a world of smart wearables. It’s got those chunky "forehead and chin" bezels. There’s a physical home button that actually clicks. It’s small.
You might think it’s a relic. But for a specific group of people, this 7.9-inch slab of glass is still the "Goldilocks" of tablets. While the newer bezel-less models like the Mini 6 or the AI-heavy Mini 7 (A17 Pro) get all the hype, the 5th generation remains the last of its kind. It’s the final "classic" mini.
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What users actually get with the iPad mini 5 today
Let’s talk specs without the marketing fluff. Under the hood, you’ve got the A12 Bionic chip. In 2019, that was a powerhouse. Today? It’s a reliable workhorse for light lifting.
It handles Kindle books, PDF markup, and YouTube like a champ. But if you try to export 4K video in LumaFusion or run the latest "Apple Intelligence" features, you’re going to feel the age. It basically lacks the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) muscle for the 2026 AI era.
The Screen and Form Factor
The 7.9-inch Retina display is still gorgeous. 326 pixels per inch means text is sharp. It’s fully laminated, meaning there’s no air gap between the glass and the pixels.
- Weight: About 300 grams. You can hold it for hours without your wrist complaining.
- Portability: It fits in a jacket pocket. Seriously.
- Bezels: They look old, but they give your thumbs a place to rest without accidental touches.
One surprising thing? The aspect ratio. The iPad mini 5 uses a 4:3 ratio. Newer minis are narrower and taller (3:2). Many readers actually prefer the wider 4:3 feel for digital comics and standard documents. It feels less cramped.
The iPadOS 26 Situation
We’re currently seeing iPadOS 26 roll out, and the iPad mini 5 is surprisingly still on the "supported" list. Barely.
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Performance is... mixed. If you’ve kept your storage lean, it’s snappy enough. However, some users on Apple Communities have reported that iPadOS 26 feels "heavy" on the 3GB of RAM. Animations might stutter when you’re jumping between apps.
"It’s smooth enough for reading, but the battery takes a hit on the new OS," says one long-time user on Reddit.
If you’re buying one now, check the battery health immediately. These batteries were rated for about 10 hours of web use when new. In 2026, a used unit might only give you 5 or 6 hours. Apple charges about $119 to $129 for a battery replacement, which might be more than the tablet is worth.
Why it’s still a "Pro" for certain people
Believe it or not, the iPad mini 5 has a feature the newer ones don't: a 3.5mm headphone jack.
For musicians using GarageBand or folks who hate Bluetooth latency, this is a dealbreaker. No dongles. Just plug in and play. It also supports the 1st Generation Apple Pencil. Yes, the one that charges by sticking out of the Lightning port like a popsicle. It’s awkward, but it works.
Real World Value in 2026
You can find these on sites like Swappa or eBay for anywhere between $140 and $190.
Compare that to the $499+ for a newer model. If you just need a dedicated "reading tablet" or something to keep the kids entertained in the car, the value proposition is hard to beat. It’s cheap enough that you don't panic if it gets a scratch, but powerful enough to run 90% of the App Store.
Common Pitfalls to Watch For
Don't buy the 64GB model if you plan on downloading movies. System files take up nearly 15-20GB these days. You'll be left with almost nothing. Look for the 256GB version.
Also, watch out for "Ghost Touching." Some older units develop a glitch where the screen registers touches that aren't happening. It’s a hardware failure, and it’s basically unfixable for a reasonable price.
Is it worth it?
- Yes: If you want a cheap, high-quality e-reader or a secondary device for notes.
- No: If you want to play AAA games or use the new Siri/AI features.
If you’re picking one up, skip the official Apple covers. Go for a "Zugu" or a generic rugged case. The thinness is great, but the aluminum back is slippery.
To get the most out of an older Mini, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off. It saves the battery and keeps the A12 chip focused on what you’re actually doing right now. Check your battery cycle count if you can—anything over 800 cycles is going to feel sluggish.