iPad mini (1st generation)

The introduction of the compact 7.9-inch iPad line in an ultra-thin 7.2 mm aluminum unibody that established the design language for future iPads.

Generation delta

What changed?

7.9-inch compact form factor
7.9-inch Multi-Touch display with 1024-by-768 resolution at 163 ppi; 23% thinner (7.2 mm) and 53% lighter (308 g / 0.68 lb) than 9.7-inch iPads, allowing comfortable one-handed operation.
Display
Narrow-bezel unibody design
Anodized aluminum unibody with narrow vertical side bezels and diamond-cut chamfered edges, establishing a major new design identity across Apple hardware.
Design
Smart thumb rejection
Touch-rejection software algorithms in iOS that distinguish intentional touch interactions from passive thumb resting on narrow side borders.
Input
Dual stereo speakers
First iPad featuring built-in stereo speaker grills positioned on the bottom chassis flanking the Lightning port.
Ports
Native Lightning connector
Integrated the compact, reversible 8-pin digital Lightning port natively from launch.
Ports
Dual cameras on compact chassis
5-megapixel iSight rear camera with autofocus and 1080p HD video recording alongside a 1.2MP FaceTime HD front camera with 720p HD video.
Camera
Nano-SIM on cellular model
First iPad to adopt the ultra-compact nano-SIM form factor.
Connectivity

Technology DNA

Reversible digital connector introduced on iPhone 5.

Canonical predecessor

Starts a new branch