iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2019
iPad mini (5th generation)
A surprise resurrection: the dormant mini returned with the fast A12 and Pencil support, becoming a cult favourite for notes and reading.
iPad mini (5th generation): key facts
When was the iPad mini (5th generation) released?
The iPad mini (5th generation) was released in March 18, 2019. Apple discontinued it in September 2021.
How much did the iPad mini (5th generation) cost?
The iPad mini (5th generation) launched at $399 in 2019 — about $491 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the iPad mini (5th generation)’s specs?
The iPad mini (5th generation) used a Apple A12 Bionic running at 2.49 GHz, with 3 GB of memory and 64 GB of storage. It ran iPadOS 12.2.
Why does the iPad mini (5th generation) matter?
Revived the mini with flagship A12 power and Apple Pencil support.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A12 Bionic · 2.49 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 6 |
| Memory (RAM) | 3 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Display | 7.9" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 |
| GPU | Apple 4-core GPU |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 300 g |
| Dimensions | 203.2×134.8×6.1 mm |
| Operating system | iPadOS 12.2 |
| Released | March 18, 2019 |
| Discontinued | September 2021 |
| Launch price | $399 |
How the iPad mini (5th generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 5.3× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 2.49 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.3× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 16,400 modern phone photos — a respectable library even today.
Launched at $399 in 2019 — about $491 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
Pilots love it — it fits perfectly on a kneeboard in the cockpit.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad mini (5th generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25