The Pencil Pro is noted for its innovative "squeeze" feature, which activates the tool palette, offering a more intuitive experience compared to the double-tap function, especially when taking quick notes. Additionally, it is equipped with an integrated gyroscope sensor that allows users to alter the tool orientation by twisting, providing enhanced control. While the Apple Pencil USB-C is a more economical option that is compatible with the iPad Mini, it lacks several key features such as wireless charging, pressure sensitivity, and the squeeze function.
The price of the Pencil Pro often drops to $95 on platforms like Amazon, making the $26 price difference justifiable. However, there are concerns about Apple’s decision to discontinue support for the second-generation Apple Pencil.
The iPad Mini is powered by the A17 Pro processor, which is quite similar to the one found in the iPhone 15 Pro, albeit with some differences. The iPhone’s chip includes a six-core CPU and a six-core GPU, while the iPad Mini features a six-core CPU and a five-core GPU, resulting in a slightly reduced graphics performance. Despite this, the difference is expected to be negligible for most users, particularly those not engaging in graphically intensive gaming.
The 2024 model of the iPad Mini does not demonstrate a significant performance improvement over the 2021 version, especially for everyday tasks typically performed on these devices. The seventh-generation Mini effectively supports activities such as note-taking, streaming shows like Gilmore Girls, checking emails, reading e-books via the Kindle app, and watching YouTube videos without any difficulty.