Cellular iPad Mini Doesn’t Feature mmWave 5G Support, Unlike iPad Pro

Apple this week debuted the sixth-generation iPad mini, cellular models of which can connect to 5G for the first time. However, it's worth noting that cellular connectivity on the new ‌iPad mini‌ does not extend to support for faster mmWave 5G.

ipad mini 6 roundup header
Apple doesn't maintain a cellular compatibility page for iPad models like it does for its iPhones, so the lack of mmWave 5G support on the ‌iPad mini‌ could surprise some Apple customers. Currently, Apple's mmWave 5G support is limited to the iPhone 13 lineup, ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup, and the cellular variants of the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

On the plus side, like the new ‌iPhone‌ 13 models, the ‌iPad mini‌ does support more 5G bands overall than ‌iPhone‌ 12 and cellular ‌iPad Pro‌ models, according to Apple, so the ‌iPad mini‌ does have greater 5G coverage around the world than the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPad Pro‌.

Despite rumors suggesting ‌iPhone‌ 13 models would support mmWave 5G in additional countries, support for mmWave remains limited to ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ models sold in the United States, so its absence in the new cellular ‌iPad mini‌ is only likely to concern customers who are based there.

mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it best suited for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. All four ‌iPhone‌ 13 models support sub-6GHz outside of the United States, and sub-6GHz networks are more common in countries that have rolled out 5G.

Starting at $499 for the 64GB Wi-Fi-only model, the redesigned sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ is available to pre-order now on Apple's online store. Cellular models are available for $150 more over the base price of each configuration. ‌iPad mini‌ shipping begins Friday, September 24.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPad mini
Tags: 5G, mmWave
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

Verizon New

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by
Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....
Apple Creator Studio

Apple Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year

Tuesday January 13, 2026 6:11 am PST by
Apple today introduced a new Apple Creator Studio bundle that offers access to six creative apps, as well as exclusive AI features and content, as part of a single subscription. In the U.S., pricing is set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Here are the six apps included with an Apple Creator Studio subscription:Final Cut Pro on the Mac and iPad Logic Pro on the Mac and iPad Pixelmator...
iOS 26

Here's What's New in iOS 26.3 So Far

Monday January 12, 2026 1:15 pm PST by
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 26.3, nearly a month after the first beta. So far, the update includes a couple of new features for iPhones. iOS 15.3 through iOS 18.3 were all released in late January over the years, so it is thereby likely that iOS 26.3 will be released towards the end of this month as well. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Below,...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
maxresdefault

Apple Confirms Google Gemini Will Power Next-Generation Siri This Year

Monday January 12, 2026 7:38 am PST by
In a statement shared with CNBC today, Apple confirmed that Google Gemini will power the next-generation version of Siri that is slated to launch later this year. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. "After careful evaluation, we determined that Google's technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and we're excited about the innovative...

Top Rated Comments

shakerstevens Avatar
57 months ago

Just get an iPad Pro what’s the point of a small tablet that runs iPadOS get pro max phone and iPad done
For many the ipad mini is a perfect size
It can go in large pockets (Drs etc) and childrens back packs.
My 9 year old son had a full size iPad but found it too big to use so went back to a mini-5

Everyone's needs are different.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
57 months ago
Starting at $499 for 64GB? That’s too much for an iPad Mini, Apple. ??
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdriftmeyer Avatar
57 months ago

I’m complaining because it use to be a lot cheaper.
The product has increased by $100 US for the A15, updated display, new cameras and more. You get more value today than you did in 2019.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LukasValine Avatar
57 months ago
The five people who have mmWave in their neighborhood are gonna be really disappointed.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5232152 Avatar
57 months ago

Just get an iPad Pro what’s the point of a small tablet that runs iPadOS get pro max phone and iPad done
Because iPhone Pro Max is already too big to carry if you actually go to meetings etc.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LFC2020 Avatar
57 months ago

Starting at $499 for 64GB? That’s too much for an iPad Mini, Apple. ??
?‍♂️????



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)