iPad mini (A17 Pro) or iPad (A16): which lasts longer?
Overall rating, EU class, updates, battery and protection of both tablets side by side, from the suppliers’ entries in EPREL (as of 2 November 2026).
Result
Both have EU repairability class C; in our overall rating from eight EPREL values, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) scores 4.0 out of 10 and the iPad (A16) 3.8.
Both get 5 years of updates according to their suppliers; the battery is not user-replaceable on either.
In the drop test the iPad mini (A17 Pro) survives more drops (52 instead of 0); neither is waterproof (IP42).
On overall rating and drop resistance, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is ahead; on EU repairability index, the iPad (A16).
All values compared
Bold is the better value where the devices differ. Grey below: the typical value across all tablets (median, our own calculation).
| Value | Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) | Apple iPad (A16) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall ratingtypical 4.6 | 4.0 out of 10 | 3.8 out of 10 |
| EU classtypical 3.37 | C · index 2.73 out of 5 | C · index 2.78 out of 5 |
| Updatestypical 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Battery | Built in | Built in |
| Battery lifetypical 75 h | 67 h | 67 h |
| Charge cyclestypical 800 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Drop resistancetypical 52 | 52 drops · class D | 0 drops · class E |
| Water protectiontypical IP42 | IP42 · drip-proof | IP42 · drip-proof |
| Scratch resistancetypical Level 5 | Level 4 | Level 4 |
| On the market since | 10/2024 | 03/2025 |
More comparisons
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which gets updates for longer, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) or the iPad (A16)?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, both get 5 years of operating system updates, counted from the end of sales.
On which can you replace the battery yourself?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, the battery is not user-replaceable on either the iPad mini (A17 Pro) or the iPad (A16).
Which is easier to repair, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) or the iPad (A16)?
By EU repairability class, both are class C (index 2.73 and 2.78 out of 5). In our overall rating from eight EPREL values, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is ahead with 4.0 out of 10 against 3.8 for the iPad (A16).
Sources
Laws and regulations in their current version, linked to the source.
- EPREL, European Product Registry for Energy LabellingEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL public data disclaimerEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL Public API terms and conditionsEuropäische Kommission · Guidance · 3 Jun 2024
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 (energy labelling of smartphones and slate tablets)EUR-Lex · EU regulation · 16 Jun 2023
- German Act against Unfair Competition (UWG)Bundesministerium der Justiz · Law · 27 Sept 2026