Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad mini 6: Which One Should You Get?
Still, the iPad Air remains a tempting option in itself, thanks to its larger screen, and the differences between the two are plenty. Both models are compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and give you up to 10 hours of battery life.
While it is evident that the two iPads share many of their most important features, there are a large number of meaningful differences between the iPad mini and the iPad Air. iPad Air 4 iPad mini 6 Display 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display Resolution 2360 x 1640, 264 PPI, 500 nits 2266 x 1488, 326 PPI, 500 nits Screen-to-body ratio 81% 77% Size 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches (24.76 x 17.85 x 0.61 mm) 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches (19.54 x 13.48 x 0.63 mm) Weight 16 ounces (458 g) 10.3 ounces (293 g) CPU Apple A14 Bionic Apple A15 Bionic RAM 4GB 4GB Rear camera 12MP, f/1.8 (Wide-angle) 12MP, f/1.8 (Wide-angle) Front camera 12MP, f/2.4 (Ultra-wide) 7MP, ƒ/2.2 Battery life 9720 mAh 5124 mAh Storage 64GB
256 GB Connectivity 4G LTE on cellular model 6GHz 5G on cellular model Colors Silver, Space Gray, Rose gold, green, and Sky Blue Space Gray, pink, purple, and Starlight Original price $599 $649 Price (refurbished) Starting at Starting at Users may feel more comfortable walking around with the mini than with the Air model, and it is also a suitable iPad for kids.
The iPad mini’s smaller display may be more comfortable for reading or playing handheld games, especially when commuting or carrying it around. As the iPad mini is more compact, it is easier and more comfortable to hold and capture photos.
Although the A15 chip in the iPad mini offers slightly better performance than the iPad Air, it is unlikely that this would strongly influence your buying decision. It is an excellent way to save money while still receiving a device in perfect working condition with a warranty. In general, the iPad Air 4 would be the best option for the majority of users due to the larger screen in its still slim and portable design. The additional cost over the iPad mini is justified because of the benefits of enjoying a larger display in productivity, drawing, or entertainment contexts.
The smaller screen size of the iPad mini 6 is the perfect choice for many customers as well. It’s ideal for carrying it around more comfortably while reading books, playing games, watching videos, or even working on the go. The main advantage of the iPad Air over the mini is its newer A15 chip, 5G connectivity, improved front camera, and Center Stage.
iPad (2022) vs. iPad Air (2022): Which Apple tablet is right for you?
NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. To make matters more interesting, Apple still sells the older, ninth-generation 2021 iPad, which starts at $329. While it may not have the latest features, it remains an accessible option for people looking for a basic iPad. The 2022 iteration of the entry-level iPad brings a lot of upgrades from its predecessor, but it also starts at $449, making it $120 more than the previous model.
The iPad Air comes easily recommended as Apple’s best mid-range offering.
iPad Air (5th generation) vs iPad mini (6th generation)
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer’s Guide
Apple introduced the fifth-generation iPad Air last year, featuring the M1 chip, 5G connectivity, and an upgraded front-facing camera system. The iPad mini and iPad Air share a large number of key features, such as design, a rear 12MP Wide camera, and a USB-C port: Even so, there are meaningful differences between the iPad mini and iPad Air that are worth highlighting, including their A-series chips, front-facing cameras, keyboard compatibility, and more.
iPad mini iPad Air 8.3-inch display with 2266‑by‑1488 resolution at 326 ppi 10.9-inch display with 2360‑by‑1640 resolution at 264 ppi Smaller, compact design for maximum portability Larger design that is better for productivity> A15 Bionic chip with 4GB of memory M1 chip with 8GB of memory Rear Quad-LED True Tone flash – Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards only Smart Connector for external keyboards including Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio Weight of up to 0.66 pound (297 grams) Weight of up to 1.01 pounds (462 grams) – Available with additional Blue color option The compact form factor and low weight of the iPad mini make it much more portable than the iPad Air, being far easier to fit in a small bag or even a large pocket and use on the go. Users may feel more comfortable walking around with the iPad mini and using it discreetly in public spaces than the iPad Air, and it is also a great size for kids.
This means that the iPad mini’s display is 2.6-inches smaller diagonally, which translates to an almost 45 percent reduction in total screen area. The iPad Air’s larger, 10.9-inch display is much more suited to productivity, multitasking, and watching videos, with considerably more screen space to fit app windows, UI elements, and more. The iPad Air will clearly be more capable than the iPad mini, especially in multi-core tasks and activities that are reliant on more memory, but both chips are very proficient so it is unlikely to have a strong bearing on which device most people should buy. Both devices feature an identical front-facing camera setup, with a 12MP ƒ/2.4 front-facing Ultra Wide camera with 2x zoom out, Center Stage, Retina Flash, Smart HDR 3, cinematic video stabilization, and 1080p video recording.
The iPad mini’s form factor may make it a great match for note-making with the Apple Pencil, while the larger display of the iPad Air may be better for illustration and graphic design. The iPad mini is still workable with Bluetooth peripherals for occasional emails or word processing, but its size is simply not practical for use as a complete laptop replacement.
If the iPad Air is out of your price range but you would still like an iPad with a bigger screen, there is the ninth-generation iPad, which starts at $329 and serves as an entry-level model in the iPad lineup. This undercuts the price of the $499 iPad mini and $599 iPad Air, but still offers important features like an Ultra Wide front-facing camera with Center Stage, first-generation Apple Pencil compatibility, a Smart Connector for use with an Apple Smart Keyboard, the A13 chip, and more.
Overall, the iPad Air is the best all-around option for the majority of users, providing a large screen for productivity and consuming entertainment in a slim, portable design. The additional $100 needed to buy the iPad Air over the iPad mini is more than justified for the benefits that come with a larger display, not least the ability to practically use it as a laptop replacement.
Those who buy the iPad mini will likely have a specific use case in mind for how they will use the device, such as for note-taking on the go, throwing into a small backpack to use on public transport, or sliding into a large pocket to use while working. If you want more of an all-around device that works as a potential laptop replacement, with the added bonuses that come with a bigger screen for productivity and entertainment, the iPad Air will be the better option for you.
iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Air 4 Buyer’s Guide
In 2021, Apple introduced the sixth-generation iPad mini, featuring a complete redesign, a larger display, the A15 Bionic chip, and more. The iPad mini and iPad Air share a large number of key features, such as design, a rear 12MP Wide camera, and a USB-C port: Even so, there are a large number of meaningful differences between the iPad mini and iPad Air that are worth highlighting, including their A-series chips, front-facing cameras, keyboard compatibility, and more.
12MP ƒ/2.4 front-facing Ultra Wide camera with 2x zoom out, Center Stage, and extended dynamic range
The compact form factor and low weight of the iPad mini make it much more portable than the iPad Air, being far easier to fit in a small bag or even a large pocket and use on the go. Though the iPad Air is still thin and light to carry around, it simply is not as convenient to use on the go as the iPad mini, which is a device that pushes iPad portability to the extreme.
Users may feel more comfortable walking around with the iPad mini and using it discreetly in public spaces than the iPad Air, and it is also a great size for kids. iPad Air color options: Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue.
iPad Air color options: Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue.
The iPad Air’s larger, 10.9-inch display is much more suited to productivity, multitasking, and watching videos, with considerably more screen space to fit app windows, UI elements, and more.
The iPad mini’s rear camera is slightly more capable than that of the iPad Air, the True Tone flash may make it more suitable for scanning documents, and its form factor may make capturing videos and images more comfortable, but broadly the rear cameras on the two are very similar. The iPad mini’s Ultra Wide front-facing camera enables its support for Center Stage, which automatically keeps users perfectly framed during video calls.
When other people join in on the call, the camera detects them too, and smoothly zooms out to fit everyone into the view and make sure they are part of the conversation. This means that for video calls and selfies, the iPad mini is a much more capable device that should deliver a markedly better experience and image quality.
The iPad mini’s form factor may make it a great match for note-making with the Apple Pencil, while the larger display of the iPad Air may be better for illustration and graphic design. The iPad mini is still workable with Bluetooth peripherals for occasional emails or word processing, but its size is simply not practical for use as a complete laptop replacement.
If the iPad Air is out of your price range but you would still like an iPad with a bigger screen, there is the ninth-generation iPad, which starts at $329 and serves as an entry-level model in the iPad lineup. This undercuts the price of the $499 iPad mini and $599 iPad Air, but still offers important features like an Ultra Wide front-facing camera with Center Stage, first-generation Apple Pencil compatibility, a Smart Connector for use with an Apple Smart Keyboard, the A13 chip, and more. Overall, the iPad Air is the best all-around option for the majority of users, providing a large screen for productivity and consuming entertainment in a slim, portable design. The additional $100 needed to buy the iPad Air over the iPad mini is more than justified for the benefits that come with a larger display, not least the ability to practically use it as a laptop replacement.
Those who buy the iPad mini will likely have a specific use case in mind for how they will use the device, such as for note-taking on the go, throwing into a small backpack to use on public transport, or sliding into a large pocket to use while working.
The iPad mini is undoubtedly more futureproof with its newer A15 chip, 5G connectivity, improved front-facing camera, and Center Stage. Using a cellular connection or holding video calls is also a better experience on the iPad mini, but again, the main reason to choose the iPad mini will be its novel size. If you want more of an all-around device that works as a potential laptop replacement, with the added bonuses that come with a bigger screen for productivity and entertainment, the iPad Air will be the better option for you.
Apple iPad Air (2022) vs. Apple iPad Mini (2021)
These include the powerful M1 chip, a gorgeous Liquid Retina display, and the new Center Stage feature, which keeps you in the middle of the frame when using the front-facing selfie camera. iPad Mini (2021) iPad Air (2022) Size 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 inches) 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches) Weight Wi-FI: 293 grams (10.47 ounces) LTE: 297 grams (10.47 ounces) Wi-Fi: 461 grams (16.26 ounces) LTE: 462 grams (16.29 ounces) Screen size 8.3 inches 10.9 inches Screen resolution 2266 x 1488 pixels (327 pixels per inch) 2360 x 1640 pixels (264 pixels per inch) Operating system iPadOS 15 iPadOS 15 Storage space 64GB, 256GB 64GB, 256GB MicroSD card slot No No Tap-to-pay services No No Processor Apple A15 Bionic Apple M1 RAM 4GB 8GB Camera Rear 12MP, front 12MP ultrawide Rear 12MP, front 12MP ultrawide Video 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.0 Ports Lightning Lightning Fingerprint sensor Yes, side-mounted Yes, side-mounted Water resistance No No Battery 5,178 mAh TBC App marketplace Apple App Store Apple App Store Network support All major carriers (cellular version only) All major carriers (cellular version only) Colors Space Gray, pink, purple, Starlight Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue Price $499 $599 Review score 4 stars out of 5 4.5 stars out of 5 Like the iPad Mini, it uses an LCD-based Liquid Retina display, with a similar level of brightness (typically 500 nits). It also has a similar resolution, but the iPad Mini’s smaller display means it packs more pixels per inch and therefore looks sharper. Neither tablet has an official IP rating, which is something of a disappointment, although we’ve never heard of anyone wanting to take their iPad for a swim. All in all, this puts both devices on a more or less equal footing, yet the bigger screen size of the iPad Air does make it a little more attractive.
This is the same processor you’ll find in the iPhone 13 series, and when combined with the Mini’s 4GB of RAM, it will do a great job of handling everyday tasks and the latest apps. When you combine that with a generous 8GB of RAM, you’ll find that the iPad Air excels as a work device, something which can’t quite be said for the Mini.
64GB is pretty parsimonious in this day and age, so you could argue that both tablets are more expensive than they seem, assuming you intend to do lots of different things with them.
That said, our review of the iPad Mini showed that its battery life was surprisingly decent, giving about a day and a half if you’re a lighter user. This makes the iPad Air a little bit more usable in terms of just picking it up to quickly take photos, without worrying about having to perfectly frame everything. Both 12MP ultrawide lenses are also compatible with Apple’s new Center Stage feature, keeping you in the middle of the shot when streaming with the front lens, even if you get up and move around.
This is the latest version of the iPad operating system, providing such useful new features as refined multitasking, floating windows, and a neat Quick Notes function. The bigger screen is more impressive, it benefits from a dizzyingly fast processor, has a slightly better camera, and is compatible with the Magic Keyboard.
Nevertheless, if you don’t plan to use your tablet for professional purposes and prefer something more compact, the iPad Mini is certainly a great choice.
Apple iPad vs. iPad Air vs. iPad mini vs. iPad Pro: Which Tablet Should You Buy?
A few years ago, Apple formally split the iPad’s operating system off from iOS, which powers iPhones, into iPadOS. The tablet-specific operating system is very similar to iOS, but focuses on streamlining and expanding multitasking to improve the usefulness of iPads as workplace devices, with pinnable widgets and cross-app workflow features like split screen and rapidly sliding between screens. The only significant change to the latest model’s screen is the addition of Apple’s True Tone feature, which adjusts color balance based on surrounding light. The selfie camera is 12MP, with a 122-degree field of view and support for Apple’s Center Stage tracking feature.
If you want a versatile entertainment device for watching videos, reading books and comics, browsing the web, communicating with your friends, and even doing light text-crunching and presentations, it’s an excellent choice. The iPad mini weighs 0.66 pounds and measures less than a quarter of an inch thick, small enough to easily fit in a bag or even a large jacket pocket. Its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display features a resolution of 2,266 by 1,488 pixels, for a sharp 326 pictures per inch. It doesn’t have the ProMotion technology of the iPad Pro’s screen, but it features the same P3 Wide Color and True Tone modes, in a fully laminated panel with anti-reflective coating.
The selfie camera is the same as the standard iPad, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor that supports Center Stage in FaceTime to automatically frame your face. The 2022 iPad Air tilts that balance heavily toward the Pro end, with extensive upgrades that put it within striking distance of the pricey, professional tablet.
It’s a huge step up from the A14 Bionic mobile processor in the previous model, and starting at $599, it’s by far the least expensive M1 device available. That distinction is important, because it needs to justify the much higher $799 and $1,099 baseline price tags the Pro models command over the other versions.
It’s still an utter beast that can handle pretty much any processing tasks you can throw its way, and beats out the iPad Air with its smoother ProMotion screen and multiple rear cameras, along with the choice between 11- and 12.9-inch models. The 11-inch iPad Pro has a Liquid Retina display with a 2,388-by-1,668 resolution and Apple’s ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate and True Tone technologies, as well as Wide Color support.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has all of those technologies and a higher 2,732-by-2,048-pixel resolution (for the same 264 pixels per inch as the smaller model), but adds a mini-LED backlight system that can both get much brighter and more precisely control the light output of the screen for better contrast.
The front-facing TrueDepth camera is also 12MP, with support for Face ID, 1080p60 recording, cinematic video stabilization, and Smart HDR 3.
No matter which model you choose, make sure you learn how to master iPadOS with our top tricks and tips.
iPad mini vs iPad Air: which should you buy?
That means both devices have now ditched the Home button and replaced it with an all-screen design that uses gesture controls. The Touch ID sensor is located in the lock button at the top of both devices. If you’re looking to do a lot of drawing or designing on your tablet, the iPad mini’s smaller frame will be much more restrictive. They both also use Apple’s True Tone tech, which adjusts the white balance according to your ambient lighting conditions. Because the Air has a larger display to power, its bigger battery doesn’t offer any extra usage time. The iPad Air – showing off its Smart Connector (Image credit: Future)
On the other hand, the iPad Air comes with Apple’s Smart Connector, which lets you wirelessly connect to keyboard cases and other peripherals. The iPad mini pulls ahead here, as it offers a 12MP ƒ/2.4 camera on the front compared to the Air’s 7MP ƒ/2.2 lens. The mini can shoot in a wider variety of frame rates, has extended dynamic range and a newer version of Smart HDR, and packs in Apple’s new Centre Stage tech. On the back, the rear cameras are both 12MP ƒ/1.8 lenses with much closer features, but the iPad mini still has the advantage. It offers more frame rate options for 4K and 1080p video and also includes extended dynamic range. The iPad Air doesn’t have quite a good a chip as the mini (Image credit: Future)
When you run demanding apps like Adobe Photoshop on your iPad, you want a device that can take your beefy workloads in its stride. That difference translates to an extra graphics core in the A15 (five versus the four in the A14), but both chips have a six-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine. Based on previous launch dates, there’s a decent chance Apple could update the iPad Air in spring 2022. That should bring it some feature parity with the iPad mini while retaining its designer-friendly proportions.
The Ultimate iPad Comparison Chart (2023)
2022 was a big year as it signaled using its M-series of processors in more products than just the iPad Pro. So that means, while the 12.9″ and 11″ iPad Pro are now almost identical, they will be listed as different generations.
Apple iPad Air (2020) vs Apple iPad Mini (2021): What is the difference?
has Mail Privacy Protection ✖ Apple iPad Air (2020) ✔ Apple iPad Mini (2021) ( iOS 15 Mail Privacy Protection is a feature built into the default email app that blocks senders from using “tracking pixels” to see when you’ve read an email. Competing services upload the photos and perform this on their servers, which requires the sharing of personal data.
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