They both introduce new processors for their models, as well as a new 12-megapixel ultrawide selfie camera that puts to shame the diminutive lenses of their predecessors. At the same time, the iPad Mini introduces a few additional new features for its line, including an enlarged display, a Touch ID sensor on the power button, and a 5G modem (if you buy the cellular model). We find out in this head-to-head comparison test, in which we take a closer look at the specs, performance, designs, displays, cameras, and software of each device. iPad Mini (2021) iPad (2021) Size 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 inches) 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm (9.8 x 6.8 x 0.30 inches) Weight Wi-FI: 293 grams (10.47 ounces) LTE: 297 grams (10.47 ounces) Wi-Fi: 487 grams (17.18 ounces) LTE: 498 grams (17.56 ounces) Screen size 8.3 inches 10.2 inches Screen resolution 2266 x 1488 pixels (327 pixels per inch) 2160 x 1620 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 A13 Bionic RAM 4GB 3GB Camera Rear 12MP, front 12MP ultrawide Rear 8MP, front 12MP ultrawide Video 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps 1080p at 30 fps, 720p at 120 fps Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 4.2 Ports Lightning Lightning Fingerprint sensor Yes, side-mounted Yes, front-mounted Water resistance No No Battery 5,178 mAh 8,526mAh 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 Silver, Space Gray Price $499 $329 Buy from Apple Apple Review score News News By contrast, the dependable iPad (2021) sticks loyally with a Touch ID-compatible home button and exactly the same glaring bezels as its 2020 forerunner. This is the same processor you’ll find in the iPhone 13 series, and when you combine it with the Mini’s 4GB of RAM , it will handle pretty much every computational task you’re likely to throw at it. Apple sadly never shares the exact capacity (in mAh) of its batteries, but early reporting suggests that the iPad (2021) offers similar longevity to the 2020 model. This may mean that the Mini won’t last as long as the standard iPad, although Apple is promising “all-day battery life,” so we’ll have to wait and see. Married with Apple’s highly reputed image processing software, this will likely result in a superior camera and more impressive photographs, roughly in keeping with recent iPhone models.
In addition, it’s compatible with Apple’s new Center Stage feature, which keeps you in the middle of the shot when streaming with the front lens.
This is the latest version of the iPad operating system, and it harnesses a range of useful new features, from refined multitasking to floating windows and a handy Quick Notes function. This suspicion is reinforced by the fact that its cellular/LTE version supports 5G , so you’ll be able to use the fastest download speeds if you choose the cellular model and live near a corresponding network.
This means you can use a range of gestures when using it with the iPad Mini, while it also charges more conveniently and comes with a flat side that prevents it from rolling off the table. The ninth-generation iPad (2021) starts at $329 for the 64GB Wi-Fi-only model and rises as high as $609 if you want 256GB of internal memory and cellular support. It may lack certain bells and whistles, but it delivers strong performance, very reliable battery life, and it still brings the great Apple software experience we all know and love.
Apple iPad (2021) vs. iPad Mini (2021): To Mini or not?
They both introduce new processors for their models, as well as a new 12-megapixel ultrawide selfie camera that puts to shame the diminutive lenses of their predecessors. At the same time, the iPad Mini introduces a few additional new features for its line, including an enlarged display, a Touch ID sensor on the power button, and a 5G modem (if you buy the cellular model).
We find out in this head-to-head comparison test, in which we take a closer look at the specs, performance, designs, displays, cameras, and software of each device. iPad Mini (2021) iPad (2021) Size 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 inches) 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm (9.8 x 6.8 x 0.30 inches) Weight Wi-FI: 293 grams (10.47 ounces) LTE: 297 grams (10.47 ounces) Wi-Fi: 487 grams (17.18 ounces) LTE: 498 grams (17.56 ounces) Screen size 8.3 inches 10.2 inches Screen resolution 2266 x 1488 pixels (327 pixels per inch) 2160 x 1620 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 A13 Bionic RAM 4GB 3GB Camera Rear 12MP, front 12MP ultrawide Rear 8MP, front 12MP ultrawide Video 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps 1080p at 30 fps, 720p at 120 fps Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 4.2 Ports Lightning Lightning Fingerprint sensor Yes, side-mounted Yes, front-mounted Water resistance No No Battery 5,178 mAh 8,526mAh 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 Silver, Space Gray Price $499 $329 Buy from Apple Apple Review score News News
By contrast, the dependable iPad (2021) sticks loyally with a Touch ID-compatible home button and exactly the same glaring bezels as its 2020 forerunner. This is the same processor you’ll find in the iPhone 13 series, and when you combine it with the Mini’s 4GB of RAM , it will handle pretty much every computational task you’re likely to throw at it. Apple sadly never shares the exact capacity (in mAh) of its batteries, but early reporting suggests that the iPad (2021) offers similar longevity to the 2020 model. This may mean that the Mini won’t last as long as the standard iPad, although Apple is promising “all-day battery life,” so we’ll have to wait and see.
Married with Apple’s highly reputed image processing software, this will likely result in a superior camera and more impressive photographs, roughly in keeping with recent iPhone models. In addition, it’s compatible with Apple’s new Center Stage feature, which keeps you in the middle of the shot when streaming with the front lens. This is the latest version of the iPad operating system, and it harnesses a range of useful new features, from refined multitasking to floating windows and a handy Quick Notes function. This suspicion is reinforced by the fact that its cellular/LTE version supports 5G , so you’ll be able to use the fastest download speeds if you choose the cellular model and live near a corresponding network.
This means you can use a range of gestures when using it with the iPad Mini, while it also charges more conveniently and comes with a flat side that prevents it from rolling off the table. The ninth-generation iPad (2021) starts at $329 for the 64GB Wi-Fi-only model and rises as high as $609 if you want 256GB of internal memory and cellular support.
It may lack certain bells and whistles, but it delivers strong performance, very reliable battery life, and it still brings the great Apple software experience we all know and love.
The best iPad to buy
I’ve spent years using various iPads for both entertainment and work and have tested all of the current and recent models to know what they are best suited for. Out of the box, any iPad provides an excellent portable video or movie-watching experience; access to a wide array of apps and games through the App Store; the ability to read ebooks, documents, and web articles on a bright comfortably sized screen; and communicate via email, messaging services, or video calls. Apple also has a strong track record of supporting the iPad for many years with software updates, so even older models can benefit from the majority of new features.
That means you can often find excellent options on secondhand, open-box, and refurbished iPads that save a lot of money and still offer an up-to-date, performant experience.
The refurbished market changes too frequently for me to make specific recommendations in this guide, so everything here is based on the new, full retail cost. But I’ve personally bought multiple refurbished iPads over the years and have never regretted not having the latest and greatest model.
Released in 2022, the fifth-generation iPad Air offers a bright 10.9-inch high-resolution display, extremely fast performance thanks to its M1 processor, a modern design with even bezels around the screen, and excellent speakers. It’s compatible with the same keyboard and stylus accessories as the iPad Pro, so it can work well as a small laptop-like device or digital notepad / drawing tablet.
The Air comes in a variety of colors, including blue, pink, purple, gold (which Apple calls “Starlight”), and a dark gray. The iPad Air can be paired with Apple’s Magic Keyboard to turn it into a small laptop replacement for productivity work. It’s significantly larger than a phone and provides a better video-watching, reading, and multitasking experience, but it’s not nearly as large as a laptop display, so it’s easier to carry around or hold when lounging on the couch. The size makes it easy to transition from reading in portrait orientation to knocking out an email in landscape mode.
The jump to 256GB costs $150 (at Apple’s regular retail price), but it’s worthwhile if you plan to hang on to this iPad for multiple years. If you are a frequent traveler and plan to use an iPad outside of your home a lot, however, a built-in cellular connection is often faster, more reliable, and easier than using your phone’s hotspot. I’ve used an iPad Pro with built-in cellular during a long train commute for years, and it’s been worth the cost every time.
The Air’s design is the same as that of the iPad Pro, with a squared-off aluminum back and sides and evenly proportioned bezels around its whole display. But when you’re holding the iPad Air in landscape orientation, the camera feels like it’s in the wrong spot, and Apple’s software tricks to correct it are not always the most convincing. (Apple has addressed this problem with its lower-tier 10th-gen iPad by moving the camera to the longer edge, but it has not yet done so for the rest of the lineup.)
The Air’s stereo speakers (one on the left and right side, when held in landscape orientation) are loud and clear and work great for movie or video watching. The Air also supports Apple’s latest Pencil ($129 retail, sometimes on sale for less) for writing and drawing, and it can magnetically snap to the side of the tablet for charging and storage.
You, as a parent, will still want it to be updated to current software and security patches, so it’s important to avoid something that isn’t supported anymore.
The ninth-gen model has the traditional iPad look, with larger bezels around the screen and a home button (with Touch ID biometric authentication). It’s clear that even Apple realizes the 10th-gen iPad isn’t quite a direct replacement for the ninth-gen model due to its significantly higher price and different features. So as long as Apple continues to sell the ninth-gen model, that is our recommendation for budget shoppers and an iPad for kids.
It works fine as a stylus for writing and drawing on the screen, but there’s nowhere to store it when you’re not using it unless you buy a third-party case, and charging it requires plugging it into the iPad’s Lightning port, which is awkward and clumsy. In my testing, it never lagged or slowed down when I was using it, the screen is sharp and colorful, and it’s comfortable to hold for long stretches of time. The 12.9-inch Pro rewards you with a more expansive display for juggling multiple apps, especially if you use the new Stage Manager windowing feature. It also has the best screen on any iPad, with its Mini LED technology, providing searing brightness, deep blacks, and rich colors.
As a result, many iPad Pro 12.9 owners find they don’t end up taking it out of the Magic Keyboard case very often. A new feature introduced with the 2022 model allows you to preview line strokes or selections with the Apple Pencil before you put them onto the screen.
Most people do not need all of the features of the latest iPad Pro, which makes buying an older version a compelling option. At full prices, the iPad Air is a better option than the 11-inch Pro, but if you’re able to find a prior-year model refurbished or on sale, then it might be the one to go with. The Mini provides access to many more reading sources than a Kindle, though it can’t match the battery life of Amazon’s e-reader.
This is the only iPad that Apple doesn’t make a keyboard accessory for, and it’s obvious why: it’s just too small to really be comfortable to type anything of length on.
iPad mini: Buyer’s Guide, Should You Buy?
As the iPad mini is now 18 months old and a new model is in development, those who want the latest hardware should wait for a refresh to buy. The iPad Air features a Smart Connector on its rear to connect to keyboard cases and its larger, 10.9-inch display is better for productivity tasks and media consumption.
iPad – Compare Models
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
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
It’s not only durable (complete with a rigid bumper), but it has a magnetized cover that stays shut and a flap that allows you to position the screen at eight different angles. Instead of physical buttons, it has Force Touch sensors where you can feel different levels of pressure on the pad.
The keyboard is powered by AAA batteries, which lasted us around four months, so you don’t have to worry about carrying a charger around. You can mount it to the side of your bed, kitchen counter, or shelf (to view content comfortably and hands-free) or you can use the included stand at your desk.
Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub for $60: Regardless of the iPad model, ports are limited.
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.
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. The screen is largely untouched, a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD with a 2,360-by-1,640 resolution and a brightness of 500 nits. 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 2021 review: a little different
The allure of a smaller iPad appeals to more than just the pilots and doctors Apple cites as popular users. Apple also updated the processor to the top-of-the-line A15 Bionic — though I suspect the main reason for that is so that it won’t need to give it a spec bump for a few years.
Given that the base model is already 500 bucks for a mere 64GB of storage, I prefer the tradeoff Apple made.
It’s high-enough resolution, but when scrolling in portrait mode I can see just a little bit of a jelly effect, where one side moves ever-so-slightly faster than the other.
But the truth is I don’t have any real complaints — I love having the slightly bigger screen than prior Minis and it looks nice. It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which can attach and charge magnetically to the side of the Mini. It also lacks a headphone jack, which is unsurprising but I think worth bringing up here because it could keep some people from buying this device to hand off to a kid. Speaking of things that everybody just seems to have accepted but is actually a genuine problem that deserves continued pressure: support for multiple users.
Apple continues to refuse to allow iPads to support multiple user accounts (outside of specific education settings, anyway). I still find it punitive — not every family can afford (or wants) to buy an iPad for every person in the household and sharing a device can be a real hassle. The other iPadOS concern with the iPad Mini is that Apple doesn’t seem to have fully thought through what it means for it to be running on a smaller display. And all too often buttons and icons end up being so tiny that — as Steve Jobs once joked — you sometimes feel like you need to sand your fingers down to tap them.
Apple’s marketing around pilots using it isn’t fluff, either — it’s a genuinely useful and much used device in small aircraft. (Though why Apple doesn’t add some sort of split-screen to the iPhone Pro Max phones is beyond me.)
Most of all, I like the iPad Mini because its physical size changes my relationship with the content I’m engaging with on the screen and — most importantly — with what’s happening around me.
I physically can hold it further away from my eyes, which as a human body in the real world opens me up more than a phone does.
iPad mini: Buyer’s Guide, Should You Buy?
As the iPad mini is now 18 months old and a new model is in development, those who want the latest hardware should wait for a refresh to buy. The iPad Air features a Smart Connector on its rear to connect to keyboard cases and its larger, 10.9-inch display is better for productivity tasks and media consumption.
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