Hartley Charlton
Apple recently introduced the sixth generation iPad Air with the M2 chip, support for Apple Pencil Pro and the ability to choose a larger display size. Apple unveiled the sixth-generation iPad mini in 2021, offering a redesigned iPad Air-style design with a larger display, A15 Bionic chip, and more.
The iPad mini actually shares the design of the iPad Air, with both devices sharing many of the same features, such as like a full-screen design without a home button, Touch ID in the top button, and stereo speakers. There are still some important differences between the devices, such as display sizes and chips, that clearly set them apart.
Should you buy the more expensive and larger “iPad Air” or go for the more affordable and smaller “iPad mini” ? Our guide will help answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you. All the key differences between the two devices are listed below:
| iPad mini | iPad Air |
|---|---|
| 8.3-inch display with 326 ppi resolution | 11-inch or 13-inch display with 264 ppi resolution |
| SDR brightness: 500 nits maximum | 11-inch model SDR brightness: 500 nits maximum 13″ model SDR brightness: 600 nits maximum |
| Smaller, more compact design for maximum portability | Larger design for greater performance |
| Weight 0.66 lbs (297 grams) | Weighs 1.02 lbs (462 grams) or 1.36 lbs (617 grams) |
| A15 Bionic chip | M2 chip |
| 6-core processor | 8-core processor |
| 5-core graphics processor | 9-core GPU |
| 4 GB memory | 8 GB memory |
| Media engine H.264 and HEVC with hardware acceleration Video decoding engine Video encoding engine |
|
| Quad-LED True Tone rear flash | |
| Smart HDR 3 | Smart HDR 4 |
| Connect to Wi-Fi 6 | Connect to Wi-Fi 6E |
| &zwnj ;Apple Pencil hover | |
| Supports Apple Pencil with USB-C and Apple Pencil | Supports Apple Pencil with USB-C and Apple Pencil Pro |
| Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards only | Smart Connector for Apple Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio support |
| 64 GB or 256 GB of internal memory | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB of internal memory |
| Available in space gray colors , Starlight, Purple and Pink | Available in Space Grey, Starlight, Purple and Blue |
| From 499 US dollars | From 599 or 799 US dollars |
Overall, the iPad Air is the best all-round option for most users, offering a large screen for productivity and entertainment in a thin, portable design. The extra $100 required to buy the iPad Air over the iPad mini is more than justified by the benefits of its larger display and M2 chip, not least the ability to use it as a laptop replacement with the Magic Keyboard and Stage Manager.
That said, most customers who choose the iPad mini will do so because of its screen size, not in spite of it. The iPad mini is ideal for comfortable reading, portable gaming, and easy transport and storage. Those buying the iPad mini will likely have a specific use case for the device in mind, such as taking notes on the go, toting it in a small bag for use on public transportation, or handing it to a child as their first tablet.
If you don't see the iPad mini's smaller display, comfortable one-handed grip, lightweight design, and portable form factor as an advantage for your use case and are focused on the more versatile display size, you'll likely prefer the iPad Air, especially since it's now available in a 13-inch size option. The iPad Air — it's more of an all-rounder that works as a potential laptop replacement with Stage Manager support, with the added bonus of a larger screen for productivity and entertainment.
It's also worth noting that the iPad mini is nearly three years old, while the iPad Air just got a refresh, so the latter is almost certainly the better buy in terms of longevity. A new iPad mini is expected to launch later this year with a faster chip, so if you're set on the smallest iPad, it might be worth waiting until the refreshed version comes out.
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