iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer’s Guide: 15 Differences Compared

Apple recently introduced the seventh-generation iPad mini, offering the A17 Pro chip, Apple Intelligence support, 8GB of memory, Apple Pencil Pro and ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover support, and more. Earlier this year, Apple debuted the sixth-generation iPad Air, featuring the M2 chip, ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro support, and a larger display size option.

The ‌iPad mini‌ effectively shares the design of the ‌iPad Air‌, with both devices possessing many of the same features such as an all-screen design with no Home button, Touch ID in the top button, and stereo speakers. Despite theoretically being different product lines, the ‌iPad mini‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ are almost identical in terms of specifications and are even available in the same color options. There are still some minor differences between the devices, such as their display sizes and chips, that set the devices apart.

Should you buy the more expensive, larger ‌iPad Air‌, or opt for the smaller and more affordable ‌iPad mini‌? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you. All of the differences between the two devices are listed below:

‌iPad mini‌ (seventh generation, 2024)

‌iPad Air‌ (sixth generation, 2024)

8.3-inch display with 326 ppi

11-inch or 13-inch display with 264 ppi

500 nits max SDR brightness

11-inch: 500 nits max SDR brightness

13-inch: 600 nits max SDR brightness

Smaller, compact design for maximum portability

Larger design, better for productivity

Weighs 0.66 pounds (297 grams)

11-inch: Weighs 1.02 pounds (462 grams)

13-inch: Weighs 1.36 pounds (617 grams)

A17 Pro chip (introduced with iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, made with TSMC’s 3nm N3 process)

‌M2‌ chip (introduced with redesigned MacBook Air in 2022, made with TSMC’s enhanced 5nm N5P process)

6-core CPU

8-core CPU

5-core GPU

9-core GPU

Dedicated media Engine

Hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC

Video decode engine

Video encode engine

Stage Manager support

Volume buttons on top

Volume buttons on right side

12MP Ultra Wide front camera

Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera

True Tone flash

Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards only

Smart Connector to support Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio

128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage

Starts at $499

11-inch: Starts at $599

13-inch: Start at $799

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 11-inch ‌iPad Air‌ over the ‌iPad mini‌ is more than justified for the benefits that come with its larger display and ‌M2‌ chip, not least the ability to practically use it as a laptop replacement with the Magic Keyboard and ‌Stage Manager‌.

Yet, most customers who choose the ‌iPad mini‌ will do so because of its screen size rather than in spite of it. The ‌iPad mini‌ is ideal for comfortably reading ebooks, playing handheld games, and easy transport and storage. 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 with the ‌Apple Pencil‌, throwing into a small bag to use on public transport, or giving it to a kid as their first tablet.

If you do not see the ‌iPad mini‌’s smaller display, easy one-handed grip, lightweight design, and portable form factor as an advantage for your use case and are focused on a more versatile display size, you will likely prefer the ‌iPad Air‌, especially as it is now available with a 13-inch size option. The ‌iPad Air‌ is more of an all-around device that works as a potential laptop replacement with support for ‌Stage Manager‌, with the added bonuses that come with a bigger screen for productivity and entertainment.

This article, “iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer’s Guide: 15 Differences Compared” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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