Choosing between iPad Air and iPad mini can be a daunting task because they are quite similar. Many people are confused about figuring out the difference between these two tablets. But when it comes to buying such an expensive product, you should be very clear about the features and the pricing of the gadget. Any wrong decision can put you in big trouble.
If your budget is too low to buy a brand new iPad then you can also switch to Apple refurbished iPads. These tablets are much cheaper than their new counterparts and are 100% functional. But it’s vital to choose a trustworthy and reliable vendor in case buying a pre-owned product.
Currently, Apple offers 4 different models of iPads i.e. iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini, and iPad. Each of them has its unique properties. The iPad Pro is the most expensive whereas the 10.2” basic iPad is the cheapest.
In this article, we will discuss the difference between iPad Air and iPad mini. While buying a tablet it is important to notice its every feature such as functionality, size, price, number of ports, etc to make the right decision.
iPad Air vs iPad Mini -:
The iPad mini is smaller in size and starts at $399, whereas iPad Air is larger than the iPad mini and starts at $499. Therefore if having a big-screen tablet is your priority then the Air is a good option, but if you want to save some bucks then you should go for the iPad mini.
These both come with LCDs but there is a difference between resolution. The 10.5 ” wide iPad Air has higher screen resolution and pixel density than Mini. So, the picture quality and sharpness are quite higher on iPad Air.
Let us compare their features one by one -:
- Screen size -:
The iPad Air has 10.5” widescreen whereas the display of the Mini is 7.9” wide.
- Processor -:
Both Air and Mini have A12 bionic neural engine processors. This means the operating speed of both devices is almost equal.
- Battery Life -:
The average tested the battery life of Air is 11:54 hours. But the Mini’s battery life is a bit higher than the Air, it’s around 12.40 hours.
- Storage -:
Well, the storage capacity of these both models are equal, they both offer options for either 64 GB or 256 GB RAM.
- Camera -:
The camera is one of the important features of a tablet as many of us use it for capturing photos, video callings, etc. The front-facing camera of both Air and Mini is 7 megapixels and the rear-facing camera is 8 megapixels. That means you can take nice shots and enjoy decent quality video chat with these two tablets. Also, they both can record up to 1080p.
- Security -:
It is important to protect your tablet with passcode and fingerprint for the safety of confidential data. Both iPad Air and iPad Mini have inbuilt touch ID with second-generation finger sensors. Touch ID security helps users to sign in their devices quickly and is much more secure than the password.
- Pencil Support -:
You can enjoy finger precision tasks such as sketching and drawing on both of these models of iPad, as they support 1st generation Apple pencil. It allows you to create notes and drawings.
- Apple Keyboard Support -:
iPad Air supports Apple’s smart keyboard as it has a builtin smart connector. But the iPad Mini does not support the Apple keyboard, it only supports Bluetooth devices. So, you have to go with a third party option in case this tiny tablet.
- Price -:
The other big difference between iPad Air and the iPad mini is their price. The Air models start from approximately 500$ and Mini models start from approximately 400$. You have to spend an extra 150$ for increased memory i.e. 256 GB and another 130$ for the cellular model.
These were the major differences between the two iPad models. If you are looking for significant savings then Apple refurbished iPad is a great option. You should contact your nearest dealer to find out all the options available in refurbished products.
Different Versions of iPad Air and Mini -:
There are three versions of iPad Air -:
- iPad Air (Wi-Fi only)
- iPad Air ( Wi-Fi and Cellular)
- iPad Air (Wi-Fi/ TD-LTE/ Cellular)
Similarly iPad mini is available in three versions i.e. iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, and iPad mini 5
The Bottom Line -:
These two iPads are very similar, the only difference is that the screen of the iPad Air is wider than the iPad Mini and hence the cost of Air is also quite high. But the mini’s small size is a lot more manageable than the Air. The above specifications will help you choose the right tablet.
Author Bio: Jeremy Hills is passionate about building brands for the long term and maximizing
brand competitiveness to grow value for the business. He is also a copywriter with 3 plus years
in B2B marketing and loves to write about emerging technologies and easy solutions for
complex tech issues.
