How to choose between the iPad mini 6 and the M2 iPad Air
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Overall Findings
Ultra-portable: Small and light.
Slower A15 Bionic processor.
64GB and 256GB storage.
Up to 10-hour battery.
$499 - $799.
Portable: Thin and light.
Faster, M2 processor.
Two, larger screen options.
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage.
$599 - $1449.
The major way that the iPad mini differs from the iPad Air is size.
As we’ll see, the specs of the two models are more similar than they are different.
Screens: Same Technology, Different Size
8.3-inch touchscreen.
Liquid Retina Display with True Tone color.
11- or 13-inch touchscreen.
Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil support.
The Air also supports theApple Pencil Pro, while the mini only supports the classicPencil.
Speed and Memory: The Air Is Ahead
Apple A15 Bionic chip.
Storage: 64GB, 256GB.
Neural Engine and Media Engine.
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.
It delivers speedy performance, great graphics, and dedicated subsystems forAI,machine learning, and media.
The iPad mini uses Apple’s A15 Bionic processor, the same chip as 2021’siPhone 13 series.
That’s a powerful processor, but a bit older and with less performance than the M2.
It also lacks the M2’s dedicated media subsystem.
Price: Mini Costs
With Wi-Fi: US$499 - $649.
With Wi-Fi and 5G: $649 - $799.
11-inch With Wi-Fi: $599 - $1099.
11-inch With Wi-Fi and 5G: $749 - $1249.
13-inch With Wi-Fi: $799 - $1299.
13-inch With Wi-Fi and 5G: $949 - $1449.
Given the differences in screen size, storage, and processor, the two models have different price ranges.
Both the mini and the Air come in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and 5G models.
The latter delivers optional cellular connectivity, which requires an additional monthly data plan.
The lowest-cost mini costs $100 less than the lowest-cost Air.
The most expensive Air costs close to double the most expensive mini.
Cameras: Nearly Identical
Back Camera: 12 megapixel, wide lens.
User-Facing Camera: 12 megapixel, ultrawide lens, digital zoom up to 5x.
Video Recording: up to 4K, slo-mo, 3x zoom.
Thecamera systems on the mini and Airare close to identical.
Both have two camerasuser- and back-facingboth taking photos and video at the same resolutions.
Both have the same kinds of lenses, the same levels of zoom, and effects like slo-mo.
The two models do have some differences, however.
But only real photo nerds will care much about those features.
For the average person, the differences won’t be noticeable.
Size and Weight: mini Earns Its Name
7.69 x 5.3 x 0.26 inches.
11-inch size: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches.
11-inch weight: 1.02 pounds.
13-inch size: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches.
13-inch weight: 1.36 pounds.
Other Features: The Same in Most Ways
Battery: Up to 10 hours.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Optional 5G.
External keyboards and Magic Keyboard case.
In other areas, the mini and Air are very similar.
They also have different color options, though both offer four color choices.
The difference is that the mini comes in pink, while the Air is available in blue.
If that’s the primary driver of your purchase, it’s possible for you to’t do better.
