In a surprise announcement, Apple unveiled its latest version of the iPad Mini, but how does it compare to the iPad Air?
Although we haven’t tested the iPad Mini yet, we compared its specs to the latest iPad Air (M4) and found the most notable differences between the two. We also offer our opinion on which tablet suits you better depending on your needs.
Once you’re done here, be sure to check out our roundup of the best tablets and our comparison between the new iPad Mini 8 and iPad Mini 7.
Price and availability
At the time of writing, the iPad Mini 8 is available for pre-order starting tomorrow (Wednesday October 28th) ahead of its official launch on November 6th. The iPad Mini 8 is available in two colors, Midnight or Starlight, and has a starting price of £699/$699.
The iPad Air M5 is available now, with an RRP of £749/$749 for the smaller 11-inch model. Not only is it available as a 13-inch model, starting at £949/$949, but it also offers four color options: Purple, Blue, Starlight and Space Gray.
A20 Pro vs M4 chips
The new iPad Mini is powered by Apple’s latest mobile processor, the A20 Pro, which is also found in the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo. While we haven’t specifically tested the A20 Pro in the iPad Mini yet, we’ve found the processor performs brilliantly in the iPhone 18 Pro series, running everything from social media and productivity apps to intense gaming titles smoothly.
With that in mind, and given Apple’s promise that the A20 Pro will deliver a “huge leap in performance,” we expect the iPad Mini to be a fast and powerful tablet.
Instead, the iPad Air runs on Apple’s desktop-level M4 chip. Although it has since been preceded by the M5 and more recently the M6, Apple’s M4 processor remains a powerful option for those who need a little more power from their device. During our time with the iPad Air M4, we concluded that the tablet can easily handle demanding tasks like on-device AI, photo editing, and gaming.
However, keep in mind that while the iPad Air has a desktop-level chip, it doesn’t run macOS, but instead runs iPadOS – like the iPad Mini. iPadOS has more in common with iOS, Apple’s iPhone operating system, and cannot run macOS apps.
Otherwise, both the A20 Pro and M4 enable running Apple Intelligence. Frankly, Apple Intelligence isn’t a reason to upgrade to either iPad, even though it future-proofs both devices and includes tools like Siri AI, photo editing, and Notify Me in Safari.
The iPad Mini has an OLED display but is smaller than the iPad Air
Although both have a similar style, there are some differences in the design of the iPad Mini and iPad Air. Most obvious, and as the name suggests, the iPad Mini is smaller than even the smallest iPad Air, measuring just 8.5 inches. In comparison, the iPad Air comes in either an 11- or 13-inch model.
Despite the smaller footprint, the iPad Mini’s display is packed with many premium features. First, unlike the iPad Air, the iPad Mini has an OLED display that promises deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Additionally, the iPad Mini also benefits from a nano-texture display, but only on the 256GB and 512GB models. The nano-texture display is also found on the more expensive iPad Pro and helps reduce glare in bright environments.
Annoyingly, both the iPad Mini and iPad Air share a common display spec: there’s no ProMotion. This means that no matter which model you choose, you’ll have to make do with a refresh rate of just 60 Hz.
The iPad Mini has an acoustic display
In addition, the iPad Mini is equipped with an acoustic display. Essentially, this means that there are specially designed woofers in the iPad Mini’s display that promise punchier bass and “more volume.” In addition, tweeters are hidden between the glass and aluminum housing, which also promise “clearer highs”.
Not only is the iPad Mini’s acoustic display designed to help improve sound, but the lack of speaker holes also means the tablet can achieve IP67 protection. This means it is both dustproof and can withstand water splashes and even accidental immersion in water.
The iPad Mini is fast charging capable
Apple has never been praised for its fast charging capabilities, although the iPad Mini is fast charging capable. According to Apple, this means the tablet can be charged up to 50% in just 30 minutes using a 35W adapter. In comparison, the iPad Air supports 20W.
In both cases, a power adapter is not included with the two tablets, so you have to purchase it separately.
Otherwise, both the iPad Air and iPad Mini promise the same 10-hour battery life when surfing the Internet over Wi-Fi. Although we haven’t tested the iPad Mini yet, we found that the iPad Air had about 22% left in the tank at the end of the workday.
The iPad Air supports Magic Keyboard
If you’re looking for a makeshift laptop, then the iPad Air might be better for you as it has a special Magic Keyboard that attaches magnetically to the tablet. Although it doesn’t have its own keyboard, you can pair the iPad Mini with a Bluetooth keyboard instead.
Finally, both the iPad Air and Mini support the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C for easier handwriting and sketching.
Early judgment
With a smaller design, an OLED screen, and Apple’s flagship mobile chip at the helm, the iPad Mini is a great choice for anyone looking for a portable yet powerful tablet. However, the iPad Air is a better option for anyone who needs more screen real estate for gaming, specialized accessories, and the performance of a desktop-level chip.
