iPad mini 2021 vs iPad Air 2020: features, differences and prices

Comparison table iPad mini vs iPad Air

We believe that a table with data is not decisive to choose one device or another and less in this case with the amount of nuances there are. However, we cannot ignore its technical data and for this reason you will find a table below that, in the following sections, we will wield something else by analyzing the characteristics of these iPads.

* RAM: this is an unofficial data, since Apple does not usually offer them. However, based on different indicators and tests carried out on these iPads, it has been determined that each one has 4 GB in this section.

Having seen this table, and although we insist that later on we will analyze some fields in more depth, we want to emphasize the characteristics that we consider key when looking at them. In summary, we leave you this list:

• Colors: both stand out for being aesthetically very similar and offering bold ranges of colors that fit the user’s personal tastes.
• Dimensions and weight: two iPads that, without being extremely different in this, offer different sizes that can end up being decisive.
• Screen: also with change of size and resolution in this sense, but with the same applied technology.
• Processor: we will later assess the generational leap between one and the other, but on paper we already see that both have different chips.
• Storage capacity: essential when choosing an iPad and having identical capacities in these cases, both for better and for worse.
• Cameras: it is not the most important thing in an iPad, but the ‘mini’ has a difference on the front that can be extremely interesting.
• Connector: Whether it’s for transferring data or finding universal chargers, the fact that they both carry a USB-C port helps things a lot.
• Biometric sensor: the always reliable and useful Touch ID is still present in these devices, now integrated into the lock button.

Size matters, even if they look the same

The form factor of these devices is identical. Straight frames on the sides, bold color palette and reduced bezels on the front. Even in materials and proportions they are the same, giving in a way the feeling that the iPad mini is a ” shrunken iPad Air “, removing the fact that the ‘mini’ has all its keypad at the top, leaving the side free to make room for the Apple Pencil. Now, there are certain differences in this area worthy of mention as we will do next.

Comfort in everyday use

Getting to the point, the iPad mini is much more manageable . It even fits in the palm of the hand, although it is not that it can be used with just one as if it can happen with an iPhone. In any case, this is not always the same as having a 10 in comfort, since in the end it will depend on where the device is destined.

This ‘mini’ is perfect for lying in bed or on the sofa and playing a game, consuming multimedia content such as series and movies or reading articles and books. There is no need for a support where to place it because it is not heavy to be holding it all the time. Although, as a handicap in this sense, we find that if you are a large consumer of multimedia content, in the long run the screen can make you small.

The iPad Air is not heavy even if it is larger. It is worth holding it with one hand is not so easy, but it is still a tremendously portable tablet. A device that in the same way allows to carry out the same actions as in the ‘mini’, but that is more tedious to hold for a long time, being more suitable to be placed on a support.

One of the great virtues of the iPad Air is being able to use it with accessories such as keyboards and mice, sometimes even with compact cases that incorporate these elements. In this case, portability is somewhat renounced and, despite the fact that there are very light accessories, in the end it means an increase in weight to take into account.

Does the screen look the same even though they are different in size?

Yes, they look exactly the same: with the eyes. Joking aside and ignoring the previously mentioned size difference, both sport IPS panels that, far from being the best screen technology, provide a good user experience. It is not suitable for the most demanding in any of the cases, since in the end the resolution is what it is and these panels are not the best ones to edit colors with precision.

However, they are more than enough panels to consume multimedia content with a good brightness that is surprising because even in somewhat adverse conditions, it allows you to see well what is displayed on the screen. And, of course, for more trivial tasks such as surfing the internet, reading or writing texts, the panel is somewhat more indifferent.

They do not offer a refresh rate of 120 Hz like the ‘Pro’, limiting themselves to 60 Hz . And while it is true that this is an appreciable technology that makes animations, gestures such as scrolling or enjoying greater fluidity in video games more dynamic, it is not something that is excessively missed. Taking into account that the impact of this type of technology is reduced in a short time when getting used to it, we cannot say that not incorporating it is a problem for any of these iPad.

Performance conditioned by the type of use

Like much of the specifications of these iPads, in the end it all depends on the type of use that you want to make of the device. In the following sections we analyze part of the hardware of these to appreciate the similarities and differences, both at a technical level and in real usability on a day-to-day basis.

Same immediacy, even if they have different processors

The iPad Air carries the A14 processor and the ‘mini’ the A15. Two chips whose separation is one year and although a priori we might think that there is no difference, at a technical level there are and according to various tests the A15 is 50% faster on average in each section. Now, these are differences that are especially noticeable in demanding tasks such as video processing, image rendering.

At a more general level , and taking into account that none of these iPads are really focused on a very demanding public, the differences are not so noticeable. Both devices move through the operating system with the same fluidity, both when loading applications and processing less heavy elements such as photos captured with the devices themselves or when transferring and indexing data.

Precisely at the operating system level we find another similarity and that is that both offer the same version of iPadOS without any functional or aesthetic difference. In fact, it is expected that they will continue to be updated for many years and according to what has been seen in recent times, nothing suggests that they will not receive support for the next 5-6 years. While it is true that the ‘Air’ will probably be left behind earlier, it will be with a difference of only one year.

Notably, even without software updates, these are very focused iPads to last for the long haul if taken good care of. At the hardware level, it will take many years to become obsolete and considering that an iPad is generally less demanding than a computer and even a smartphone, you will probably tire of the device before it becomes obsolete.

Which one does the battery last the longest?

Although there is no concrete data about the capacities of its batteries, we can trust what Apple itself brand when saying that both have identical autonomy. Although it is foreseeable that the ‘mini’ has less capacity, it also has a smaller screen to feed and a processor that, being more recent, assumes a greater optimization of resources.

However, there is no data that we can objectively take for granted in terms of hours of use, since again we find another factor that depends on the use made of the equipment. Under normal conditions in which it is used to take notes, watch the odd video, surf the internet and consult social networks are devices that can perfectly withstand a whole day without having to charge.

If more intensive use is made, even sporadically, they are equipment that perhaps does need a charge after 5-6 hours of uninterrupted use. But this being something completely normal and that in no case can we say that it is a weak point for them. In fact we could say that they are two of the most balanced iPad in terms of autonomy.

The reason to watch your cameras

We already know that the iPad is not the ideal device for taking photos or videos. And not so much perhaps for its performance in cameras but for reasons of comfort, where we preferably tend to use an iPhone first. However, this does not mean that having a good set of cameras is not interesting, especially when we talk about the front camera.

Telematic meetings and video calls with family and friends are becoming more common, more since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Therefore, having a camera in good condition in this sense is interesting. In this case, the iPad Air has a normal camera that looks good. One approved without more. However, the iPad mini incorporates technologies similar to the iPad Pro in this area.

An ultra wide angle lens has been added that gives a greater angle of vision during the call, although what is remarkable is the software that accompanies it. What is known as ” centered framing ” is a feature that allows the camera to “pan”. It is not real, but that effect is achieved thanks to the intelligent recognition made by the lens of the subject in front, in such a way that if you move position during a video call, the iPad always tries to keep you in the center. It is also capable of opening the angle if suddenly more people join you.

And this function of the ‘mini’ does not have the ‘Air’. And it may not be a determining function when deciding the balance, but without a doubt it is a very interesting addition that adds to the rest.

Here is a more complete table in case you are interested in knowing what more options these iPad offer in relation to cameras.

Other aspects to highlight

Apart from what has already been mentioned, there are some sections that, despite having less importance at first, we believe are worth mentioning. For this reason, in the following sections we analyze them before reaching our final conclusions.

Does it pay off having 5G on the iPad mini?

5G connectivity is a technology that, despite being still in its infancy, is here to stay. Apple first introduced it in October 2020 with the iPhone 12 and since then all its smartphones and tablets (with the exception of the iPad 9) have incorporated it. The iPad Air, although it was launched at the same time, does not have this technology.

You just have to see the multitude of tests carried out since these technologies began to be implemented to verify that the speed of these networks in good conditions are a real devil. However, despite the fact that more and more devices support its connection, there is still a lack of infrastructure .

If you have some interest in getting a WiFi + Cellular version, which are the ones that allow you to connect to the internet through a mobile data rate, you should know that with both iPads you will find the same experience, except in specific cases. The first thing of all so that you notice the speed of 5G is that the operator you hire offers this type of connections. The other factor depends, as we have already said, on the infrastructure. Unfortunately, with the exception of specific points in large cities, you will not find 5G antennas that offer adequate speeds.

Charging port and compatible accessories

Goodbye Lightning. Although this standard marked a great evolution at the time, today it has become somewhat stagnant. And despite the fact that the most basic iPad and the entire iPhone range continue to incorporate it, the evolution in the rest of the iPad towards USB-C is more than evidence and is something worth mentioning and celebrating.

In addition to the fact that you will find a more universalized port, since many devices and accessories already work through this standard, you will also have a higher data transfer speed. It is true that this port is not Thunderbolt on iPad Air and iPad mini as if they are the iPad Pro 2021, but nevertheless offer some improvements when working with accessories such as external drives and memory sticks (flash drive).

Also in both, you can enjoy the always interesting experience provided by the Apple Pencil 2 , ideal for illustrators and fans of taking notes on paper, even if it is in digital format. Although if we talk about keyboards and mice , things change a lot in these iPad.

The ‘Air’ has a more versatile approach to the latter, being more than suitable to replace computers depending on what functions such as office automation or sending and receiving emails. There are a multitude of keyboards, mice and trackpads compatible with it and even Apple itself offers the possibility of using its official accessories through the Smart Connector.

The iPad mini, for its part, has a different approach to accessories. The absence of the Smart Connector already lets you foresee. Due to the size of the screen, it is perhaps not that comfortable to use with a keyboard, also subtracting points from its great advantage of being extremely easy to transport. Although despite this it is possible to use external keyboards with Bluetooth and probably in the coming months we will see keyboard covers from other brands focused on this tablet.

Price is a key factor (or not)

We are not going to deny that what these devices cost is always going to be something to consider. However, we are not talking about devices that focus on the same audience, something palpable just by seeing what we mentioned in the previous section. In the end, if you choose a ‘mini’ or an ‘Air’ it will not be because the price convinces you, since in the end you will have a very different user experience.

In any case it would be absurd not to say what these tablets cost. Below we leave you a list with all its official prices, variants according to its connectivity version and storage capacity.

• Prices iPad mini (2021):
  • In WiFi versions:
    • 64 GB: 549 euros
    • 256 GB: 719 euros
  • In WiFi + Cellular versions:
    • 64 GB: 719 euros
    • 256 GB: 889 euros
• IPad Air prices (2020):
  • In WiFi versions:
    • 64 GB: 64 euros
    • 256 GB: 819 euros
  • In WiFi + Cellular versions:
    • 64 GB: 789 euros
    • 256 GB: 959 euros

Final conclusion, which one should you buy?

As you have seen, both offer different functionalities in some sections. For example, the ‘Air’ is more versatile in terms of accessories, while the ‘mini’ offers in the end a more recent processor or a front camera with improved functions. However, and again, we want to insist once again that the comparison between these two should not be based on functionalities but on the experiences that are sought.

If you are going to focus the iPad on making more of a desktop use with professional or school tasks combined with leisure, perhaps the ‘Air’ is the best option for you. Especially if you also require a larger screen for these tasks and the use of keyboards and mice. Depending on the requirement, you could even need a ‘Pro’, but in general this iPad would satisfy these needs in 99% of the cases.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for an all-terrain iPad to take anywhere , ready to play, consume content, easy to operate with one hand and an excellent digital notebook: the iPad mini. This device is not so designed to add accessories, but that in itself is the whole. If you also do not need a large screen, this is undoubtedly the ideal.

What we advise you is that you think and even write down those points that you think are most important in what your experience of using an iPad will be. After that, see which of these two you think can give you a better service and based on this make the best purchase decision.