The iPad mini 6, released in 2021, finally got the upgrade for the home button and internal upgrades that makes it superior to its predecessors from the same line. It now looks like a smaller version of the iPad Air, a significant improvement that costs less. Still, the iPad Air remains a tempting option in itself, thanks to its larger screen, and the differences between the two are plenty. Read this iPad Air 4 vs. the iPad mini 6 comparison to know which one you should buy regarding performance and cost.

iPad Air 4 vs. iPad mini 6: Similarities and differences

When it comes to certain similarities between the iPad mini 6 vs. the iPad Air 4, the first worth mentioning is the all-screen design with flat edges and a Touch ID scanner built into the top button.

The newest iPad mini also has a similar 12MP wide rear camera to the iPad Air, along with 5x digital zoom and smart HDR. In addition, the video recording quality is now 4K with 3x video zoom and 1080p slo-mo video feature.

Both models are compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and give you up to 10 hours of battery life. They are available in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models with storage options of 64GB and 256GB.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more: 5 Best Apple Pencil Accessories for 2024

iPad mini 6 back
iPad mini 6

While it is evident that the two iPads share many of their most important features, there are a large number of meaningful differences between the โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ and the โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ.

For a better understanding of the differences, let us go through each in detail below.

iPad Air 4 vs. iPad mini 6: Specs comparison table

iPad Air 4iPad miniย 6
Display10.9-inch Liquid Retina display 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display
Resolution2360 x 1640, 264 PPI, 500 nits2266 x 1488, 326 PPI, 500 nits
Screen-to-body ratio81%77%
Size9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches (24.76 x 17.85 x 0.61 mm)7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches (19.54 x 13.48 x 0.63 mm)
Weight16 ounces (458 g)10.3 ounces (293 g)
CPUApple A14 BionicApple A15 Bionic
RAM4GB4GB
Rear camera12MP, f/1.8 (Wide-angle)12MP, f/1.8 (Wide-angle)
Front camera12MP, f/2.4 (Ultra-wide)7MP, ฦ’/2.2
Battery life9720 mAh5124 mAh
Storage64GB
256 GB
64GB
256 GB
Connectivity4G LTE on cellular model6GHz 5G on cellular model
ColorsSilver, Space Gray, Rose gold, green, and Sky BlueSpace Gray, pink, purple, and Starlight
Original price$599$649
Price (refurbished)Starting at Starting at

Design

The iPad mini is more compact and of a lower weight than the iPad Air, making it much more portable since it can fit in small bags and large pockets. The โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ is still thin and light to carry around, but it is not as convenient to use on the go as the โ€Œmini series.

iPad Air 4 front with keyboard
iPad Air 4 with keyboard

Both devices feature the same squared-off industrial design that has become the standard on several iPad, iPhone, and Mac devices. This makes them easier to grip and pick up. The โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ and โ€Œthe iPad Airโ€Œ are available in various color options.

Size and weight

Size is the most apparent difference between the โ€Œtwo iPad models. The โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ is 52.2mm shorter and 43.7mm narrower. This makes it possible for most people to hold the โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ from edge to edge in one hand, and it is also 163 grams lighter than the โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ. Users may feel more comfortable walking around with the โ€Œminiโ€Œ than with the โ€ŒAirโ€Œ model, and it is also a suitable iPad for kids.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Related article: The iPad Dimensions: What Is the Best Screen Size?

Display

The โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ features an 8.3-inch display, while the โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ has a larger display of 10.9 inches. However, the higher pixel density of the โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ may compensate for it. In addition, both tablets have the same size slim bezels around the display for an all-screen look.

iPad mini 6 and iPad Air 4

The โ€ŒiPad miniโ€™s smaller display may be more comfortable for reading or playing handheld games, especially when commuting or carrying it around. The โ€ŒiPad Airโ€™s larger screen is much more suited to productivity, multitasking, drawing, and watching videos, with considerably more screen space to fit apps and UI elements.

Camera

Apart from the screen, the cameras are the biggest difference between the iPad mini and the iPad Air. Apple upgraded the iPad miniโ€™s 8MP, f/2.4 camera with the Airโ€™s 12MP, f/1.8 lens. It also added a quad-LED true-tone flash that the Air lacks. As the iPad mini is more compact, it is easier and more comfortable to hold and capture photos.

Regarding the front camera, the iPad mini has a significant advantage since it comes with a similar 12MP ultra-wide camera to the iPad Pro and includes Center Stage to keep you in the frame when making video calls. In contrast, the iPad Air comes with a 7MP camera. The โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ is a much more capable device with a better camera or image quality.

Processor

The iPad Air has the A14 Bionic chip, also seen in the iPhone 12, while the new iPad mini 6 has the A15 Bionic, featured in the iPhone 13. Whatโ€™s more, the mini features a five-core GPU, like the iPhone 13 Pro.

The A15 is around 10% faster in single-core tasks, 20% faster in multicore tasks, and 15% faster with graphics than the A14. Although the A15 chip in the โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ offers slightly better performance than the โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ, it is unlikely that this would strongly influence your buying decision.

Connectivity

Both the โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ and โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ feature Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and are available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular variants. For the cellular models, a key difference between them is the 5G connectivity. The โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ can only connect to 4G, while the โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ can connect to 5G for much faster speeds. If you plan to use a cellular plan with your โ€ŒiPadโ€Œ, this may be a fundamental aspect to consider and will make the โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ much more future-proof.

Compatibility with accessories

The iPad mini 6 is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, like the iPad Air 4. The main difference between the two Pencils is the charging. The Apple Pencil 2 attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad mini and iPad Air and charges wirelessly. The original Pencil has a Lightning port where an eraser would be.

iPad Air 4 on a wooden table
iPad Air 4

The โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ has a magnetic โ€ŒSmart Connectorโ€Œ on its rear to connect to keyboards such as Appleโ€™s Magic Keyboard and โ€ŒSmart Keyboardโ€Œ Folio. It is also compatible with Bluetooth keyboards and pointers. The โ€ŒiPad miniโ€Œ does not feature a โ€ŒSmart Connectorโ€Œ or any first-party keyboard options due to its small size. However, itโ€™s still compatible with external keyboards and pointing devices via Bluetooth.

The iPad Air is a better idea if you want to use it as a laptop replacement. The iPad mini can still be suitable for working with Bluetooth peripherals, but it may not work as a complete laptop replacement.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Related: 10 Best iPad Accessories

Final thoughts

If the โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ or the iPad mini is out of your price range or you are looking for a considerable discount, then a refurbished iPad is the best choice. It is an excellent way to save money while still receiving a device in perfect working condition with a warranty. Also, you can learn more about what to look out for when shopping for a refurbished tablet in this post.

In general, the โ€ŒiPad Airโ€Œ 4 would be the best option for the majority of users due to the larger screen in its still slim and portable design. The additional cost over the iPad mini is justified because of the benefits of enjoying a larger display in productivity, drawing, or entertainment contexts. And, of course, it can adequately function as a laptop replacement.

The smaller screen size of the iPad mini 6 is the perfect choice for many customers as well. Itโ€™s ideal for carrying it around more comfortably while reading books, playing games, watching videos, or even working on the go. The main advantage of the iPad Air over the mini is its newer A15 chip, 5G connectivity, improved front camera, and Center Stage.

The price difference between a refurbished iPad Air 4 and a refurbished iPad mini 6 is not huge, but if you want to spend only what you intend to use, we recommend taking the tips we have given you in this article to choose what suits you best.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Related comparison: iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Air 5: The Key Differences

Happy buying!