The iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini are two devices that have enough specifications to give users a really fantastic experience when using them. However, despite the fact that they share characteristics in some aspects, there are points that considerably differentiate them, each one focusing on a different type of need. In this post we talk about all this, so that if you have to choose between the two, you can make the best possible decision.
Technical specifications
In the first place, and in order to take a global view of the comparison, we want to give you the opportunity to know all the technical specifications of both teams. In this way you will be able to understand much better where the key points lie when choosing between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6.
| Characteristic | iPad Air 5 | ipad mini 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | -Space Gray -star white -Pink -Purple -Blue |
-Space Gray -star white -Pink -Purple |
| Dimensions | -Height: 24.76 cm – Width: 17.85cm -Thickness: 0.61cm |
-Height: 19.54 cm – Width: 13.48cm -Thickness: 0.63cm |
| Weight | -WiFi version: 461 grams -WiFi + Cellular version: 462 grams |
-WiFi version: 293 grams -WiFi + Cellular version: 297 grams |
| Screen | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (IPS) | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina (LCD-IPS) |
| Resolution | 2,360 x 1,640 at 264 pixels per inch | 2,226 x 1,488 at 326 pixels per inch |
| Brightness | Up to 500 nits (typical) | Up to 500 nits (typical) |
| refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Speakers | 2 stereo speakers | 2 stereo speakers |
| Processor | M1 | A15 Bionic with 2nd gen Neural Engine. |
| Storage capacity | -64GB -256GB |
-64GB -256GB |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB* |
| Frontal camera | 12 Mpx lens with ultra wide angle and f / 2.4 aperture | 12 Mpx lens with ultra wide angle and f / 2.4 aperture |
| rear cameras | -Wide angle of 12 Mpx with aperture of f / 1.8 | 12 Mpx wide angle with f / 1.8 aperture |
| connectors | -USB-C -Smart Connector |
USB-C |
| biometric systems | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| SIM card | In WiFi + Cellular version: Nano SIM and eSIM | In WiFi + Cellular version: -Nano SIM -eSIM |
| Connectivity in all versions | -Wifi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4 and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 1.2Gb/s -MIME -Bluetooth 5.0 -GSM/EDGE -UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA -5G (sub-6GHz) -Gigabit LTE (up to 32 bands) -Integrated GPS/GNSS -Calls via Wi-Fi |
-Bluetooth 4.2 -WiFi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) at 2.4 and 5 GHz with speeds of up to 1.2 Gb per second -WiFi + Cellular versions with Gigabit class LTE of up to 27 bands. |
| Official Accessory Compatibility | -Smart Keyboard Folio -Magic Keyboard -Apple Pencil (2nd gen.) |
-Apple Pencil (2nd gen) |
| Price | €679 | €549 |
What is the difference between them?
Once you know the main characteristics that both iPad models have, it is time to fully delve into the differences that separate them. Obviously these are two devices of incredible quality, and that offer a really good experience, however, their differences are what mark the target audience of each of them.
Size
We can’t start talking about anything other than size, since it’s the first thing that jumps out at you if you put the iPad Air 5 and iPad mini 6 together . There is a big difference in size, since that is precisely the main attraction of one of these two models, specifically the iPad mini, which are designed and focused on that public that what they want is a tablet with a very small size.
This significant feature of the mini model makes its portability the best you can find on an iPad, since in some cases you won’t even need to put it in a backpack, but it can go inside the pocket of a pair of pants or a jacket. jacket . On the other hand, the iPad Air, which is much larger, has a much more traditional size, which is also very portable but has nothing to do with the dimensions of the mini. In this case, the objective of the iPad Air is to give users a screen, which we will talk about now, large enough to be able to carry out productivity and professional tasks with greater comfort.
Screen
Since we were talking about the size, this is a consequence of the screen size that Apple wants to give users, or even, that users have sued Apple. The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina True Tone display , a well-known size for Apple tablets. For its part, the iPad mini 6, enjoys an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina True Tone screen , larger in size than other previous models, caused by the change in design that allows a larger screen in a body of very similar dimensions.
In terms of screen quality, both perform quite well, in fact they have the same panel, so the differences you want to find between them will be few, since the only difference is in the resolution , being from 2360 x 1640 to 264 ppi on iPad Air and 2266 x 1488 at 326 ppi on iPad mini. Both reach a brightness of 500 nits (typical) and have a wide color gamut.
They are two very good screens to consume content or edit photographs in a semi-professional way, since for users who want to take a leap in terms of colors and calibration, they will have to opt for the Pro model. In addition, its refresh rate is 60 Hz . They are definitely two panels that provide a really good user experience, up to what an iPad with these characteristics requires and users demand.
However, we are talking about size again, and depending on the type of activities or tasks that you are going to carry out on this device, 10.9 inches or 8.3 will be better for you. In that case, you will have to think about what you will use your new iPad for, and based on that, choose between these two alternatives that are so good, but so different.
Power
If we talk about the iPad, practically any model, surely the word power comes to mind, because if there is one thing these devices have left over, it is power. And beware, to say that they are left over is perhaps not the best thing that could happen to a range of products that many users consider to be wasted by their operating system. However, this topic is not the fruit of debate at this time, since what interests us is to see the differences between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6.
The M1 chip is undoubtedly the one that tips the balance in this regard towards the iPad Air 5, since the power and performance it gives it is quite difficult to match the A15 Bionic chip that the iPad mini 6 has. This does not mean that the iPad mini does not have enough resources at the power level to carry out any task that a user wants to do with it, on the contrary, in terms of performance it is a real beast, although it does not reach the level of the iPad. Air 5. In fact, the A15 Bionic chip is the same one found in the iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.
Keyboards
One of the reasons why the iPad can be considered the most versatile device that Apple has within its entire catalog is because of the number and variety of accessories with which this device is compatible. However, not all models are compatible with all accessories on the market, and for this reason there is a difference to take into account between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6.
While the iPad Air 5 is compatible with the best keyboard that Apple has for its tablets, the Magic Keyboard, the iPad mini 6 is not compatible with the Magic Keyboard or the SmartKeyboard , and this is one of the consequences of its small size and that Apple has not released any adaptation of these keyboards for its smallest iPad model. Therefore, all those who want to use a keyboard with their iPad mini, will have to do so with an alternative that connects via bluetooth .
Similarities between both models
Once you know the most significant differences between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6, it is time to also talk about the points of union between the two, that is, their similarities, which although they will not make you decide for one or the other, it is also important that you know since they will affect the user experience you will have with them.
Design
Surely the most obvious similarity upon seeing these two iPad models is the design. The iPad Air 5 already inherits the design of the Air 4, which was the first in its range to adopt the all-screen design that the 2018 iPad Pro brought with it. However, for its part, the iPad mini 6 is the first iPad mini that also adopts that design.
One of the main advantages that this change has brought is that Apple has been able to fit a larger screen than its respective models had before, without having to expand the dimensions of the device. It has also caused the Touch ID that was previously on the front of the device to be moved to the lock button that is located on the top of both. In addition, aesthetically they are two very attractive products, with a tremendous visual touch.
Apple Pencil
Before we commented that if the iPad have that fame of being versatile devices, it is largely due to the number of compatible accessories that they have. Well, although as far as keyboards are concerned there is an important difference, when talking about the Apple Pencil we did not find any, since both are compatible with the second generation .
This is undoubtedly very good news, both for the users of these two models and for their potential buyers, since the evolution of the Apple Pencil in this second generation makes its use much more comfortable for two main reasons. The first of them is that it is much more comfortable to transport, since it adheres to the side of the iPad being magnetized, and the second is that whenever it stays in that position it is charging, giving the feeling that the battery never depleted.
Drums
It is possible that many users, seeing the difference in size between these two iPad models, thought that in the same way that happens with the iPhone, that the Pro Max, being larger, has more battery than the rest, the same thing would happen. with iPads. However, and fortunately for all users, both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6 have identical autonomy, and also very good.
The reality is that the iPad has never been a device that has autonomy problems , and obviously, neither the Air 5 nor the mini 6 are the exception that confirm this rule, so all users will be able to use both models for their different tasks. daily you won’t have any battery issues with them.
Price
Finally, we are going with one of the most important aspects when choosing between one device or another, and it is the price that potential buyers will have to pay for these two iPad models. The reality is that considering that they are two devices with very similar features, the variation in price is in line with it.
The iPad Air 5 starts at 679 euros in its 64 GB version, while the iPad mini starts at 549 euros , also in its 64 GB version. Without a doubt, it is surprising how the Cupertino company continues to sell devices of this type with a base capacity of 64 GB, when it should have already made the leap, at least to 128 GB.
Which one are we left with?
Whenever we carry out a comparison of this type, from the ITIGIC writing team we like to tell you what our final conclusion is. However, you have to bear in mind that this is something completely subjective, and we encourage you to be yourself or yourself who decide, based on your needs, which of the two models is more suitable to meet your needs.
Honestly, both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6 are two top-of-the-range devices that offer excellent performance in the vast majority of cases, but obviously, given the difference in size, they are aimed at two different audiences. The iPad Air 5 is ideal for all those users who want a device capable of replacing the most basic actions of a laptop, to which you have to add the advantages of having a touch screen and all the compatible accessories such as the Apple Pencil or the Magic Keyboard. On the other hand, the iPad mini 6 is focused on a much more leisure use, to consume multimedia content anywhere, read, or visit social networks and web pages, since for this it is much more comfortable given its small size.