We take an in-depth look at the latest generation iPad Air and iPad mini models in an in-depth comparison.
After the redesign that the 6th generation iPad mini received in 2021, it now looks virtually identical – except for its dimensions – to the 5th generation iPad Air of 2022. Until then, the iPad mini was one of the few models that had yet to be updated with the modern full-screen design and no physical home button.
It’s true, the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6 are two very similar models. And they also share many similarities at the hardware level! So how do you decide which iPad to buy if there’s hardly any difference between them? Don’t worry, in this article we are going to make a broad comparison between iPad Air 5th generation of 2022 and iPad mini 6th generation of 2021.
Comparison between iPad Air 5 and iPad mini 6
iPad Air 2022 promotional images
Although the dimensions of the iPad Air 5 are slightly larger than those of the iPad mini 6, the two tablets they share many characteristics. Both have the same storage capacities, the same technical specifications of its rear camera and its FaceTime camera and its Touch ID fingerprint recognition sensors, among others.
Read on to discover all the differences in a comparison table between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6.
Table of technical specifications
| iPad Air (5th generation) | iPad mini (6th generation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 24.76 x 17.85 x 0.61cm | 19.54 x 13.48 x 0.63cm |
| lester | 462g | 293 grams |
| Colors | Space Gray, Starry White, Pink, Purple, and Blue | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, and Starry White |
| Filter | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display |
| display technologies | IPS, True Tone | IPS, True Tone |
| maximum brightness | 500nits | 500nits |
| resolution | 2,360 x 1,640 at 264 p/p | 2,266 x 1,488 at 326 dots/p |
| Processor | M1 chip | A15 Bionic chip |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4GB |
| Operating system | iPadOS 15 | iPadOS 15 |
| Storage | 64 GB and 256 GB | 64 and 256 GB |
| Rear camera | 12MP wide-angle and ƒ/1.8 aperture | 12MP wide-angle and ƒ/1.8 aperture |
| Front camera | 12MP Ultra Wide Angle | 12MP Ultra Wide Angle |
| audio | stereo speakers | stereo speakers |
| Drums | until 10 a.m. | until 10 a.m. |
| main sensors | Touch ID on the ID lock button | Touch ID on the power button |
| apple pencil | Compatible with the 2nd generation | Compatible with the 2nd generation |
| smart connector | Yes | Nope |
| base price | 679 dollars | 549 dollars |
Design
iPad mini 6th generation
The design of the iPad Air 5 and the iPad mini 6 is, as mentioned before, almost identical. Both models have a full-screen design with very narrow side bezels and no physical buttons Front.
What’s more, they also share a very curious – and very controversial, by the way – similarity that they don’t have a Face ID facial recognition sensor. It’s not even available on the iPad Air 5, which has a bit more room for hardware components inside.
Instead of the Face ID sensor in the upper front, both iPad models have a Touch ID sensor located on the lock button, on and off in the upper right corner of the tablet.
As for its design differences, which we believe are minimal, the iPad Air 5 has dimensions of 24.76 x 17.85 centimeters while the iPad mini 6 has a size of 19.54 x 13.48 centimeters. This small difference may seem trivial, but it is very significant since it directly influences the screen resolution of each tablet. Although this is something we will talk about later.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the latest generation iPad Air is slightly thinner than the sixth generation iPad mini with a thickness of 0.61 and 0.63 centimeters respectively.
Processor
The M1 chip revolutionized the industry
The processor power of an iPad is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing one model or another. And in this area, the iPad Air 5 is far superior to the iPad mini 6. The 5th generation iPad Air has a powerful processor M1 that it has expanded across multiple products in the Apple ecosystem, such as its MacBook Pro or iPad Pro; and the iPad mini 6 has a processor A15 bionic which, while far superior to the competition, is well beyond the reach of the Apple M1 chip.
This grants a RAM of 8 GB to the iPad Air 5 and a RAM of 4GB to the iPad mini 6. So if you are planning to buy a powerful iPad for studying, taking it to the office and/or performing several heavy tasks like video editing or data analysis, we recommend you to opt for the iPad Air 5. If, on the other hand, you don’t need that much processor power, the iPad mini 6 is your ideal choice.
Filter
The screen of the 5th generation iPad Air and the 6th generation iPad mini are very similar, both offer Liquid Retina and True Tone technologies. But the iPad Air 5 has a resolution of 2360 x 1640 at 264 pixels per inch while the iPad mini 6 has a resolution of 2266 x 1488 at 326 pixels per inch. That’s because the iPad Air 5 has a screen of 10.8 inches and the iPad mini 6 has a screen of 8.3 inches.
A more than noticeable difference that allows the screen of the iPad Air 5 to be slightly higher than the screen of the 6th generation iPad mini model with the signature bitten apple logo. Although, yes, it should be noted that the screen of both models reaches the 500nits maximum brightness.
Storage
The storage capacity of an electronic device is of vital importance to many users and is one of the most outstanding points. Indeed, the storage of an iPad, a MacBook or an iPhone can make products up to several hundred dollars more expensive.
With reference to this sense, both tablets act the same in the current market. An iPad Air 5 is available in versions of 64 GB and 256 GB. For its part, the iPad mini 6 models are also available in versions 64 GB and 256 GB.
Other differences
The iPad Air 5 and iPad mini 6 both have a battery life of up to 10 hours of web browsing, a 12-megapixel wide-angle rear camera, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle front camera (without Face ID). So do they have another difference?
Well, it turns out it is. For example, while the iPad Air 5 offers support for the Smart Connector, the iPad mini 6 does not have this type of connector, but instead has a simple magnetic connector with metal pins. On the other hand, the iPad Air 5 has connectivity Bluetooth 5.0 and the iPad mini 6 has connectivity Bluetooth 4.2.
Buy iPad Air 5th generation
This iPad Air 5 in Wi-Fi version and with 64 GB of storage is available for only 645 dollars.
Buy iPad mini 6th generation
This iPad mini 6 in Wi-Fi version and with 64 GB of storage is available for only 521 dollars.
Ultimately…
These are the main differences and similarities in technical specifications, hardware and other features such as the design of the 5th generation iPad Air and the 6th generation iPad mini. The comparison clearly shows how the iPad Air 5’s M1 processor is the only element that tips the scales between the two tablets. Although another important factor such as its price can be final for many consumers.
Finally, we would like to highlight the connector smart connector iPad Air 5, as it will be a great help for many students, freelancers and other users who want to connect accessories such as keyboards and cases to their iPad. On the other hand, highlighting the excellent maneuverability and the big one mobility which offers a device the size of the iPad mini 6, an ideal companion for any trip.
We have already described all the differences in this comparison between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad Air 5th generation. Now the choice is yours. What iPad do you keep?
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