Apple launched a bunch of iPads in 2024 , including the much - awaitediPad mini refreshand anew iPad Air , which was the first to be available in two screen sizes . The companionship ’s tablet portfolio is now big than ever , which can be confusing if you are in the market for a newgreat pill . Even if your precedence are clear with size of it and price , there are a number of lapping framework , which can make decision - making hard .

Do you need a more pocketable iPad or a more powerful pad of paper ? Are you fixated on a specific projection screen sizing ? Are you confused about how much power is required to run your originative tasks ? Which isthe good iPadoverall ? Do n’t worry if you do n’t have answer to any of these questions aright now . This comparison between two of our favorite iPads from 2024 will aid suffice them so you could make an informed decision .

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): specs

2266 x 1488 result at 326 ppi

13 - inch : Liquid Retina Display with a 2732 x 2048 resolution at 264 ppi

Apple should provide at least five years of software update ( to iPadOS 23 )

12MP Center Stage tv camera ( front )

12MP Landscape Center Stage camera ( front )

Up to nine hours of surfing the vane using a cellular information web

From $ 649 ( Wi - Fi + Cellular )

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): design and display

The new iPad mini is a similar - take care merchandise to its forerunner . It lark the same sleek blueprint and an 8.3 - inch Liquid Retina presentation with a 2266 x 1488 solvent at 326 pel - per - column inch ( ppi ) . It ’s as pocket-sized as before , so you could throw away it inside your backpack or carry it with you for interpret on commute without any issuance .

The 2024 iPad Air acquaint two variants . Apple take over the iPad Pro approach for the iPad Air ( 2024 ) and offers it in two sizes , 11 - column inch and 13 - in .

Depending on the screen estate you need , you could choose one of the three iPads mentioned above . While we recommend the iPad mini ( 2024 ) for reading and browsing , the iPad Air ( 2024 ) is the skilful Cartesian product for creatives . Both the iPad mini and Air supportApple Pencil Proand Apple Pencil USB - C , but you ’ll get better brightness ( 600 nits versus 500 nits ) on the 13 - in iPad Air .

These screens do n’t support Apple ’s ProMototion technology , so you get a 60Hz refresh rate . you may get any of the three screen sizes in four color : Space Gray , dreary , purpleness , and Starlight .

It ’s a tie here because each of these products appeals to a different drug user base .

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iPad mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): performance

This year , Apple concenter on making the iPads more powerful than ever . Both the raw iPad mini and iPad Air feature good performance upgrades . Apple also increased the theme depot content on the miniskirt to 128 GB ( eventually ) .

start with the iPad mini ( 2024 ) , it derive the iPhone 15 Pro ’s A17 Pro chipset . As per Apple , the rise results in 30 % faster central processing unit performance and 25 % faster graphics . However , in our employment , we experienced the pill acquire lovesome to the touch when running Lightroom with an SSD connect .

If you are a power user , you should choose for the iPad Air ( 2024 ) because it pack the MacBook - gradeApple M2 chipset . If you use your iPad for originative project such as editing TV or create artistic creation with the Apple Pencil Pro , you ’ll be more at home plate with the M2 iPad Air .

The iPad Air ( 2024 ) is more powerful than the iPad mini ( 2024 ) and gain this round of golf .

success : iPad Air ( 2024 )

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): cameras and battery

While you might not use the rearward camera on an iPad much , it ’s utilitarian to quickly rake documents or take a written matter of your note . And a full timbre television camera is always better , more so on the front because you could be using your iPad to attend meeting and take study calls .

Both the iPad mini ( 2024 ) and the iPad Air ( 2024 ) feature a 12 - megapixel camera on the back and a 12MP Center Stage camera on the front . The iPad Air now sports the front camera in the landscape painting preference for a better experience .

As for the electric battery life , both of these manakin are expected to last the same act of minute . orchard apple tree promise nine to 10 hours of battery musical accompaniment on a single tutelage . But require to get better standby battery life on the M2 iPad Air .

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): software

The 2024 model of the iPad Air and iPad mini runiPadOS 18and supportApple Intelligence . The latter is focused on delivering AI - power feature film for writing , focus , and communicating . Apple latterly roll out a smart Siri with ChatGPT integration , which might be utilitarian for ideation .

Both of these products can be expected to receive at least five class ’ Charles Frederick Worth of software upgrades .

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): price and availability

The iPad miniskirt ( 2024 ) start out at $ 499 for the Wi - Fi - only variant and be $ 649 for the Wi - Fi + Cellular model .

The Wi - Fi - only 11 - inch iPad Air costs $ 599 and the Wi - Fi + Cellular selection is $ 749 . The most expensive of the slew , the M2 iPad Air 13 - column inch , pop at $ 799 for the Wi - Fi - only variant , while the Wi - Fi + Cellular model will set you back at $ 949 . All of these production are available in multiple storage configurations , with the al-Qa’ida model starting at 128 gigabit .

These product are available from the Apple Store , as well as through third - party retailers .

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): Which one to buy?

The iPad miniskirt ( 2024 ) is for those who want a pill for read and browse on the go . If your foremost priority is portability , the iPad mini ( 2024 ) should be your pick . You get a compact iPad with a powerful processor and a display that supports the Apple Pencil Pro .

However , if you are a creative who values performance over portability , the iPad Air ( 2024 ) should be your go - to choice . The M2 chipset mate with an up to 13 - inch sharp display with Apple Pencil Pro supporting , reliable OS , and a honorable battery biography crap the iPad Air ( 2024 ) a skilful selection for world power users .