Apple iPad Air (2022) vs. iPad mini 2: A Generational Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Air (2022) is the clear winner for most users, offering vastly superior performance, a better display, and modern features. However, the iPad mini 2 remains a compelling option for those prioritizing extreme portability and a budget-friendly price, accepting its limitations.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air (2022) | Apple iPad mini 2 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2589 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 - A1490 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2589, A2591 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2591 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1491 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 08 | 2013, October. Released 2013, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 18 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) | 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm (7.87 x 5.30 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb) | 331 g (Wi-Fi) / 341 g (3G/LTE) (11.68 oz) |
| Stylus support (2nd gen) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Apple A7 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iOS 7, upgradable to iPadOS 12.5.7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 1.2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Talk time | - | Up to 10 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh) | Li-Po 6470 mAh, non-removable (24.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue | Space Gray/Black, Silver/White |
| Models | A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17 | A1489, A1490, A1491, iPad4,6, iPad4,5, iPad4,4 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.8dB / Crosstalk -82.9dB |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 804:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 72dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark X: 13286 |
| OUR TESTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.8dB / Crosstalk -82.9dB |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 804:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 72dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark X: 13286 |
Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Blazing-fast M1 chip
- Stunning Liquid Retina display
- Improved cameras
- Modern features (e.g., USB-C)
- Excellent performance for demanding tasks
- Higher price point
- Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
Apple iPad mini 2
- Extremely portable
- Affordable price
- Compact size fits easily in a bag
- Outdated A7 chip
- Lower resolution display
- Limited storage options
- Poor camera quality
- Slow performance
Display Comparison
The iPad Air (2022) boasts a stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone technology, offering vibrant colors and excellent clarity. The iPad mini 2's 7.9-inch display is adequate but noticeably less sharp and lacks modern features like True Tone. The Air's larger size also provides a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer basic photo and video capabilities. However, the iPad Air (2022) has significantly improved camera hardware and image processing, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. The iPad mini 2's cameras are dated and produce mediocre results.
Performance
The M1 chip in the iPad Air (2022) is a game-changer, delivering significantly faster performance than the iPad mini 2's A7 chip. The Air handles demanding apps and multitasking with ease, while the mini 2 can feel sluggish, especially with modern software. The Air's GPU is also far superior for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The iPad Air (2022) offers a respectable battery life, typically lasting 10 hours of mixed usage. The iPad mini 2's battery life is comparable, but its older processor can drain the battery faster under load. Both offer all-day battery for moderate use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Apple iPad Air (2022)? Students, professionals, creatives, and anyone needing a powerful tablet for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or graphic design. Who should buy the Apple iPad mini 2? Users who prioritize portability above all else, those on a very tight budget, or those seeking a simple tablet for basic tasks like browsing and reading.