Apple iPad Air (2022) vs iPad mini (2021): The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Air (2022) wins on performance thanks to the M1 chip, making it ideal for demanding tasks. However, the iPad mini (2021)'s compact size and excellent display make it a fantastic choice for on-the-go entertainment and reading. It depends on your priorities!
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air (2022) | Apple iPad mini (2021) |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 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 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 08 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 18 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | 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) | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb) | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) |
| Stylus support (2nd gen) | Stylus support (2nd gen only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| OS | iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR | 5.0, A2DP |
| 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 | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh) | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17 | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.7 LUFS (Average) |
Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Powerful M1 chip
- Larger display
- Excellent performance
- Supports Apple Pencil 2nd Gen
- Can be more expensive
- Less portable than the mini
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Highly portable
- Excellent display quality
- Compact and comfortable to hold
- Center Stage for video calls
- Less powerful than the iPad Air
- Smaller screen size
Display Comparison
The iPad mini (2021) features a vibrant 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a 1325:1 contrast ratio and 518 nits brightness, offering excellent color accuracy and clarity. While the iPad Air (2022) has a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, the mini's smaller size and slightly better contrast make it a joy to use for media consumption. Both support True Tone technology.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads offer decent cameras, but neither excels. The iPad Air (2022) has a 12MP Wide camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera. The iPad mini (2021) has a 12MP Wide camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage. The mini's Center Stage feature is a nice bonus for video calls.
Performance
Here's where the iPad Air (2022) truly shines. The M1 chip provides a significant performance boost over the A15 Bionic in the iPad mini (2021). Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in graphically intensive games and creative applications. The A15 is still very capable, but the M1 is in a different league.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two. Both offer all-day battery life with typical usage. The iPad Air (2022) has a slightly larger battery capacity, but the A15's efficiency helps the iPad mini (2021) keep pace.
Buying Guide
The iPad Air (2022) is perfect for students, creative professionals, and anyone needing a powerful tablet for multitasking and demanding apps. The iPad mini (2021) is ideal for travelers, readers, and those who value portability and a comfortable one-handed experience.