iPad Mini (2021) vs iPad Air (2020): The Ultimate Showdown

Apple's iPad lineup offers incredible versatility, but choosing the right model can be tough. The iPad mini (2021) brings back a beloved form factor with a powerful upgrade, while the iPad Air (2020) balances performance and affordability. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you make the best decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad mini (2021) wins for portability and raw power in a small package, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip. However, the iPad Air (2020) offers a larger, slightly better display and a more versatile feature set like Apple Pencil 2 support, making it a strong contender for many users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad mini (2021)	Apple iPad Air (2020)

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, 46, 48, 66, 71	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2324
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	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	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 - A2072

Launch
Announced	2021, September 14	2020, September 15
Status	Available. Released 2021, September 24	Available. Released 2020, October 23

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in)	247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz)	458 g (Wi-Fi) / 460 g (3G/LTE) (1.01 lb)
	Stylus support (2nd gen only)	Stylus support

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution	1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density)	1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)
Size	8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio)	10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz)	Hexa-core (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm)
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)	Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
GPU	Apple GPU (5-core)	Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OS	iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1	iPadOS 14.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	HDR
Single	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS	4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)	7 MP, f/2.0, 31mm (standard)
Video	1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30/60fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP	5.0, A2DP, EDR
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only	GPS, GLONASS (LTE model only)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort	USB Type-C, magnetic connector
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer

Battery
Type	Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh)	Li-Ion 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight	Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue
Models	A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2	A2324, A2072, A2325, A2316, iPad13,1, iPad13,2
Price	About 550 EUR	About 640 EUR

Tests
Loudspeaker	-29.7 LUFS (Average)	-

Apple iPad mini (2021)

Powerful A15 Bionic chip
Ultra-portable design
Excellent display quality
Improved speakers

Smaller screen size
Higher price than Air
No laminated display

Apple iPad Air (2020)

Larger display for productivity
Apple Pencil 2 support
Slightly better front camera with Center Stage
More affordable

Older A14 Bionic chip
Less powerful than iPad mini (2021)
No laminated display

Display Comparison

The iPad Air (2020) boasts a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, offering a larger canvas for viewing and creation. While the iPad mini (2021) has a vibrant 8.3-inch display with a 1325:1 contrast ratio and 518 nits brightness, the Air's size advantage is noticeable for tasks like video editing or multitasking. Both offer excellent color accuracy and sharpness.

Camera Comparison

Both iPads feature a 12MP wide rear camera. Image quality is generally good in well-lit conditions, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The iPad Air (2020) has a slightly better front-facing camera (12MP ultrawide with Center Stage) for video calls, while the iPad mini (2021) has a 12MP front camera. Center Stage is a significant advantage for the Air.

Performance

Here's where the iPad mini (2021) truly shines. The A15 Bionic chip provides a significant performance boost over the iPad Air (2020)'s A14 Bionic. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better graphics performance, especially in demanding games. While the A14 is still plenty capable, the A15 offers a noticeable edge.

Battery Life

Battery life is comparable between the two, offering around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The iPad Air (2020) has a slightly larger battery capacity, but the iPad mini (2021)'s efficiency helps it keep pace.

Buying Guide

The iPad mini (2021) is perfect for those prioritizing portability, one-handed use, and gaming on the go. It's ideal for reading, travel, and anyone who wants a powerful tablet in a compact form. The iPad Air (2020) is a great choice for students, creatives, and general users who want a balance of performance, features, and price, and appreciate a larger screen for productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPad mini (2021) worth the extra cost?

If you prioritize portability and top-tier performance in a small form factor, the iPad mini (2021) is worth the investment. However, if you need a larger screen and a more affordable option, the iPad Air (2020) remains a compelling choice.

❓ Does the iPad Air (2020) support the Apple Pencil 2?

Yes, the iPad Air (2020) supports the Apple Pencil 2, offering magnetic attachment and wireless charging. The iPad mini (2021) only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil.