Apple iPad mini 3 vs iPad Air 2: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Air 2 is the clear winner for most users. Its superior performance thanks to the A8X chip, better display contrast, and slightly improved battery life make it a more compelling choice. The iPad mini 3 remains a good option for those prioritizing extreme portability.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad mini 3 | Apple iPad Air 2 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 - A1600 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1567 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1601 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014, October. Released 2014, October | 2014, October 16. Released 2014, October 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm (7.87 x 5.30 x 0.30 in) | 240 x 169.5 x 6.1 mm (9.45 x 6.67 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 331 g (Wi-Fi) / 341 g (3G/LTE) (11.68 oz) | 437 g (Wi-Fi) / 444 g (3G/LTE) (15.41 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.7 inches, 291.4 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) | Triple-core 1.5 GHz Typhoon |
| Chipset | Apple A7 (28 nm) | Apple A8X (20 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics) | PowerVR GXA6850 (octa-core graphics) |
| OS | iOS 8.1, upgradable to iPadOS 12.5.7 | iOS 8.1, upgradable to iPadOS 15.8.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 32mm (standard), AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular | face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 1.2 MP | 1.2 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | Up to 10 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po 6470 mAh, non-removable (24.3 Wh) | Li-Po 7340 mAh, non-removable (27.62 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray/Black, Silver/White, Gold | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A1599, A1600, iPad4,7, iPad4,8, iPad4,9 | A1566, A1567, iPad5,3, iPad5,4 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB | Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -83.9dB |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 812 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1048 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 65dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 70dB | Voice 75dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | Basemark X: 14781 | Basemark X: 29753 |
| OUR TESTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB | Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -83.9dB |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 812 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1048 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 65dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 70dB | Voice 75dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | Basemark X: 14781 | Basemark X: 29753 |
Apple iPad mini 3
- Extremely portable
- Compact design
- Retina display
- iOS ecosystem
- Older processor
- Lower contrast display
- Less powerful than Air 2
- Limited storage options
Apple iPad Air 2
- Powerful A8X chip
- Larger, higher contrast display
- Better performance
- Slightly better battery life
- More storage options
- Less portable than iPad mini 3
- Cameras are basic
- Design is somewhat dated
Display Comparison
The iPad Air 2 boasts a significantly better display with a contrast ratio of 1048 compared to the iPad mini 3's 812. While both offer Retina resolution, the Air 2's improved contrast results in richer colors and deeper blacks. The Air 2's larger screen size (9.7 inches vs. 7.9 inches) also provides more screen real estate for viewing content and multitasking.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature basic photo and video capabilities. While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Air 2's slightly newer hardware may offer marginally better image processing. However, for most users, the cameras are adequate for casual snapshots and video calls.
Performance
The iPad Air 2's A8X chip is a substantial upgrade over the iPad mini 3's A7. The A8X features a triple-core design clocked at 1.5 GHz, while the A7 has a dual-core 1.3 GHz processor. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance, especially in demanding games and applications. The A8X's 20nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency.
Battery Life
The iPad Air 2 generally offers slightly better battery life than the iPad mini 3, thanks to its more efficient A8X chip. Both devices provide all-day battery life for moderate usage, but the Air 2 can handle more intensive tasks without draining the battery as quickly.
Buying Guide
The iPad mini 3 is ideal for users who value portability above all else – think frequent travelers or those who want a tablet for reading in tight spaces. The iPad Air 2 is better suited for users who need more power for gaming, multitasking, or creative tasks, and appreciate a larger, more vibrant display.