The new iPad mini unveiled yesterday has several key improvements over the fourth generation iPad Air that the company introduced last year. Unfortunately, Apple did not update the iPad Air with these updates and instead chose to continue selling the existing model alongside the new iPad mini. We’ve put all the differences between the two devices together, so keep reading for more on why the new iPad mini is technically better than the iPad Air.
Best cameras
The first key difference is the FaceTime camera. The iPad mini has a new ultra-wide 12 MP front-facing camera with support for the center stage, like the new iPad Pros introduced in April. The iPad Air has a regular 7 MP FaceTime HD camera. The iPad mini’s front-facing camera also gains a larger f / 2.4 aperture, 2x reduced zoom, extended dynamic range for video, and 1080p recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps.
The iPad mini’s rear camera is also 12MP like the iPad Air, but it gains a four-LED True Tone flash. This addition is probably due to the more portable nature of the iPad mini. The capabilities of the camcorder have improved substantially. The iPad mini acquires the ability to record 1080p HD video at 25 and 30 fps, as well as a new extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps.
Improved processor
Another big hardware difference is the built-in processor. The iPad mini has the new 5-nanometer A15 Bionic chip that is also on the iPhone 13, while the iPad Air continues to use last year’s A14 chip.
As reported by several outlets, the A15 looks like a marginal improvement over the A14 chip, so you won’t necessarily notice any difference in performance in everyday use. But you may get one more year of long-term software updates.
5G compatibility
IPad mini cell phone models have 5G support, unlike the iPad Air, which only has LTE. Apple has also added support for 2 additional gigabit LTE bands. While 5G may not make a significant difference to many people, it will do so for people living in areas where 5G is more prominent and faster than LTE.
Denser display pixels
While the key difference between the iPad mini and the iPad Air is the size of their screens, the quality of these screens also differs. The iPad mini has a 2266 × 1488 liquid Retina display and has 326 pixels per inch. The screen of the iPad Air is 2360 × 1640 and has 264 pixels per inch. The pixel density of the iPad mini is much higher than the iPad Air.
Other screen features remain the same as the iPad Air. The mini also has True Tone, wide P3 color, full lamination and an oleophobic coating. It also gets as bright as 500 nights like the iPad Air.
New seasonal color options
The only obvious visual differences between the iPad Air and the iPad mini are the color options. The iPad mini is available in three new colors: pink, starlight, and purple, in addition to the normal space gray. The iPad Air is still available in sky blue, rose gold, green, silver and space gray. In other words, the new iPad mini is better suited to the latest Apple devices such as the iPhone 13 and the Apple Watch Series 7.
Prices and availability
The new iPad mini starts at $ 499, $ 100 less than the iPad Air. With the improved technical specifications it is very large. The only key thing that is lost with the iPad mini is the compatibility with the smart keyboard and the magic keyboard. While shoppers who choose the iPad mini will likely not want to use it with a keyboard anyway.
The iPad mini is available in the same two 64GB and 256GB configurations with optional mobile connectivity. You can now order the new iPad mini and it will be available in stores or delivered next Friday 24th.
5th generation iPad Air?
It’s unclear when Apple will update the iPad Air with features added to the iPad mini, such as the best cameras, 5G processor and A15. MacOtakara previously reported that we will see a new model sometime in 2022. It is expected to include an improved display, 5G, dual cameras and more. Although take this with a grain of salt, as the same report said the iPad mini would not see a major overhaul of the design as it did yesterday. DigiTimes he has also claimed that the iPad Air will likely adopt an OLED display for the first time. We can probably expect the next iPad Air to have the same new colors as the iPad mini if it is introduced in early 2022.
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