iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: 15 Differences Compared

Earlier this year, Apple debuted the seventh-generation iPad Air, featuring the M3 chip, an iteration on last year's model which added Apple Pencil Pro support and a larger display size option. Apple also recently introduced the seventh-generation iPad mini, offering the A17 Pro chip, Apple Intelligence support, 8GB of memory, ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro and ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover support, and more.

ipad mini vs air early 2022
The ‌iPad mini‌ effectively shares the design of the ‌iPad Air‌, with both devices possessing many of the same features such as an all-screen design with no Home button, Touch ID in the top button, and stereo speakers. Despite theoretically being different product lines, the ‌iPad mini‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ are almost identical in terms of specifications and are even available in the same color options. There are still some minor differences between the devices, such as their display sizes and chips, that set the devices apart.

Should you buy the more expensive, larger ‌iPad Air‌, or opt for the smaller and more affordable ‌iPad mini‌? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you. All of the differences between the two devices are listed below:

‌iPad mini‌ (seventh generation, 2024) ‌iPad Air‌ (seventh generation, 2025)
8.3-inch display with 326 ppi 11-inch or 13-inch display with 264 ppi
500 nits max SDR brightness 11-inch: 500 nits max SDR brightness
13-inch: 600 nits max SDR brightness
Smaller, compact design for maximum portability Larger design, better for productivity
Weighs 0.66 pounds (297 grams) 11-inch: Weighs 1.02 pounds (462 grams)
13-inch: Weighs 1.36 pounds (617 grams)
A17 Pro chip (introduced with iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, made with TSMC's 3nm N3 process) M3 chip (introduced with the iMac in 2023, made with TSMC's ‌3nm‌ N3B process)
6-core CPU 8-core CPU
5-core GPU 9-core GPU
Dedicated media Engine
Hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC
Video decode engine
Video encode engine
Stage Manager support
Volume buttons on top Volume buttons on right side
12MP Ultra Wide front camera Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera
True Tone flash
Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards only Smart Connector to support Apple's Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio
128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage
Starts at $499 11-inch: Starts at $599
13-inch: Start at $799

Overall, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the best all-around option for the majority of users, providing a large screen for productivity and consuming entertainment in a slim, portable design. The additional $100 needed to buy the 11-inch ‌iPad Air‌ over the ‌iPad mini‌ is more than justified for the benefits that come with its larger display and M3 chip, not least the ability to practically use it as a laptop replacement with the Magic Keyboard and ‌Stage Manager‌.

Yet, most customers who choose the ‌iPad mini‌ will do so because of its screen size rather than in spite of it. The ‌iPad mini‌ is ideal for comfortably reading ebooks, playing handheld games, and easy transport and storage. Those who buy the ‌iPad mini‌ will likely have a specific use case in mind for how they will use the device, such as for note-taking on the go with the ‌Apple Pencil‌, throwing into a small bag to use on public transport, or giving it to a kid as their first tablet.

If you do not see the ‌iPad mini‌'s smaller display, easy one-handed grip, lightweight design, and portable form factor as an advantage for your use case and are focused on a more versatile display size, you will likely prefer the ‌iPad Air‌, especially as it is now available with a 13-inch size option. The ‌iPad Air‌ is more of an all-around device that works as a potential laptop replacement with support for ‌Stage Manager‌, with the added bonuses that come with a bigger screen for productivity and entertainment.

Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad mini
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

B4U Avatar
44 months ago
It makes no sense that the Air does not have the rear flash at all. ?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robin Bonathan Avatar
44 months ago
Really like my mini, portable, light etc etc.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AmazeSE Avatar
44 months ago
So for $100 more you get a larger screen, M1 and double the RAM(8GB vs 4GB) with the iPad Air but lose portability.
The only reason to choose the Mini is for portability. If not the iPad Air is the way to go. The $100 price difference is worth it just for the M1 alone.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lazyrighteye Avatar
44 months ago
While the new Air is undeniably awesome, and most users will choose that over the mini (I can certainly understand why), the mini is hands down my favorite iPad I have owned/used to date.

For my specific interests: sketching & note taking (w/ Pencil 2), audio creation (pairs well with my Roli seaboard, block and GarageBand setup), and some light content consumption - it is incredible. I find the physical dimensions preferable to the "regular sized" iPads (and certainly more so than the Pros). But again, very specific needs on my part. At the end of the day, Apple is crushing their tablet game - offering killer options for almost every type of user.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KaliYoni Avatar
44 months ago

The additional $100 needed to buy the iPad Air over the iPad mini is more than justified for the benefits that come with a larger display, not least the ability to practically use it as a laptop replacement.
Plus no jelly scrolling.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdb8167 Avatar
44 months ago

Those who buy the iPad mini will likely have a specific use case in mind for how they will use the device, such as for note-taking on the go, throwing into a small backpack to use on public transport, or sliding into a large pocket to use while working.

If you do not see the iPad mini's smaller display, easy one-handed grip, light weight, and portable form factor as an active advantage and are focused on a more versatile larger display, you will likely prefer the iPad Air. If you want more of an all-around device that works as a potential laptop replacement, with the added bonuses that come with a bigger screen for productivity and entertainment, the iPad Air will be the better option for you.
Good summary. The extra RAM in the iPad Air trumps the mini's true-tone flash for differences but for me it is all about the size of the iPad mini. I carry the thing everywhere.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)