Apple has made the decision between its tablet models more complicated in 2024 with the release of the new iPad Mini and iPad Air. In this comparison, we’ll explore the differences and similarities between these two popular devices to help you make an informed decision.
According to the Science and Technology service of Saadnews, citing Tabnak, Apple has introduced several iPad models in 2024, including the new iPad Mini and iPad Air. The new iPad Air is the first iPad to come in two different screen sizes, and with more models than ever, the iPad lineup is now more diverse.
This variety has caused some confusion for buyers, making it difficult to choose the best model. Even with clear preferences regarding size and price, overlapping models make the decision even harder.
The iPad Mini and iPad Air are Apple’s most popular tablet models, and they’ve both gained significant popularity in 2024. However, choosing between these two flagship models often leaves users feeling uncertain, especially when trying to balance their needs with each device’s specifications. If you’re in this position, keep reading as we compare the iPad Air and iPad Mini 2024.
The iPad Mini 2024 maintains a design similar to its predecessor, featuring the same sleek build and an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2266 x 1488 and 326 pixels per inch (ppi). Its compact size, like the previous model, makes it incredibly portable, easily fitting into a backpack corner without hindering your ability to read or work on the go.
In contrast, the iPad Air 2024 comes in two sizes. Apple has adopted the iPad Pro approach for the iPad Air, offering it in 11-inch and 13-inch versions. Depending on your screen size preference, you can choose from one of these three iPads. While the iPad Mini 2024 is often recommended for regular reading, if you need a device for creative tasks like design, the iPad Air 2024 is the better choice. Both the iPad Mini and iPad Air 2024 support the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C, but if you need better brightness, the 13-inch iPad Air, with 600 nits of brightness, is ideal for outdoor use as well.
These displays don’t support Apple’s ProMotion technology, so all three models offer a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Additionally, all three iPad models come in four colors: Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight. At this stage, no clear winner emerges in this category; it ultimately depends on user preferences and intended use.
This year, Apple has focused more on boosting performance rather than changing design, making the iPads more powerful than ever before. Both the iPad Mini and iPad Air 2024 offer significant upgrades in processing power. Apple has also increased the base storage of the iPad Mini to 128GB.
To enhance the iPad Mini’s performance, Apple has included the A17 Pro chip, which is also found in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. According to Apple, this upgrade results in 30% faster CPU performance and 25% faster graphics. With the A17 Pro chip, users of the iPad Mini 2024 can access Apple’s advanced intelligence features and enjoy smooth and fast performance.
However, if you’re a professional user or need a more powerful iPad, the iPad Air 2024, which houses the M2 chip from the MacBook, would be a better choice. If you use your iPad for creative work like video editing or designing artwork, the iPad Air 2024 offers outstanding performance and speed. In this category, the iPad Air 2024 surpasses the iPad Mini 2024, although the Mini still outperforms most Android tablets at this price point.
While you might not use the iPad’s camera often, it can be useful for scanning documents or taking photos of notes. For this reason, having a good front-facing camera is more important than the rear camera. The front camera is mainly used for online meetings, so having a high-quality one can improve your video call experience. Both the iPad Mini and iPad Air 2024 feature a 12MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera placed in the center of the tablet. The iPad Air now uses a horizontally oriented front camera to enhance the user experience.
When it comes to battery life, all iPad models this year are expected to offer similar performance. Apple promises 9 to 10 hours of continuous use on a single charge for all 2024 iPads. However, the iPad Air M2, thanks to a larger battery and a more efficient processor, should offer slightly better battery life.
Both the iPad Mini and iPad Air 2024 run iPadOS 18 and support Apple Intelligence features. Apple has recently made Siri smarter by integrating ChatGPT, which could be useful for brainstorming ideas on your iPad. Both devices are expected to receive software updates for at least five years. Overall, Apple’s software is known for its smoothness and reliability, even long after official support ends. So, when you buy an iPad, you can be confident it will continue to perform well for years to come.
The iPad Mini 2024 starts at $499 for the Wi-Fi-only model and $649 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599 for the Wi-Fi-only version, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular version starts at $749. The 13-inch iPad Air, the most expensive model, starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi-only version, and $949 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. All these models are available in various storage configurations, starting at 128GB for the base models.
The iPad Mini 2024 is perfect for those who want a powerful yet portable tablet, ideal for reading and working on the go. If portability is your top priority, the iPad Mini 2024 could be your best choice. With the iPad Mini, you’ll have a compact tablet with a powerful processor and a display that supports the Apple Pencil Pro.
However, if you’re a professional user who values performance and processing power over portability, the iPad Air 2024 is the better choice. With its M2 chip, a 13-inch display, Apple Pencil Pro support, a reliable operating system, and good battery life, the iPad Air 2024 is perfect for power users.
