iPad mini 6 vs. iPad Air 4: Specs, Features and Price Compared

The iPad Air and iPad mini have both been refreshed (finally, in the case of the mini!), so they’re all new-ish! The iPad Air and iPad mini have long been two of the most popular tablets, owing to their portability. And, thanks to its redesigned design, the iPad mini 6 now resembles the iPad Air 4.   Is the new iPad mini 6 merely a smaller version of the iPad Air (4th Gen) from last year, or has it received a hardware and performance upgrade? Let’s compare and contrast all of the differences between them, including what’s new in the current versions, to help you figure out which one is ideal for you.

Specifications compared

Price and value

If you decide to acquire an iPad Mini 6 instead of an iPad Air 4, you’ve already saved $100. For $499, you’ll receive an Apple A15 Bionic processor, 64GB of storage, a front and rear 12MP camera, and an 8.3-inch 2266 x 1488 display in a thin and light design. The costliest model, with 256GB of storage and WiFi + Cellular, costs $799.

Let’s see what happens if you add an extra $100 to the mix. The iPad Air 4 includes an Apple A14 Bionic CPU, a rear 12MP camera, 64GB of storage, a front 7MP camera, and a 10.9-inch, 2360 x 1640 display crammed into a larger and heavier frame for $599. The costliest model, with 256GB of storage and WiFi + Cellular, costs $879.

Unfortunately, when you pay more money, you’re losing out on some features, and the only thing you’re getting is a bigger screen. The iPad Mini 6 is 100 percent better value if you don’t mind a slightly smaller screen.

Screen size

Let’s start with the size. Yes, the iPad Air 4’s 10.9-inch display provides additional viewing room, while the iPad Mini 6’s display is trimmed down to 8.3 inches for an elite compact size. In terms of resolution, however, the difference is insignificant. The iPad Air 4 has a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, while the iPad Mini 6 has a resolution of 2266 x 1488 pixels. Is there much of a difference if you lose 100 to 200 pixels? Maybe. Checking the pixels per inch on the monitor, though, is better. The iPad Mini 6 features a 326ppi screen, whereas the iPad Air 4 only has 264ppi.

So, what difference does it make? Have you ever tried stretching a 1080p image before? It becomes really hazy. A similar principle is used here. As a result, the iPad Mini 6 will appear crisper than the iPad Air 4, despite the Air’s higher resolution.

Furthermore, while both displays have a brightness of 500 nits, the iPad Mini 6’s display will have a more consistent brightness due to its smaller size. So the true choice is whether you want a larger viewing area or a clearer image. Of course, the material will look excellent anyway, but I know that I like more pixels packed into a smaller space.

Performance

The iPad mini 6 has an Apple A15 Bionic CPU, while the iPad Air 4 still has an Apple A14 Bionic CPU; we expect it to outperform the iPad Air 4. Furthermore, the iPad Mini 6 offers 5G connectivity, but the iPad Air 4 only offers 4G.

On the Geekbench 5 total performance test, the A14 Bionic CPU received a score of 4,262. The A15 Bionic CPU isn’t expected to blast the A14 out of the water, but it will be an incremental increase at the very least. When we’re able to benchmark it, we’ll know more. The iPad Air 4 takes only 27 seconds to convert a 4K video to 1080p HD. On the A15, we’re unlikely to see a significant difference. It may just save you a few seconds, but on large projects, the time saved could be considerable.

THE CHIP’S MAJOR BENEFIT IS the A15 Bionic chip’s 16-core neural engine, which improves on-device artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. What exactly does that imply? It makes the machine smarter, allowing it to handle more workloads and recognize information, such as faces in images or Face ID. We don’t know how this will improve raw performance (if it does), but we’re eager to find out.

Front camera

The front camera on the iPad mini 6 is also improved, with a 12MP Ultra-wide lens with Center Stage support and a /2.4 aperture, compared to the 7MP FaceTime HD camera on the iPad Air (4^th Gen) with a /2.2 aperture. In addition, the iPad Air (4^th Gen) can record in regular 1080p HD, while the iPad mini 6 can record in 1080p HD at up to 60 frames per second.

Cellular connectivity

Unlike the iPad mini 6, which can handle 5G networks, the iPad Air (4^th Gen) only supports up to 4G cellular connectivity. The download speed on 5G networks is 143.5 Mbps, while the average upload speed is 21.2 Mbps. This is twice as fast as current 4G networks, which feature download speeds of 50.3Mbps and upload speeds of 14.8Mbps.

Battery life

The iPad Mini 6 and iPad Air 4 both have the same battery life, according to Apple. The iPad Air 4 lasts 10 hours and 29 minutes. Because of its smaller display, the iPad Mini 6 may last a little longer, so we’ll call it a tie for now.

Final Verdict

The makeover, improved processor, and camera on the iPad mini 6 are all welcome additions. We can only hope that Apple’s three-year update cycle is broken. However, now that the complete iPad product line is close to being up to date for the first time in years, this time is an excellent time to pick one out and locate one that matches your demands.

We can’t advise you on whether iPad Air 4 or iPad mini 6 to purchase. They’re pretty different devices, and the decision is highly personal. Regardless, we hope our suggestions above have sparked some ideas about which one will fit into your life the best. Whether you’re a digital note-taker, a laptop divorcee, or simply in the market for a new iPad, the primary strengths and weaknesses we have discussed above should accurately steer you.