Apple refreshed both the iPad mini and iPad Air this year, but the choice is now less straightforward with just a $50 price difference between them. The eighth-generation iPad Air arrived in March with the M4 chip, 12GB of unified memory, and available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes starting at $749 and $949 after June price increases. In October, Apple announced the eighth-generation iPad mini, introducing an 8.5-inch OLED display, a thinner and lighter design, the A20 chip, and optional nano-texture finish.
Despite the mini's move to OLED, neither model offers ProMotion. Both devices share Touch ID, Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C support, Apple Pencil hover, landscape 12MP Center Stage front cameras, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread networking, and USB-C ports with 10Gb/s speeds. The new iPad mini also features 12GB of unified memory, matching the Air.
Advertised battery life is identical, with up to 10 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi or watching video, or up to nine hours over cellular. The iPad Air retains a larger screen and support for Magic Keyboard, while the mini's OLED display offers superior contrast. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether users prioritize the mini's OLED visuals and portability or the Air's larger display and keyboard compatibility.
With only $50 separating the base models, the value proposition favors the mini for media consumption and the Air for productivity-focused users.
Source: MacRumors · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing