When compared to the iPad Air 4, the iPad Mini 6 had a few distinct advantages. Can the Mini 6 compete with the updated and more powerful iPad Air 5?
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Mini 6: Display and Size
The size is the first thing that most people will think about when purchasing a product. The iPad Mini 6 has an 8.3-inch screen, whereas the iPad Air 5 has a 10.9-inch screen. The iPad Air 5 has a larger display, which is better for watching content and multitasking, while the iPad Mini 6 has a smaller screen. The Mini, on the other hand, is a joy to hold for extended periods of time. And I’m a huge fan of playing games on it.
As far as the actual quality of the displays, both are Liquid Retina. The iPad Air 5 has a 10.9-inch display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 and 264 pixels per inch. The iPad Mini has a smaller 8.3-inch display with a slightly lower resolution of 2266 x 1640 but a much higher pixel density of 326.
Both displays have a maximum brightness of 500 nits, which is strange. However, when I actually use them, the iPad Air 5 appears to be brighter for some reason. The colors appear more vibrant, and there is a feeling of improved contrast.
We’re getting 60 hertz displays in both cases. So Apple is still keeping the 120 hertz for the two iPad Pro models. And personally, I would have liked to have seen 120 hertz on the iPad Air 5, given that other manufacturers offer this feature in tablets of comparable price.
The slightly higher resolution on the iPad Air 5 didn’t really make a major practical difference in how I was able to use it, but the actual size of the display did. When I was watching a video, I noticed that the image was much larger. I was able to see more on the screen at once without having to scroll while using various productivity apps or browsing the web. Then, of course, everything appeared to be much larger.
Gaming on the go was made easier thanks to the Mini’s smaller size. And it was also much more convenient when I wanted to read in bed while laying on my side because it’s much more comfortable to hold.
So even though I think the Air’s display is superior, I would choose the tablet’s size rather than its display quality in this case, based on how I intend to use it and where I intend to use it.
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Mini 6: Design
Both iPads are made of machine aluminum in terms of physical design. They have squared off edges, small bezels, and rounded corners. The most noticeable difference is that the volume up and down controls are on the side of the iPad Air 5, whereas on the iPad Mini 6, they’re at the top. And that’s because Apple had to keep the side of the iPad Mini clear for storing and charging the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil.
Both devices use Apple’s new Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which is integrated into the power button of both devices. Both iPads have a USB-C port at the bottom for charging and for connecting to accessories. However, the port on the iPad Air 5 can transfer data at a rate of up to 10 gigabits per second. External displays of up to 6K resolution are also supported. Most users won’t notice this, but if you frequently transfer files from a fast SSD, you’ll appreciate the newer port’s improved performance.
There are four speakers on each side, but they are actually two speakers on each side. Considering the iPad’s size, the speakers produce decent sound, but I’m going to go with the iPad Air 5. You’ll need a USB-C to 3.5 millimeter adapter or a hub if you want to use wired headphones or a wired headset because neither of these devices includes a headphone jack.
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Mini 6: Cameras
Now let’s talk about the camera systems, which are nearly identical on both iPads with one exception. Both iPads have a 12 megapixel ultra-wide camera on the front, and both have Center Stage. Both iPads have a 12-megapixel camera on the back with a 5x digital zoom and Smart HDR 3 for photos. Surprisingly, the Mini 6 is the only one with a flash.
I rarely use the back-facing cameras on my tablets for anything other than scanning documents because I have better cameras on my phone, which is much more convenient to use. However, because of the new ISP or image signal processor on the M1 chip, the iPad Air 5 should have slightly better image quality if you plan on using these cameras.
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Mini 6: Stylus and Keyboard
Second Generation Apple Pencil is supported on both iPads and it can be plugged in and stored on the side of each tablet.
There’s no denying that the iPad Air 5 is the best tablet for typing on a keyboard case. Also compatible with Apple’s smaller Magic Keyboard, as well as Logitech and ESR, there are a lot of great options available. There was a keyboard case for the Mini that I saw, but it was extremely small and unwieldy. Make sure you buy an Air 5 tablet if you intend to use a keyboard case.
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Mini 6: Performance
Apple made a huge splash by giving the iPad Air 5 the same M1 chip that we have on the 11 and 12.9-inch models of the iPad Pro. The iPad Mini 6 comes with the A15 Bionic chip.
Benchmarks
| iPad Mini 6 | iPad Air 5 | |
| Single-Core Performance | 1730 | 1740 |
| Multi-Core Performance | 4320 | 7220 |
So we’re seeing similar single-core performance but then significantly improved performance for tasks that would benefit from multi-threading.
So how will this actually impact your day-to-day use? The truth is, that for most users, it won’t, at least not anytime soon.
For most people, the A15 Bionic is already more powerful than they’ll ever use. With the exception of rendering video or other resource-intensive tasks, your everyday use of both devices will be nearly identical, with the M1 chip on iPad Air 5 providing an additional headroom in terms of performance over the iPad Air 4. So as apps and games get better and iPadOS gets better, there’s more room for growth for you. Choosing the iPad Air 5 with the M1 chip is the best option if you’re looking for a more powerful tablet.
Gaming Experience
Now what about the actual gaming experience? Is there a meaningful difference there? The answer is yes, but it may not be in the way that you think.
In terms of actually being able to play the game smoothly, I did notice a difference. I played “PUBG,” “Asphalt,” “Genshin Impact,” and several other less-demanding games, and all of them ran great. The iPad Air 5 does come with 8GB of RAM versus 4GB on the iPad Mini 6. So again, we’re getting more resource for games to use, but so far it hasn’t made a significant difference. Now keep in mind that just like with processing power, having more RAM is never gonna be a bad thing as time goes on.
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Mini 6: Battery Life
Battery life is an important consideration regardless of whether you plan to game or not. When using Wi-Fi or watching video, both devices can last up to 10 hours, and nine hours when using cellular data. Both have had a similar impact on my life. As with any other device, it’s contingent on my actions at the time. For the most part, I’m able to get through a full day of normal usage with either of these devices.
Which iPad You Should Choose?
The iPad Mini 6 is smaller, it’s lighter, it’s more portable. Processor power on the A15 Bionic chip is more than adequate for the vast majority of smartphone users. While it retains its dual-core processor and its ability to multitask, it gains a flash and is backwards compatible with Apple’s second-generation Pencil.
In terms of screen size, the iPad Air 5 is larger than its predecessor. It’s a better option for multitasking. There are a number of great keyboard cases and the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil that are compatible with this device. And it has twice the RAM and a more powerful processor.
Now you should see how the iPad Air 5 compares with the Samsung Tab S8.
