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Tablet comparison

Apple iPad Mini 2021 vs Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3

Compare screen, performance, battery and accessories.

Compared products
01Selected
Apple iPad Mini 2021

Apple iPad Mini 2021

  • Screen: 2266 × 1488 pixels, 326 ppi.
  • A15 Bionic processor.
  • 19.3 Wh of stored energy.
  • Bluetooth 5.0 connection.
  • 12 MP main camera.
KSh 70,000Out of Stock
02
Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3

  • About 13 inch screen.
  • Apple M3 processor.
  • 8 GB RAM in this version.
  • 9,705 mAh battery capacity.
  • 36.59 Wh of stored energy.
KSh 82,000Out of Stock

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Apple iPad 11-inch A16 2025KSh 66,000
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M2KSh 75,000
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusKSh 76,000
Xiaomi Pad 8KSh 60,000
Lenovo Idea Tab Plus 5GKSh 59,000
Alexa Tablet 12 Pro (2026)KSh 75,900
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FEKSh 55,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3 has a larger 36.59 Wh battery, a larger 13-inch screen and stereo speakers, while the Apple iPad Mini 2021 has a sharper screen.

Display

Apple iPad Mini 2021
2266 × 1488 pixels, 326 ppi
Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density)

Performance

Apple iPad Mini 2021
A15 Bionic processor
Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Apple M3 processor

Stored energy

Apple iPad Mini 2021
19.3 Wh of stored energy
Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
36.59 Wh of stored energy

Connections

Apple iPad Mini 2021
Wi-Fi 6 support
Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Wi-Fi 6E support

Processor

Apple iPad Mini 2021
A15 Bionic
Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Apple M3

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple iPad Mini 2021

  • Sharper screen: 326 ppi (vs 264 ppi).

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3

  • Larger battery: 36.59 Wh (vs 19.3 Wh).
  • Larger 13-inch screen (vs 8.3-inch).
  • Newer Wi-Fi 6E (vs Wi-Fi 6).
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.3 (vs 5.0).
  • Stereo speakers.
  • Video output to an external display over USB-C.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Display8.3-inch LCD display, 326 ppi13-inch LCD display, 264 ppi
PerformanceA15 Bionic processorApple M3 processor
Battery life19.3 Wh rechargeable lithium-polymer9,705 mAh battery
ConnectionsWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Stored energy19.3 Wh of stored energy36.59 Wh of stored energy
Battery capacity19.3 Wh battery9,705 mAh battery

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13 (2025)
ConnectivityWi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2×2 MIMO; Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0; USB: USB-C; USB 3 up to 5 GbpsMobile network: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G (cellular version only; Wi-Fi version has no cellular connectivity); Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot; Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE; USB: USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector
CamerasRear: 12 MP wide, f/1.8; Front: 12 MP ultra wide, f/2.4Rear: 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF; Front: 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Announced—2025, March 04
Status—Available. Released 2025, March 12
Models—A3269, A3271, A3268, ipad15,5, ipad15,6
SAR—1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU—1.48 W/kg (body)

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Dimensions195.4 × 134.8 × 6.3 mm280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.24 in)
Weight—616 g (Wi-Fi) / 617 g (5G) (1.36 lb)
Build materials—Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Additional body features—Stylus support

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Display8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS display13.0 inches, 519.3 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio); Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 600 nits (typ)
Screen resolution2266 × 1488 pixels, 326 ppi2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density)
Display protection—Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Display features—600 nits (typ)

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
ProcessorA15 BionicApple M3
CPU6-core CPU: two performance and four efficiency coresOcta-core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)
GPU5-core GPUApple GPU (9-core graphics)

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
RAM—8GB
Storage—128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage—No
Internal—128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Rear camera12 MP wide, f/1.812 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Front camera12 MP ultra wide, f/2.412 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Rear camera features—HDR
Rear camera video—4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Front camera features—HDR
Front camera video—1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Battery19.3 Wh rechargeable lithium-polymerLi-Po 9705 mAh (36.59 Wh)

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Operating system—iPadOS 18.3.2, upgradable to iPadOS 27

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Network—GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G (cellular version only; Wi-Fi version has no cellular connectivity)
SIM—eSIM (cellular model only)
2G bands—GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 (cellular version only)
3G bands—HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 (cellular version only)
4G bands—1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A3269 (cellular version only)
Additional network details—1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A3271 (cellular version only)
5G bands—1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3269, A3271 (cellular version only)
Speed—HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
BluetoothBluetooth 5.05.3, A2DP, LE
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2×2 MIMOWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot
USBUSB-C; USB 3 up to 5 GbpsUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector
NFC—No
Positioning—GPS, GLONASS (5G model only)
Radio—No

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
SensorsTouch ID, gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer and ambient light sensorFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Colors—Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Loudspeakers—Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5 mm headphone jack—No

EU label

EU label specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Energy—Class G
Battery—72:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
Free fall—Class E
Repairability—Class C

Similarities

  • Both have LCD displays.
  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.
  • Both have 12 MP main cameras.
  • Both are made by Apple.

In summary

For most buyers the Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3 is the better buy; the Apple iPad Mini 2021 makes sense if you want a sharper screen.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Apple iPad 11-inch A16 2025For Apple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad 11-inch A16 2025View product ↗Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusFor Apple iPad Mini 2021Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusView product ↗Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusFor Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusView product ↗Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 PlusFor Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 PlusView product ↗

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