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Tablet comparison

Apple iPad Mini 2021 vs Apple iPad Air 5

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 5 (M1)

Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)

  • About 10.9 inch screen.
  • Apple M1 processor.
  • 8 GB RAM in this version.
  • 7,600 mAh battery capacity.
  • 28.6 Wh of stored energy.
KSh 82,000In Stock
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2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple iPad Air 5 has a larger 28.6 Wh battery, a larger 10.9-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 5
1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)

Performance

Apple iPad Mini 2021
A15 Bionic processor
Apple iPad Air 5
Apple M1 processor

Stored energy

Apple iPad Mini 2021
19.3 Wh of stored energy
Apple iPad Air 5
28.6 Wh of stored energy

Processor

Apple iPad Mini 2021
A15 Bionic
Apple iPad Air 5
Apple M1

GPU

Apple iPad Mini 2021
5-core GPU
Apple iPad Air 5
Apple GPU (8-core graphics)

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple iPad Mini 2021

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

Apple iPad Air 5

  • Larger battery: 28.6 Wh (vs 19.3 Wh).
  • Larger 10.9-inch screen (vs 8.3-inch).
  • Stereo speakers.
  • Video output to an external display over USB-C.
  • Video output to a monitor over USB-C (DisplayPort).

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 5
Display8.3-inch LCD display, 326 ppi10.9-inch LCD display, 264 ppi
PerformanceA15 Bionic processorApple M1 processor
Battery life19.3 Wh rechargeable lithium-polymer7,600 mAh battery
ConnectionsWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
Stored energy19.3 Wh of stored energy28.6 Wh of stored energy
Battery capacity19.3 Wh battery7,600 mAh battery

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air (2022)
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/6, dual-band, hotspot; Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, EDR; 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/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Announced—2022, March 08
Status—Available. Released 2022, March 18
Models—A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
Dimensions195.4 × 134.8 × 6.3 mm247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in)
Weight—461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb)
Build materials—Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Additional body features—Stylus support

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
Display8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS display10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio); Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)
Screen resolution2266 × 1488 pixels, 326 ppi1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)
Display protection—Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Display features—500 nits (typ)

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
ProcessorA15 BionicApple M1
CPU6-core CPU: two performance and four efficiency coresOcta-core, 4 cores at 3.2 GHz
GPU5-core GPUApple GPU (8-core graphics)

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
RAM—8GB
Storage—64GB, 256GB
Expandable storage—No
Internal—64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
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/2.4, 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@30/60fps

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
Battery19.3 Wh rechargeable lithium-polymerLi-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh)

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
Operating system—iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 27

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
Network—GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G (cellular version only; Wi-Fi version has no cellular connectivity)
SIM—Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular version 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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2589 (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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2591 (cellular version only)
5G bands—1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2589, A2591 (cellular version only)
Speed—HSPA, LTE, 5G (cellular version only)

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
BluetoothBluetooth 5.05.0, A2DP, EDR
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2×2 MIMOWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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 5 (M1)
SensorsTouch ID, gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer and ambient light sensorFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Colors—Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Mini 2021Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)
Loudspeakers—Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5 mm headphone jack—No

Similarities

  • Both support Wi-Fi 6.
  • Both use Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Both have LCD displays.
  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.
  • Both have 12 MP main cameras.

In summary

For most buyers the Apple iPad Air 5 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 ↗Apple iPad Mini 7 2024For Apple iPad Air 5 (M1)Apple iPad Mini 7 2024View product ↗

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