Apple iPad vs iPad Mini – Which is Best?

iPad 8th Gen or iPad Mini – Which Should You Buy?

If you’re choosing between the iPad and the iPad Mini, your decision will come down to what you use the tablet for. Here are a few stand out features for both:

• Both have powerful processors, but the Mini has a better one
• The iPad 9th Gen is cheaper
• The iPad Mini has a better camera
• iPad has a 10.2-inch display, while the Mini has a 8.3-inch display
• Both are compatible with the Apple Pencil

While there are a lot of similarities between the two devices, on paper, it’s the iPad 9th Gen that ultimately wins out – it's tough to beat the larger display paired with the smaller price tag.

Still not sure? Take a look at our guide to the entire iPad range

iPad 9th Gen Overview

The ninth generation iPad didn't reinveint the wheel when it debuted in 2021, but it certainly did tune up the engine. While the iPad isn't hugely different to its eighth gen predecessor, there's one noteworthy difference: Processing power. The 9th Gen has an A13 Bionic chip, compared to the 7th Gen's A12 Bionic chip. Both chips benefit from Apple's “Neural Engine,” a component that allows for efficient machine learning abilities.

A13 chip aside, the 9th Gen is rocking even better hardware than its predecessor – it starts with 64GB of storage, going up to 256GB. Like the 8th Gen, it includes support for the Apple Smart Keyboard, while the weight, too, remains right around the same at a svelte 1.7 pounds.

One downside? It's still missing a USB-C port, though it ships with a Lightning to USB-C cable to compensate.

We also think that those caught between the office and home during the pandemic will really value the flexibility that the iPad offers. Thanks to great battery life and processing power, it is a competent alternative to a desktop or laptop, with the added bonus of flexibility.

Its price tag is just $329, which is the exact price as the previous two generations. That's an impressive value for an up-to-date iPad, making the 9th Gen a no-brainer for anyone hoping to purchase a tablet.

iPad Mini Overview

The iPad Mini's 6th generation is the latest model for this range, and it's a brand new release, out in 2021.

The new and improved Mini offered the same 3GB RAM, 10-hour battery life and Apple Pen compatibility as the 9th Gen, but with an more powerful A15 Bionic chip. Its storage cap is the same the the main iPad model as well, going up to 256GB.

The device's display screen size is worth pointing out. It remains “mini,” but it's actually larger with the sixth generation of the Mini than ever before: All previous models offered a 7.9-inch screen, but this latest model offers a 8.3-inch display. This nets it a 2266×1488 resolution at 326 ppi with a typical 500 nits max brightness, up from the 7.9-inch fifth gen's 2048×1536 display.

However, the Mini still doesn't have Smart Keyboard compatability, so you'll need to use the Bluetooth option.

It’s a compelling package for those looking for a powerful tablet, especially if you’re after something that’s on the smaller side. However, with the increasing popularity of large display smartphones, it's hard to justify the higher price tag with only a slightly better processor, which is the only reason it's not at the top of our list.

The iPad 9th Gen is Much Better Value than the iPad Mini

We think there are few better deals in tech than the 10.2-inch iPad 9th Gen. The retail price of $329 is something of a bargain in itself, especially when stacked against the entry level Mini ($399) and the 2020 iPad Air ($599). And clearly, Apple is aware that the price tag is a big selling point, even that they're keeping it the same for new generation after new generation.

For your money, you get a 10.2-inch Retina display, an impressive A13 processor, 3GB RAM, and 64GB storage for the entry-level model. Plus, the 8th Gen iPad remains compatible with the Apple Pen and the Apple Smart keyboard both, while the iPad Mini supports the Pen but not the Smart keyboard.

The iPad Mini is More Portable

It probably goes without saying that the iPad Mini is the most portable tablet in Apple’s lineup. The entire range is impressively slim and light, but with its 8.3-inch screen, it’s the Mini that wins the award for being the easiest to carry around.

Weighing just 0.66 pounds, the Mini is almost half the weight of the standard iPad, and while it won’t slip into your jeans pocket, it will happily go into a coat or jacket pocket. It’s not too much bigger than some of the more popular large screen cell phones – the Apple iPhone XS Max, for example, is just 1.4 inches smaller.

The iPad Mini is Speedier

The A13 processor is an impressive chip, and the iPad 9th Gen benefits from it, but the iPad Mini wins this arms race with the A15 chip. In both devices, the Neural Engine, which is available in the A11 chip and up, helps with any functions involving machine learning.

A few perks that 2022 users can benefit from with it include people occlusion and motion tracking in augmented reality apps, enhanced photo editing thanks to better image recognition, and boosted Siri performance. Basically, these devices can handle anything you'll throw at them.

The iPad Air is Good but not Great

The iPad Air's most recent model came out several years ago, so it's specs are now even with or trailing behind the Mini that it once trounced.

Specs-wise, the 4th Gen Air offers a several features that the Mini already matches, including a 12Mp rear camera and the USB‑C connector that the main iPad model lacks. Its front camera is just 7Mp, though, compared to the Mini's 12MP ultra wide.

Granted, the Air has a big 10.9-inch liquid Retina display, putting it far ahead of the 8.2-inch Mini, and slightly larger than the 10.2-inch iPad 9th Gen.

But you'll pay for it: At a starting price of $599, the Air comes in at a whopping $200 more than the iPad Mini and a searing $270 more than the 9th Gen.

If you want the absolute strongest power and best camera, the latest Air can't outdo the latest Mini or the main 9th Gen iPad. That said, if you really want a large screen iPad with plenty of horsepower, you should be looking at the Pro series. If you instead want to balance screen size and high end processing power against the total cost, the 8th Gen is a clear winner.

What about the iPad Pro?

This guide is aimed at those choosing between the iPad and Mini, but it would be remiss of us to not mention the iPad Pro – after all, it's Apple's most powerful iPad, as well as technologically most impressive. The sticking point is that this comes at a price. The iPad Pro starts at $799 for the 11-inch model – that's twice as much as the standard iPad, so it really is aimed at those who don't want to compromise on power and don't mind paying for the privilege.

There are two models in the Pro range, identified by their size – the 11-inch model, and the 12.9-inch model. They share practically all other specifications, including the dedicated Apple M1 chip, which currently is exclusive to the Pro in the iPad range (though it is also found in certain MacBook models).

The Pro series doesn't lack in power thanks to this dedicated processor, and you can also kit it out with some serious storage – up to 2TB if you've got the coin. RAM is impressive too, coming in at either 8GB or 16GB, depending on what storage option you choose.

Like the Air, the Pro series is compatible with Apple's Magic Keyboard ($299), a smart extra with USB-C and cantilever design which makes finding the right viewing angle straightforward. Is it essential? Well, no, and it really pushes up the price of the iPad package, but with it, the iPad Pro feels more like a laptop-beater than it ever has.

Verdict: Which iPad Should You Buy?

Good news: You can’t buy a bad iPad. Even the Air isn't bad. Each iPad in Apple's current lineup is a fantastic tablet in its own right.

That said, we think that most people who pick up the iPad 9th Gen won’t ever be aware of that extra power they’re missing out on by not opting for the Mini, (and they certainly won't miss the Air) which makes it our clear choice for best iPad.

However, for those that like to know that their tablet can run demanding apps, and who want to future-proof themselves in the long run, the Air is the best choice for those want to balance power and budget.

As for the ultimate blow out iPad, it's the Pro. With the M1 chip and excellent display, it's the best consumer tablet on the market, and will be future proof for some time to come, thanks to its announcement. It'll cost you though.