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
• The iPad 8th Gen is cheaper
• The iPad Mini has a better camera
• iPad has a 10.2-inch display, while the Mini has a 7.9-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 8th 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 8th Gen Overview

The eighth generation iPad didn't reinveint the wheel, but it certainly did tune up the engine. While the iPad isn't hugely different to its seventh gen predecessor, there's one huge difference: Processing power. The8th Gen has an A12 Bionic chip, compared to the 7th Gen's A10 Fusion chip. This upgrade includes Apple's “Neural Engine,” a component that allows for efficient machine learning abilities and that hasn't been available in a main iPad up until now.

A12 chip aside, the 8th Gen is still rocking the same hardware as its predecessor – it starts with 32GB of storage, going up to 128GB. Like the 7th Gen, it includes support for the Apple Smart Keyboard. The weight is juuust a hair heavier, but you won't notice it: The 8th Gen is 1.08 pounds compared to the 7th Gen's 1.07 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 $329.99, right around the current price for the previous generation. That's a great value for a up-to-date iPad, making the 8th Gen a no-brainer for anyone hoping to purchase a tablet.

iPad Mini Overview

Apple doesn't pay as much attention to the iPad Mini as it does to the main iPad offering or the iPad Air. Granted, they updated it in 2019, but there was no new model since then.

The 2019 model isn't bad, though. It has the same A12 Bionic chip, 3GB RAM, 10-hour battery life and Apple Pen compatibility as the 8th Gen. Its storage cap is higher, going up to 256GB, while the 7.9-inch 2048×1536 display is smaller.

The Mini 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 8th Gen is Much Better Value than the iPad Mini

We think there are few better deals in tech than the 10.2-inch iPad 8th 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).

For your money, you get a 10.2-inch Retina display, an impressive A12 processor, 3GB RAM, and 32GB 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 line-up. The entire range is impressively slim and light, but with its 7.9-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 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.

They're Both the Same Speed

The A12 processor is an impressive chip, and both the iPad Mini and the iPad 8th Gen benefit from it, meaning that this is one arms race that neither win.

The Neural Engine, available in the A11 chip and up, helps both devices with any functions involving machine learning.

A few perks that 2021 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 Offers More Power than the iPad

Think of the iPad Air as the Mini’s big brother. Specs-wise, the new 4th Gen Air is a noteworthy step up from the iPad Mini: The Air has an A14 chip rather than the A12, a 12Mp rear camera rather than an 8Mp one, and a front camera that's just the same as the Mini's at 7Mp.

And, of course, the Air has a big 10.9-inch liquid Retina display, putting it far ahead of the 7.9-inch Mini, and slightly larger than 10.2-inch iPad 8th Gen.

But you'll pay for it too: At a starting price of $599, the Air comes in at a whopping $200 more than the iPad Mini and a searing $250 more than the 8th Gen.

If you want the absolute strongest power and best camera, the Air outgoes the Mini and the main 8th Gen iPad alike. 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 Mini isn't bad. Each iPad in Apple's current line-up is a fantastic tablet in its own right.

That said, we think that most people who pick up the iPad 8th Gen won’t ever be aware of that extra power they’re missing out on by not opting for the Air, (and they certainly won't miss the Mini) 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.