Apple introduced the sixth generation iPad mini on Tuesday. With a bigger screen and a more powerful processor, the tablet is shaping up to be a big update over previous models. What is more, by looking more closely at its technical sheet, we quickly understand that the components of the device are of size to compete with the most efficient of its cousins, including the iPad Air. Details.
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iPad mini 6 64 GB at the best price Base price: 559 €
Table of Contents
A15 vs A14 chip
The iPad mini 6 has an A15 Bionic chip announced as 50% more efficient than that of the iPad Air 2020, the A14. More details right here.
Network: 5G or 4G
Where the fourth-generation iPad Air supports thirty LTE network frequency bands, the 2021 iPad mini gets two more. But that’s not all, since the modem of the smaller tablet is also able to connect to 5G antennas (below 6 GHz), which it is not. the case of his opponent. Potentially, the files will therefore download faster with the mini.
Better photos with iPad mini
The sixth-generation iPad mini has a similar back camera to its taller cousin, with the difference that the True Tone four-LED flash is not integrated on the iPad Air. Besides, no difference for the shots here: 12 MPx for the quality and ƒ / 1.8 for the aperture. On the video side, however, the iPad mini can now shoot in 1080p at 60, 25 or 30 fps, against only 60 frames per second for its big brother. Apple also clarifies this change: “wide dynamic range for video up to 30 fps“.
And up front, then? Details in figures:
- iPad mini (6th generation) : ultra wide-angle camera, 12 MPx photos, ƒ / 2.4 aperture, 2x zoom, centered frame, wide dynamic range for video up to 30 fps and 1080p HD video recording at 25, 30 or 60 fps s
- iPad Air (4th generation) : FaceTime HD camera, 7 Mpx photos, ƒ / 2.2 aperture, 1080p HD video recording
The screen of the iPad Air is less qualitative
Although quite larger (with 10.9 inches against 8.3 ″), the screen of the fourth generation iPad Air has a resolution very close to that of the iPad mini: 2360 x 1 640 pixels vs 2266 x 1488 pixels. After a quick calculation, the finding is obvious: with 326 pixels per inch, the sixth generation iPad mini offers better density than the iPad Air 2020 and its 264 ppi. Only the most picky, however, should regret it.
Colors and prices
Finally, here are the different models and prices that Apple sells for the iPad mini and iPad Air. Make your choice :
iPad Air (4th generation)
Wireless :
- 64 GB Wi-Fi: € 669
- 256 GB Wi-Fi: € 839
Wi-Fi + Cellular:
- 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: € 809
- 256 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: € 979
Colors:
- space grey
- money
- rose gold
- green
- sky blue
iPad mini (6th generation)
Wireless :
- 64 GB Wi-Fi: € 559
- 256 GB Wi-Fi: € 729
Wi-Fi + Cellular:
- 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: € 729
- 256 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: € 899
Colors:
- space grey
- pink
- mauve
- starlight
© iPhon.fr
Conclusion
In short, the new iPad mini is therefore less expensive than the fourth iPad Air, but by little. What’s more, it has a state-of-the-art processor, travel format, 5G, and better photo and video capabilities that might win over some great picture enthusiasts or gamers looking for power. Only the size of the screen and the scarcity of colors available for the case therefore ultimately seem to be in favor of the iPad Air 2021.
iPad Air 4 at the best price Base price: 669 €
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iPad mini 6 64 GB at the best price Base price: 559 €