iPad The new iPad mini makes iPad Air one generation behind

[TigeRick]

The obvious advantages of iPad Air over mini are:
1. Bigger screen size
2. Smart connectors

iPad mini has following advantages:
1. Latest A15 SoC
2. 5G support
3. Higher PPI
4. Quad-LED True Tone flash and Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps for rear camera
5. 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center stage support

I believe Tim somehow drop the ball here, Apple supposedly to upgrade the iPad Air as well but....

 

[StumpyBloke]

Not at all. There is always going to be devices leapfrogging others in specifications.

Next time the Air will get an upgrade which will then be better than the new mini. It’s just how it goes.

 

[coolguy4747]

There's no real pattern for iPad Air updates. There were years between Air 2 and the 3rd "iPad Air," and then 18 months between 3rd and 4th gen, which was 11 months ago. So who knows when the next one will be.

Also, don't forget to include "smaller screen size" as a possible advantage for the iPad mini

 

[iPadified]

Staggering of releases I guess. It seem that the mini and the Air is two of a kind like the pro models are. Probably updated very soon but it may also depend on the availability of the A15 chip. I am actually surprised that the mini and the latest iPhone share the same SoC and are released at the same time point.

 

[QCassidy352]

It’s true that the Air is kinda in a weird place now, not just with respect to the mini but all the other iPads, actually. There aren’t many people for whom I’d say it’s the best option at the moment - and I say that as someone whose wife has one, and really likes it. But, it‘ll get updated next and be a good choice again.

 

[Realityck]

The obvious advantages of iPad Air over mini are:
1. Bigger screen size
2. Smart connectors

iPad mini has following advantages:
1. Latest A15 SoC
2. 5G support
3. Higher PPI
4. Quad-LED True Tone flash and Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps for rear camera
5. 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center stage support

I believe Tim somehow drop the ball here, Apple supposedly to upgrade the iPad Air as well but....

There has been numerous comments about a iPad mini pro for awhile here on MacRumors. This update brought it fairly close, better front/rear cameras, liquid retina display, USB-C I/O, latest ARM, 4GB RAM, edge to edge screen, 5G Cell option. So it doesn't offer ProMotion technology, oh well, it certainly gave a small form iPad a heck of a update for the only iPad that can be held in only one hand easily. They showed in the video how pilots make use of IPad Mini's as a example. The air will be updated in a few months I am sure.

 

[Jonathantuba2]

What surprised me was Apple adding Center Stage to basic iPad, before it is on the iPad Air.

I am delighted with the new iPad Mini 6. It is all I was hoping. Just wish it could take phone calls and be linked to Apple Watch for health app - then I would not need to carry around iPhone as well (I have always preferred using the iPad to iPhone)

 

[HarryWild]

That is another reason I purchased the Mini 6!

 

[HarryWild]

4GB RAM

If it has 4GB RAM, I will be returning it for sure! I looking for at least 6GB! The Mini 5 has 4GB of RAM inside - 2019!

 

[Realityck]

If it has 4GB RAM, I will be returning it for sure! I looking for at least 6GB! The Mini 5 has 4GB of RAM inside - 2019!

Nope both the previous 2019 Air 3 and 2019 iPad mini 5 using A12 Bionic had 3 GB RAM.

iPad Mini 5 Teardown: A12 Bionic Processor With 3GB of RAM, Bluetooth 5, True Tone Sensors, and Same Battery Capacity

iFixit today shared a teardown of the new iPad mini, confirming specs and providing some additional details about the component parts of Apple's...

www.macrumors.com

The iPad Air 4 using A14 got 4GB Ram. Check it all on this web site for what each phone and tablet has. The 2020 iPad Pro had 6GB RAM ,and the 2021 iPad Pro has 8 GB RAM for comparisons

All Apple phones

www.gsmarena.com

 

[HarryWild]

Nope both the previous 2019 Air 3 and 2019 iPad mini 5 using A12 Bionic had 3 GB RAM.

iPad Mini 5 Teardown: A12 Bionic Processor With 3GB of RAM, Bluetooth 5, True Tone Sensors, and Same Battery Capacity

iFixit today shared a teardown of the new iPad mini, confirming specs and providing some additional details about the component parts of Apple's...

www.macrumors.com

The iPad Air 4 using A14 got 4GB Ram. Check it all on this web site for what each phone and tablet has. The 2020 iPad Pro had 6GB RAM ,and the 2021 iPad Pro has 8 GB RAM for comparisons

All Apple phones

www.gsmarena.com

The amount of RAM determines when the particular device will still be relevant during iOS upgrades! If the iPad Mini 6 only has 4GB, I will return it and continue on with my iPad Pro which has 8GB and keep my iPad Mini 4.

 

[one more]

It is fine, by putting an A15 into the new Mini Apple have made it more appealing to the potential upgraders and more future-proof. The Air will probably be upgraded next in about one year (autumn/fall 2022) with an A16, 128 GB minimum storage and an OLED screen, hopefully. Do not forget that the Mini does not have a yearly upgrade cycle, so it makes sense.

 

[one more]

The amount of RAM determines when the particular device will still be relevant during iOS upgrades! If the iPad Mini 6 only has 4GB, I will return it and continue on with my iPad Pro which has 8GB and keep my iPad Mini 4.

With iPadOS being what it is, all this RAM and M1 chips in iPad Pro line are being wasted, IMO. You pay for the most advanced hardware. Only Apple know the exact numbers of all iPads in use, so they can plan how much RAM, storage, etc. to use and when to make all the iPads equally appealing and capable. My guess is you should be fine with 4GB of RAM for the next 2-4 years.

 

[Realityck]

The amount of RAM determines when the particular device will still be relevant during iOS upgrades! If the iPad Mini 6 only has 4GB, I will return it and continue on with my iPad Pro which has 8GB and keep my iPad Mini 4.

If you're talking about a brand new A15 based iPad mini being obsolete earlier because it has 4GB RAM, then you are misinformed.

 

[Realityck]

With iPadOS being what it is, all this RAM and M1 chips in iPad Pro line are being wasted, IMO. You pay for the most advanced hardware. Only Apple has the exact numbers of all iPads in use, so they can plan how much RAM, storage, etc. to use and when to make all the iPads equally appealing and capable. My guess is you should be fine with 4GB of RAM for the next 2-4 years.

Thats works well with swapping to a newer models in the future.

 

[Crow_Servo]

The Air will supposedly get refreshed next spring, with possible OLED, possible quad speakers, 6GB RAM, all the bells and whistles of Mini 6 (5G, Center Stage, True Tone camera flash) and possibly an exclusive A15X chip. So that'll put the Mini 6 in its place.

 

[AJB1971]

When you look at the lifespans of the 4th and 5th generations, the Mini certainly appears to be a niche model in Apple’s lineup so going with the latest chip makes a lot of sense as the device may be around for a while. Having said that, I do think the increase in screen size, although it appears small, will make quite a difference and the Mini 6 will be more popular than its immediate predecessors.

The Air almost certainly outsells the Mini, which is why it gets more regular updates. The lack of an update could be due to the availability of the A15 processor, but I think it's more likely that Apple decided not to upgrade the Air now as doing so would tread on the toes of the Pro 11 too much, and that model only came out in April. That’s not really a consideration with the Mini as it’s not going to be a direct competitor for most users.

If they leave the Air upgrade to, say, March next year, sales of the Pro models will be tailing off and they will have gone through the crucial Christmas period.

 

[one more]

The Air will supposedly get refreshed next spring, with possible OLED, possible quad speakers, 6GB RAM, all the bells and whistles of Mini 6 (5G, Center Stage, True Tone camera flash) and possibly an exclusive A15X chip. So that'll put the Mini 6 in its place.

Apple usually refresh iPads Pro line in the spring, then other iPads in the autumn? Refreshing both Pro and Air at the same time will be odd, as they will put the 11” iPads in direct competition and not necessarily to a Pro’s advantage? My guess is in the spring 2022 iPad Pro 11” will get an M2 and mini-LED, then iPad Air will follow in the autumn with an A16 and an OLED.

 

[ian87w]

The obvious advantages of iPad Air over mini are:
1. Bigger screen size
2. Smart connectors

iPad mini has following advantages:
1. Latest A15 SoC
2. 5G support
3. Higher PPI
4. Quad-LED True Tone flash and Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps for rear camera
5. 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center stage support

I believe Tim somehow drop the ball here, Apple supposedly to upgrade the iPad Air as well but....

Yea, it's totally weird. They should've paired the Air and the mini refreshes in the same cadence. If not, we will be in a situation like this where the more expensive model seems inferior to the smaller less expensive model.

Maybe the Air will be refreshed next month with the macs.

 

[one more]

Yea, it's totally weird. They should've paired the Air and the mini refreshes in the same cadence. If not, we will be in a situation like this where the more expensive model seems inferior to the smaller less expensive model.

Maybe the Air will be refreshed next month with the macs.

It was very similar when Apple updated Air, which “overtook” iPad Pro 11” refreshed six months before. Apple probably sells more iPad Air than iPad Pro 11” and Mini combined. Besides, for people who want to use Apple’s MK with an iPad, Mini will not work and they are still likely to go towards Air4 and Pro 11?

Any more iPad refreshes this year are extremely unlikely, IMO.

 

[ian87w]

It was very similar when Apple updated Air, which “overtook” iPad Pro 11” refreshed six months before. Apple probably sells more iPad Air than iPad Pro 11” and Mini combined. Besides, for people who want to use Apple’s MK with an iPad, Mini will not work and they are still likely to go towards Air4 and Pro 11?

But I believe the A12Z is still superior in GPU performance, no?
This time, the contrast is more stark as both the Air and the mini are consumer models.

I guess mini fans should actually rejoice, since for once, Apple actually gave the mini a better refresh (unlike the iPad mini 3).

 

[one more]

But I believe the A12Z is still superior in GPU performance, no?
This time, the contrast is more stark as both the Air and the mini are consumer models.

I guess mini fans should actually rejoice, since for once, Apple actually gave the mini a better refresh (unlike the iPad mini 3).

In day-to-day use I think the only difference you will notice between Air 4 and Pro 11” M1 is the scrolling speed (if you scroll really fast) and overall responsiveness. I have recently looked at both Air 4 and Pro 11 at the Apple store side by side and, honestly, could not spot much difference. Obviously a Pro is a power-house, but Apple aims for their average iPad’s baseline while optimising iPadOS and their apps, so do most developers. Considering that iPadOS is supported by iPad Air 2 (!) with its 2GB of RAM, iPad Air 3 with 3GB and the entry iPads, you get a picture. ?

So yes, the Mini fans can rejoice, yet Air 4 will still be doing just fine with its bigger screen and MK support until the next upgrade, most likely next year.

 

[Jonathantuba2]

My guess is you should be fine with 4GB of RAM for the next 2-4 years.

At least 4-5 years - iPads are long lived! And with the new design of the iPad Mini 6 it will still look modern for some years to come. Have ordered mine, and can’t wait - by far the most exciting new product announced!

 

[dsusanj]

The Air will supposedly get refreshed next spring, with possible OLED, possible quad speakers, 6GB RAM, all the bells and whistles of Mini 6 (5G, Center Stage, True Tone camera flash) and possibly an exclusive A15X chip. So that'll put the Mini 6 in its place.

Now that the Pro line is on the M-series chips, I don't think there will be any X chips anymore unless they're at some point needed for some high-end iPhone. They will not make one for Air, especially given the current chip shortages. Air 5 will get whatever A-series chip is current when it launches.

 

[one more]

At least 4-5 years - iPads are long lived! And with the new design of the iPad Mini 6 it will still look modern for some years to come. Have ordered mine, and can’t wait - by far the most exciting new product announced!

Probably so re: longevity, as long as Apple decide to stick to their current iPadOS strategy, to the disappointment of the iPad Pro users. Enjoy your new Mini! ??