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Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) vs Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3)
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) ($599) vs Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) ($500) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right compact tablet.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) | Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $500 |
| Weight | 293g | 460g |
| Chip | A17 Pro | M3 |
| Display | 8.3" Liquid Retina | 11" Liquid Retina, 60Hz |
| Security | Touch ID top button | — |
| Accessories | Apple Pencil Pro | — |
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) | 460g (Wi-Fi, Apple published) |
| Ports | — | USB-C |
| Pencil | — | Apple Pencil Pro |
| Audio | — | Landscape stereo speakers |
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- 293 g — the only pocketable iPad
- Apple Pencil Pro support in a pocket device
- Apple Intelligence capable via A17 Pro
- One-handed use for genuinely long stretches
- $599 for the smallest screen in the line
- Too cramped for side-by-side work
- 60Hz display
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3)
- M3 with hardware ray tracing
- Apple Pencil Pro support
- 460g, the sweet spot for holding
- Much cheaper than a Pro
- 60Hz display after years of 120Hz Pros
- No OLED
- Chip is overkill for what most Airs do
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) is the better value at $500. If weight matters most, Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) carries lighter at 293g. Both are part of our curated compact tablet index — tap through to check current pricing.
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