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Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) vs Apple iPad Air (4th generation)
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) ($599) vs Apple iPad Air (4th generation) ($206) — 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 (4th generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $206 |
| Weight | 293g | 458g |
| Chip | A17 Pro | A14 Bionic |
| Display | 8.3" Liquid Retina | 10.9" Liquid Retina |
| Security | Touch ID top button | — |
| Accessories | Apple Pencil Pro | — |
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) | 458g (Apple published, Wi-Fi) |
| Port | — | USB-C |
| TouchID | — | Top button |
| Pencil | — | 2nd generation Apple Pencil |
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 (4th generation)
- First iPad Air with the edge-to-edge design later iPads copied
- 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, magnetic attach and wireless charge
- USB-C port for a design that finally caught up
- A14 chip still handles current iPadOS comfortably
- No ProMotion, 60Hz display like the base iPad
- Single rear camera, no Ultra Wide
- 458g, heavier than the mini for a similarly-aged chip
- Costs close to the newer base iPad used, worth comparing both
Apple iPad Air (4th generation) is the better value at $206. 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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