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Apple iPad Air (M4) vs Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

Buy the iPad Air (M4) if the tablet is your main screen for work, study or drawing. Its 11-inch Liquid Retina display, M4 chip and support for Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard make it the more capable machine. Buy the iPad mini (A17 Pro) if you want a tablet that disappears into a bag and is used mostly one-handed for reading, notes and video. Both are well built and owners praise the speed, screen and battery life. The Air is the step up for productivity; the mini wins on portability.

  • Choose the iPad Air (M4) if you want a larger canvas for split-screen work, drawing with Apple Pencil Pro or typing on a Magic Keyboard.
  • Choose the iPad mini (A17 Pro) if you want a light, pocketable tablet for reading, note-taking and travel.

Prices

  • Apple iPad Air (M4): $638.00 at PC Richard & Son (checked today)
  • Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro): $549.00 at Triton Store (last seen Nov 8)
  • Difference: the Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) is $89.00 cheaper than the Apple iPad Air (M4) at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Apple
Apple iPad Air (M4)

Apple iPad Air (M4)

$638.00at PC Richard & SonObserved at 10:16 AM
See all prices and details
Visit PC Richard & Son
Pros
  • Large, sharp Liquid Retina display suits split-screen apps
  • M4 chip handles heavy multitasking and creative apps
  • Works with Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard
  • Fast Wi-Fi 7 and USB-C with DisplayPort output
Cons
  • Bigger and heavier than the mini, so less bag-friendly
  • Costs more once you add a keyboard or pencil
  • Interface takes adjusting for Android switchers
Apple
iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

4.6(254 ratings)
$549.00at Triton StoreObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:58 PM
See all prices and details
Visit Triton Store
Pros
  • Very light at 0.66 lb and small enough for most bags
  • A17 Pro runs games and everyday apps smoothly
  • Bright, clear 8.3-inch screen with P3 color
  • Owners report strong build and good battery life
Cons
  • 8.3-inch screen is cramped for split-screen work
  • No Magic Keyboard option for laptop-style typing
  • Smaller battery headroom for long sessions away from a charger

What separates them

Apple iPad Air (M4)Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
Display size11-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 x 16408.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2266 x 1488
ChipApple M4Apple A17 Pro with 5-core GPU
WeightAbout 1 lb class for an 11-inch tablet0.66 lb (10.5 oz)
Keyboard supportWorks with Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and Apple Pencil ProNo Magic Keyboard; pairs with Apple Pencil Pro
UnlockTop button Touch IDTop button Touch ID
Cameras12 MP front with Center Stage, 12 MP rear, 4K video12 MP Ultra Wide front with Center Stage, 12 MP rear, 4K video
BatteryUp to 10 hours, 28.93 WhUp to 10 hours
ConnectivityWi-Fi 7, optional cellular with eSIMWi-Fi, optional 5G cellular

Price history

$749.99$448.99
Oct 30Nov 9
  • Apple iPad Air (M4): lowest $638.00 on Nov 3 at PC Richard & Son; $638.00 on Nov 9.
  • Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro): lowest $448.99 on Nov 1 at Walmart; $475.00 on Nov 9.

Prices at every store

Apple iPad Air (M4)

  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $638.00Free shippingObserved at 10:16 AM
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • NFMNew

    In stock

    $648.99Observed at 10:16 AM
    Visit NFM
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    Availability unknown

    $638.00Observed Nov 7, 2026, 5:39 AM
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by f1rstclassct (100% positive, 1 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $640.00+ $5.98 shippingObserved at 3:47 PM
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 18 stores and price history →

Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

  • Triton StoreNew

    In stock

    $549.00Observed Nov 8, 2026, 6:58 PM
    Visit Triton Store
  • The Mizzou StoreNew

    In stock

    $549.00+ $7.99 shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:58 PM
    Visit The Mizzou Store
  • Abt ElectronicsNew

    In stock

    $569.00Free shippingObserved at 8:02 PM
    Visit Abt Electronics
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $569.00Free shippingObserved at 10:16 AM
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • ExpercomCheck price at Expercom

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 35 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple iPad Air (M4)Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
OS VersioniPadOS 18.3 or laterApple iPadOS 18
Battery LifeAll-day battery life10 h
Battery Capacity28.93-watt-hour5,078 mAh
Front Camera Resolution12 MP12 MP front camera
Rear Camera Resolution12 MP12 MP rear camera
Display Resolution2360 x 16402266 x 1488
Display Size11 in—
Main Storage1 TB—
Battery Run Time10 hrs—
Battery TypeLithium polymer—
Camera Video Recording4K video—
Camera FeaturesCenter Stage—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple iPad Air (M4)Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
Camera Light SourceRetina Flash with True Tone—
Display BrightnessScreen brightness (adjustable via 14-key functi…—
Display HighlightsLiquid Retina display—
LCD TechnologyLiquid Retina—
Display BacklightLED backlit—
Display Color SupportP3 wide color—
Input TypeTrackpad, Magic Keyboard—
Backlit InputYes (keys)—
Wireless ConnectivityWi-Fi, Cellular—

What reviewers say

Apple iPad Air (M4)

Owners generally rate the iPad Air highly for its performance, display and keyboard support. Common complaints center on accessory costs and the lack of a 120 Hz screen.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M4 chip keeps apps and multitasking smooth.
  • DisplayMixedThe screen is called bright and color-accurate, but some wish it had 120 Hz refresh.
  • AccessoriesCriticisedBuyers complain the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil are expensive extras.
  • BatteryPraisedUsers report it lasts a full day of mixed use.

Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

  • 4.6 / 5254 ratings

Owners like the size and speed: it is the iPad you can hold in one hand, and the A17 Pro keeps up with games and split-screen apps. The most common complaints are the 60 Hz screen and the price of storage upgrades.

What people mention
  • SizePraisedOwners say the 8.3-inch body is the reason to buy it: it fits in one hand and in a jacket pocket.
  • PerformancePraisedThe A17 Pro chip and 8 GB of RAM keep games and split-screen apps running smoothly.
  • DisplayMixedThe screen is bright and sharp, but reviewers note the 60 Hz refresh rate feels less smooth than 120 Hz iPads.
Reviews
  • The 5 best iPads of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed - ZDNET
  • Best iPad 2026: Top Apple tablets tested and ranked
  • Tablet Reviews From Our Experts
  • The Best Tablets for 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • What's the Best iPad to Buy in 2026?
  • Apple iPad mini 7 (2024) review: This compact tablet continues to be nearly unrivaled

Questions and answers

Which is better for taking notes in class?
The iPad mini is easier to hold and write on one-handed, and it fits small desks. The iPad Air gives you more room for split-screen notes beside a textbook or lecture slides.
Which is better for drawing and design work?
The iPad Air. The larger canvas and M4 chip suit layered art and design apps, and it supports Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard.
Which lasts longer?
Both are rated at up to 10 hours of use, and owners of each report all-day battery life. The Air has a larger 28.93 Wh battery to feed a bigger screen, so real-world endurance is close.
Is the iPad Air worth stepping up to over the mini?
Yes if you type, draw or run several apps at once. The bigger screen, M4 chip and keyboard support make it a light laptop replacement. If you mostly read and watch video on the go, the mini is enough.
Can I use a keyboard with the iPad mini?
Only Bluetooth keyboards. Apple does not make a Magic Keyboard for the mini, so the typing experience is less integrated than on the iPad Air.
Which is easier to carry every day?
The iPad mini at 0.66 lb and 7.7 x 5.3 inches. The 11-inch iPad Air is noticeably larger and heavier in a bag.

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Wireless Technologies
eSIM technology
—
Wireless ProtocolseSIM technology—
Wireless HighlightsSimultaneous dual band, 2x2 MIMO—
OS—iOS
Brand—Apple
Screen size—8.3 in
Data storage—512 GB
Ram memory—8 GB
Rear cam mpx—12 MP
Front cam mpx—12 MP
Wireless—Wi-Fi
Color—Purple
Proc. brand—Apple
Display—Retina Display
Model name—iPad mini
Native resolution—2266-by-1488
Size—7.7" x 5.3" x 0.2"
Assembled product weight—0.66 lb
Brightness—500 Nits
  • BatteryMixedOwners report all-day battery life, but heavy gaming drains it faster than the 10-hour claim.