iPad Air 11-inch (M4) vs iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
Buy the iPad Air 11-inch (M4) if you want a bigger screen and more power for work, drawing, or video calls. Buy the iPad Mini (A17 Pro) if portability matters more than screen size. The Air's best new price is $649.99 at Amazon as of November 4, 2026, against $449.99 at eBay for the Mini. That $200 gap buys a larger display and a faster chip; the Mini wins on size and price.
Today the iPad Mini (A17 Pro) costs $80.99 less at its best price.
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iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
5Choose the iPad Air if you want an 11-inch screen, the M4 chip, and 12GB of memory for multitasking, drawing, or editing.
- M4 chip and 12GB of memory handle heavy multitasking and AI tasks.
- 11-inch display is better for split-screen work, drawing, and watching video.
- Storage goes up to 1TB.
- Wi-Fi 7 with the Apple N1 chip.
- Works with Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air.
What separates them
| iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | iPad Mini (A17 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11-inch Liquid Retina, 2360-by-1640 at 264 ppi | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2266-by-1488 |
| Chip | Apple M4 | Apple A17 Pro with 5-core GPU |
| Memory | 12GB unified memory | 8GB |
| Weight | About 1 lb (not listed) | 0.66 lb (10.5 oz) |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Front camera | Landscape 12MP Center Stage | 12MP Ultra Wide with Center Stage |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 with Apple N1 | Wi-Fi and 5G cellular options |
| Best new price | $649.99 at Amazon as of November 4, 2026 |
Price history
- iPad Air 11-inch (M4): lowest $649.99 on Nov 4 at Amazon.
- iPad Mini (A17 Pro): lowest $448.99 on Nov 1 at Walmart; $569.00 on Nov 4.
Prices at every store
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
- Apple Education StoreNew
In stock
$699.00Free shippingObserved at 8:08 AM - ExpercomNew
In stockReturn policy
$719.00Verified - WalmartNew
In stock
$749.00Free shippingObserved at 8:08 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.
$649.99Free shippingObserved at 8:07 AM
Also available at
- B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
- BrandsMart USACheck price at BrandsMart USA
- Sam's ClubCheck price at Sam's Club
Specs compared
| Spec | iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | iPad Mini (A17 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 2360-by-1640-pixel resolution at 264 ppi | 2266 x 1488 |
| Display brightness | 500 nits brightness | — |
| Height | 9.74 inches (247.6 mm) | — |
| Width | 7.02 inches (178.5 mm) | — |
| Depth | 0.24 inch (6.1 mm) | — |
| Capacity | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | — |
| Chip | Apple M4 chip | — |
| Unified memory | 12GB unified memory | — |
| Rear camera | 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture | — |
| Front camera | Landscape 12MP Center Stage camera | — |
What reviewers say
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
Owners rate it 5 out of 5 from 64 ratings. Most praise the M4 speed, the light build and the landscape front camera for calls. Complaints center on the 60Hz display and the cost of accessories.
- Fast, smooth performance from the M4 chip
- Light and easy to carry
- Center Stage camera is good for video calls
- Good value compared with the iPad Pro
- Display refresh rate is only 60Hz
- Accessories add a lot to the total price
- Base 128GB storage is tight for some
iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
Owners and reviewers treat the mini as the best small tablet for reading, notes and travel, and praise the A17 Pro speed. The main complaints are the unchanged 60 Hz screen and the high price for a secondary device.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for drawing and note-taking?
- The iPad Air. Its 11-inch screen gives more canvas, and the M4 chip with 12GB of memory keeps large files smooth. Both work with Apple Pencil Pro.
- Which is easier to carry every day?
- The iPad Mini. At 0.66 lb and 7.7 x 5.3 inches it fits in a jacket pocket and works one-handed. The Air is roughly a pound and needs a bag.
- Is the iPad Air worth $200 more?
- If you use split-screen apps, edit video, or draw, yes. For reading, streaming, and light apps, the Mini covers it for less.
- Which has the better chip?
- The iPad Air. The M4 with 12GB of memory outpaces the A17 Pro with 8GB in sustained multitasking and graphics work. The Mini is still fast for games and everyday apps.
- Do both support Apple Intelligence?
- Yes. Apple lists both as built for Apple Intelligence, and both have 12MP front cameras with Center Stage.
- Which holds more storage?
- The iPad Air, which goes up to 1TB. The iPad Mini tops out at 512GB.
More comparisons
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