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iPad Air Q&A
Update Published October 30, 2020
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What are the main differences between the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 models? Is one of these older models still worth considering?
Please note that the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 both have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated with the latest iOS support details and more. It can be quite helpful for anyone considering purchasing either of these models on the used market.
Despite sharing the number two, there are a number of significant differences between the iPad Air 2 models -- the iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi Only) and iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) -- and the iPad mini 2 models -- the the iPad mini 2 (Wi-Fi Only), (Wi-Fi/Cellular), and (Wi-Fi/Cellular - China).
An independent comparison can be useful to decide which of these older models still might make sense for your needs or if you would be better off with a newer device.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air - Left; iPad mini - Right)
Main Differences
One reason it is particularly awkward for customers to intuitively differentiate between just about all iPad Air and iPad mini models is that they were released in different years but sold for differing lengths of time. Effectively, the lineup is staggered and gapped rather than a neat arrangement. The iPad mini 2 was released in 2013 whereas the iPad Air 2 was released in 2014; both were discontinued in 2017.
On basic terms, the major differences between these models are physical size, display size and quality, performance, and price. If a smaller tablet is the highest priority, an iPad mini 2, or a newer iPad mini, likely is your best choice. If screen size and quality along with performance are highest priorities, you would be better served by an iPad Air 2 (or a newer iPad Air or iPad Pro).
External Design Differences
The iPad Air and iPad mini models all share similar designs with gently rounded sides and corners. The iPad mini 2 was offered only in white and silver or black and gray, whereas the iPad Air 2 added white and gold as a color option.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Silver, Gold, & Space Gray
iPad Color Options)
The iPad Air 2 models are 9.4 inches tall and 6.6 inches wide whereas the iPad mini 2 models are 7.87 inches tall and 5.3 inches wide. The iPad Air 2 is thinner, but not so much thinner to matter to most users.
There are minor differences in weight as well, but in general, the iPad Air 2 models weigh around a pound whereas the iPad mini 2 models are three quarters of a pound or less.
Another external design difference worth mentioning is that the iPad Air 2 includes a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button but the iPad mini 2 models do not.
Display Differences
The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 models have a multitouch-capable IPS LED-backlit display, but there are major differences in size and quality:
 iPad mini 2 |
 iPad Air 2 |
|
| Display Size: | 7.9" | 9.7" |
| Resolution: | 2048x1536 | 2048x1536 |
| Pixel Density: | 326 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Anti-Glare Coating: | No | Yes |
| Laminated Parts: | No | Yes |
In basic terms, the iPad Air 2 has the better quality display. As first noticed by the always detailed AnandTech, the iPad mini 2 has a narrower color gamut than the iPad Air 2 and falls short of sRGB coverage.
Camera Differences
Apple once discouraged those from using the iPad as a point-and-shoot camera altogether, perhaps because it looks so awkward. In terms of camera quality, the iPad has lagged behind the iPhone line from equivalent years, as well.
Although Apple now openly promotes the iPad as a camera, the quality still generally lags behind the iPhone.
In basic terms, the front-facing "FaceTime HD" cameras are quite similar -- both the iPad mini 2 and iPad Air 2 have a 1.2 megapixel sensor and can shoot 720p video -- but the iPad Air 2 has a "larger f/2.2 aperture that lets in 81 percent more light" in addition to "an all-new sensor and larger pixels." The other models have f/2.4 apertures.
The rear-mounted "iSight" cameras in both models are capable of shooting 1080p video, but otherwise have some significant differences:
iPad mini 2 |
iPad Air 2 |
|
| Megapixels: | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Panorama: | Yes | Yes |
| Burst Mode: | No | Yes |
| Video Zoom (3X): | Yes | Yes |
| Slo-mo Video: | No | Yes |
Note that the iPad Air 2 has an 8 megapixel sensor as well as better feature support.
Identification Differences
Although it often is possible to visually distinguish between iPad Air and iPad mini models when they are side-by-side (and powered on), not all models can be differentiated this way and they look so similar that visual identification is not a good method for differentiation overall.
Instead, one of the best methods for external identification is via Model Number. Model numbers are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad:
iPad |
Model No |
EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPad models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About), and their Serial Numbers, too.
Major Internal Differences
Both of these iPad models provide around nine to ten hours of battery life, but have a variety of internal technical differences that influence performance and capability:
iPad mini 2 |
iPad Air 2 |
|
| Clockspeed: | 1.3 GHz | 1.5 GHz |
| Processor Type: | Apple A7 | Apple A8X |
| Processor Cores: | Two | Three |
| Architecture: | 64-Bit | 64-Bit |
| Coprocessor: | Apple M7 | Apple M8 |
| RAM: | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Original Storage (GB): | 16/32/64/128 | 16/64/128 |
| Current Storage (GB): | Used Only | Used Only |
| Wi-Fi Support: | a/b/g/n | ac |
| LTE Support*: | 14 Bands | 20 Bands |
| Apple Pay (NFC): | No | Yes |
| Barometer: | No | Yes |
*Note that only Cellular capable models from each line support 4G/LTE. Wi-Fi only models only support Wi-Fi. For specific LTE band support, click on the link for a particular model of interest.
Most significantly, note that the iPad Air 2 has three processor cores and 2 GB of RAM.
iOS Support Differences
The iPad mini 2 originally shipped with iOS 7 and the iPad Air 2 originally shipped iOS 8.
Regardless of the version of the iOS pre-installed, both of these devices support iOS 9, but specific feature support is significantly different:
| Panorama | Health | Apple Pay | Slide Over | Split View | |
| Air 2 | Yes | No | Yes† | Yes | Yes |
| mini 2 | Yes* | No | No | Yes | No |
* Curiously, Apple quietly added Panorama support to the iPad mini 2 (as well as the original iPad Air), but not any earlier iPad models, with iOS 8.0.2.
† The iPad Air 2 supports Apple Pay within apps but not in retail stores.
Both of these devices support iOS 10, iOS 11, and iOS 12, as well, but only the iPad Air 2 supports iOS 13 (iPadOS) and the current version of the iOS, iOS 14 (iPadOS).When running iPadOS 13, the iPad Air 2 does not support the Adjust Portrait Lighting and "High-Key Mono" photography features as well as modest AR features (Motion Capture, People Occlusion). When running iPadOS 14, support is rather bare bones and the iPad Air 2 does not support a number of advanced features (ARKit Depth API and Location Anchors, AR RealityKit Video Textures, Spatial Audio via AirPods Pro and On-Device Dictation).
iPad Air 2 & iPad mini 2 Comparison Chart
The above differences -- as well as US pricing details -- are summarized below:
iPad mini 2 |
iPad Air 2 |
|
| Introduced: | Oct 2013 | Oct 2014 |
| Discontinued: | Mar 2017 | Mar 2017 |
| Clockspeed: | 1.3 GHz | 1.5 GHz |
| Processor: | Apple A7 | Apple A8X |
| Processor Cores: | 2 | 3 |
| Architecture: | 64-Bit | 64-Bit |
| Coprocessor: | M7 Motion | M8 Motion |
| RAM: | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Orig. Storage: | 16/32/64/128 GB | 16/64/128 GB |
| Display Size: | 7.9" | 9.7" |
| Resolution: | 2048x1536 | 2048x1536 |
| Pixel Density: | 326 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Antiglare Coating: | No | Yes |
| 4G/LTE Internet: | 14 Bands | 20 Bands |
| Wi-Fi (802.11): | a/b/g/n | a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth: | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Rear Megapixels: | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Touch ID: | No | Yes |
| Apple Pay (NFC): | No | Yes |
| Barometer: | No | Yes |
| SIM Card: | Nano | Nano |
| Original iOS: | iOS 7 | iOS 8 |
| Maximum iOS: | iOS 12 | iPadOS 14 |
| Color Options: | Silver Gray |
Silver Gray Gold |
| Height: | 7.87 in. | 9.4 in. |
| Width: | 5.3 in. | 6.6 in. |
| Depth/Thinness: | 0.29 in. | 0.24 in. |
| Weight: | 0.73- 0.75 lb. |
0.96- 0.98 lb. |
| Orig. Price (Wi-Fi): | US$399 US$499 US$599 US$699 |
US$499 US$599 US$699 |
| Orig. Price (LTE): | US$529 US$629 US$729 US$829 |
US$629 US$729 US$829 |
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPad as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPad.com.
So, should I buy an iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 2? Is one of these older models still worth considering?
When the iPad Air 2 first was introduced, it was the best and most expensive Apple tablet available -- with the fastest performance and the best display. After the introduction of the iPad Pro, Apple reconfigured the iPad Air 2 multiple times and appeared to struggle to find a place for it in the iPad lineup.
Because the iPad Air 2 still runs the current version of the iOS, for now, and is quite similar to the iPad 5th Gen that replaced it, it remains a particularly good value on the used market.
Because it no longer runs the current version of the iOS, app support will continue to wane, and the iPad mini 2 definitely is showing its age, but it remains worth consideration for someone who modest expectations for software support and a limited budget. However, most users would be better off with an iPad Air 2 or a newer iPad that still runs the current version of the operating system.
iPad Purchase & Sale Options
There are many places to buy a new or used iPad. However, buying your iPad from a quality company with extensive knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Air and iPad mini models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City may have used iPad models in stock, as well. All Macs and devices are available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
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