What are all the differences between the iPad mini 5th Gen and the iPad Air 3rd Gen? Which is best for my needs?

Please note that the iPad mini 5th Gen and iPad Air 3rd Gen models all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with the latest on iOS support and more and is quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these devices on the used market.

The iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3, which were introduced at the same time, are internally identical in terms of performance. Externally, they vary essentially by size, but there is one notable capability difference in addition to different identifiers and prices. There are a large number of similarities that are worthwhile to know, as well.

EveryiPad.com refers to the iPad mini 5 models as the iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi Only), iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi+Cellular US/CA/AU/NZ), iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi+Cellular Global), and iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi+Cellular China) and the iPad Air 3 models as the iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi Only), iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular US/CA/AU/NZ), iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular Global), and iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular China).

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc (iPad mini 5)

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc (iPad Air 3)

External Differences

The iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 use the same case colors -- the choice of a white front and silver-colored back, a white front and gold-colored back, or a black front and a "Space Gray" back -- but the iPad mini 5 is smaller than the iPad Air 3.

All models from both lines have a 1080p 7-megapixel front camera, 1080p 8-megapixel rear camera, "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor built into the "Home" button for authentication, have a Lightning port, are compatible with the original Apple Pencil (A1603, MK0C2AM/A), and support Apple Pay in apps.

Both lines use a "fully laminated" antireflective, IPS LED-backlit Retina display with "wide color" (DCI-P3) support and Apple's "True Tone" technology that automatically makes adjustments based on ambient lighting. The iPad mini 5 display is 7.9" (2048x1536, 326 ppi) whereas the iPad Air 3 display is a larger 10.5" (2224x1668, 264 ppi).

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc (iPad Air 3 with Smart Keyboard)

The iPad Air 3 models have a "Smart Connector" for use with a size-compatible Apple Smart Keyboard (available from site sponsor Adorama and other resellers), whereas the iPad mini 5 models do not have this connector. However, it still is possible to use the iPad mini 5 with a Bluetooth keyboard.

Internal Similarities

Although they use different specific parts, both the iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 models have identical six core, 2.49 GHz Apple A12 "Bionic" processors and M12 coprocessors, 3 GB of RAM, simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi (HT80 with MIMO), and Bluetooth 5.0. They are all sold with 64 GB or 256 GB of storage, too.

Identification Differences

When the iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 are next to each other, they are easy to tell apart, but these models look nearly the same as various other iPad models. Furthermore, it's not possible to visually differentiate between the three different cellular-capable models from the iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 lines at all, so visual identification is not a good option.

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 Number
iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi Only)	A2133
iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi+Cellular US/CA/AU/NZ*)	A2126
iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi+Cellular Global)	A2124
iPad mini 5 (Wi-Fi+Cellular China)	A2125
iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi Only)	A2152
iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA/AU/NZ*)	A2153
iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cell Global)	A2123
iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular China)	A2154

*These models are believed to be sold only in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, although they are compatible with carriers worldwide.

The iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 models can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular US/CA/AU/NZ) in gold with 256 GB of storage is MV1G2LL/A.

To pinpoint one of these exact iPad models by a variety of different identifiers -- including Serial Number -- refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Similarities

Battery life is the same for the Wi-Fi only and Cellular-capable models for both the iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 lines. Using Wi-Fi, all of these models provide ten hours of runtime whereas the cellular capable models provide nine hours of runtime on a cellular connection.

All iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 models support simultaneous dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.

Models with cellular connectivity all support A-GPS, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) as well as many as 28 LTE bands.

Specific cellular data connectivity for these models includes:

iPad	Model Number	CDMA EV-DO	LTE Bands 4G
mini 5 (Wi-Fi Only) Air 3 (Wi-Fi Only)	A2133 A2152	None	None
5 (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA) Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA)	A2126 A2153	None	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71
5 (Wi-Fi+Cell Global) Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cell Global)	A2124 A2123	None	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5 (Wi-Fi+Cell China) Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A2125 A2154	None	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66

All cellular-capable iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 models shipped unlocked. In the United States, the applicable devices work with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, but some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.

In the US and UK, if purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller -- like site sponsor Adorama -- the cellular capable iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 also shipped with an "Apple SIM" that is designed to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card. They support eSIM in software, too.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 models have identical operating system support with one notable exception.

Both lines originally shipped with iOS 12 and later shipped with iOS 13 (iPadOS).

The iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 models also fully support the final version of iPadOS 14, with the exception of the ARKit Depth AP and fully support iPadOS 15.

The iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3 models support iPadOS 16, but do not support the advanced Stage Manager, Reference Mode, Accessibility Detection, and Virtual Memory Swap features as well as Apple Music Sing (Karaoke). They additionally support iPadOS 17, but lack support for the React with Your Hands; Screen Distance; More Accurate Autocorrect in English, French, and Spanish; Inline Predictions (English); and External Camera for FaceTime features.

Both lines likewise support the current version of the iPadOS -- iPadOS 18 -- but lack support for the Apple Intelligence (AI), Handwriting with Smart Script, and Eye Tracking features.

However, when running iPadOS 13 and later, the iPad Air 3 does support the Sidecar feature when paired with a Mac whereas the smaller iPad mini 5 does not.

Pricing Differences

Original pricing within lines was the same regardless of color, but were differentiated by capacity and connectivity.

The smaller iPad mini 5 models cost less than the larger iPad Air 3 models:

iPad mini 5 Original Prices:	64 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only:	US$399	US$529
Wi-Fi, Cellular & A-GPS:	US$549	US$679
iPad Air 3 Original Prices:	64 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only:	US$499	US$649
Wi-Fi, Cellular & A-GPS:	US$629	US$779

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Chart

The major differences between the iPad mini 5 and the iPad Air 3 are summarized accordingly:

	iPad mini 5	iPad Air 3
Display Size:	7.9"	10.5"
Resolution:	2048x1536	2224x1668
PPI:	326 ppi	264 ppi
Color Gamut:	DCI-P3	DCI-P3
True Tone:	Yes	Yes
Smart Connector:	No	Yes
Original iOS:	iOS 13 (iPadOS)	iOS 13 (iPadOS)
Maximum iOS:	iPadOS 18	iPadOS 18
Apple Pencil:	1st Gen	1st Gen
Model Numbers:	A2133/A2126 A2124/A2125	A2152/A2153 A2123/A2154
Dimensions:	8.0 x 5.3 x 0.24 in.	9.8 x 6.8 x 0.24 in.
Weight:	0.66-0.68 lbs.	1.0-1.02 lbs.
Original Price (US):	US$399-US$679	US$499-US$779

So, should I buy an iPad mini 5 or an iPad Air 3?

Earlier iPad mini models were significantly underpowered compared to their contemporaries, but the iPad mini 5 broke this pattern by providing the same performance as the iPad Air 3. Internals and display quality are the same, as well.

Accordingly, ignoring subsequent models, which are faster, sleeker, and more capable, and only comparing the iPad mini 5 and iPad Air 3, the decision between these two lines definitely comes down to personal choice. EveryiPad.com prefers the smaller iPad mini 5, and it costs less, as well. However, the iPad Air 3 provides a larger display -- and a larger, heavier housing -- as well as a Smart Connector for an Apple Smart Keyboard. Both devices were excellent at the time of introduction and both remain quite capable, too.

iPad Purchase & Sale Options

There are plenty of places to buy a new or used iPad mini or iPad Air. However, purchasing from a quality business with extensive Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the ideal experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad mini 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.

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 to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).