iPad Air vs iPad Mini Retina: Which One Is Better For You?

When it comes to buying an iPad, with the arrival of the iPad Mini Retina, we have been presented with a complicated decision: iPad Air vs iPad Mini Retina: Which One Is Better For You?

Basically if we want to buy an Apple tablet, we will have to choose between two sizes: the full-size iPad (9.7 ″) and the iPad Mini (7.9 ″), which is smaller.

Currently, Apple sells 4 types of iPads included in these two categories: iPad Air, iPad with a 9.7 ″ retina screen; iPad Mini Retina, iPad Mini 7.9 ″.

It goes without saying that the iPad Air and the iPAd Mini Retina are the two models that are worth the most for performance, the other two models being a good entry point to the ecosystem of Apple tablets if we have resources.

What are the most popular iPad models? Without a doubt the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with Retina display… How can we decide on one or the other?

Let’s first look at its technical characteristics and prices:

	iPad Air	iPad mini Retina
Storage capacity and price	Wi-Fi 16 GB: 479 € 32 GB: 569 € 64 GB: 659 € 128 GB: 749 € Wi-Fi + 4G 16 GB: 599 € 32 GB: 689 € 64 GB: 779 € 128 GB: 869 €	Wi-Fi 16 GB: 389 € 32 GB: 479 € 64 GB: 569 € 128 GB: 659 € Wi-Fi + 4G 16 GB: 509 € 32 GB: 599 € 64 GB: 689 € 128 GB: 779 €
Screen	Retina display 9.7 ″ LED-backlit Multi-Touch display 2048x1536px resolution at 264 dpi	Retina display 7.9 ″ LED-backlit Multi-Touch display 2048x 1536px resolution at 326 dpi
Dimensions and weight	24 cm x 16,95 cm x 0,75 cm Peso (Wi-Fi): 469 grams Peso (Wi-Fi + 4G): 478 grams	20 cm x 13,47 cm x 0,75 cm Peso (Wi-Fi): 331 grams Peso (Wi-Fi + 4G): 341 grams
Chip	Chip A7 de 64 bits	Chip A7 de 64 bits
Cameras	FaceTime HD camera Photos of 1.2 Mpx 720p HD video Back lighting ISight camera Photos of 5 Mpx Autofocus Back lighting Hybrid infrared filter Fotos HDR	FaceTime HD camera Photos of 1.2 Mpx 720p HD video Back lighting ISight camera Photos of 5 Mpx Autofocus Back lighting Hybrid infrared filter Fotos HDR
Video recording	1080p HD video recording	1080p HD video recording
Mobile and wireless networks	Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n); dual band (2.4 and 5 GHz) and MIMO Bluetooth 4.0 Wi-Fi + 4G Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n); dual band (2.4 and 5 GHz) and MIMO Bluetooth 4.0 GSM/EDGE, CDMA, UMTS/HSPA/DC-HSDPA	Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n); dual band (2.4 and 5 GHz) and MIMO Bluetooth 4.0 Wi-Fi + 4G Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n); dual band (2.4 and 5 GHz) and MIMO Bluetooth 4.0 GSM/EDGE, CDMA, UMTS/HSPA/DC-HSDPA
SIM card	Nano SIM	Nano SIM
Battery autonomy	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours
Adapter and cable	12W USB power adapter with Lightning connector	10W USB Power Adapter with Lightning Connector

Difficult to decide? Yes. Its technical characteristics, except its size and weight, are the same… And the price? IPad Mini Retina models are cheaper than their iPad Air equivalents.

We will practically have to decide on one model or another depending on whether we want a tablet with a larger or smaller screen.

Are the models with the highest storage capacity worth buying? No. The price increase is substantial and we really have enough with 16GB.

Are models with coverage for telephone networks worth buying? No. They are only worth it if we have very specific needs. In principle, the WIFI network is more than enough.

Who is interested in buying the iPad Air?

This model, with the larger screen, is especially suitable for all those who are going to use the tablet at work, or who are dedicated to generating content (photographic retouching, design, video …).

Also for all those who love to play games and want to enjoy a bigger retina screen.

Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi 16GB

Who is interested in buying the iPad Mini Retina?

To all those who use the iPad for simple tasks such as consulting the internet, e-mail, Facebook, reading ebooks.

It doesn’t matter which iPad we choose. In both cases we will be able to enjoy all the applications of the App Store, and a screen with a spectacular resolution.

Apple iPad mini Retina 16GB Wi-Fi