Apple released the new iPad Mini 3 and the iPad Air 2. If you’re in the market for an Apple tablet, which one would suit you better? Let us give you a brief comparison of the two but first, here’s what’s new in the said devices.
Apple iPad Air 2
The display is now fully laminated compared to the first iPad Air. Also, it now comes with an anti-reflective coating for better visibility on direct daylight. The height and width remains the same at 9.4 inches by 6.6 inches but this new one is thinner by 0.05 of an inch (0.24in vs 0.29in). Weight decreased by 32 grams giving it a total of just 437g for the WiFi only version and a reduction of 34 grams on the WiFi+Cellular version.
For the processing power, it now comes with the new A8x with 64-bit architecture processor and M8 motion coprocessor chip. Fingerprint identity sensor was also highly expected to be present on this device and it’s now confirmed. For the sensor, it now added a Barometer aside from the 3-axis hyro, accelerometer, and ambient light sensor. The front camera remains the same at 1.2MP with 720p HD video capability. The new camera hardware can be found with the rear iSight camera giving it a new 8MP with 2.4 aperture, autofocus, face detection, backside illumination and now equipped with a burst mode. For the video capability, it can now do slo-mo video.
The cellular and wireless specification remains the same when comparing it to the original iPad Air. The cellular version still accepts the same Nano-SIM card and is also equipped with the lightning port.
Apple iPad Mini 3
Surprisingly, they made no difference in the height, width, depth, and weight of the new Mini 3 compared to the Mini 2. It stays exactly the same, with the same A7 chip processor. FaceTime HD camera and iSight rear camera also has the same specifications.Unlike the iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 3 didn’t get the new slo-mo video feature. Cellular and WiFi specs also remain the same all the way when comparing it to the Mini 2. The only difference with the iPad Mini 2 and the iPad Mini 3 would be the Fingerprint identity sensor and the new color offering.
Should you upgrade?
If you have an iPad that is not capable of updating to iOS8, that’s a clear yes. Here’s the list of devices compatible with the new iOS8:
(iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPad Mini 2)
If you have an iPad that doesn’t have Retina Display yet, you can now consider getting an iPad Air 2 or the iPad Mini 3. Here’s the list of devices that has Retine Display:
(iPad 3rd generation, iPad 4th generation, iPad Air, and iPad Mini 2nd generation)
Other than the two above reasons, when you are perfectly fine with your Retine Display-enabled device and can use iOS8, you can wait for the next release because there’s no significant changes to the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.
Planning to upgrade? Which to get?
Honestly, it still boils down to what you really need? Do you prioritize portability? Do you want a larger screen for presentation use? Or maybe, you’re used to a larger screen when playing games or watching a movie? It all depends on you. To help you better on your decision making, here’s a comparison* on the 2 devices that was officially launched — the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3.
iPad Air 2 | iPad mini 3 |
Display | |
Retina display | Retina display |
9.7″‘inch (diagonal) LED”‘backlit Multi”‘Touch display with IPS technology | 7.9″‘inch (diagonal) LED”‘backlit Multi”‘Touch display with IPS technology |
2048″‘by”‘1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) | 2048″‘by”‘1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch (ppi) |
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating | Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating |
Fully laminated display | “” |
Antireflective coating | “” |
Dimensions2 | |
Height: | Height: |
9.4 inches (240 mm) | 7.87 inches (200 mm) |
Width: | Width: |
6.6 inches (169.5 mm) | 5.3 inches (134.7 mm) |
Depth: | Depth: |
0.24 inch (6.1 mm) | 0.29 inch (7.5 mm) |
Weight2 | |
Wi”‘Fi: | Wi”‘Fi: |
0.96 pound (437 g) | 0.73 pound (331 g) |
Wi”‘Fi + Cellular: | Wi”‘Fi + Cellular: |
0.98 pound (444 g) | 0.75 pound (341 g) |
Chip | |
A8X chip with 64″‘bit architecture and M8 motion coprocessor | A7 chip with 64″‘bit architecture and M7 motion coprocessor |
Touch ID | |
Fingerprint identity sensor | Fingerprint identity sensor |
FaceTime HD camera: | FaceTime HD camera: |
1.2MP photos | 1.2MP photos |
720p HD video | 720p HD video |
FaceTime video calling over Wi”‘Fi or cellular3 | FaceTime video calling over Wi”‘Fi or cellular3 |
Face detection | Face detection |
Backside illumination | Backside illumination |
iSight camera: | iSight camera: |
8MP photos | 5MP photos |
Autofocus | Autofocus |
Face detection | Face detection |
Backside illumination | Backside illumination |
Five”‘element lens | Five”‘element lens |
Hybrid IR ï¬lter | Hybrid IR ï¬lter |
Æ’/2.4 aperture | Æ’/2.4 aperture |
HDR photos | HDR photos |
Panorama | Panorama |
Burst mode | “” |
Video Recording (1080p HD) | |
Tap to focus while recording | Tap to focus while recording |
Video stabilization | Video stabilization |
Face detection | Face detection |
Backside illumination | Backside illumination |
3x video zoom | 3x video zoom |
Time-lapse video | Time-lapse video |
Slo-mo video | “” |
Cellular and Wireless | |
Wi”‘Fi: | Wi”‘Fi: |
Wi”‘Fi (802.11a/”‹b/”‹g/”‹n/ac); dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz) | Wi”‘Fi (802.11a/”‹b/”‹g/”‹n); dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz) |
MIMO | MIMO |
Bluetooth 4.0 technology | Bluetooth 4.0 technology |
Wi”‘Fi + Cellular: | Wi”‘Fi + Cellular: |
Wi”‘Fi (802.11a/”‹b/”‹g/”‹n/ac); dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz) | Wi”‘Fi (802.11a/”‹b/”‹g/”‹n); dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz) |
MIMO | MIMO |
Bluetooth 4.0 technology | Bluetooth 4.0 technology |
GSM/EDGE | GSM/EDGE |
CDMA EV”‘DO Rev. A and Rev. B | CDMA EV”‘DO Rev. A and Rev. B |
UMTS/HSPA/”‹HSPA+/”‹DC”‘HSDPA | UMTS/HSPA/”‹HSPA+/”‹DC”‘HSDPA |
LTE4 | LTE4 |
Data only5 | Data only5 |
*Data from Apple.com
Just to reiterate, coming from the previous iPad Mini 2, the only difference you’ll get if you buy the iPad Mini 3 is the Fingerprint identity sensor and a new “Gold” color offering. For the iPad Air vs the iPad Air 2, you’ll get a bit more until Apple releases another set of new devices which would be around next year. The average days before releasing a new iPad Mini is around 362 days and for the iPad Air, average is around 331 days. Should you upgrade? Well, that’s what Apple wants you to do. In the end, it’s still up to you.