Apple iPad mini (2021) vs Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) 2026

A15 Bionic chip with 64‑bit architecture

Apple M4 chip

6-core CPU

5-core graphics

16-core Neural Engine

8-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 5 efficiency cores

9-core GPU

16-core Neural Engine

Neural Accelerators

Hardware-accelerated ray tracing

120GB/s memory bandwidth

12GB unified memory

Media Engine

Hardware-accelerated 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW

Video decode engine

Video encode engine

ProRes encode and decode engine

AV1 decode

64GB | 256GB

128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB

iOS 15

26

comes with powerful features and built-in apps designed to take advantage of the unique capabilities of iPad.

Subject to change based on future operating system updates

Get help with everyday tasks like sending messages, setting reminders, and more

Activate hands-free with only your voice using “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” or use Type to Siri

Protected by the strongest privacy of any intelligent assistant

Powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri is more natural and helpful

n77 C-band

Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79

5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4x4 MIMO

5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79)

Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71

850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz

850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz

Quad-band

802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6; simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO

Bluetooth 5.0 technology

v6

Nano-SIM

(supports Apple SIM7)

eSim

eSIM

iPad Air uses advanced eSIM technology for more convenience and security (not compatible with physical SIM cards)

Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO

Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71

Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48

FaceTime video

Center Stage

iPad to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi or cellular

Share experiences like movies, TV, music, and other apps in a FaceTime call with SharePlay

Screen sharing

Portrait mode in FaceTime video

Spatial Audio

Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes

FaceTime audio

Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO

Yes

Built-in accessibility features supporting vision, mobility, hearing, and cognitive disabilities help you get the most out of your iPad. Features include: VoiceOver, Zoom, Magnifier, Spoken Content, Voice Control, Switch Control, AssistiveTouch, Siri and Dictation, Type to Siri, Real-Time Text, Audio Descriptions, Subtitles and Closed Captioning, Live Captions (beta).

 

Built-in accessibility features supporting vision, mobility, hearing, and cognitive disabilities help you get the most out of your iPad.

Features include:VoiceOver

Zoom

Magnifier

Spoken Content

Voice Control

Switch Control

AssistiveTouch

Siri and Dictation

Type to Siri

Real-Time Text

Audio Descriptions

Subtitles and Closed Captioning

Live Captions

Touch ID

Three‐axis gyro

Accelerometer

Barometer

Ambient light sensor

Yes

Apple Music®

AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos

Apple Music®

Yes