Air 2 vs mini 4

[joeblow7777]

This is why I'm not a fan of the 6/6s/7+. I find them too big to comfortably use as phones but still too small to replace the iPad. If Apple added phone functions to the iPad mini 7.9" and turns it into a phablet, I'd totally be on board.


That's just fact. Air 2 is around 260ppi while Mini 4 is around 300ppi.

But then wouldn't that be way too big to use as a phone? ie. one-handed use, and carry everywhere in your pocket.

 

[Jetcat3]

Don't know if any of y'all have brought this up, but the Air 2 has almost double the GPU performance over the Mini 4 and I think it shows even in day-to-day usage. It stutters quite often and I rarely have any stuttering on the Air 2.

 

[Spankey]

It depends on usage but at this point I would go with the Mini 4 over the Air 2. I'm sure another refresh is coming and it might be time to retire that original Air with a Pro. Maybe even get the current 9.7 Pro as a refurb or discount. I find the Mini 4 great for all the reasons you might want a smaller device. Reading and consuming media.

 

[Channan]

This is why I'm not a fan of the 6/6s/7+. I find them too big to comfortably use as phones but still too small to replace the iPad. If Apple added phone functions to the iPad mini 7.9" and turns it into a phablet, I'd totally be on board.

Just get the AirPods when they're released and use something like Hangouts for calls and texts. That's what I do with my iPads, except I obviously don't have AirPods. I just use it on speaker.

 

[joeblow7777]

Just get the AirPods when they're released and use something like Hangouts for calls and texts. That's what I do with my iPads, except I obviously don't have AirPods. I just use it on speaker.

I still feel that to be a practical mobile phone a device has to fit in your pants pocket.

 

[rui no onna]

Just get the AirPods when they're released and use something like Hangouts for calls and texts. That's what I do with my iPads, except I obviously don't have AirPods. I just use it on speaker.

Unfortunately, I do sometimes need to use plain, simple SMS (typically from short code numbers from companies, etc) and last I tried, Hangouts didn't work with those. One reason I was really happy when iOS 8 introduced SMS forwarding and wi-fi call forwarding, alas the latter only works when the devices are connected to the same wi-fi network. AT&T Wi-Fi Calling/NumberSync has been pretty iffy so I'd really prefer to have native phone support on the iPad Mini. Besides, that's one less device to purchase.

That said, I'm already planning on getting either AirPods or BeatsX upon release. I've always disliked wires but battery life on older wireless headsets just weren't good enough for me.

But then wouldn't that be way too big to use as a phone? ie. one-handed use, and carry everywhere in your pocket.

I still feel that to be a practical mobile phone a device as to fit in your pants pocket.

I can't use the iPhone 6/6s/7+ one-handed anyway and they don't fit most of my pockets either. I've had it fall from my jacket pocket several times. Heck, I don't have any pants with pockets large enough to fit a 4.7" iPhone let alone 5.5". I'm gonna need a purse either way and most of my purses can actually fit an Air 2 (albeit some purses may be a tight fit). A 7.9" iPad Mini with native phone functionality could easily replace a 4.7" iPhone and 9.7" iPad for me. I plan on getting an Apple Watch in addition to a wireless headset if ever a 7.9" iPad Mini phablet becomes a reality.

 

[joeblow7777]

Unfortunately, I do sometimes need to use plain, simple SMS (typically from short code numbers from companies, etc) and last I tried, Hangouts didn't work with those. One reason I was really happy when iOS 8 introduced SMS forwarding. AT&T Wi-Fi Calling/NumberSync has been pretty iffy

That said, I'm already planning on getting either AirPods or BeatsX upon release. I've always disliked wires but battery life on older wireless headsets just weren't good enough for me.



I can't use the iPhone 6/6s/7+ one-handed anyway and they don't fit most of my pockets either. I've had it fall from my jacket pocket several times. Heck, I don't have any pants with pockets large enough to fit a 4.7" iPhone let alone 5.5". I'm gonna need a purse either way and most of my purses can actually fit an Air 2 (albeit some purses may be a tight fit). A 7.9" iPad Mini with native phone functionality could easily replace a 4.7" iPhone and 9.7" iPad for me. I plan on getting an Apple Watch in addition to a wireless headset if ever a 7.9" iPad Mini phablet becomes a reality.

Yeah, I can see that being the case for a woman since women's pants tend to have much smaller pockets, but most women carry purses anyway. Speaking as a man, if my phone doesn't fit in my pockets, it's pretty useless to me.

 

[Channan]

I still feel that to be a practical mobile phone a device has to fit in your pants pocket.

I agree. But rui no onna specifically wants to use an iPad as a phone so I was replying to that.

Unfortunately, I do sometimes need to use plain, simple SMS (typically from short code numbers from companies, etc) and last I tried, Hangouts didn't work with those. One reason I was really happy when iOS 8 introduced SMS forwarding and wi-fi call forwarding, alas the latter only works when the devices are connected to the same wi-fi network. AT&T Wi-Fi Calling/NumberSync has been pretty iffy so I'd really prefer to have native phone support on the iPad Mini. Besides, that's one less device to purchase.

That said, I'm already planning on getting either AirPods or BeatsX upon release. I've always disliked wires but battery life on older wireless headsets just weren't good enough for me.

You can receive them just fine, but you're right, you can't send them.

That sucks, because that's literally the only thing holding you back now.

 

[nordique]

The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 have the same processor, except the iPad Air 2 has an extra core. The iPad mini 4 will never perform better than the iPad Air 2 and there's no reason to believe it will get more iOS updates than the iPad Air 2.

Enjoyed your post just a little nit picking on my end (sorry!) but a general FYI to those curious - the processor is not the same on the mini 4 and the air 2

The A8 =/= A8X even with the extra core....they are very similar in that the A8X is like a variant or enhanced chip in almost every way, however they are not the exact same processor (that is to say the A8X is not simply an A8 at a higher clock with an extra core)

The mini 4 processor is actually the same as an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6+ Just at a slightly higher clock iirc

Further, the same can be said of the GPU - the mini 4 uses the same one as the iPhone 6 /6 plus (albeit also a slightly higher clock I believe)

The air 2 uses a more powerful GPU than the mini 4


All in all the mini 4 is like a bigger, slightly faster iPhone 6 or 6+ with 2GB of ram whereas the Air 2 is a fair bit more powerful (especially with respect to the graphics)

That said - it doesn't change that I love my mini 4 any less it packs more than enough processing power for its uses (at least for me). Also goes to show how far the iPhone 6 and 6+ may have been able to go with 2GB of ram, that changes the user experience a lot especially on the iPad where the larger resolution means more memory usage than the phones.

iOS 10 runs very nicely.

I need to get a stylus for it, am open to any suggestions in addition to the ones mentioned in this thread
[doublepost=1481693943][/doublepost]

im looking for some personal experience here. I get a anniversary gift from work and can choose between an air 2 and an air 2 which I then exchange for a mini 4. I already have an air 1 and was think of getting the mini just to have something different. I know the obvious differences in size and processor but was just curious if users of the mini had some other opinion about them that I hadn't thought of. Thanks!

OP, I would go with th mini 4 unless you intend on selling your old Air and replacing that with the Air 2


The air 2 is the more powerful device, and will last you a very long time.

But the mini 4 will also be a bit of an improvement over the air especially with using safari and accessing multitasking due to the 2GB of ram...to me that is the biggest reason to upgrade from an Air....couldn't stand 1GB of ram on the iPad personally. Safari reloading constantly drove me insane on my old Air.


It's more portable but I don't think you can go wrong with either. please do read what everyone in the thread has to say prior to making up your mind
[doublepost=1481694066][/doublepost]

Air 2 is little old now and Mini 4 is new model. I don't know if iOS 11 next year will slow down Air 2.

Actually the Air 2 is more powerful than the mini 4, despite it being older


For anyone who picked up an air 2, talk about value for an iPad...came out fall 2014 and it's still going strong, runs great, and is a fantastic value for a tablet. If you picked on up in 2014 well 2 years later it's still a verysolid buy.

(compare that with the original iPad 3 which ran pretty bleh at launch and was replaced barely 6 months into its own cycle haha)

 

[ACG12]

Don't know if any of y'all have brought this up, but the Air 2 has almost double the GPU performance over the Mini 4 and I think it shows even in day-to-day usage. It stutters quite often and I rarely have any stuttering on the Air 2.

How does it show in every day to day usage? I honestly think my wife's mini 4 runs smoother than my air 2.

 

[coachingguy]

I have both, and prefer the Mini... The reviews for the Mini 4 were off the charts and I don't notice any speed difference in "real world" use. I prefer the size/weight to performance ratio... But your mileage may vary... As far as speakers go... For anything I need quality or louder sound, I've got 3, 4 BT speakers to connect to or I use headphones.

Coachingguy

 

[Mac'nCheese]

Terrific. They don't offer the Ipad anymore. Just an apple sports watch.

 

[Zaft]

Enjoyed your post just a little nit picking on my end (sorry!) but a general FYI to those curious - the processor is not the same on the mini 4 and the air 2

The A8 =/= A8X even with the extra core....they are very similar in that the A8X is like a variant or enhanced chip in almost every way, however they are not the exact same processor (that is to say the A8X is not simply an A8 at a higher clock with an extra core)

The mini 4 processor is actually the same as an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6+ Just at a slightly higher clock iirc

Further, the same can be said of the GPU - the mini 4 uses the same one as the iPhone 6 /6 plus (albeit also a slightly higher clock I believe)

The air 2 uses a more powerful GPU than the mini 4


All in all the mini 4 is like a bigger, slightly faster iPhone 6 or 6+ with 2GB of ram whereas the Air 2 is a fair bit more powerful (especially with respect to the graphics)

That said - it doesn't change that I love my mini 4 any less it packs more than enough processing power for its uses (at least for me). Also goes to show how far the iPhone 6 and 6+ may have been able to go with 2GB of ram, that changes the user experience a lot especially on the iPad where the larger resolution means more memory usage than the phones.

iOS 10 runs very nicely.

I need to get a stylus for it, am open to any suggestions in addition to the ones mentioned in this thread
[doublepost=1481693943][/doublepost]

OP, I would go with th mini 4 unless you intend on selling your old Air and replacing that with the Air 2


The air 2 is the more powerful device, and will last you a very long time.

But the mini 4 will also be a bit of an improvement over the air especially with using safari and accessing multitasking due to the 2GB of ram...to me that is the biggest reason to upgrade from an Air....couldn't stand 1GB of ram on the iPad personally. Safari reloading constantly drove me insane on my old Air.


It's more portable but I don't think you can go wrong with either. please do read what everyone in the thread has to say prior to making up your mind
[doublepost=1481694066][/doublepost]


Actually the Air 2 is more powerful than the mini 4, despite it being older


For anyone who picked up an air 2, talk about value for an iPad...came out fall 2014 and it's still going strong, runs great, and is a fantastic value for a tablet. If you picked on up in 2014 well 2 years later it's still a verysolid buy.

(compare that with the original iPad 3 which ran pretty bleh at launch and was replaced barely 6 months into its own cycle haha)

Yup, the air 2 will be like the iPad 2, last a long while.

 

[Math889]

Air 2 is little old now and Mini 4 is new model. I don't know if iOS 11 next year will slow down Air 2.

Air 2 is slightly faster than mini 4
If it slow the Air 2, it will certainly slow the mini 4 and the Pro 9.7
The Air 2 has a more powerful processor than mini 4