All iPads iPad mini 6 or iPad Air 4?

[iPad Bro]

So, I’ve been going back and forth between which one of these two I want to buy tomorrow. I’m not sure what would be better. I’m going to be getting whichever one from Walmart.com and their prices fluctuate. I see all of the colors except green for the Air 4 at $539 and I’ve seen the mini 6 as low as $459.

I wanted the Green iPad Air 4 originally, but the price is much higher for that one since it’s sold by a 3rd party. With the prices fluctuating like they are it’s hard to say what I’ll be able to afford tomorrow. But what would you recommend for me? I like both the larger screen or the Air 4 and the smaller form factor of the mini 6.

I just don’t know what to go with. Please help me decide! 🙂

 

[turbineseaplane]

If you don't specifically want the smaller size and portability of the Mini form factor, it's hard to recommend it over the Air 4 (or any other new iPad really - save for maybe the basic iPad I guess -- great value there though)

The whole point of getting a Mini is for that form factor, one handed nature, uber portability, etc

What do you intend to do with the iPad?

This is a little like asking if you should buy a reasonably optioned Ford Sedan or a mid spec Ford F-150
Different usages

 

[iPad Bro]

I am getting it mainly for media consumption (music, movies, and tv shows), web browsing, and some photo editing.

 

[Beelzbub]

I would say it depends on what you are looking to do. I use an Air 4 along with a magic keyboard and never pick up a computer anymore at home. And when I need to go, I throw it in my bag and I am good to go.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I am getting it mainly for media consumption (music, movies, and tv shows), web browsing, and some photo editing.

If portability isn't a high high priority, it's hard to argue against the much larger screen on the Air for that usage.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I am getting it mainly for media consumption (music, movies, and tv shows), web browsing, and some photo editing.

My advice would be to wait. The Air is probably the next iPad to get a refresh i.e. Air 5 and a spec bump.

 

[rui no onna]

My advice would be to wait. The Air is probably the next iPad to get a refresh i.e. Air 5 and a spec bump.

True. At the very least, the new model will get A15, Center Stage and Quad-LED flash. Potentially OLED display.

From a performance perspective though, the downclocked A15 isn't much better than the Air 4 CPU-wise. Also, we have no concrete idea when launch will be and what discounts would be available.

Mind, the lowest price I've seen on the Air 4 is $499 so I'd recommend waiting for further price drops if you go that route.

 

[rgarjr]

if you don’t have a current iPad, I would do an Air. Many mini owners have big iPads already, so they get a mini.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

Both. Lol. I have a air for just lying in bed and some times around the house and stuff and the mini for around the house and on the go.

 

[wilberforce]

Maxtech addresses this specific question:

If you can't decide, I suggest the iPad Air.

 

[wilberforce]

My advice would be to wait. The Air is probably the next iPad to get a refresh i.e. Air 5 and a spec bump.

Might be waiting a year, or ~6 months at least. The last update of the iPad Air was a year ago, and other than the regular iPad, most iPads have been updated every 1.5 to 2 years. Especially as the last update of iPads was only 2 weeks ago. Anyone heard any buzz of an imminent release?

 

[HYPOKON2000]

True. At the very least, the new model will get A15, Center Stage and Quad-LED flash. Potentially OLED display.

From a performance perspective though, the downclocked A15 isn't much better than the Air 4 CPU-wise. Also, we have no concrete idea when launch will be and what discounts would be available.

Mind, the lowest price I've seen on the Air 4 is $499 so I'd recommend waiting for further price drops if you go that route.

I highly doubt OLED display.

 

[rui no onna]

I highly doubt OLED display.

That's why I said potentially. It all depends on what they can work out with suppliers.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Wait and get yourself the 12.9" Pro again when you have the money. The main thing with the photo and drawing apps is that as you go down screen sizes, there's less white space in the UI, you're allowed less layers and lose a few features that depend on whether it needs the M1 chip or whatever, and it's a smaller canvas to work with.

Of course every app/workflow is different, but it's something the people who want to run Affinity Photo/Photoshop/other things with heavy UI should think about. If the most complex thing you do is use the lasso and shape tools (I know this doesn't apply to you OP) in something like Pixelmator, consider the fact that the bigger the screen, the more your hand has to travel to do the same things you could do with less movement on a smaller screen.

 

[kp98077]

My advice would be to wait. The Air is probably the next iPad to get a refresh i.e. Air 5 and a spec bump.

Any idea until how long the air 5 comes out?

 

[*~Kim~*]

It's likely to be March at the earliest now.