Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: The Apple iPad Mini 2021 might be a year older than the Apple iPad 2022 but it is more powerful than the iPad 2022. No one can say for sure what Apple was thinking when they released a new iPad that does not perform as an iPad from last year. However, performance alone does not make a device because features like display, battery, and price play a major role. So, going by the overall specs of the iPad Mini 2021 and iPad 2022, which is better?
In this Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021 specs comparison, I’ll be comparing the specifications of these two Apple devices side by side. This will highlight the differences and similarities between the iPad Mini 2021 and iPad 2022 and in the end, you will know which is better and best for you to buy.
See Also: Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Which is best for you
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021
| Specs | iPad 2022 | iPad Mini 2021 |
| Display | 10.9-inches, 60Hz | 8.3-inches, 60Hz |
| Display Panels | Retina IPS LCD | Retina IPS LCD |
| RAM | 3GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB & 256GB | 64GB & 256GB |
| Back Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chipset | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| Software | iPadOS 16 | iPadOS 15 |
| Battery | (28.6Wh) | (19.3Wh) |
| Stylus Support | YES | YES |
iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Display, Design, and Durability
The Apple iPad 2022 has the same design and display as the Apple iPad Mini 2021. Although the display of both is Liquid Retina IPS LCD, supports a standard 60Hz refresh rate, and has a peak brightness of 500 nits, the iPad 2022 has a bigger display. The Apple iPad 2022 has a 10.9-inches display while the Apple iPad Mini 2021 has a smaller 8.3-inches display. The size is one of the major differences between these two devices.
The camera module, physical buttons, and bezels of both devices are very similar. The iPad 2022 and iPad Mini 2021 are made of a Glass front, aluminum back, and aluminum frame. Both devices support Stylus support (2nd gen for the iPad Mini 2021 and 1st gen for the iPad 2022) and have Scratch-resistant glass with oleophobic coating protection for the display.
Just like the Apple iPad Air 2022, the iPad 2022 and iPad Mini 2021 do not have the smooth ProMotion technology found in the Apple iPad Pro 2022. However, the display is still pretty smooth and the animations are good thanks to good software. As far as the display goes, you get the same value on both devices but people who like big screens will prefer the iPad 2022 and vice versa.
See Also: Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Pro 2022: Which is better for you
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Camera
| Camera | iPad 2022 | iPad Mini 2021 |
| Main | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front | 12MP | 12MP |
The Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Mini 2021 have the same camera sensors. Both devices have a 12MP primary camera and the same 12MP front camera. The camera features on both devices are also the same.
The rear cameras of both devices can record steady videos in 4K resolution. The camera features available when taking photos and videos are Photo geotagging, Autofocus with Focus Pixels, Smart HDR, Auto image stabilization, Cinematic video stabilization, Continuous autofocus video, etc. And when making video calls, features such as Center Stage is available on both devices.
The cameras of the Apple iPad Mini 2021 and iPad 2022 are not the best but if you already own an Apple iPhone, you’ll have little need for it anyway. But even at that, the camera sensors and their features are enough to handle the task you’ll need them for.
See Also: Apple iPad Pro 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Which is better
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Chipset, RAM & Storage
The operations of the Apple iPad Mini 2021 are handled by the Apple A15 Bionic chip while those of the Apple iPad 2022 are handled by the Apple A14 Bionic chip. The Apple A15 Bionic chip of the iPad Mini 2021 is faster and more power efficient than the Apple A14 Bionic chip of the Apple iPad 2022. The chipset of the iPad Mini 2021 is also equipped with faster CPU cores and a more powerful GPU.
The processor of the A15 Bionic chip has 6-cores that are paired with the Apple GPU with 5-core graphics while the processor of the A14 Bionic chip has 6-cores that are paired with the Apple GPU with 4-core graphics. The extra CPU and GPU cores of the Apple A15 Bionic chip make the Apple iPad Mini 2021 render graphics faster than the Apple iPad 2022. So, when it comes to graphics-intensive gaming and rendering graphics, the Apple iPad Mini 2021 is better than the Apple iPad 2022.
The iPad Mini 2021 has 4GB of RAM that is paired with 64GB or 256GB of internal storage while the Apple iPad 2022 comes with 3GB of RAM that is paired with 64GB or 256GB of storage. None of the devices have support for storage expansion via a microSD card slot.
See Also: Apple iPad Pro 2022 vs iPad Pro 2021: Which is better
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Software
The Apple iPad Mini 2021 boots iPadOS 15 out of the box while the Apple iPad 2022 boots iPadOS 16 out of the box. Both devices will get up to five years of major software updates and users can download apps and games from the Apple App store.
The software and user experience on both smartphones are very smooth. Animation is fast, apps open very quickly, switching between apps is smooth, and the user interface on both phones looks neat. However, the iPadOS 16 on the iPad 2022 has some new features, and users of the iPad Mini 2021 will have to upgrade to the iPadOS 16 software to enjoy these new features.
See Also: Surface Pro 9 vs Apple iPad Pro: Which is Better?
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Battery & Other Features
The Apple iPad 2022 is powered by a 28.6Wh battery while the Apple iPad Mini 2021 is powered by a 19.3Wh. The Apple iPad Mini 2021 has a smaller battery size than the Apple iPad 2022 and this explains why the battery of the iPad 2022 lasts longer than that of the iPad Mini 2021.
Features available on the Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Mini 2021 are Fingerprint (top-mounted), USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector, 5G, A-GPS, FaceTime video, Stereo speakers, Dual microphones, Nano-SIM, eSIM, Stylus support, etc.
See Also: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Review: Its new feature is also its only weakness
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Price
The starting price of the Apple iPad Mini 2021 (4GB + 64GB) is $499 while the starting price of the Apple iPad 2022 (3GB + 64GB) is $449. Even though the iPad Mini 2021 has been around for over a year, it’s still more expensive than the new iPad 2022. Details of where and how to buy the Apple iPad Mini 2021 and iPad 2022 are available in the table below.
| Apple iPad 2022 | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $449.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (EUR) | €579.00 |
| Apple iPad Mini 2021 | Prices |
| Buy on Amazon | $499.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (EUR) | €625.99 |
| Buy on Amazon (UK) | £499.00 |
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Conclusion
Choosing between the Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Mini 2021 comes down to your budget and why you need an Apple iPad. But generally speaking, I’ll recommend the Apple iPad 2022 ahead of the iPad Mini 2021, and here is why.
This Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021 specs comparison has shown that the new iPad 2022 has new software, a bigger display, a bigger battery, and is cheaper. However, not everyone is a fan of big screens and if you prefer a smaller screen then you should buy the Apple iPad Mini 2021 and enjoy even better performance. But overall, the Apple iPad 2022 still offers better value for the money.
