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Apple has recently launched two new tablets, the 9.7-inch iPad Air (5^th generation) and the 7.9-inch iPad mini 2. Here is where we compare the two tablets in our iPad Air vs iPad mini 2 comparison review. For further detail, see our pieces iPad Air 5th generation release date, specs and new features and iPad Air and iPad mini 2 price in the UK.

The latest round of revamped Apple tablets sees the iPad unmoved and unfazed by the challenge from Android’s offering of budget tablets. The iPad Air and iPad mini 2 are premium tablets, with a premium feature set and build quality. See also: Apple iPad mini 2 Retina vs iPad mini comparison review.

iPad Air vs iPad mini 2: Price

Apple does not get involved in price wars with other manufacturers, its tablets are high-end devices and as such warrant high-end prices.

The iPad Air is the more expensive of the two tablets with prices starting at £399 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model and £499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi and cellular device.  Both the Wi-Fi only and cellular iPad Air’s price rises by £80 each time the storage capacity doubles (so higher capacities are better value).

The iPad mini 2 with Retina display starts at £319 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model and £419 for the Wi-Fi and cellular device. The price rises by £80 as the storage option doubles also.

iPad Air vs iPad mini 2: Design and build

The obvious difference between these two iPads is the size, the iPad mini is designed to fit in your hand easily and therefore is smaller and lighter than the iPad Air.

Both iPads have are constructed from aluminium and have exactly the same placement of physical buttons and cameras. So the only question you need to ask yourself here is which size iPad you want. From our time with the devices we were impressed by how solid and secure both iPads felt in the hand.

iPad Air vs iPad mini 2: Screen

The big news here is that Apple has equipped the new iPad mini 2 with a Retina display; the previous iPad mini had a below-par screen in comparison. The interesting thing now is that both the iPad Air and the iPad mini 2 have the same pixel count, despite the iPad Air’s screen measuring in at 9.4-inches compared to the 7.9-inches of the iPad mini 2. The result is that the pixel density of the iPad mini 2 is greater than that of the iPad Air, with 342ppi playing 264ppi.

Both screens look great and are incredibly responsive to the touch, but we have to give this round the iPad mini for the amazing pixel density that cannot be ignored.

iPad Air vs iPad mini 2: Processor, Storage, Camera, Connectivity and software

From here on in comparing the iPad Air and the iPad mini 2 is a pretty pointless exercise. The rest of the specs are exactly the same and from our time with the two devices it was impossible to tell any difference in terms of tablet performance.

Both tablets have the top of the range Apple A7 processors; are available to buy with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity; 5Mp rear-facing and 1.2Mp front-facing cameras; have iO7 presinstalled and come with iLife and iWork at no extra cost.

There is one difference to note, though: the Wi-Fi only versions of both tablets lack a GPS receiver. This is included only in the Wi-Fi and cellular models.

Read our iPad mini with Retina display hands on review and iPad Air (5th generation) review to find out more about the two Apple tablets.

iPad Air vs iPad mini 2: specs comparison