Should You Upgrade to the Apple iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display?

With the release of two new iPads, the question of whether to upgrade or not once again becomes a pertinent decision. Whether you're contemplating a 9.7-inch iPad Air or a 7.9-inch iPad Mini with Retina Display, we've got the answers. First up: upgrading to the iPad Air.

Upgrading to the Apple iPad Air...

As it's name suggests, the key features of the new iPad Air are its slim build and reduced weight. It also receives a 64-bit A7 processor (the same as the one found in the iPhone 5S) and a new design that closely resembles the flat backed iPad Mini. Those hoping for an upgraded camera and a fingerprint sensor will have to wait at least another year.

...From an Original iPad or iPad 2

The iPad Air is the perfect upgrade choice for owners of the original iPad or iPad 2. According to Apple Marketing Chief, Phil Schiller, the iPad Air is eight times more powerful the original iPad thanks to its 64-bit A7 processor. You'll also get to enjoy its gorgeous 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution Retina Display without any increase in weight or size (unlike those that upgraded to the third and fourth generation iPads). You'll also get to enjoy improved dual cameras, and access to Siri.

...From a Third- or Fourth-generation iPad

For those with a third- or fourth-generation iPad the choice is a little more difficult. While the iPad Air is 2mm thinner than both models, it's easy to forget that both the iPad 3 and 4 were actually 1mm thicker than the old iPad 2, so the size reduction is really more a case of Apple getting the iPad back to where it should be. Having said that, at 183g lighter than the fourth-gen iPad, it is quite a lot lighter, and if you want a Retina Display in a 9.7-inch device, shedding any of that bulk and weight will definitely be appreciated.

In terms of processing power, while the 64-bit A7 processor with M7 motion coprocessor certainly has lots of potential for future apps, right now, there are still limited choices on the 64-bit app front. Do note that Apple is keeping the 32-bit iPad 2 and iPad Mini as part of its lineup, so your 32-bit devices won't be obsolete any time soon. 

Unless you're particularly keen on the new look and colors, not much else has changed with the iPad Air. The rear camera remains the same 5MP shooter found on both the third and fourth-generation models, while the front-facing camera is the same 1.2MP model found on the fourth-gen iPad. 

All things considered, we would recommend waiting another year if you're currently holding onto either a third- or fourth-gen iPad. While the A7 processor is certainly more powerful, the full benefits of its 64-bit architecture are yet to be seen, and the size reduction isn't actually that drastic (don't be misled by the 'Air' name - there are thinner 10-inch tablets out there, such as Sony's 6.9mm Xperia Tablet Z).

...From a non-Apple tablet

If you have an Android or some other type of non-Apple tablet and want to move over to the iPad, now is a great time. The iPad Air is the first Retina Display-equipped iPad that doesn't suffer from any extra weight or bulk (compared to the original iPad and iPad 2) and it's also the first to get onto Apple's 64-bit processor architecture, ensuring that it will stay relevant for at least a few years.

If you're considering switching, it's worth noting that Apple is also the only manufacturer that has apps specifically designed for its tablet devices (there is no difference between Android apps, as they scale to different screen sizes to suit both smartphones and tablets).

Pricing and Availability

If you've made the decision to upgrade, the iPad Air will be available in Singapore on 1st November.

Apple and it's official retailers will be offering the following recommended retail prices:

Upgrading to the Apple iPad Mini with Retina Display...

Obviously the big upgrade for the iPad Mini with Retina Display is its 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution Retina Display. This is the same resolution as the iPad Air, but thanks to the smaller screen size, results in a much higher 326 pixels per inch (ppi), compared to the iPad Air's 264 ppi.

This immediately puts the iPad Mini with Retina Display at the top of the 7-inch tablet display rankings, boasting a slightly better display than both Google's Nexus 7 (2013), and the recently released Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7, both of which utilize 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution displays, resulting in 323 pixels per inch.

Design-wise, not much has changed with the iPad Mini, although, like the iPad Air, it will now be available in Space Gray and Silver. Due to the display, the iPad Mini with Retina Display is about 0.3mm thicker than the first gen iPad Mini, measuring 7.5mm. It's also slightly heavier at 331g for the WiFi model and 341g for the 4G LTE version.

Like the iPad Air, the iPad Mini with Retina Display will be getting the same 64-bit A7 processor as the iPhone 5S.

...From a First Generation iPad Mini

While the first generation iPad Mini is just a year old, the new iPad Mini with Retina Display provides a huge jump in display resolution and clarity. While we haven't gotten our hands on a review unit yet, just take a look at the difference between a 1024 x 768 pixels resolution iPad 2 (which is the same as the first generation iPad Mini) and a third-generation iPad with 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution Retina Display (which is the same as the iPad Mini with Retina Display):

Surprisingly, Apple also put its A7 processor in the iPad Mini with Retina Display, which will not only provide a massive jump in processing power (remember the first generation iPad Mini has the same A5 processor as the iPad 2) but will also give it a degree of future proofing against Apple's gradual shift towards a 64-bit ecosystem. With only a negligible 0.3mm increase in thickness and 29g increase in weight, upgrading to the iPad Mini with Retina Display should be a no brainer.

...From a Non-Apple Tablet

If you have a 7- or 8-inch Android or other type of non-Apple tablet and want to move over to the iPad Mini, as with the iPad Air, now is a great time. The iPad Mini with Retina Display boasts the best display out of any 7 or 8 inch tablet, and is also the only 7-inch tablet with a 64-bit processor. While some manufacturers are starting to catch up to Apple with their smartphone designs, Apple is still the undisputed leader in tablet design and build quality and the iPad Mini with Retina Display looks to continue that.

If you're coming from a Nexus 7 (2013) or Kindle Fire HDX, while there isn't that much difference in terms of screen clarity with the iPad Mini with Retina Display (the difference is just 3 ppi), as we mentioned with the iPad Air, it's worth noting that Apple is the only manufacturer that has apps specifically designed for its tablet devices (there is no difference between Android apps, as they scale to different screen sizes to suit both smartphones and tablets).

Pricing and Availability

If you've made the decision to upgrade, the iPad Air will be available in Singapore sometime in November (unfortunately, no official release date has been set yet).

Apple and it's official retailers will be offering the following recommended retail prices:

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