iPad Pro M4 13 & iPad mini share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPad Pro M4 13 rather than the iPad mini.
Why Do I Recommend The iPad Pro M4 13?
- The iPad Pro has Apple’s M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU that drives workstation-level speed for 4K edits and complex 3D renders, compared to the iPad mini’s A15 Bionic.
- iPad Pro features a 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED display that reaches 1,600 nits HDR brightness for precise color-grading and vivid HDR movies, compared to the iPad mini’s 8.3-inch 500-nit LCD.
- It includes ProMotion 120 Hz refresh that renders Apple Pencil strokes and scrolling ultra-smooth for creative multitasking, compared to the iPad mini’s fixed 60 Hz panel.
- The iPad Pro supports Thunderbolt/USB 4 connectivity that moves huge ProRes files at up to 40 Gbps and drives a 6K display, compared to the iPad mini’s standard USB-C port.
- iPad Pro comes with up to 16 GB of unified memory that keeps multiple full-resolution Photoshop layers active without reloads, compared to the iPad mini’s 4 GB RAM cap.
- It supports the latest Magic Keyboard that turns it into a laptop-class workstation with a trackpad and function row, compared to the iPad mini’s lack of official keyboard support.
- The iPad Pro includes a four-speaker audio system that produces immersive spatial sound for Dolby Atmos films and music creation, compared to the iPad mini’s two landscape speakers.
- iPad Pro features a rear LiDAR Scanner and landscape Center Stage camera that enhance AR precision and deliver eye-level video calls, compared to the iPad mini’s absence of LiDAR and portrait-oriented camera.
Maybe the iPad mini price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPad Pro M4 13. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPad Pro M4 13 | iPad mini |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Fabrication Process | 3nm | 5nm |
| CPU Cores | 10-core | 6-core |
| GPU Cores | Up to 10-core | 5-core |
| Display Size | 13 inches | 8.3 inches |
| Display Type | Tandem OLED | Liquid Retina |
| Resolution | 2752 x 2064 | 2266 x 1488 |
| Brightness | 1000 nits (SDR), 1600 nits (HDR) | 500 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB | 4GB |
| Storage Options | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 64GB / 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Wide + LiDAR | 12MP Wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide | 12MP Ultra Wide |
| Face ID / Touch ID | Face ID | Touch ID |
| Audio | Four-speaker system | Stereo speakers |
| Port Type | USB-C with Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil Pro, Pencil | Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard Support | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro | No official keyboard |
| OS at Launch | iPadOS 17 | iPadOS 15 |
| Body Thickness | 5.1 mm | 6.3 mm |
| Dimensions | 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm |
| Weight | 579g (Wi-Fi) / 582g (Cellular) | 293g (Wi-Fi) / 297g (Cellular) |
| Color Options | Silver, Space Black | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Battery Capacity | 38.99Wh | 19.3Wh |
| Charging | USB-C 20W | USB-C 20W |
| 5G Support | Available | Available |
| Wi-Fi Version | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Price | Check iPad Pro M4 Price | Check iPad mini Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- 12MP Ultra Wide Front Camera with Center Stage: Both iPads feature a 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera that supports Center Stage. This technology keeps you automatically centered during video calls, ideal for FaceTime, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.
- 12MP Rear Camera & 4K Video Recording: Each device includes a 12MP wide rear camera capable of capturing high-resolution photos and 4K video at multiple frame rates, enabling great content creation on both.
- Apple Pencil (USB-C) Compatibility: Both models support the Apple Pencil (USB-C), allowing users to draw, take notes, or markup PDFs with precision, making them useful for students, artists, and professionals.
- USB-C Port for Charging and Data: While the iPad Pro M4 has Thunderbolt 4 and the mini doesn’t, both still use the USB-C connector type for charging and accessory use, ensuring modern connectivity.
- Touchscreen Retina Display: Each iPad features a high-resolution Retina display with multitouch support, ensuring smooth gestures, crisp visuals, and fluid interactions for apps, games, and media.
- Optional 5G Cellular Models: Both iPads offer models with 5G connectivity, enabling fast mobile internet access for on-the-go use, especially useful for professionals or frequent travelers.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Support: Both tablets support high-speed Wi-Fi (6 or 6E) and Bluetooth 5.x, ensuring fast wireless performance for downloads, streaming, and connecting to accessories like keyboards or headphones.
- Battery Life up to 10 Hours: Despite their size differences, both devices are optimized to deliver up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on Wi-Fi, making them dependable for all-day use.
- USB-C Charging: Both models charge via USB-C, which simplifies cable needs across Apple’s newer device ecosystem and supports faster charging.
- Stereo Audio Output: While the iPad Pro includes a quad-speaker setup and the mini has stereo landscape speakers, both deliver stereo sound, making them suitable for watching movies, listening to music, or gaming.
- Premium Aluminum Build: Each iPad is built with a sleek and durable aluminum body, giving a premium look and feel while maintaining structural integrity.
- Color Variety: Both models are available in multiple color options, appealing to users who want style alongside performance.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Ready: Each supports AR experiences with high-precision motion sensors and rear cameras, allowing for educational, design, and gaming applications.
- Biometric Security: Both iPads feature biometric authentication—Face ID for Pro and Touch ID for mini—ensuring secure access and Apple Pay capability.
- App Store & iPadOS Ecosystem: Both devices run iPadOS and have full access to the App Store, meaning they can run the same apps including productivity tools, creative software, and games.
- Apple Ecosystem Integration: Both support features like Handoff, AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, and Sidecar—allowing them to work seamlessly with other Apple products like Macs, iPhones, and AirPods.
Common Features
| Feature | iPad Pro M4 13 | iPad mini |
| Front Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide | 12MP Ultra Wide |
| Center Stage | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Wide | 12MP Wide |
| Video Recording | 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps | 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps |
| Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Supported | Supported |
| USB-C Port | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Multi-touch display | Multi-touch display |
| 5G Connectivity | Available on cellular models | Available on cellular models |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6E (Pro) / Wi-Fi 6 – Both high-speed | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.x | Bluetooth 5.x |
| iPadOS Support | iPadOS | iPadOS |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi | Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi |
| Charging | USB-C Charging | USB-C Charging |
| Stereo Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Build Material | Aluminum enclosure | Aluminum enclosure |
| Color Options | Multiple finishes | Multiple finishes |
| Augmented Reality Support | Yes | Yes |
| Security | Biometric | Biometric |
| App Store Access | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Ecosystem Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPad Pro M4 Price | Check iPad mini Price |
FAQ
Which iPad is better for multitasking and productivity? Does the iPad mini support Apple Pencil? Which device has better display quality? Is Face ID available on both models? Do both iPads support 5G connectivity? Can I use the same charging cable for both iPads? Which iPad is better for portability and one-handed use? Do both devices support external storage or monitors? How much RAM do both iPads have? Which model supports the Magic Keyboard? Are both iPads good for gaming? Do both iPads support the Center Stage feature for video calls? Which iPad is more affordable? Can both iPads run the latest version of iPadOS? |
