iPad Air 2 vs iPad Mini 4 Review: Guide to help consumers choose the best deal for them

New gadgets, particularly tablets, are released at an alarming rate, making it difficult for consumers to choose the best one. These tablets don't come cheap, so consumers need to weigh their options carefully to make sure they're getting the best value for their money.

A case in point is Apple's iPad Air 2, released in October 2014, and iPad Mini 4, launched in September 2015. Consumers wishing to buy one or the other are advised to compare three key features that set one from the other – huge display, touchscreen functionality, and extra storage option, among other things.

Here's a simple comparison to help consumers make the right decision.

In the matter of display, the iPad Air 2 boasts

Processors define how an Apple tablet will perform, and usually, their devices have an A8X processor with 2 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. Nevertheless, the iPad Mini 4 was released with three different storage options 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB while the iPad Air 2 only comes in two storage options: 16 GB and 32 GB.

Both the iPad Mini 4 and iPad Air 2 have 8-megapixel rear and 1.2-megapixel front cameras that boast of extra features like autofocus, touch focus, panorama, HDR, and face detection.

Although all Apple tablets feature Li-Ion batteries that are non-removable, the iPad Air 2 contains an 8820 mAh battery while the iPad Mini 4 has a 5124 mAh battery. Operating system-wise, the iPad Air 2 has the iOS 8.1 while the iPad Mini 4 has the iOS 9. The base model of the former costs around $460 while the latter's base model is priced at $420.

Overall, when it comes to specifications and features, the iPad Mini 4 wins hands-down. Still, this is just a guide to help consumers, and their final decision should be based on what they need and how much budget they have set aside for the device.