New iPad Mini and Air unveiled

After much speculation and debate, it’s now official, there is indeed an iPad Mini 5, and it has a lot more going for it than previous models.

The new Mini features a 7.9-inch display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536. That translates to 326PPI, and it comes with both Apple Pencil support (the original Apple Pencil, that is) and Touch ID.

The rear camera is 8MP with an f/2.4 aperture, while the front camera is 7MP.

It’s packing the A12 Bionic chipset that arrived in the latest XS iPhones, and features a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with a Lightning charger. It will be available with the option of either 64GB or 256GB RAM and comes in colors of silver, space gray or gold. Wi-Fi and Cellular versions are available.

Design-wise, the iPad Mini also features bezels, which Apple managed to do away with in the latest top of the line Pros. And yes, the Mini still features a Home button!

TouchID means there is no FaceID, which is a move that was widely anticipated for a low spec iPad model.

If you’re looking to use this with a keyboard, you will have to look outside the Apple stable, as there is no smart keyboard support for that accessory.

Meanwhile the Lightning charger also means there is no USB-C, which was introduced into the Pros last year. That too probably comes as little surprise due to the price bracket the Mini falls into. And what is that price?

The Mini is probably a little more pricey than many had anticipated, especially seeing last year’s garden variety 9.7-inch iPad retailed for just US$329.

Apple has set the price point at US$399 for the 64GB model, while the 256GB will command US$679.

The iPad Air now comes with a 10.5-inch Retina display, with a resolution of 2224 x 1668, which equates to about 264PPI, while most other features are pretty similar to the Mini.

Like the Mini, it packs the A12 Bionic processors and comes in either 64GB or 256GB configurations.

It also has an 8MP rear camera, and 7MP selfie camera, along with first generation Apple Pencil support.

The iPad Air retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, the Lightning charger and the Home button. It also uses TouchID, rather than FaceID, but is compatible with Apple’s smart keyboard.

Colors available are silver, space gray, and gold.

The Air kicks in with a price of $499 for the 64GB model and then increases up to US$779 for the 256GB, cellular model.

Both the iPad Air 2019 and the iPad Mini 5 can be pre-ordered now, and are due to be available from about March 25 to March 29.