Verdict
The iPad Mini 2 and the iPad Air are pretty evenly matched in key areas such as their OS, software, hardware, connectivity and reparability.
The larger iPad Air has a higher brightness and contrast ratio with its display, and we also measured a longer battery life. The iPad Mini 2, on the other hand, is the smaller and cheaper option.
The Mini is still a wide device, however, and so isn't as adapt to fitting into jacket pockets as easily as something like the Nexus 7.
It's a tough choice but, based on the brightness and contrast ratio and slightly longer battery life, we'd have to go with the iPad Air.
This article was first published on 12/03/14 and has been updated multiple times (most recently on 21/07/14) to reflect new information that has become available since its original publication.
