Comparison Apple iPad mini 2015 128 GB vs Apple iPad Air 2014 128 GB

— Display diagonal. Size screen dimensions; traditionally indicated in ". Larger screens are easy to view and easy to touch. On the other hand, this parameter directly affects the dimensions, power consumption and price of the entire tablet (the increase in cost is often also due to the fact that a larger screen also requires a higher resolution). Rare birds from the family of modern tablets have 7-" screens; many of them look like slightly enlarged smartphones. Sizes of 8 " and 9 " can be considered basic. 10-" and 11-" diagonals are quite large for a consumer-class tablet; and screens of 12", 13", 14" and more are typical mainly for professional-level models.

– Resolution. Screen resolution on a tablet is the dimensions of the sensor in dots (pixels) horizontally and vertically. Based on this parameter, screens in modern tablets are conventionally divided into three categories: HD, Full HD, 2K and higher. The higher the display resolution, the clearer, more detailed and smoother the image it can reproduce. High resolution is especially important for large diagonal displays. At the same time, it significantly affec...ts the cost - both due to the high price of the screens themselves and due to the increased requirements for system performance.

— PPI. An abbreviation for "points per inch," i.e., "pixels per inch". This setting determines how many pixels are on a 1-" (2.54 cm) line drawn horizontally or vertically across the screen; it directly depends on the resolution and dimensions of the display. In general, the higher the PPI value, the clearer, smoother and, accordingly, the higher quality the picture on the screen will be. And at a certain pixel density, the human eye generally ceases to distinguish individual points, perceiving a completely smoothed image.

— Matrix type. The technology used to make the tablet PC display. Today the following types of matrices are used:

• — TN-Film(Twisted Nematic+Film). The oldest modern technology for manufacturing liquid crystal screens. Such matrices are characterized by a short response time, but have small viewing angles and provide relatively low image quality. For some time they were quite popular due to their low cost, but today they have practically disappeared from the scene due to the development and reduction in cost of more advanced technologies.
• — IPS(In Plane Switching). Such matrices are characterized by excellent color rendering and wide viewing angles in all viewing planes. Initially, they had a fairly long response time and were expensive, but technology does not stand still - improved versions of IPS are “faster” and inexpensive. Thanks to this, this type of sensor is found in all types of tablets, even among budget-class devices.
• — PLS(Plane to Line Switching). A type of sensor developed by Samsung engineers as an inexpensive and higher quality alternative to the original IPS, with increased brightness and contrast. For a number of reasons, it is used primarily in devices in the middle and higher price ranges.
• — LTPS(Low Temperature Poly Silicon). Technology for producing TFT displays using silicon. Indicators of brightness, contrast and viewing angles are at the level of screens made on the basis of IPS. A key feature of this technology is the ability to embed control electronics directly into the screen, but at the same time these displays remain light and thin. This technology is quite expensive to produce, but due to the fact that there is no need to use additional chips to control the image, the price of the end devices is at an acceptable level.
• — MVA. Abbreviation for "Multi-domain Vertical Alignment". One of the most popular types of VA technology today. It is a kind of transitional option between TN-film and IPS (see above), combining a number of advantages of both types. On the one hand, MVA matrices provide fairly high-quality color reproduction and deep blacks, on the other hand, their response time is not much lower than in TN-film. At the same time, such screens are not without drawbacks: when viewed strictly perpendicularly, the shades of black can be “blurred” and merge, and the color balance as a whole significantly depends on the viewing angle. It is not widely used on tablets.
• - AMOLED. An abbreviation for “Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode,” that is, an active sensor based on organic light-emitting diodes. Unlike most other types of screens, the AMOLED sensor is itself a light source and does not require a separate backlight, which significantly reduces energy consumption. Moreover, such screens are characterized by high quality contrast and color reproduction, and the image on them is clearly visible even in bright external lighting. The main disadvantages of AMOLED are the complexity of production (as a consequence - high price), as well as the tendency to uneven wear ("burnout") of pixels during prolonged operation at high brightness, which can disrupt color rendition. On the other hand, it is very difficult to bring the display to such wear and tear, and AMOLED sensor manufacturers are constantly working on new modifications of the technology designed to eliminate these shortcomings.
• - Super AMOLED. A modified and improved version of AMOLED technology created by Samsung; LG produces such screens under the Ultra AMOLED brand. One of the key improvements to this technology is that in Super AMOLED screens the touch layer is built directly into the display (rather than being made separate). This had a positive effect both on the quality of color reproduction and image brightness, as well as on the accuracy and speed of the sensors. In addition, this type of screen is 20% brighter than original AMOLED, has 80% less glare and consumes 20% less energy.
• — Super Clear TFT. A technology created by Samsung together with Sony as an alternative to Super AMOLED displays (the demand for which was so high that manufacturers simply did not have enough capacity to produce the required quantity). Created on the basis of the usual TFT with some improvements and additions; In terms of image quality, Super AMOLED is somewhat inferior, but not by much, but the production of Super Clear TFT is much cheaper and easier.
• — OLED. Various types of matrices based on organic light-emitting diodes. In terms of features such as color rendering, contrast, power consumption, such screens are similar to the AMOLED ones described above; differences may lie in small details of technology. In general, OLED displays are quite advanced, they are found mainly in high-end tablet models. The main disadvantages of OLED screens are their high price (which, however, is constantly decreasing as the technology develops and improves), as well as the susceptibility of organic pixels to burn out when broadcasting static images or pictures with static elements (notification panel, on-screen buttons, etc.) for a long time. ).

— Sweep frequency. The maximum refresh rate of the display, in other words, the highest frame rate that it can effectively reproduce. The higher this indicator, the smoother and smoother the image is, the less noticeable the “slideshow effect” and blurring of objects when moving on the screen. At the same time, it is worth considering that a refresh rate of 60 Hz, supported by almost any modern tablet, is quite sufficient for most tasks; Even high-definition videos hardly use high frame rates these days. However, high refresh rates - 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz - can be useful in games and some other tasks; it also improves the overall experience of the OS interface and applications - moving elements in such interfaces move as smoothly as possible and without blurring.

– HDR. Technology that allows you to expand the dynamic range of the screen. In this case, we mean a range of brightness - simply put, the presence of HDR allows the screen to display brighter whites and darker blacks than on displays without support for this technology. In practice, this gives a noticeable increase in picture quality: the saturation and fidelity of the rendition of various colors improves, and details in very light or very dark areas of the frame do not “drown” in white or black. However, all these advantages become noticeable only if the content being played is originally recorded in HDR. Nowadays, several varieties of this technology are used, here are their features:

• HDR10. Historically the first of the consumer HDR formats, it is extremely popular today: in particular, it is supported by almost all streaming services with HDR content and is standardly used for such content on Blu-ray discs. Provides 10-bits color depth (more than a billion shades). At the same time, on devices with this technology, you can also play HDR10+ format content (see below) - except that its quality will be limited by the capabilities of the original HDR10.
• HDR10+. Improved version of HDR10. With the same color depth (10 bits), it uses so-called dynamic metadata, which allows you to transmit information about the color depth not only for groups of several frames, but also for individual frames. Thanks to this, an additional improvement in color rendering is achieved.
• Dolby Vision. An advanced standard used particularly in professional cinematography. It allows you to achieve a color depth of 12 bits (almost 69 billion shades), uses the dynamic metadata mentioned above, and also makes it possible to transmit two image options at once in one video stream - HDR and regular (SDR). At the same time, Dolby Vision is based on the same technology as HDR10, so in modern electronics this format is often combined with HDR10 or HDR10+.

— Gorilla Glass. Special tempered glass used to cover displays in modern gadgets, including tablets. It is characterized by increased resistance to scratches and impacts; but the specific properties of the Gorilla Glass coating depend on its version. This parameter can also be specified in the tablet's specifications; Here are the most current versions for today:

• Gorilla Glass v3. Released in 2013, but still found in modern devices. This is primarily due to its outstanding scratch resistance: according to this indicator, the third version of the “gorilla” remained unsurpassed right up to 2020 (and Gorilla Glass Victus, which took the lead, is still practically not used in tablets).
• Gorilla Glass v4. Coating created in 2014. The main emphasis during development was on impact resistance, due to which this indicator, compared to the previous version, doubled (with a glass thickness of only 0.4 mm). But the scratch resistance has decreased somewhat.
• Gorilla Glass v5. Version introduced in 2016. Impact resistance, compared to its predecessor, has increased by 1.8 times, due to which such glass remains intact in 100% of cases of a fall from a height of 1.2 m (on a flat hard surface) and in 80% of cases of a fall from a height of 1.6 m. Scratch resistance has also improved somewhat, but this material still does not reach the performance levels of v3.
• Gorilla Glass v6. 2018 version with a focus on improving impact resistance. Twice stronger than version 5, guaranteed to withstand single drops from a height of 1.6 m and multiple drops (up to 15 times in a row) from a height of 1 m.
• Gorilla Glass Victus. After v3, this is the first version of Gorilla Glass where the creators paid as much attention to scratch resistance as shock protection. Victus glass debuted in 2020. Shock resistance for it is declared at the level of 2 m for a single fall and 1 m for multiple falls (up to 20 times in a row).
• Gorilla Glass Victus+. An improved modification of Gorilla Glass Victus, released in 2022. Close to ceramics in terms of scratch resistance. Thus, according to the Mohs mineral scale of hardness, glass begins to scratch at level 7/10, while the original Victus version scratches at level 6/10.

This parameter shows how much of the tablet's front panel area is on the display. The higher the display/body ratio, the thinner the frames and the more compact the tablet (with the same diagonal), the more elegant and aesthetically pleasing it looks. This indicator is also important when holding the tablet with both hands at once (for example, in games): thin frames or even frameless models allow you to reach further with your fingers without removing your hands from the device.

The model name of the processor installed in the tablet.

The processor is the “heart” of the device. It is he who is responsible for performing all the computing operations necessary for the normal operation of the tablet, and largely determines the overall performance. Knowing the name of a specific processor model, you can easily find detailed information on it, incl. and comparison with other models.

The most popular chips these days are from Qualcomm(in particular, the top solutions Snapdragon 800 series and Snapdragon 8 series), MediaTek(budget and “mid-range” MediaTek Helio processors and the line of advanced MediaTek Dimensity chipsets with 5G support), and among Windows tablets Intel processors (mainly the Intel Core family) are often found. Quite a rarity are branded Kirin processors from Huawei and Honor.

The number of individual cores provided by the tablet processor.

The core is the part of the processor that executes a single instruction stream. Accordingly, the more cores, the more threads the processor can simultaneously process and the higher its performance (ceteris paribus). On the other hand, numerous cores is not always an indicator of a high class processor and tablet as a whole. First, the actual performance of the chip depends on many other factors, and advanced dual-core processors often outperform inexpensive quad-core processors. Secondly, the development and cheapening of technologies has led to the fact that simple quad-core CPUs have become quite affordable even for low-cost devices. And even eight-core processors, which at one time were an unequivocal sign of advanced models, are increasingly found in relatively inexpensive tablets; the same can be said about relatively recent processors with 10 cores. However it is worth noting that in such chips, the cores can be divided into main (with high performance) and additional (used in tasks that do not require power). For example, 8 cores can be divided into 4 main and 4 additional cores. However, such a division is often not a disadvantage, but an advantage: numerous full-fledged cores is rarely required in fact, and reduced power saves energy and improves battery life.

Model of the graphics card installed in the tablet. The graphics card in such devices is not a separate device, but part of the processor; however, she still has a clear specialization and is responsible for graphics.

Accordingly, the graphics capabilities of the tablet directly depend on the characteristics of the video accelerator. Theoretically, knowing the name, you can find detailed specifications of a graphics card, reviews, test results and other information and evaluate how it suits you. At the same time, in most cases there is no need to delve into such details — all system components, including the graphics card, are usually selected in such a way as to correspond to the general class of the tablet and the capabilities necessary for this class.

The result shown by a device when undergoing a performance test (benchmark) in the AnTuTu Benchmark.

AnTuTu Benchmark is a comprehensive test designed specifically for mobile devices, primarily smartphones and tablets. It evaluates the performance of the processor, memory, graphics, and input/output systems, providing a clear impression of the system's capabilities. The better the performance, the higher the score. According to AnTuTu, top models are those that score more than 500,000 points.

As with any benchmark, this test does not provide absolute precision; for more details on measurement inaccuracies, see the "3DMark Gamer's Benchmark" section.

The result shown by the device when passing the performance test (benchmark) 3DMark Gamer's Benchmark.

3DMark is a series of benchmarks originally designed to test the graphics performance of a device; later, these tests were supplemented by checking the capabilities of the processor. Testing is carried out primarily in terms of performance in games (in fact, the benchmark itself is described as “a game without the ability to influence the process”), however, given that modern games can have very high requirements, 3DMark is a fairly visual tool for assessing the overall performance of the system . And since the latest versions of the test are made cross-platform, it also makes it possible to compare devices under different operating systems and even different classes (for example, smartphones with tablets). The more points this or that model received on this test, the more performant it is.

It is worth noting that the results of any benchmark are usually quite approximate, because. they depend on many factors that are not directly related to the system — from the load of the device with third-party programs and ending with the air temperature during testing. The error due to these factors is usually on the order of 5-7 %; therefore, it is possible to speak of a significant difference between the two models only if the difference in their indicators goes beyond this error.

— 3G. Support for third-generation mobile networks (3G) by the modem. Usually it means work in UMTS networks (development of the GSM standard); Depending on the data transfer technologies supported by the network and the tablet itself, the maximum connection speed can vary from 2 to 70 Mbps. This is comparable to the speed of terrestrial Internet connection channels, so 3G connection can be comfortably used for web surfing, downloading files, watching streaming video, video calling, etc. In many models, classic voice calls to mobile and landline numbers are also available; most often these are devices with a small diagonal, which allows you to hold the tablet to your ear like a regular phone.

— 4G (LTE). Tablet support for 4th generation mobile communications — 4G(LTE). Such a connection provides data transfer speeds up to 173 Mbps according to the official specification (1 Gbps in the future), which gives even more comfort when surfing the Internet and other similar tasks than in 3G networks. In many LTE-tablets, classic voice calls to mobile and landline numbers are also available; most often these are devices with a small diagonal, which allows you to hold the tablet to your ear like a regular phone.

Note that the implementation of LTE in different countries and even regions is uneven, so before buying a tablet with such a module, it's ok to clarify the availability of coverage.
<...br> — 5G. Further, after 4G, the development of mobile communication standards. In the official specifications of this generation, a peak speed of 20 Gbps for reception and 10 Gbps for transmission, guaranteed reception and transmission speeds (at high network load) of 100 and 50 Mbps, respectively, as well as a number of solutions aimed at increasing reliability and overall communication quality. A set of such solutions includes, in particular, multi-element antenna arrays (Massive MIMO) and beamforming technologies (Beamforming) at base stations, as well as the possibility of direct communication between subscriber devices. With all this, this standard allows to reduce energy consumption in comparison with its predecessors.
Separately, it is worth touching on rumors about the dangers of 5G communications for health. According to modern scientific data, such a connection does not pose a danger to the human body, and the rumors mentioned are conspiracy theories that are not supported by any weighty arguments.

Bluetooth version supported by the tablet.

Bluetooth itself is a technology for direct wireless communication between various electronic devices. It can be used for various purposes, in particular, exchanging files with another Bluetooth device (laptop, mobile phone), connecting wireless headphones and headsets, peripheral devices (keyboards, mice), etc. The Bluetooth connection does not require both devices to be in line of sight and is stable as they move within range. The range and additional features depend on the connection version:

• 2.0. The earliest of the Bluetooth variations used in today's tablets. Provides a data transfer rate of about 2.1 Mbps.
• 2.1. This version differs from 2.0 in a number of improvements: enhanced security, reduced power consumption and compatibility with NFC technology.
• 3.0. This version is a combination of a Bluetooth 2.1 module and a high-speed add-on that allows you to transfer data at speeds up to 24 Mbps. Thanks to this, the connection is able to automatically adapt to the situation: for small amounts of data, a slow channel is used that does not consume much energy, and for large volumes, the high-speed part is used.
• 4.0. June 2010 version. It is notable for the fact that it combines three protocols: classic, high-speed and BLE (low power consumption). The latter is the most economical at the time of release - the power consumption is so low that the CR2032 "tablet" batteries la...st for several years of operation. The data transfer rate via the BLE protocol is up to 1 Mbps. According to the classical and high-speed protocol, Bluetooth 4.0 is almost the same as version 3.0 (see above).
• 4.1. Development of the version 4.0 described above. One of the key improvements was the optimization of collaboration with LTE cellular modules in order to avoid mutual interference. In addition, it became possible to operate Bluetooth devices simultaneously in several roles (for example, to broadcast audio to a headset and remotely control another device).
• 4.2. The next, after 4.1, is a key update to the Bluetooth standard. Introduced a number of key innovations for working in the "Internet of Things" (Internet of Things), as well as general improvements in speed and noise immunity.
• 5.0. Bluetooth version 5.0, introduced in 2016. In general, it continued the trend set by the 4.2 standard, has even more extensive opportunities for working with the Internet of Things. In particular, in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol (see "4.0" above), it became possible to double the data transfer rate (up to 2 Mbps) at the cost of reducing the range, as well as quadruple the range at the cost of reducing the speed; in addition, a number of improvements have been introduced regarding simultaneous operation with a large number of connected devices.
• Bluetooth v 5.1. Update of the version described above v 5.0. In addition to general improvements in the quality and reliability of communication, this update has implemented such an interesting feature as determining the direction from which the Bluetooth signal is coming. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to determine the location of connected devices with an accuracy of a centimeter, which can be useful when searching for various accessories - for example, Bluetooth headphones or a wireless gamepad.
• Bluetooth v 5.2. The next, after 5.1, is the Bluetooth 5th generation update. The main innovations in this version are a number of security improvements, additional power optimization in LE mode, and a new audio signal format for synchronized parallel playback on multiple devices.
• Bluetooth v 5.3. The Bluetooth v 5.3 wireless protocol was introduced at the dawn of 2022. Among the innovations, it accelerated the process of negotiating the communication channel between the controller and the device, implemented the function of quickly switching between the state of operation in a small duty cycle and high-speed mode, improved the throughput and stability of the connection by reducing the susceptibility to interference. In case of unexpected interference in the Low Energy mode of operation, the procedure for selecting a communication channel for switching is now accelerated. There are no fundamental innovations in protocol 5.3, but a number of qualitative improvements are seen in it.