r/ipad 1d ago

2024 iPad and iPhone Size Comparison PSA

Post image

For anyone who's trying to to decide on which iPad to buy, here's a size comparison that may be able to help you decide.

From left to right:

iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPad Mini A17 Pro, M4 iPad Pro 11", M4 iPad Pro 13"

Picture taken with a Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

631 Upvotes

119

u/vladimir-a-radchuk 1d ago

13" doesn't look much bigger than 11" until you hold it in your hands.

38

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

Yea a picture can only do so much, but the aspect ratio always makes it feel bigger when you use it since it’s more square. The 13” display is a lot taller than it is wide (in landscape) compared to the 11”, and I feel like I notice that the most.

12

u/SilvaCalMedEdmon1971 iPad 10 (2022) 1d ago

It honestly feels even bigger than my 13 inch MacBook Air.

7

u/gadgetluva 21h ago

Aspect ratio might be the reason why

9

u/SilvaCalMedEdmon1971 iPad 10 (2022) 21h ago

Yes. The iPad has a closer ratio to 4:3 while the MacBook is more towards 16:9.

4

u/lesleh 18h ago

Yep. MacBook Air has 72.21 square inches of screen space whereas the iPad has 81.12 square inches.

2

u/gadgetluva 12h ago

That’s the stat I was looking for. That’s a fairly big difference.

2

u/lesleh 11h ago

Yup. A square would have the biggest area for a given diagonal, and the closer the shape is to a square, the larger an area it has.

16

u/water_bottle_goggles 1d ago

That’s what she said

9

u/koolaidismything 1d ago

I hated the Pro 11”. I had a 12.9” and got that to replace it to save money. Only kept it about four months before I quit using it. To small I’d rather just grab my phone.

The 12.9” is amazing. Feels like having a portable smart tv kinda.

2

u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 1d ago

It’s not the vertical length that makes a big difference, but the girth.

1

u/Neither-Pressure-310 22h ago

Having the 2 sizes (12.9 and 11) I assure you that it is quite obvious, especially when you draw or want to go out with your iPad.

I assure you, it has nothing to do with it at all!

49

u/delfino_plaza 1d ago

my man CONSUMING

24

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

You should see my Doordash order history.

-15

u/GhettoStatusSymbol3 20h ago

That's not a flex, kinda cringey tbh

6

u/gadgetluva 12h ago

You should see me when I’m actually flexing. BUILT DIFFERENT.

-6

u/GhettoStatusSymbol3 11h ago

This comment reeks of poor

24

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

From left to right: iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPad Mini A17 Pro, M4 iPad Pro 11”, M4 iPad Pro 13”.

My personal “daily carry” is the iPhone 16 Pro (not the Max), iPad Mini, and M4 iPad Pro 13”.

Let me know if you have any questions.

1

u/King_Killer12O iPad 6 (2018) 7h ago

Now i need a photo of them rotated on 90 degrees angle

2

u/gadgetluva 6h ago

1

u/King_Killer12O iPad 6 (2018) 6h ago

Ok thanks Also can you put the 11 inch ipad and the 13 inch ipad next to each other from the shorter sides of both? Thanks

1

u/gadgetluva 6h ago

I’ve already shown them next to each other in portrait and landscape, I think that should suffice my killah

1

u/King_Killer12O iPad 6 (2018) 6h ago

Oh yeah, sorry, i didn't realise it was clear in the photo, thanks

1

u/King_Killer12O iPad 6 (2018) 5h ago

Sorry for asking a lot, but is the ipad 13 inch as heavy as many people complain about? And too big? Im pretty sure it's almost the size of an A4 paper?

1

u/gadgetluva 2h ago

If you’re going to hold it a lot in one hand, then yea, the 13” is pretty heavy. It may not seem like a lot on paper, but it’s definitely way more noticeable to me when I hold my 13” vs. my 11”. I think part of the reason is because I also tend to hold the 13” further away from me because the screen is bigger if that makes sense. That adds to the weight of the device itself.

17

u/moonlanding1996 1d ago

This is great to see. Interesting to see how much content each device can display on safari. Despite being significantly smaller than iPad Pro 13”, iPad mini can display almost as much of the website.

If not too much trouble, it would be very interesting to see a similar side by side comparison with all devices in landscape mode. It would give a good idea of the website content displayed in landscape in each device size.

17

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

yea, obviously one can mess with the settings to get more text or whatever to fit, and other websites do make better use of the bigger screen. But Apple definitely optimizes for the 11” screen size on iPads since it’s the most common size out there. Hopefully this helps.

1

u/Docster87 iPad Mini 6 (2021) 5h ago

iPad mini, since the 2nd gen, has had great PPI which has helped me love mine. People crap on it due to cost but it really is a great iPad.

5

u/BobbythebreinHeenan 1d ago

You’re missing the watch screen in there.

9

u/ZombieSlapper23 1d ago

I've always debated if I should get a mini or Pro 11" while owning a Pro Max iPhone. I appreciate you posting this.

11

u/the-littlest-penguin iPad Mini 6 (2021) 1d ago

I have a Pro Max phone and an iPad mini, and I love using both!

9

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

If I was going to keep just 1 iPad, I think i’d have to go with the 11” Pro. Small enough to use as a tablet, wide enough to use comfortably with the magic keyboard. Plus the same great tandem OLED panel as the 13”, which is far superior to the Mini’s screen. But depending on what you do, I still love the iPad Mini.

1

u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 1d ago

I have a 14 pro max and I love my mini and I think the screen feels vastly larger.

3

u/BilboSwaggins444 1d ago

I love my iPad mini so much

3

u/Guitar_Scary 1d ago

The cherry on top would be an iPhone 13 mini, then an iPhone 4s next to the iPhone

-8

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

Why would two obsolete phones be allowed in my glorious photo of 2024 models?

2

u/apw__ 12h ago

i have a 16 pro max & a mini, i use my ipad at home & phone when i’m out, but i like that i can still throw my mini in my purse in case i need it

1

u/gadgetluva 12h ago

Yea it’s so easy to just grab it and take it with you.

I know it would be too small, but it’d be cool if apple made a magic keyboard for the mini.

1

u/Inevitable-Roof-871 1d ago

Whoever you are, GOATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

1

u/Charles_Mendel 1d ago

Wow the 13” Pro looks absolutely massive next to all the others. I have a 16 Pro and Mini 6 myself.

1

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

Great combo.

1

u/zippyzebu9 1d ago

Too big.

1

u/bluezenither OG iPad (2010) 1d ago

what i’m shocked about is the 11 inch pro is the same overall size as my ipad pro 10.5 inch… whilst being THINNER

let that sink in. fr though it looks so massive and gargantuan in comparison, but it’s actually the same size

2

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

Apple has definitely done a great job with these new iPad Pros - what’s really incredible is that the 13” is even thinner.

1

u/bluezenither OG iPad (2010) 1d ago

god knows how that’s even possible 😭🙏🏽

1

u/Hopeful-Warning-9432 1d ago

what generation ipad mini is that?

2

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

It’s in the post but it’s the latest one - A17 Pro / Mini7

0

u/Hopeful-Warning-9432 1d ago

Hand it over pls /j

1

u/hinomarucurrydisc 1d ago

...how do you afford everything, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold?!

Goals, man...goals

Meanwhile I'm here hesitating to buy the normal iPad even with a discount lol

1

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

In the grand scheme of things, the collection here isn’t really a significant amount of money. A lot of people spend just as much in a year on their daily starbucks habit.

1

u/hockeyandquidditch iPad Mini 6 (2021) 1d ago

I have iPhone 12 Mini and iPad Mini (2021), my dad has iPhone 16 Pro Max, the screen size on his phone is literally closer in size to my iPad than my phone

3

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

I had the 13 mini until recently and i can tell you that is false.

1

u/hockeyandquidditch iPad Mini 6 (2021) 1d ago

I was looking at screen sizes in inches as listed on Apple

3

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

Screen sizes don’t matter as much as aspect ratio. The aspect ratio makes a really big difference. You have to look at the total surface area of the display.

1

u/Prodigyxvi 1d ago

Debating on getting an iPad Mini. What storage size do you have? Is it the wifi model?

2

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

256gb Cellular. I think cellular is a must on the mini, more than on the pros. I have cellular on both of the pros too, but they’re not currently activated on a plan.

1

u/No_Stretch3661 1d ago

I always wanted the Pro 11" but once I tried it out, it was clear the Mini was the right choice. Thanks for sharing this comparison!

1

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

Absolutely, can’t go wrong with either!

1

u/motech 1d ago

I need a folding iPhone that opens up to an iPad mini.

2

u/gadgetluva 23h ago

Same.

1

u/motech 23h ago

They forced me to go Google but I'll be back when they do!

1

u/gadgetluva 23h ago

Pixel Fold or 9 Pro Fold? I have the latter and it’s…fine. But I rarely use it.

1

u/motech 23h ago

I went from a lifelong iPhone user since the 1st one, to last year having a Samsung fold 5 as my 2nd phone while still having an iPhone as my main. This year I ditched both and made the pixel 9 pro fold my only phone. I much prefer iOS but this is the phone for me.

1

u/noob_okkkk 22h ago

iPhone mini 😢

-1

u/gadgetluva 22h ago

Worst phone ever. Had the 12 and 13 minis and they were the worst. Modern iOS wasn’t built for screens for ants.

1

u/Apple_canada 22h ago

I keep wondering if I’d have been better served by the iPad 13” instead if the iPad 11” I bought.. thanks for this comparison, I feel like I did the right thing going with the 11”, the 13” looks too big to hold comfortably in one hand for extended use.. I do envy the extra screen space though

1

u/trtsmb 13h ago

I considered the 13" but every time I held it in the store, it felt awkward if I tried to hold it and do something with the other hand. The 11" felt more comfortable.

1

u/gadgetluva 21h ago

You definitely did if you use the iPad as a true tablet instead of a laptop replacement. The other problem with the 13” is that you need to hold it further away from your eyes since it’s a bigger canvas, which fatigues your arms faster (and somewhat defeats the purpose of a bigger screen in tablet mode).

However, the best part about the 13” is the aspect ratio - i think the 11” would be nicer if it had the proportions of the 13”.

1

u/Apple_canada 21h ago

Oh wow, that’s something I hadn’t imagined, stretching arms to hold it further away would become annoying real quick for my use case. My iPad use case is tablet-only mode all the time, even got cellular data on it cos I take it in the car with me for browsing, maps and reading. Lucky thing I got the 11” I suppose!

3

u/gadgetluva 21h ago

You made the right decision for your use case.

What’s funny is that there are always posts about “what phone should I buy” or “which iPad should I buy” but people rarely stop to think about HOW they’re going to use the device. Better yet, most people giving “advice” will just recommend the device that they like more without regard for how the user will actually use their device the most.

3

u/Apple_canada 21h ago

Absolutely true! Personal use case requirements alway supersede spec sheets and reviewer opinions.

1

u/stellauel 20h ago

I need something in between mini and the 11".

2

u/gadgetluva 12h ago

I think the Mini should grow to be around 9”, which should be largely possible by shrinking the bezels on the current gen. Then I think the 11” should go to 11.3-11.5” whereas the 13” should move to 13.7”-14” or so.

1

u/a-jasem 20h ago

The 16PM barely looks smaller than the iPad mini lol

1

u/gadgetluva 12h ago

Trust, the size, aspect ratio, and scaling makes a noticeable difference in the iPad mini vs 16 Pro Max

1

u/nexttothrone2 12h ago

Its been already asked but, i have ipad air 5 11 inch, i use it on my desk to read pdfs and make notes and study looong hours, occasionally i have to travel and on my travels i use it to read my notes. 85% use in Portrait orientation. I sometimes regret not getting the bigger screen, did I make the right decision, can you shed some light? 

1

u/gadgetluva 12h ago

I think you made the right decision, I think that the 11” optimizes for all of your usage, especially because you use it in Portrait mode most of the time (aspect ratio is better on the 11” for portrait mode). When it comes time to upgrade, keep your Air and just add an iPad Air or Pro 13” - and by then they’ll probably get a bit bigger anyways making it more of a difference between the two.

1

u/nexttothrone2 12h ago

That makes me feel better about my purchase. Thanks for your reply man! And yea thats the plan, as my ipad got submerged in water ( i dried it for 7 days) and have faced no issues since, but still i want to buy another as soon as I get a job, 13inch and then just have both or sell this one lets see. But for now I am feeling happy about this, thanks for your reply!

1

u/gadgetluva 12h ago

Yea man, it’s a great device so you should be happy about it.

1

u/CC1727 10h ago edited 10h ago

As far as iPads go for me, I tried the 13” M4, but now I have the 11” version. I do not use it as my only computer, and for handheld tablet use, 11” is more comfortable. I do have a Logi combo case with keyboard, and it works fine when I am on the go. But I love to play iPad games and the 13” was nearly impossible to use on screen controls comfortably.

I use the 11” iPad more than I used the 13”, simply due to not needing to make as much space on a surface or needing to sit down to use it. Also I never used the 13” while laying in bed, but I do use the 11” iPad.

1

u/gadgetluva 10h ago

Definitely, my advice for people shopping for an iPad or other tablet is to ask how they’ll be using it. If you’re holding it up and using it like a tablet, then it’s the Mini or an 11” standard iPad, Air, or Pro. If you want a laptop replacement or you want to use it in mostly a stationary position like at a table or desk where you’re not typically holding it up (and probably using it with the magic keyboard or similar type of case), then get the 13”. If you have a lot of mixed use, then likely one of the 10-11” models is your best bet.

1

u/CC1727 10h ago

Agreed.

1

u/harventuraa 7h ago

I have a 13-inch macbook pro. I’m planning to buy an ipad. Should I buy the 11 or 13 inch?

1

u/gadgetluva 6h ago

The size of your macbook Pro, IMO, is largely a red herring. What do you plan on using the iPad for? Do you expect your iPad to replace your Macbook for any of the functions you currently use it for? Where will you use your ipad primarily, and is there a second “place” that you’ll use your iPad frequently? That’s what you need to talk about in order to figure out which model is best for your use case.

1

u/harventuraa 6h ago

I’ll use it for college. Secondary device to my macbook

1

u/gadgetluva 6h ago

For what will you be using it? Notes? Textbooks? Gaming? Youtube? Can’t really help you without the deets my man

1

u/harventuraa 6h ago

Note taking/making, youtube, textbooks, pdfs, documents, google drive

1

u/harventuraa 6h ago

I just want to use it as a substitute for my macbook. I don’t wanna overload my laptop

1

u/gadgetluva 5h ago

It sounds like you’ll be pretty mobile with it, so I’d say go for the 11”. It’ll be easier to use on smaller desks, easier to hold, and you always have your macbook if you need a bigger screen.

1

u/harventuraa 2h ago

Thank you!

1

u/gadgetluva 2h ago

NP, hope you enjoy!

-1

u/Ecstatic_Tiger_2534 1d ago

I think the iPad mini is so pointless.

2

u/gadgetluva 23h ago

I think that’s an opinion.

0

u/Ecstatic_Tiger_2534 23h ago

Like many sentences behind with “I think”, yes.

2

u/gadgetluva 23h ago

I think you caught my drift.

0

u/Ecstatic_Tiger_2534 23h ago

I think I just did.

-14

u/EyesEyez iPad Mini 6 (2021) 1d ago

Okay

11

u/gadgetluva 1d ago

Mmmmkaaayyyyy