The latest iPad Air bridges the budget 10.2-inch iPad and the premium11-inch iPad Pro. The new design and improved chipset further blur standard and pro.
iPad Air 4 Features
Design and Display
The iPad Air 4 ditches the dated design of the iPad Air 3, moving to a 10.9-inch, nearly edge-to-edge screen design that takes on the same design as the iPad Pro. The case appears to be the same size as the 11-inch iPad Pro, but the bezels are slightly thicker due to display technology differences.
This fourth-generation model has a Liquid Retina LED display like the current iPad Pro, but it lacks the iPad Pro's 120Hz ProMotion display. It is capped at 60Hz like previous generations, but most users may not notice unless they come from the iPad Pro or use the Apple Pencil extensively.
The display has a 2360 x 1640 resolution, with 3.8 million pixels. It also has full lamination, p3 wide color, True Tone, and an anti-reflective coating. The laminated display means that content appears close to the screen, so it feels more natural when writing with the Pencil.
The iPad Air now has flat edges, a design paradigm Apple introduced in the third-generation iPad Pro and used in the iPhone 12series.
Touch ID
Touch ID in the Top Button
With the move to a nearly edgeless display, it was inevitable the iPad Air would need to transition from the old home-button Touch ID sensor. Perhaps to keep the bill of materials down, Apple skipped Face ID and instead opted for a Touch ID sensor in the tablet's power button.
The Touch ID sensor sits on the top-right edge of the device while in portrait mode. The smaller sensor is just as accurate and secure as the original Touch ID, and Apple claims it was a feat of engineering to get it to work within the top button.
One advantage of the new Touch ID over Face ID is that you don't have to enter a passcode if you're using the iPad while wearing a face mask. Some speculation suggests this new Touch ID sensor could appear in a future iPhone model alongside Face ID to aid in the new normal of wearing masks.
Processor
Thin and light designs are thanks to efficient processors
The updated model moves to an A14 Bionic processor, the same chip that powers the iPhone 12. It is a big step up from the A13 and another proof-of-concept of Apple's ability to push Apple Silicon forward each year.
The A14 Bionic uses a 5nm architecture. Apple says it has up to double the graphics performance of the A12. The chip has a six-core CPU and 11.8 billion transistors, 40% more than A12. Early benchmarks indicate the new chipset is approximately 20% faster than the A13.
The A14 has a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. Its performance gains make it the fastest processor Apple makes when tested on single-core, though the A12Z Bionic still scores better at multi-core performance.
USB-C
The updated iPad Air also moves closer to the iPad Pro by switching from Lightning to USB-C. It is limited to 5Gbps — compared to the iPad Pro's 10Gbps — but supports the same peripherals. It can only output video up to 1080p when connected to an external monitor.
USB-C support allows the new tablet to connect a wider variety of external desktop accessories, such as drives, displays, cameras, and multi-port adapters. Users can even use large USB-C hubs to connect to many devices and a monitor simultaneously, all through a single connection.
Apple has moved most of its products to USB-C, though the iPhone and 10.2-inch iPad still use Lightning. The versatile USB-C allows users to carry fewer cables and easily move accessories between devices.
Additional Features
The second-generation Apple Pencil works with the iPad Air 4
- Support for the Magic Keyboardand Smart Keyboard Folio
- Support for the Apple Pencil 2
- 64GB and 256GB storage options
- A single 12MP camera with f/1.8 aperture
- Stereo Speakers
- Available in green, sky blue, rose gold, silver, and space gray color variants
iPad Pro vs. iPad Air
The tablet has an edge-to-edge display but lacks ProMotion, which gives the iPad Pro a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. ProMotion allows for more responsive Apple Pencil drawing, low latency, and a variable refresh rate for smoother content viewing and lower power consumption.
With the switch to USB-C, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air use the same port. That leaves the budget iPad and iPad mini as the only tablets still using Lightning. USB-C is a more versatile connection, opening the door to many desktop and power-user accessories.
The new model's A14 Bionic chip is two generations newer than the A12Z found in the iPad Pro. Despite graphical advances in the A14, the iPad Air still has less graphical power than the pro series. The A12Z has eight dedicated GPU cores, giving it a significant edge in graphically-intensive tasks.
The latest iPad Air has a single-lens camera setup. The iPad Pro has the same standard lens while adding an ultra-wide lens and a LiDAR Scanner for augmented-reality (AR) apps.
The iPad Air has stereo speakers, one on each side. The iPad Pro has a four-speaker setup for richer audio.
iPad Air 4 Review
The iPad Air 4 offers many of the same advantages as iPad Pro
Design
We like the updated design with its flat edges and larger display. Apple has made the iPad Air 4 feel much more modern by borrowing elements from the iPad Pro.
The screen goes nearly edge-to-edge with a Liquid Retina display, complete with curved corners. It has smaller bezels than the iPad Air before it. The previous generation had a 10.5-inch 2224-by-1668 display with 264 pixels per inch. The new model measures 10.9 inches and has a 2360-by-1640-pixel resolution, still at 264 PPI.
Even though the screen is larger, the tablet still maintains its compact feel. The bezels do the most work with increasing usable area as they are narrower.
Performance
Introducing the A14 to the iPad Air made for a fast and efficient tablet. It feels much quicker than its previous generation, and we managed to zip around the UI and our favorite apps without issue.
For a more standardized test, we turned to Geekbench. In version 5.2.5, our iPad Air scored a 1588 and a 4120 on the single and multi-core tests. That compares very well to the 2020 iPad Pro, which scored 1117 and 4690 on its own single and multi-core benchmarks.
The 12MP camera takes excellent photos thanks to the A14 processor
That is a roughly 30 percent higher single-core score, and it only lags in the multi-core test by around 12 percent. The A14 Bionic processor is a six-core chip with a base clock speed of 2.99GHz with 4GB of RAM. The 2018 iPad Pros have the A12Z Bionic processor with eight cores at 2.49GHz and 6GB of RAM.
So the device has fewer functional cores than the 2018 iPad Pro, but it makes up for it with a faster clock speed. Hence the more impressive single-core results and falling only slightly behind in multi-core.
Most tasks are only single-core operations, so this iPad Air should feel faster day-to-day. It will suffer slightly on multi-core intensive tasks, such as editing massive 40MP RAW photos or exporting a Dolby Vision HDR movie in iMovie.
Productivity
Deciding whether an iPad Air is or isn't productive is subjective, as it depends on what you are using it for. What we love about the latest model is how well-rounded it is. It feels like the best tablet available right now. Of course, it still lags behind the 2020 iPad Pro line in a few places, but that doesn't take away from how great the iPad Air is.
If you are looking for a tablet primarily for work and higher grades of school or college, we'd suggest this tablet over any other. It isn't as expensive as the iPad Pro line, but it has a newer processor and supports the much-improved second-generation Apple Pencil. It also has USB-C. If you're looking to connect flash drives or other external storage, this is the cheapest iPad with that feature.
Comparison to iPad Pro
The biggest elephant in the room when it comes to the new iPad Air is the decision between it and the 2018 iPad Pro. The 2018 11-inch iPad Pro makes an excellent case for itself despite the fact it has been discontinued.
Apple replaced the 2018 iPad Pro in early 2020 with new models. However, the 2018 11-inch iPad Pro can still be found through authorized resellers and is a tempting alternative to the iPad Air 4.
The 10.9-inch display lacks ProMotion
If you choose the older iPad Pro, you get a slightly larger display, Face ID, and a 120Hz ProMotion display. Its A12X Bionic processor still wins in multi-core performance and graphics power over this model. That A12X Bionic processor gets the same Geekbench single and multi-core scores since it is the same processor. Still, it lags slightly behind on the Metal graphics test due to the additional graphics core in the A12Z Bionic processor.
Since the A12Z and A12X Bionic processors are so similar, buying a two-year-old tablet with an "old" processor may be acceptable. You will only notice a wall on graphics-heavy tasks, which may not be an issue for some users.
When you compare directly, the old 11-inch iPad Pro with 256GB of storage runs $749, the same price as the upper-tier 128GB 2020 iPad Air.
By choosing the old iPad Pro, you lose out on the colors of the iPad Air as well as a bit of additional storage. Depending on your use-case, it may be more worth it to lose those features and a tiny bit of performance for those extra benefits."
iPad Air 4 Pricing and Availability
Here is the pricing breakdown for the new iPad Air:
- 64GB WiFi - $599
- 64GB WiFi + cellular - $729
- 256GB WiFi - $749
- 256GB WiFi + cellular - $879
The tablet released on October 23, 2020.
10.9-inch iPad Air 4 Prices (Late 2020)
Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)
- $89.00
Save $40.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Space Gray
- $599.00
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Silver
- $599.00
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Rose Gold
- $599.00
- (Video) NEW iPad Buying Guide (2023) - Don’t Waste Your Money!
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Green
- $599.00
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Sky Blue
- $599.00
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Space Gray
- $729.00
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Silver
- $700.00
PON
Save $29.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Rose Gold
- $729.00
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Green
- $729.00
Save $0.00
64GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Sky Blue
- $729.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Space Gray
- $749.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Silver
- $749.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Rose Gold
- $749.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Green
- $749.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) Sky Blue
- $749.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Space Gray
- $879.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Silver
- $879.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Rose Gold
- $879.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Green
- $879.00
Save $0.00
256GB iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Sky Blue
- $879.00
Save $0.00
FAQs
What are the features of iPad Air 4? ›
- Liquid Retina display.
- 10.9-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology.
- 2360-by-1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi)
- Wide color display (P3)
- True Tone display.
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.
- Fully laminated display.
- Antireflective coating.
Where to buy the iPad Air (2020) – best deals. Following the release of the fifth-gen iPad Air (2022) in March 2022, Apple has discontinued the iPad Air 4 (2020).
What is the price and features of iPad? ›S.no | Products - IPAD | Price |
---|---|---|
8 | Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022) 27.69 cm (10.9 inch) Wi-Fi T... | ₹59,900.00 |
9 | Apple iPad 9th Gen 2021 25.91 cm (10.2 inch) Wi-Fi + Ce... | ₹41,900.00 |
10 | Apple iPad 9th Gen 2021 25.91 cm (10.2 inch) Wi-Fi Tabl... | ₹48,900.00 |
IPAD Price List updated on 27-05-2023 |
There are four iPad Air 4th Gen models -- the iPad Air 4th Gen (Wi-Fi Only), iPad Air 4th Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA), iPad Air 4th Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell Global), and iPad Air 4th Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
What is the difference between an iPad and an iPad Air? ›Despite the iPad Air technically being a more premium device than the standard iPad, the standard iPad features a slight upgrade to its Bluetooth connectivity that the iPad Air doesn't: The iPad Air uses Bluetooth 5.0, while the standard iPad uses the newer Bluetooth 5.2.
How long does the battery last on an iPad Air? ›Even with a high-resolution screen and a powerful processor, Apple's tablet offers a battery life of 4 to 6 (or more) hours in the air—better than almost every other competing tablet.
How much is iPad Air 4 in dollars? ›iPad Air 4 Pricing and Availability
64GB WiFi + cellular - $729. 256GB WiFi - $749.
Release | Released | Discontinued |
---|---|---|
iPad Mini 2 | 9 years ago (12 Nov 2013) | 6 years ago (21 Mar 2017) |
iPad Air (1st generation) | 9 years ago (01 Nov 2013) | 7 years ago (21 Mar 2016) |
iPad (4th generation) | 10 years ago (02 Nov 2012) | 8 years ago (16 Oct 2014) |
iPad (3rd generation) | 11 years ago (16 Mar 2012) | 10 years ago (23 Oct 2012) |
Apple iPad Air 4 2020 Tablet price in India starts from ₹65,387. It is available at lowest price on Flipkart in India as on Jun 07, 2023. Take a look at Apple iPad Air 4 2020 Tablet detailed specifications and features.
What is the oldest iPad still supported? ›
- iPad: 5, 6, 7, and 8.
- iPad Air: 3 and 4.
- iPad Mini 5.
- iPad Pro: 2 (10.5-inch and 12.9-inch), 3 (11-inch and 12.9-inch), 4 (11-inch and 12.9-inch), and 5 (11-inch and 12.9-inch).
Apple does not seem to update the iPad Air regularly, leaving up to two and a half years between upgrades, and there are no immediate signs of a new model. This means that now is still a good time to buy the iPad Air and most customers should not wait for a new model to launch.
How long do iPads last? ›How Many Years Should an iPad Last? Apple usually supports a new iPad with iPadOS updates for at least five years and often several years longer. Most iPad models hold up well in performance, features, and storage over this timeframe which means that five years is a standard lifespan for any iPad.
Is 64 GB enough for an iPad? ›A 64GB iPad is enough for internet browsing, lightweight gaming, storing pictures, videos, etc. For any storage-intensive activities such as editing photos and videos, and playing graphic-intensive games, at least 128GB/256GB is recommended.
What is the difference between the iPad and the iPad Air 4th generation? ›The iPad Air has twice (x2) the CPU and graphic performance as the fourth-generation iPad. Apple says it is also eight times faster than the original iPad. In terms of storage options, you'll get the same 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB options available on the new iPad as you did with its predecessor.
What is the main difference between iPad Air 4 and 5? ›The big difference between the iPad Air 4 vs the iPad Air 5 is its processor. The iPad Air 4 has the A14 chip, and the iPad Air 5 has a very powerful M1 chip. A Mac and iPad Pro processor is now in the iPad Air 5.
What is the difference between the iPad Air 4 and 5? ›The biggest difference between the two tablets comes down to what's inside. The iPad Air 4 (2020) has an Apple A14 Bionic chip, while the iPad Air 5 (2022) has an Apple M1 chip, the same custom-designed chip used in Apple's latest Macs and in iPad Pros.
What does an iPad Air do that a regular iPad doesn t? ›Differences. The main difference between the devices is their chips and amount of memory, so if you plan on using your iPad for more demanding tasks like 3D graphic design, advanced photo editing, and gaming, the iPad Air will be the better choice by far.
Is iPad Air better than laptop? ›Along with the benefits of a full keyboard, the faster processors in most laptops make them better than iPads for office work, as laptops will easily handle demanding software, advanced spreadsheets, and word processing.
Can I leave my iPad plugged in while using it? ›It is completely safe to leave your iPad connected to its Power Adapter for extended periods. Whilst connected to the Power Adapter, the battery will charge - and the iPad will draw power combined from both battery and Power Adapter.
Is it OK to use iPad while charging? ›
Don't use your iPad while charging
If you want your iPad to charge faster, make sure not to use it while it's charging. Leaving it alone until it's fully charged should speed up the process.
Charging cycles are far more important when it comes to battery health. Keeping your iPad plugged in as much as possible makes sure it uses fewer charging cycles, which will give you a longer productive life. You may read things about keeping the battery between 20% and 80%. This is true of unmanaged Lithium Ion/Pol...
How to get an iPad Air for cheap? ›- Amazon: often the best place to look for record low prices.
- Walmart: regularly offers new record lows.
- Best Buy: sometimes includes additional bundle accessories and software.
- B&H Photo: sometimes price matches other retailers.
- Adorama: larger discounts on cellular models.
Check with your school. Apple works with a variety of schools (mostly K-12) through programs like ConnectED. Through ConnectED and similar programs, Apple donates iPads to students as learning aids. If your school participates in the program, you may qualify for an iPad.
Why is the iPad Air so expensive? ›Because it has the latest chip and design from apple, and beats even the highest end offerings from all competitors. Why is iPad air better than iPad?
What iPads are now obsolete? ›Apple has officially marked the third-generation iPad mini as an obsolete product, marking the official end of the road for one of Apple's most popular iPads.
Is an iPad 4 old? ›Apple iPad 4th generation Wi-Fi tablet was launched in October 2012.
Is a 10 year old iPad obsolete? ›That old an iPad will NOT be useful, any longer, to anybody. Apple ended support for 8-10 year old iPads, at least, over 3 years, ago. The internal hardware in that iPad is too old, too underpowred and completely incompatible with all later versions of iOS/iPadOS.
What is the difference between 64GB and 256GB iPad? ›Apart from the storage capacity, which distinguishes the two, their other features are similar. However, the 64GB iPad 10th Generation only allows Wi-Fi connectivity, while the 256GB type accommodates Wi-Fi and cellular connections.
Is iPad Air 4 worth it for school? ›So which iPad is the best for students? Overall, we think the iPad Air at 64GB is a solid choice for college. It's more affordable than the iPad Pro, yet offers a comparable performance for all your studying, research, and note-taking needs.
Why are iPad airs out of stock? ›
During its Q1 2022 earnings report last week, Apple candidly revealed that iPad sales had dropped precipitously over prior years. Of course, Apple didn't have too many brand-new iPad models to sell during this past holiday quarter, but it's also clear that it simply couldn't make enough of them to keep up with demand.
Which device will get iOS 16? ›All iPhones from iPhone 8 and up (2017 and later).
Will iPhone 7 get iOS 16? ›The iOS 16 is compatible with all iPhone 8 and newer models, leaving out the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6s series.
How long can I use iPad Air 4? ›I'd say without hesitation that most people will probably be fine using this iPad for 5 years or more.
Which pencil to use for iPad Air 4? ›You can use Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with these iPad models: iPad mini (6th generation) iPad Air (4th generation and later) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
Is there a new iPad Air coming out in 2023? ›Now, given the increased rate at which Apple is seemingly updating its tablet lineups, it's safe to expect that the iPad Air 6 might break cover in late 2023 or early 2024, in the worst case scenario.
How often should an iPad be turned off? ›It will do no harm to let your iPad sleep while you are not using it and you do not have to turn it off at all. Unless you are restarting for troubleshooting purposes, there is no reason why you should turn it off.
Can iPad last 7 years? ›As a rule of thumb, if your iPad is more than five years old, you'll probably notice slower performance. On the other hand, you could be happily using an iPad from six or seven years ago with no major problems. To get an idea of how long your iPad should last, start by identifying your iPad model.
How do you know if your iPad is dying? ›Your iPad may be dying if it's operating slower than usual, the battery is dying unusually fast and your apps keep crashing. There may be other signs that indicate it's time to repair your iPad or buy a new one. Consult an iPad repair specialist to find out if your device is failing.
Which iPad should I buy for normal use? ›For most people, the best iPad to buy is the midrange iPad Air, which starts at $599. Released in 2022, the fifth-generation iPad Air offers a bright 10.9-inch high-resolution display, extremely fast performance thanks to its M1 processor, a modern design with even bezels around the screen, and excellent speakers.
Which is better an iPad or a tablet? ›
Strength of iPad:
Compared to competing tablets, the iPad is more stable, easier to use, and works more smoothly. In terms of overall user experience for a non-technical user, Apple's iOS has a distinct advantage over Google's Android OS. It's a robust, user-friendly operating system with a simple UI.
And if you're a digital artist of any kind, the Apple Pencil's brilliance makes it a no-brainer. It's an expensive add-on, for sure, but for me personally, it's worth it. And if you're on the fence, you can always try a third-party stylus on the cheap to find out if it's really for you.
Is it better to get 64GB or 256GB? ›64GB: limited storage space. 128GB: enough for basic use. 256GB: enough for the average user. 512GB: store your entire photo, video, and movie collection.
Why do I need 256GB on an iPad? ›A 256GB storage capacity is always a solid choice. You can download all your favorite apps and the latest games without worrying about storage. You can easily save your holiday photos and videos on an iPad with 256GB. Download a season of your favorite series for on the plane, for example.
How many photos can 64GB hold? ›Number of RAW vs JPEG Photos on Memory Cards
32GB = 1,092 photos. 64GB = 2,184 photos. 128GB = 4,368 photos. 256GB = 8,732 photos.
iPads Aren't Waterproof
Or you could try taking the wet iPad to an Apple store where they could potentially disassemble it and dry it out from the inside before corrosion damage occurs. Tip: To get technical, iPhones aren't “waterproof” either.
On an iPad with a Home button, iPad (10th generation), iPad Air (4th generation and later), or iPad mini (6th generation), you can use Touch ID to securely and conveniently unlock iPad, authorize purchases and payments, and sign in to many third-party apps. To use Touch ID, you must set a passcode on your iPad.
Is iPad Air 4 as good as 5? ›There is a key difference, though. While each product has a USB-C port, the one on the iPad Air 5 is much faster, hitting 10Gbps to the iPad Air 4's 5Gbps. If you like to connect external devices – a camera or SD card reader, for instance – you'll appreciate the extra speed of the iPad Air 5's port.
Is iPad Air 5th gen better than 4th? ›Both devices support standard HDR alongside Dolby Vision, too. The biggest difference between the two tablets comes down to what's inside. The iPad Air 4 (2020) has an Apple A14 Bionic chip, while the iPad Air 5 (2022) has an Apple M1 chip, the same custom-designed chip used in Apple's latest Macs and in iPad Pros.
Is iPad Air that much better than regular iPad? ›5th-Generation iPad Air (2022)
The main difference between the devices is their chips and amount of memory, so if you plan on using your iPad for more demanding tasks like 3D graphic design, advanced photo editing, and gaming, the iPad Air will be the better choice by far.
What is the difference between iPad 4th generation and 10th generation? ›
The iPad (4th gen) features include a 9.7” Retina display, a dual-core Apple A6X chip, and up to 128GB of storage. The iPad (10th gen) features a 10.9” Liquid Retina display with True Tone, an Apple A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine, and up to 256GB of storage.
Is iPad 10 the same as iPad Air 4? ›Our teardown reveals that the iPad Air 4, now discontinued, has the same specs as the iPad 10 with just a few minor changes: The front-facing camera is 7MP against the iPad 10's 12MP, and the camera is physically located in a different spot and supports Center Stage.
What is the life expectancy of an iPad Air 4? ›Apple usually supports a new iPad with iPadOS updates for at least five years and often several years longer. Most iPad models hold up well in performance, features, and storage over this timeframe which means that five years is a standard lifespan for any iPad.
How many hours does iPad Air 4 last? ›One of the most under-appreciated features of the iPad is its fantastic battery life. Even with a high-resolution screen and a powerful processor, Apple's tablet offers a battery life of 4 to 6 (or more) hours in the air—better than almost every other competing tablet.
Does iPad Air 4 have headphone jack? ›Following its debut, Apple has now removed the 3.5mm connector from all of the latest-generation iPad models in its lineup. The ninth-generation entry level iPad, which Apple continues to sell, is now the only remaining tablet in Apple's iPad range that has the 3.5mm connector.
What is better Face ID or Touch ID? ›And from a user interface perspective, they both qualify as huge upgrades. However, when you compare the two technologies on iPhones and iPads, it's clear that Face ID is more convenient. The main reason Face ID comes out ahead is just the fact that you can unlock your device without touching it.
Is iPad Air 4 screen scratch resistant? ›For their expensive nature, Apple devices including iPads are well designed to be resistant to mere scratches. Nevertheless, having a protector in place could make your screen last longer.