Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 2.4 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 2.4 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 1.2 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 1.2 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 1.2 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 1.2 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 1.2 Gbps Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 866 Mbps
Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 866 Mbps Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 866 Mbps Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); 2.4GHz and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 866 Mbps
iPad Air 5 (2022) vs iPad Air 4 (2020): which is better?
The only real physical difference between the two tablets is the iPad Air 5 (2022) coming in at 3g heavier, which you’ll be hard-pressed to ever notice. Both iPad Airs have a peak brightness of 500 nits and support Apple’s True Tone color temperature technology. These are massive gains, but the iPad Air 4 (2020) was already powerful enough for casual internet browsing, movie watching, and occasional gaming. Lastly, the iPad Air 5 (2022) has 5G support and a twice-as-fast USB-C port, and that’s where the major differences between the two tablets come to an end.
They’ve got the same resolution, have the same peak brightness, and support the same display technologies, so while there are minor differences, in theory, the experience should be largely the same. During our testing of the iPad Air 5 (2022), we did notice it produced a slightly brighter, cleaner picture with punchier contrast with standard HDR and SDR scenes.
Apple’s known for displays with vibrant, detailed, and subtle image quality, and the iPad Air 4 (2020) still more than holds its own when pitched against the latest iteration. The iPad Air 5 (2022) has a wide, open sound thanks to its true stereo speakers, and watching movies is particularly atmospheric courtesy of the tablet’s robust soundstage.
Plus, there’s plenty of detail on offer and a rich texture to the bass (by tablet standards) that rarely spills over into sounding muddy. You’ll be hard-pressed to hear a difference between the two tablets, but we’re confident enough to say you won’t be disappointed by the sound quality of either, regardless of the content you’re enjoying. If you already own the iPad Air 4th generation, then you’ll have to decide if more processing power, a better front-facing camera, and marginally better image quality is worth paying for.
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Air 5: Should you upgrade?
Apple has wrapped up its year of iPad releases, which makes now the best time to scope the market and find the right tablet for you. In the newest iPad Air 5 lives the company’s tried-and-true M1 processor, a wider front-facing camera, and the hottest buzzword in tech: 5G.
But if pricing impacts your buying decision, then the similarly-designed iPad Air 4 is just as worthy of your consideration and can be had for noticeably less money. In fact, underneath the familiar glass and aluminum exterior is Apple’s ARM-based, eight-core CPU, M1 processor.
Trickling down from MacBooks and iMacs, Apple’s M1 chip is expected to be up to 60% faster and more powerful than its A-series counterpart — like the A14 found in the iPad Air 4. While the iPad Air 5 didn’t get Apple’s newer M2 chip, the M1 is still a powerhouse for graphics-intensive apps, such as video editors, 3D racing games, augmented reality, and general multitasking. With a wider field of view than the previous generation’s 7MP FaceTime HD lens, the new iPad can take advantage of Center Stage, Apple’s webcam feature that tracks and follows your face as you move around. You will, of course, need to be under a 5G data plan, have the appropriate nano-SIM card (or eSIM), and purchase the more expensive, cellular version of the iPad, to reap the benefits of the faster network.
With the release of the new iPad Air, most third-party retailers have since marked down the 2020 model as a means to clear out inventory.
Our guide to finding the right Apple Pencil and how to pair it breaks down the full list of compatible devices.
iPad Air 4 vs iPad Air 5 Check out their differences
Flat edges with a 10.9″ edge-to-edge screen. The colours of the iPad Air 5 have been refreshed, now coming in Space Grey, Star White, Pink, Purple and Blue. Look at the difference in the industry’s leading Geekbench test.
Also read to learn more on different types of M1 chips, here. 12 megapixel ultra wide-angle front camera. Centre Stage function to focus on video calls even when moving around the room.
Features iPad Air 4 iPad Air 5 Screen 10.9″ 10.9″ Screen brightness 500 nits 500 nits Rear camera 12 Mpx 12 Mpx Touch ID Yes Yes Front camera 12 Mpx 12 Mpx with ultra-wide-angle camera Center Stage No Yes Processor A14 M1 Connectivity Wi-Fi + 4G Wi-Fi + 5G Colours Space Grey, Silver, Rose Gold, Blue and Green Space Grey, Star White, Pink, Purple and Blue.
Compared: New 2022 iPad Air vs 2020 iPad Air
The fifth-generation iPad Air has launched with an upgrade to M1 and 5G support, but it may be a tough choice for folks that already own the fourth-generation model. Apple’s “Peek Performance” special event had the company reveal an update to the iPad Air, bringing it to the fifth generation. For the fifth-generation model, Apple closes the gap a bit more between the Air and the iPad Pro range, at least in terms of specifications. iPad Air (5th Gen, 2022) iPad Air (4th Gen, 2020) Base price $599 $599 Screen Size (inches) 10.9 10.9 Resolution 2,360 x 1,640 2,360 x 1,640 Pixel Density (dpi) 264 264 Brightness (nits) 500 500 Display Type Liquid Retina,
When Apple updated from the third-gen iPad Air to the fourth, it made considerable changes to the overall appearance. For the fifth-gen, both Wi-Fi and Cellular models are listed at 1.02 pounds, with only a gram difference. You’re also getting identical brightnesses at 500 nits, full lamination of the display, Wide color (P3) support, and True Tone. It consists of an eight-core CPU split evenly with performance and efficiency cores, an 8-core GPU, and a 16-core “next-generation” Neural Engine.
The 11-inch iPad Pro with an M1 processor runs a 1,715 single-core and 7,229 multi-core score in Geekbench. Around the front, the 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera has been switched out for a 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide version in the fifth-generation model. The new camera includes Center Stage support that takes advantage of the viewing angle and zoom in FaceTime. On wireless, the two models equally support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, though things change when it gets to the cellular side.
Apple specifies that the 5G support is for sub-6GHz bands, which provides blanket coverage similar to LTE. There is no support for mmWave, the extremely high-speed element of 5G that is widely marketed as an advantage of the standard.
The 5G Apple includes in the fifth-gen iPad Air is certainly faster than LTE, which it can also connect to, but it isn’t the same as mmWave. Both models stick to Apple’s general tablet standard of up to 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or watching video.
Audio support hasn’t changed either, with both having two speakers that work in landscape mode. Apple offered five color variations: Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue.
For 2022, the color variety retains Space Gray but instead changes the remainder to Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue. That combination made it popular in its own right, especially for those who didn’t need the full-fat iPad Pro experience.
It’s highly plausible that this spec-bump update could offer sufficient enough improvements to make a fourth-gen user upgrade.
iPad Air 5 vs. iPad Air 4: These are the biggest upgrades
The iPad Air 5 was unveiled during the Peek Performance Apple event March 2022. The new slate looks virtually identical to its predecessor, the iPad Air 4 (2020), and shares many of its features. Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell – Column 0 iPad Air 5 iPad Air 4 Price $599 $599 Screen size 10.9-inch 10.9-inch Screen resolution 2360 x 1640 2360 x 1640 CPU M1 A14 Bionic Storage 64GB / 256GB 64GB / 256GB Rear Camera 12MP 12MP Front Camera 12MP ultra-wide 7MP wide Battery life Up to 10 hours over Wi-Fi Up to 10 hours over Wi-Fi Connectivity Wi-Fi 6/ 5G Wi-Fi / 4G LTE Colors Space gray, starlight, pink, purple and blue Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Sky Blue, Green Weight 1.02 pounds 1.02 pounds Dimensions 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches That’s identical to the pricing, connectivity, storage and color options for the iPad Air 4. As Apple’s thinnest and lightest tablet, it makes sense that the company would keep the same basic design from 2020’s model. It’s worth noting that some users are complaining about iPad Air 5 build quality.
The iPad Air 4 has a vibrant display (Image credit: Henry T. Casey/Tom’s Guide) In our review of the iPad Air 2020, we noted that the screen achieves an average brightness of 440 nits (per our testing).
Not to mention the fact it’s designed to be energy efficient and should offer a noticeable boost in battery life. While we aren’t exactly fans of using tablets to take selfies, it’s great to have a front-facing camera that can show you in the best light possible during video calls.
Center Stage is a cool feature that works remarkably well to keep you in frame during video calls. It will be interesting to see how long the iPad Air 5’s battery lasts considering it runs on the more energy-efficient M1 chip.
The M1-powered 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 lasted over 13 hours in our battery test before running out of juice, so we have high hopes for an M1-powered Air. With that said, the iPad Air 4 is still one of the best tablets for most people, so if you don’t upgrade you’ve still got a fantastic device in your hands.
iPad Air 4 vs iPad Air 5: is Apple’s latest tablet worth getting?
Now that the iPad Air 5 has been out for a few months, and Black Friday is here in a few days, we should see some good price cuts on the newer model. The latest iPad Air comes in space grey, starlight, pink, purple, and blue colours, while the iPad Air 4 offers silver, space grey, rose gold, green, and sky blue.
The similarities don’t end there, with both devices getting a fully laminated, fingerprint-resistant coating and low 1.8% reflectivity. In other words, you don’t necessarily need to spend more on the iPad Air 5 if the display is your primary concern. Since the chassis designs are so similar, it’s unsurprising that both iPad Air models come with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. In our iPad Air 4 review, we were very impressed with the all-day battery life that Apple managed to maintain despite adding tons of new features over the device’s predecessor.
In our iPad Air 5 review, we were similarly impressed, although we did notice heavier battery drain when we ran more intensive tasks, like pushing its M1 chip in benchmarking apps. 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.
In compatible apps, this automatically crops you into the picture and adjusts the frame if you move or someone else enters the shot (we found this feature a bit creepy, as we explain in our iPad Pro 11-inch M1 review). Both the front and back camera also have more extensive video shooting options, including extra frame rate choices. The iPad Air 5 steps things up a gear in terms of performance (Image credit: Apple) So far, the iPad Air 5 has pulled ahead in small but noticeable ways when it comes to features and its cameras.
If you’re thinking about buying either of these tablets, be sure to check out our round-up of the best iPad Air deals to see how much money you could save. They share the same chassis design (albeit with some different colours), come with the same display, and provide more or less similar battery life. It is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of performance, has a faster USB-C port, and a more feature-rich camera setup.
Apple iPad Air 5 (2022) vs. iPad Air 4 (2020)
It packs a bunch of improvements compared to its predecessor, the most notable being the M1 chip that also powers the iPad Pro and a few MacBooks. There are some other noteworthy upgrades as well, including a better front camera with Center Stage support and an optional 5G connectivity. We take both these tablets head-to-head, comparing their display, design, performance, cameras, battery, and other features, to find out which one’s better overall. iPad Air (2022) iPad Air (2020) Size 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches) 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm (9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches) Weight Wi-Fi: 461 grams (16.26 ounces) Cellular: 462 grams (16.30 ounces) Wi-Fi: 458 grams (16.15 ounces) Cellular: 460 grams (16.23 ounces) Screen size and refresh rate 10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD 60Hz 10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD 60Hz Screen resolution 2360×1640 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch) 2360 x 1640 pixels (264 ppi) Operating system iPadOS 15 iPadOS 15 Storage 64GB, 256GB 64GB, 256GB MicroSD card slot No No Processor Apple M1 Apple A14 Bionic RAM 8GB 4GB Camera 12-megapixel rear, 12MP ultra-wide front 12MP rear, 7MP front Video 4K at 24, 30, 60 fps; 1080p at 30, 60, 120, 240 fps 4K at 24, 30, 60 frames per second, 1080p at 30, 60 fps Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.0 Ports USB-C USB-C Fingerprint sensor Yes Yes Water resistance No No Battery and charging 10 hours on Wi-Fi, 9 hours on cellular 20W wired fast charging support 10 hours on Wi-Fi, 9 hours on cellular 20W wired charging App marketplace Apple App Store Apple App Store Network support AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (cellular models only) AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (cellular models only) Colors Silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, green, Sky Blue Price Starting at $599 (Wi-Fi), $729 (cellular) Starting at $599 (Wi-Fi), $729 (cellular) Buy from Apple Apple Review score News 4.5 out of 5 stars The iPad Air (2020) brought some noticeable design changes, as Apple ditched the home button in favor of smaller bezels. Following such a big change, it’s probably not surprising the company has settled for a similar design for the 2022 iPad Air, albeit with different colorways.
The similarities don’t finish just yet; Both these iPads lack an IP rating, so taking either of them to the pool might not be a good idea. Thanks to the powerful Apple M1 chip under the hood, it now equals the more-expensive iPad Pros in terms of raw performance.
Moving to yet another important factor, we expect similar battery life on the new iPad Air 5 (2022) to its predecessor.
The 2022 iPad Air’s selfie shooter has been upgraded to a 12MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture, 2X zoom, and an extended dynamic range. Its predecessor, the iPad Air (2020), has a 7MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture and lacks the Center Stage feature. This gives it an advantage over the forerunner, though given how long Apple’s software support generally runs, it’s a tighter result than you’d expect.
The faster internet surfing and download speeds make the iPad Air (2022) a winner. The new iPad Air (2022) starts at $599 for the 64GB Wi-Fi-only variant and goes up to $899 for the 256GB version with Wi-Fi and cellular support.
You get better performance thanks to the M1 chipset, faster internet with 5G support (on the cellular version), and an improved selfie camera.
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