Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music
iPad vs iPad Air – Which is Best?
There’s a reason for that – coupling sleek design and speedy processors with an intuitive user interface, the iPad appeals to Apple experts and newcomers alike.
iPad vs. iPad Air: Apple’s basic and cheapest tablet will serve most people, but the Air is our pick for power users
Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services — delivered weekly to your inbox. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy In short, I’d recommend the standard iPad to most people who want a simple, effective tablet to use on the couch or in bed for video streaming and running basic, normal apps, and even light productivity, like writing emails.
That’s because it offers the same processor inside as the iPad Pro models, but it doesn’t come with frivolous features that some creative professionals might not need, like a dual-lens camera system or Apple’s super-smooth ProMotion display tech.
I’d also argue that the screen and design upgrades the iPad Air offers aren’t “$270” better for casual users, either. That’s a huge amount of power for a tablet, but casual users aren’t likely to notice it with normal apps, or even with graphics-heavy games.
I played a little “Call of Duty Mobile” on both tablets, and the experience was practically identical. Meanwhile, the standard iPad’s A13 Bionic processor from the iPhone 11 series offers less power, but it’s still perfectly capable of running normal apps, games, and streaming video. The standard iPad lasted five hours and 25 minutes in our battery test, where we continuously stream a YouTube video at full brightness and at the closest resolution that matches the iPad’s display. Still, if you’re out for battery life as a primary concern, the standard iPad generally lasts longer due to its smaller display. For taking notes and doodling, the standard Apple Pencil works just fine. Indeed, if you’re navigating around iOS and apps often and quickly, lifting your arm and tapping the screen can get surprisingly tiring — more so than simply using a mouse.
You certainly can get the iPad Air if you want to, but the benefits aren’t immediately obvious outside of its sleeker, larger design. Plus, those creative professionals can benefit from the iPad Air’s speedy 10 Gigabit-per-second (Gbps) USB-C port for quickly transferring work files and data from an external SSD drive that can support 10Gbps.
iPad Air 2022 vs iPad 2021: welke moet je kiezen?
Wat zijn precies de verschillen en welke iPad moet je kiezen? Dat vinden we jammer, want advertenties hebben we nodig om onze artikelen gratis aan te bieden. Steun iPhoned door ons aan je whitelist toe te voegen.
Voor de iPad Air 2022 betaal je bijna het dubbele: 698,50 euro.
Wel heeft de Air een gelamineerd display en antireflectiecoating. De iPad Air is dus iets minder hoog, maar wel breder.
Ook is de iPad Air platter, waardoor het gewicht (461 gram) ook minder zwaar is dan het gewicht van de 9e generatie iPad (498 gram). Het ontgrendelen doe je dus – net zoals bij de gewone iPad – met Touch ID. De iPad 2021 (zie hieronder) is gestoken in een jasje dat gedateerder oogt. Bij de iPad Air is het kleurenpalet uitgebreider: spacegrijs, sterrenlicht (geelachtig), roze, paars en blauw. Die is ook te vinden in verschillende recente Macs, zoals de 13-inch MacBook Pro en iMac 2021. Pas wanneer je aan de gang gaat met apps die om veel grafische spierballen vragen, merk je dat de iPad eerder zijn grenzen aanloopt.
Bij de iPad Air werkt alles net wat vlotter als je veel apps open hebt staan. Mocht je die niet hebben of liever foto’s schieten met een tablet, dan beleef je meer plezier aan de iPad Air.
Het opnemen kan alleen in HD, terwijl de iPad Air ook filmt in 4K met 60 frames per seconde (fps).
Dat vinden we jammer, want advertenties hebben we nodig om onze artikelen gratis aan te bieden. Steun iPhoned door ons aan je whitelist toe te voegen. Bij de iPad Air heb je een andere oplaadkabel nodig: usb-c. Dit heeft als voordeel dat je er meer randapparatuur op kunt aansluiten, zoals een externe harde schijf of monitor. Welke iPad de beste keuze is, hangt af van wat je ermee doet. Wil je een tablet om te surfen over het internet, video’s bekijken, af en toe een game spelen en andere huis-tuin-en-keuken-dingen?
Hij is veruit de goedkoopste, maar doet wat je van een iPad verwacht en gaat nog jaren mee. Wil je meer met je iPad, bijvoorbeeld tekenen in ProCreate, foto’s bewerken in Affinity Photo, of aan de slag met andere grafisch intensieve apps? Maar bij welke winkel ben je het voordeligst uit?
iPad Air (2022) vs iPad (2021)
If you want crazy levels of performance, pretty colours, and a clean modern design that’s close the Pro models, then the Air lets you have that on a (relative) budget. For most people though, the price increase of the Air in recent years will make it a bit out of reach, and that’s fine because the iPad (2021) is a great, reliable device that will still leave you with some change in your pocket. The iPad (2021) retains the classic layout that features bezels around the 10.2in display, and the lower one accommodating the Home button with Touch ID.
The Air’s offering is also fully laminated, meaning there is no air-gap between the glass panel and the digitiser underneath, so you feel like you’re touching the actual pixels.
The iPad Air (2022) does have an anti-reflective coating and has a higher range of colours, but again these are quite marginal gains, especially when you consider the price difference. Apple recently upgraded the Air to incorporate the M1 processor, which is the same one that powers the iPad Pros and some Macs.
But, if you want to get into digital art, play graphically intensive games or just have a really powerful device that should last for years, then the Air certainly makes a compelling argument for itself. Storage options are the same on both devices, with the most affordable model coming with 64GB (which feels a little tight in the modern age), or for an increase in price you can move up to a far more spacious 256GB. Quick tip: If you intend to use the cameras on the Air to their full extent, 64GB will run out very fast unless you also invest in iCloud storage for your photos. The front cameras are a lot closer in spec, as they both feature a 12MP, f/2.4 Ultra Wide unit that can record video up to 1080p at 60fps.
Centre Stage is another shared feature, with the clever software ensuring that you remain in the middle of any video calls even if you’re moving around. iPad Air (2022) iPad (2021) Display 10.9in Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640 resolution, 264ppi, True Tone, Wide Colour, Fully Laminated 10.2-inch (diagonal) LED backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, 2160×1620 resolution at 264 ppi, True Tone, sRGB, Unlaminated Processor M1 A13 Bionic Storage 64GB/256GB 64GB/256GB Main Camera 12MP Wide, f/1.8, SmartHDR, Wide colour, 4K video at 60fps, Slo-mo 1080p at 240fps, Continuous autofocus, Cinematic video stabilisation, Extended Dynamic Range for video up to 30fps 8MP Wide camera, f/2.4, 5x digital zoom, HDR for photos, video recording up to 1080p at 30fps, Slo-mo 720p at 120fps, Time Lapse with stabilisation Selfie Camera 12MP Ultra Wide, f/2.4, 2x Zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina flash, Smart HDR 3 for photos, Extended Dynamic Range for video up tp 30fps, 1080p at 60fps 12MP Ultra Wide, F/2.4, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina flash, HDR for photos, Cinematic video stabilisation, 1080p video up to 60fps, Extended dynamic range up to 30fps, WiFi Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5 4.2 LTE 5G (sub-6 GHz) Gigabit-class GPS Yes Yes Ports USB-C, Smart Connector Lightning, 3.5mm headphone jack Biometrics Touch ID Touch ID Apple Pencil Support Gen 2 1st Gen Dimensions 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm 250.6mm x 174.1mm x 7.5mm Weight 461g (462g for cellular) 487g Colours Starlight, Space Grey, Pink, Purple, Blue Silver, Space Grey Price From £569/$599/AU$929 £319/£459
We usually recommend that you choose the model with more storage, 64GB can be a bit tight, especially if you don’t have iCloud to store photos and music and other information off device. If the extra storage is worth more to you than the faster processor and better rear camera then it makes sense to stick with the standard iPad.
Apple iPad vs. iPad Air vs. iPad mini vs. iPad Pro: Which Tablet Should You Buy?
A few years ago, Apple formally split the iPad’s operating system off from iOS, which powers iPhones, into iPadOS. The tablet-specific operating system is very similar to iOS, but focuses on streamlining and expanding multitasking to improve the usefulness of iPads as workplace devices, with pinnable widgets and cross-app workflow features like split screen and rapidly sliding between screens. The only significant change to the latest model’s screen is the addition of Apple’s True Tone feature, which adjusts color balance based on surrounding light. The selfie camera is 12MP, with a 122-degree field of view and support for Apple’s Center Stage tracking feature.
It doesn’t support Face ID, though; that’s still exclusively an iPhone and iPad Pro feature. If you want a versatile entertainment device for watching videos, reading books and comics, browsing the web, communicating with your friends, and even doing light text-crunching and presentations, it’s an excellent choice.
The iPad mini weighs 0.66 pounds and measures less than a quarter of an inch thick, small enough to easily fit in a bag or even a large jacket pocket. It doesn’t have the ProMotion technology of the iPad Pro’s screen, but it features the same P3 Wide Color and True Tone modes, in a fully laminated panel with anti-reflective coating. The selfie camera is the same as the standard iPad, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor that supports Center Stage in FaceTime to automatically frame your face.
The 2022 iPad Air tilts that balance heavily toward the Pro end, with extensive upgrades that put it within striking distance of the pricey, professional tablet.
It’s a huge step up from the A14 Bionic mobile processor in the previous model, and starting at $599, it’s by far the least expensive M1 device available. That distinction is important, because it needs to justify the much higher $799 and $1,099 baseline price tags the Pro models command over the other versions.
It’s still an utter beast that can handle pretty much any processing tasks you can throw its way, and beats out the iPad Air with its smoother ProMotion screen and multiple rear cameras, along with the choice between 11- and 12.9-inch models. The 11-inch iPad Pro has a Liquid Retina display with a 2,388-by-1,668 resolution and Apple’s ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate and True Tone technologies, as well as Wide Color support. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has all of those technologies and a higher 2,732-by-2,048-pixel resolution (for the same 264 pixels per inch as the smaller model), but adds a mini-LED backlight system that can both get much brighter and more precisely control the light output of the screen for better contrast. The front-facing TrueDepth camera is also 12MP, with support for Face ID, 1080p60 recording, cinematic video stabilization, and Smart HDR 3.
No matter which model you choose, make sure you learn how to master iPadOS with our top tricks and tips.
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.
Best iPad for 2022
Meanwhile, the newest iPad Pros get better M2 processors, faster Wi-Fi 6E and 5G connectivity and a new “Pencil hover” tool for proximity-based previews of art tools, but the design remains the same and the front camera placement hasn’t been fixed, which remains frustrating for anyone who was hoping to use the iPad Pro for work-based video chats when in landscape mode. Also, iPadOS is no closer to replacing your Mac, except for Stage Manager’s external monitor support coming later this year. Apple is supporting external monitors as an extended desktop for iPads with an M1 chip or better via a software update to iPadOS 16 that’s coming later this year, but the feature, called Stage Manager, remains buggy and feels experimental. That’s good news for anyone who wants to do more than stream videos and music, browse websites and play Apple Arcade games. Last year’s entry-level model is less expensive than the newer 10th-gen iPad, and is still very functional: Its older A13 chip and Lightning-charger-equipped, Touch ID home button design all feel somewhat out of date but work fine. Its best feature, though, is a repositioned front-facing camera that finally centers video chats properly in landscape mode, which is how most people use their iPads when they’re connected to keyboard cases. The only points where it lags compared to the 11-inch Pro are a slightly slower processor, that new Pencil 2 hover support, and faster connectivity. But keep in mind that the 2021 iPad Pro, if it’s on sale for less, is the better buy: It has a faster-refresh display, better rear cameras, Face ID/lidar and a faster Thunderbolt USB-C port.
Scott Stein/CNET Apple’s 2022 iPad Pro refresh added a more powerful M2 chip, faster Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G connectivity, and a new Pencil 2 “hover” feature that activates the display when the stylus is in close range.
Scott Stein/CNET If you don’t care about a keyboard case (even though there are some small ones that will work with it), this tinier iPad mini, while expensive, is still a great portable pick. Along with the new processors, the iPad Pros have better Wi-Fi 6E and faster 5G mmWave connectivity, Face ID cameras on the front and dual cameras and lidar depth sensors on the back, 120Hz variable refresh rate displays, a Mini LED Liquid Retina XDR display on the 12.9-inch model, a higher-speed Thunderbolt USB-C port, and a new proximity-based Pencil hover feature that could be used to show previews of art tools on compatible apps. iPad 2022 10.9-inch (10th gen) iPad Air 2022 10.9-inch (tenth gen) iPad Pro 2022 11-inch (fourth gen) iPad Pro 2022 12.9-inch (sixth gen) Display resolution 2,360×1,640-pixel resolution 2,360×1,640-pixel resolution 2,388×1,668-pixel resolution 2,732×2,048-pixel resolution Pixel density (pixels per inch) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina, True Tone) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina True Tone) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina True Tone with ProMotion) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina XDR True Tone with ProMotion) Rear camera 12-megapixel f1.8 wide 12-megapixel f1.8 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide Video recording 4K at 60fps 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps; 1080p slo-mo at 120 or 240fps 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 1080p at 24, 30 or 60fps (ultrawide) 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 1080p at 24, 30 or 60fps (ultrawide) FaceTime front-facing camera 12-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide; 1080p video 12-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide; 1080p video 12-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video 12-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video Processor A14 Bionic M1 M2 M2 Dimensions 9.8×7.1×0.3 inches 9.7×7.0x0.2 inches 9.7x7x0.2 inches 11×8.5×0.3 inches Weight 1.05 lbs.
(5G/LTE) Battery Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Headphone jack No No No No Connector port USB-C; Apple Smart Connector USB-C; Apple Smart Connector USB-C with Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 support USB-C with Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 support Apple Pencil-compatibility Yes; first generation Yes; second generation Yes; second generation Yes; second generation Unlock with Touch ID Touch ID Face ID Face ID Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 802.11ax; Bluetooth 5.2 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 SIM card support for cellular model Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G NR support Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G NR support Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G support (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G support (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) iPad Keyboard compatibility Magic Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio Audio Two speakers Two speakers Four speakers Four speakers Capacity and price: Wi-Fi models $449 (64GB) / $599 (256GB) $599 (64GB) / $749 (256GB) $799 (128GB) / $899 (256GB) / $1,099 (512GB) / $1,499 (1TB) / $1,899 (2TB) $1,099 (128GB) / $1,199 (256GB) / $1,399 (512GB) / $1,799 (1TB) / $2,199 (2TB) Capacity and price: cellular models $599 (64GB) / $749 (256GB) $749 (64GB) / $899 (256GB) $999 (128GB) / $1,099 (256GB) / $1,299 (512GB) / $1,699 (1TB) / $2,099 (2TB) $1,299 (128GB) / $1,399 (256GB) / $1,599 (512GB) / $1,999 (1TB) / $2,399 (2TB)
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