The iPad Air are the intermediate range in Apple tablets, both in price and in specifications. They are ideal for those who fall short with a normal iPad, but who do not require all the raw power of the ‘Pro’ models. In this article we analyze two generations of this range, the third-generation iPad Air launched in 2019 and the fourth-generation iPad Air launched in 2020. There is a lot of difference, but better to see it step by step.
Gross specs of both iPad Air
There is much more to say than the pure data of both devices and in fact we will do so in later sections. However, we believe it is convenient to put this information on the table to know in advance what both iPad Air offer us.
| features | iPad Air (3rd gen.) | iPad Air (4th gen.) |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | -Silver -Space gray -Gold |
-Silver -Space gray -Pink gold -Green -Blue |
| Dimensions | -Height: 25.06 cm -Width: 17.41 cm -Thickness: 0.61 cm |
-Height: 24.76 cm -Width: 17.85 cm -Thickness: 0.61 cm |
| Weight | -456 grams (WiFi) -464 grams (WiFi + Cellular) |
-458 grams (WiFi) -460 grams (WiFi + Cellular) |
| screen | 10.5-inch Retina IPS display with brightness up to 500 nits | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS display with brightness up to 500 nits |
| Resolution | 2,224 x 1,668 at 264 pixels per inch | 2,360 x 1,640 at 264 pixels per inch |
| Speakers | Two speakers | Two speakers optimized for horizontal sound |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| Capacity | -64 GB -256 GB |
-64 GB -256 GB |
| Frontal camera | -7 Mpx lens -Live Photos -Retina Flash -Video recording in 1080p HD -Automatic HDR on photos and video -Burst mode |
-7 Mpx lens -Live Photos -Retina Flash -Video recording in 1080p HD -Automatic HDR on photos and video -Burst mode |
| Rear camera | -Wide angle of 8 Mpx and aperture f / 2.4 -Live photos -Automatic focus -Exposure control -Automatic HDR on photos and video -Burst mode – 1080p HD video recording at 30 frames per second -Slow motion video in 720p at 120 frames per second |
-Wide angle of 12 Mpx and aperture f / 1.8 -Live photos with stabilization -Automatic focus -Exposure control -Automatic HDR on photos and video -Burst mode -Video recording in 4K at 24, 30 or 60 frames per second -Slow motion video at 1080p at 120 or 240 frames per second |
| Connectors | -Lightning -Smart Connector |
-USB-C -Smart Connector |
| Biometric systems | Touch ID (on Home button) | Touch ID (on side button) |
| SIM card | In WiFi + Cellular version: Nano SIM and eSIM | In WiFi + Cellular version: Nano SIM and eSIM |
Two totally different worlds in design
When Apple introduced the redesigned iPad Pro in 2018, many of us were in awe of the big change it had made. Elimination of the Home button, reduced borders giving absolute prominence to the screen and compatibility with 2nd generation Apple Pencil. We dreamed of extending it to other iPad ranges, but it wasn’t. The iPad Air 3 continued to maintain the same classic design despite its performance being up to par. It wasn’t until the iPad Air 4 that we finally saw this design in another range.
The fourth-generation iPad Air is practically identical to the 11-inch ‘Pro’ of 2018, except for its somewhat thicker frames that leave it at 10.9 inches. For everything else, it is an iPad much more modern visually than the third generation and although this is ultimately a matter of taste, it seems that this new design has come to stay.
Leap of two generations in processor
We will not be foolish and deny that the A12 Bionic chip in the iPad Air 3 is not a marvel. In fact, it may be more than enough for many users, since you can move the operating system without problem and even manage somewhat heavier processes without getting too messy. However, the jump to the A14 Bionic from the 2020 model is considerable. This chip that it shares with the iPhone 12 family is a true marvel to execute any action without problems.
Perhaps it is not the most recommended iPad for photographic and video editing, but it must be said that if this type of task is carried out sporadically there will be no problem. The A14 is capable of doing it in a tremendously fast way and although the difference with the A12Z (current best chip in an iPad) is still considerable, it could be more than enough.
The screen has also taken a leap in quality
The 120Hz of the ‘Pro’ models in the 2020 ‘Air’ is missed, however we are comparing it to the previous model, so this missing feature should not be taken into account. Both screens, despite their technical differences, look really good and there is not a huge difference. However, there is a slight improvement in the most recent model, having as its main asset the design that makes the screen look much larger than it is if we compare both models with each other.
Two Apple Pencil for two iPad Air
The official Apple stylus has become in these years the best ally of iPad users. Whether it’s for taking notes in class, drawing pictures, navigating the system, or using functions more precisely depending on which apps, Apple Pencil is ideal. The iPad Air 2019 is compatible with the first generation, this being already a good stylus, but with the disadvantage that its design is not entirely comfortable and its charging method is somewhat strange. It has to be removed the cap and recharged through the Lightning connector of the tablet.
The Apple Pencil 2 for its part, compatible with the iPad Air 4, is a considerable improvement on its predecessor. Its design is made much more ergonomic, adding a flat part that makes it better hold in the hand and does not slip if it rests on a surface. Functions have also been added if you give two taps to that part and its charging method is much more comfortable, being magnetic on the side (or top depending on how you look at it) of the iPad.
USB-C sweeps away Lightning
Apple’s war with users who claim USB-C as the standard for all their devices is increasingly relegated to the iPhone as the main supporters of this connector. In the iPad Air 3 we find this connector, which although it allows to charge the device comfortably and be compatible with the odd accessory, always ends up requiring some type of intermediate connector.
The iPad Air 4 finally has USB-C and this makes its charge much faster and can also be compatible with many more devices natively. Being able to connect accessories such as external storage drives is wonderful with this connector, since the transfer speed improves considerably.
Accessories compatible with them
One of the fundamental pillars of any iPad is not exactly the iPad itself, but the compatible accessories. Luckily, both the ‘Air 3’ and the ‘Air 4’ are compatible with all types of Bluetooth keyboards and mice or that work through a nano receiver, although a converter will be needed for the latter. They are also with the Apple Pencil, as we have commented previously, and with keyboards such as Apple’s Smart Keyboard . However, only the 2020 model is compatible with the Magic Keyboard , the renewed Apple keyboard with identical mechanics to the MacBook and with a built-in trackpad. Although its price is not exactly low, whoever squeezes the most of this type of accessories will compensate. Any accessory compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro will be compatible with the iPad Air 4.
iPadOS works fine on either one
And if accessories are one of the pillars, the other is iPadOS and that is that Apple’s operating system for iPads is a marvel in every way. It is a perfect hybrid between iOS and macOS, although it still has many points to polish. Being able to have functions such as Split View, manage files with total comfort or have a browser like Safari in desktop format are just examples of the potential of iPadOS. And the good news is that both iPad Airs will continue to receive updates to this software for several years to come, so there are plenty of iPadOS news to discover and exploit.
Yes, the 2020 model is worth more
If you find a great offer for the iPad Air 3, we are nobody not to recommend buying it. However, all things being equal, we believe that it is much more worth making the leap to the fourth generation model for all the reasons that we have been putting forward in this article. The iPad Air 2020 is already a tablet adapted to the new times, both functionally and above all aesthetically. Therefore, if you are doubting between both generations, our advice is clear.