Buy the iPad Air 5 or go for the previous model? This is the question on the minds of many after Apple’s “Peek Performance” presentation. Yes, we are aware of the changes that have come with the company’s new product but, which one is worth it for the average user? What things have changed between the 2022 and 2020 iPad Air? Are the reasons enough to pay more, or is it better to opt for the old model?
Today we will answer all your questions with our comparison. In this way, you will know whether to choose the fifth generation iPad Air, or better take advantage of the discounts of the previous model. Although this new version is identical to its predecessor, Apple has reserved the most important changes for the interior of the device.
The iPad Air has historically been a device known for offering balance between performance and an attractive price. In fact, with the inclusion of the M1 chip in this new generation, the device is capable of facing its older brother, the iPad Pro, in terms of performance.
Comparison table: iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4
iPad Air 5 (2022) | iPad Air 4 (2020) | |
Price | €679 | €649 |
Dimensions | 9.74 x 7 x 0.24 462.66 grams | 24.74 x 17.78 x 0.61cm 453.59 grams |
Processor | M1 | A14 Bionic |
Storage | 64GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB |
Screen | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina |
Resolution | 2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 dpi | 2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 dpi |
True Tone | Yes | Yes |
P3 color gamut | Yes | Yes |
face time camera | 12MP Ultra Wide Angle | 7MP FaceTimeHD |
Centered Framing | Yes | No |
Rear camera | 12MP Wide Angle | 12MP Wide Angle |
Video | 4K 24/30/60fps, 1080p 240fps Slomo | 4K 24/30/60fps, 1080p 240fps Slomo |
connectivity | 5G (sub-6GHz), Gigabit-class LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6 | Gigabit-class LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6 |
ports | USB-C | USB-C |
Biometrics | Touch ID | Touch ID |
Battery | up to 10 hours | up to 10 hours |
Colors | Space Grey, Star White, Pink, Purple, Blue | Space Grey, Silver, Rose Gold, Light Blue, Green |
Apple Pencil 2 support | Yes | Yes |
Smart Connector | Yes | Yes |
Screen
Despite all the rumors that we would see an OLED screen on the iPad Air 5, this has not been the case. Apple has opted for the same panel that we already knew in the previous version, with LED lighting, and a resolution of 2,360 x 1,640 pixels. It also offers the same level of brightness with 500 nits, P3 color gamut and True Tone.
Of course, the 2022 iPad Air is compatible with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, just like its predecessor. In this section we will find a fairly similar experience, if not identical.
Processor
This is the truly innovative section of the iPad Air 5. The new iteration of the family comes betting on the M1, the same processor that we already saw in some Mac computers and in the iPad Pro of 2021. It boasts a GPU and CPU of 8 cores and a Neural Engine 16 cores to provide great power to the tablet.
As a result, the iPad Air of 2022 manages to accumulate a 60% higher performance vs. 2020 model. On the other hand, it’s twice as fast as its predecessor, so you won’t have any problems when it comes to editing videos, playing games or doing any activity that requires a lot of power.
Instead, the 2020 iPad Air incorporates a A14 Bionic chip. This processor has 6 cores, two for performance, and four for high efficiency. Like the new model, this device offers a 16-core Neural Engine.
Of course, it is clear which is the most powerful between both models. You are not going to miss too many things with the fourth generation iPad Air, but if you make the leap to the new proposal, you will have a much more durable device over time; and capable of performing much heavier tasks.
As for the evidence of Geekbench, there is also no doubt of the winner. Nevertheless, the results have been impressivewith the iPad Air 5 almost doubling the points achieved by its smaller brother.
Single Core | multi-core | Metal Score | |
iPad Air 5 | 1,706 | 7,219 | 21,199 |
iPad Air 4 | 1,583 | 4,210 | 12,450 |
cameras
In this section we will also find some changes, although quite subtle. As for the main camera of the iPad Air 5, on paper we see that it is identical to that of its predecessor. So we have a 12 MP wide-angle sensor, with a focal aperture of f / 1.85x digital zoom and Smart HDR 3 for photos.
Regarding the video, we will have that both are capable of recording at 4K 60 FPS ya slow motion on 1080p and 240fps, not forgetting the 3x digital zoom. However, the iPad Air 5 has extended dynamic range for videos up to 30 FPS.
The front camera does have improvements. The 7 MP FaceTime HD sensor in the 2020 iPad Air has been replaced with one of 12 MP and Ultra wide angle. In addition, a two-times digital zoom has been added. Thanks to this new camera, the 2022 iPad Air has the Center Framing function that we have already seen in other Apple products.
Like its rear camera, the iPad Air 5 can record with high dynamic range in videos up to 30 FPS. It also has digital image stabilization, and the ability to record at 1080p, just like the previous version.
Battery
Although usually a change of processor also changes the level of consumption of a device; this will not be the case with the iPad Air 5.
Once again we will meet an autonomy that extends up to 10 hours in tasks like streaming video, web browsing using Wi-Fi and other related. However, if we use mobile data, this duration will be reduced by one hourgiving a total of 9 hours of use from the iPad Air 5.
capacity and price
Both the iPad Air 5 and the fourth generation can be found in various versions. Each of them will vary in price, storage capacity and connectivity technology. Of course, the 5G compatible versions will see an increase in their final cost, so keep that in mind.
- iPad Air 5, 64GB, Wi-Fi: €679
- iPad Air 5, 64GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: €849
- iPad Air 5, 256GB, Wi-Fi: €849
- iPad Air 5, 256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: €1,019
For its part, the 4th generation iPad Air went on sale at a price slightly lower that of his successor.
- iPad Air 4, 64GB, Wi-Fi: €649
- iPad Air 4, 64GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: €789
- iPad Air 4, 256GB, Wi-Fi: €789
- iPad Air 4, 256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: €959