Our Verdict
The iPad 9.7 in ( 2018 ) is the best choice if damage is your consuming priority . But if you’re able to afford it , you should fill out for the Air , which does a lot of affair proper to justify its high price . It has a bigger ( and nicer - feel ) screen despite being thin and clean , is firm , and comes with a much good front camera . And you get faster , recollective - kitchen stove Bluetooth and double as much reposition at each price level .
Best Prices Today: Apple iPad Air (2019)
We ’re through the calculate glass , people : since its March 2019 iPad update , Apple ’s pill kitchen stove now has no weak links . As we delineate in ouriPad purchasing guide , all five of the currently available iPads are the right option for somebody .
But ( unless you ’re really rich ) you may only choose one , and if you ’re looking for a mid - size of it iPad that wo n’t break the bank , the obvious choice are theiPad Airthat ’s just launched , and the9.7 in iPad from 2018 . In this article we equate the two devices for conception , specs , features and price to serve you make up your thinker .
Price & availability
The iPad Air ( 2019 ) was announced on 18 March and is availableto buy now .
The iPad 9.7 in came out in March 2018 , but it ’s stillavailable to buy .
Both iPads are uncommitted from a range of resellers ( such asJohn Lewis , Amazon , Currys / PC Worldand more ) as well as from Apple itself . turn back our roundup of thebest iPad dealsfor the late bargains .
Design & build
There is n’t a drastic deviation between the designs of these two pad of paper : there are no change as basal as the loss of the Home release on the 2018 iPad Pros . The 2019 Air is more of a tweak than a revolution , but it ’s still a noticeably good design .
For a start the iPad Air has a 10.5 in silver screen , liken to the older equipment ’s 9.7 in . That is n’t a huge difference , but it ’s a more effective - feeling intention . The bezel around the screen are slimmer so you ’re getting more usable field for the gimmick ’s size .
That silver screen itself is also nicer to use , because the Air has a laminate projection screen ; the iPad 9.7 in ’s show is unlaminated , which means it has a tiny air gap underneath and accordingly bend inwards a lilliputian amount when you beseech down .
If you ’ve never used a laminated screen , then the iPad 9.7 in will feel fine . But to experienced hands , the unlaminated screen just feel a scrap cheap – a bit plasticky .
The iPad Air is a little longer and across-the-board than the 9.7 in , but not by much ; and it ’s both lighter and noticeably thinner than its older cousin .
color - smart , both iPads are available in a selection of three finishes : atomic number 47 , gold or Space Grey .
iPad Air (2019) in pictures
iPad 9.7in (2018) in pictures
Specs & features
The major differences between these devices can be found inside their case . In this section we pick out the main differences between their feature and specification lists , as well as the law of similarity it ’s deserving knowing about – a full leaning of specs follow .
Speed
We have n’t tested the iPad Air ( 2019 ) yet , but on composition it ’s a estimable deal faster than the iPad 9.7 in .
Its system on a chip , the A12 Bionic , is a full two multiplication more sophisticated than the 9.7 in ’s A10 Fusion . It also come up with more RAM : 3 GB to the 9.7 in ’s 2 GB . ( Still less than the 4 GB you get in the 2018 iPad Pro models , mind you . )
Apple say pass from the 9.7 in to the new Air will bring a 70 percent betterment in general processing velocity and a double of graphics electrical capacity . We would submit that you ’ll belike notice this remainder only when run processor - intensive apps , because the A10 is still adequate to of running most tasks with poise ; but in the years to come that chip will start to descend behind as new software is written with new mainframe in head .
Storage
The amount of computer storage you get depend on how much you ’re prepared to yield – but the Air has double as much storage at each pricing tier . It offers 64 GB or 256 GB , whereas the iPad 9.7 in comes with either 32 GB or 128 GB .
Because of Apple ’s insurance policy of leaving an obvious gap between depot tier , buyers of the 9.7 in iPad may line up themselves obliged to get more than they want . We ’d say that 64 GB is a sweet spot for lots of vendee , although you ’ll postulate to consider your habits and needs : seeHow much memory do you need on an iPad?for detailed advice .
Screen
We ’ve already refer that the iPad Air ’s screen is full-grown than that of the 9.7 in , and laminate . But that ’s not all of its improvement .
The Air ’s blind features Apple ’s rightful Tone technology , which adjusts end product to suit ambient ignition weather condition . ( you’re able to understand about this in our articleTrue look vs Night Shift . ) The 9.7 in does not have True Tone in its silver screen – nor does it have the Air ’s antireflective covering .
Cameras
The rear - facing cameras are essentially the same – both are 8Mp , f/2.4 and 1080p video , with Live Photos but no flash – although the major power of the Air ’s Neural Engine micro chip is likely to produce near shot in unmanageable ignition condition . We will test this out once we ’ve get review samples .
The front - facing cameras , the one you ’ll use for FaceTime and selfies , are a dissimilar issue . The Air ’s front tv camera offer far more particular at 7Mp ( and 1080p telecasting ) to the 9.7 in iPad ’s 1.2Mp and 720p .
Connectivity
The iPad Air is considerably better equipped across a form of connectivity options . It offers Bluetooth 5 ( the 9.7 in has only Bluetooth 4.2 ) , and supports eSIM and gigabit LTE , neither of which are patronize by the 2018 iPad .
Smart Keyboard support
The iPad Air has a Smart Connector , which mean it can connect directly to Apple’sSmart Keyboard . The iPad 9.7 in has n’t dumbfound this connector , but it can still be used with a variety ofBluetooth keyboards .
Apple Pencil support
Both devices support the first - gen Apple Pencil ; neither sustain the second - gen exemplar . ReadWhich iPads shape with which Apple Pencils?for more information .
Touch ID
Another surface area where we thought there might be an rising slope but there is n’t . Both iPads have Touch ID fingerprint scanners in their Home button ; neither support Face ID .
iPad Air (2019) specs list
iPad 9.7in (2018) specs list
Software
Both lozenge run on iOS , Apple ’s own mobile operating organisation , and if you buy now both will come with the in vogue edition ( iOS 12.1.4 at time of writing).iOS 12is a slick and stable OS with a wide scope of feature , although those used to Android will find it intemperately to customise the experience than they are used to .
Note that while the Air and the 9.7 in get the same edition of iOS right now , the Air is a year newer and has more sinewy element . This stand for it ’s likely to remain obtain free updates to iOS for around a twelvemonth longer than the 9.7 in .
Verdict
The iPad 9.7 in ( 2018 ) has spent a twelvemonth as our recommended selection , and has n’t become a sorry tablet overnight : it ’s still the best choice of iPad if price is your overwhelming priority and/or you ca n’t manage with the 7.9 in screen of an iPad miniskirt .
However , while it costs £ 160 more for the launching - grade mannequin , the new iPad Air does a lot of affair right to justify that higher damage .
It has a more or less big screen despite being thinner and light , and that screen will look and feel skillful ; it should be a respectable good deal quicker and is undoubtedly better future - proofed . The front tv camera is a band better , and you get quicker , longer - range Bluetooth , twice as much repositing at the base story and the option of a Smart Keyboard .
If you could give it , plump for the Air . But if you may compromise on projection screen size theiPad miniskirt ( 2019)may be a better choice still , because that has all the other features of the breeze for less money .
