Our Verdict
The iPad Air ( 2022 ) feel very much like an iPad Pro - Lite , equipped as it is with the immensely powerful M1 CPU . 5 G and upgraded cameras are the icing the puck on the bar , but if you do n’t need all that extra muscleman then the iPad Air ( 2020 ) has plenty to proffer .
Best Prices Today: Apple iPad Air (5th gen, M1, 2022)
The new iPad Air ( 2022 ) has arrived , bringing with it the mighty M1 processor and a few other upgrades . But is it enough to justify upgrading from an iPad Air ( 2020 ) ? Should new buyers grab the Modern model , or would they be good advised picking up the older model at a bank discount as stores trade off their leave - over stock ?
Here ’s a quick comparability of the two , as we split Airs .
Design & build quality
The iPad Air received a major facelift in 2020 when Apple ditched the Home button and subdued livery to go full - screen and finally institute some colour to the platform .
Two yr on and things have n’t really changed at all . In fact , comparing the dimensions shows that both sport 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm bod , while the weight is virtually identical : the Modern version wind the scurf at 3 g heavier than its 2020 equivalent ( at 461 thou ) for the Wi - Fi version , or 2 M heavier ( 462 g ) for the cellular .
One strange story which has emerged online is some hoi polloi reporting that due to the back of the new iPad being quite flimsy , the material actually screech as it flex .
In our recentiPad Air ( 2022 ) review , David Price found that his sampling did n’t support from the trouble , but our sis publishing Tech Advisor had an iPad Air ( 2022 ) which did creak . Whether this is a yield unsuccessful person or simply a forged batch is ill-defined at the time of writing , but it ’s something you may take to hold in mind if you would happen this kind of matter a problem .
Unwanted sound effects aside , there ’s practically no artistic divergence between the 2020 and 2022 versions , with both feature monovular 10.9 in Liquid Retina display . And while the house button is absent in both cases , you wo n’t find Face ID on these models as or else Apple employs a fingermark sensing element in the power button .
You ’ll find support for the second - gen Apple Pencil on both gimmick , as well as Smart Connectors that permit you use the Apple Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio Keyboard . The significance of this is that if you require to advance from the older model to the newer one you wo n’t have to replace any of your accoutrement .
The new iPad Air does feature an upgraded front camera that impart fresh feature of speech , but we ’ll discuss that further below .
One way to differentiate the novel from the erstwhile is with the legal transfer . you’re able to get a range of look on either , but there ’s very little convergence : only the Space Grey alternative is offered for both . Purple is the most plainly eye - see new semblance , but this is very much a matter of personal taste .
Performance & features
When theiPad Air ( 2020)was launched it was heralded by some as an low-priced iPad Pro for normal mass . Apple accept this and scarper with it on the new model , as it has a few upgrades that make it a serious computational automobile .
Processor
The newspaper headline feature for the new iPad Air ( 2022 ) is the cellular inclusion of the M1 processor , replacing the A14 Bionic used by the 2020 model . This brings Pro - unwavering operation to the Air , as it ’s the same chip used by the currentiPad Pro 11inandiPad Pro 12.9 in , not to mention several Macs .
If you desire to expend your iPad Air for create digital art , exposure editing or high-pitched - level play , then the M1 will make everything a breeze . That being said , if your usage is more tailored towards contentedness usance , promissory note - pickings , light photo editing and basic art , then the A14 Bionic will handle it all with poise .
As this is the key discriminator between the two mannequin , those working out which one to buy should cautiously consider what they want to do with their iPad . The A14 Bionic is no dull - coach , so if you do n’t need pro carrying out , you’re able to probably save the money and go for the iPad Air ( 2020 ) .
Display
As stated earlier , the display on the two iPad Airs are the same . That have in mind you get a 10.9 in Liquid Retina venire running at a 2360×1640 resolution , 264ppi , with selfsame brightness levels and all the usual True Tone , all-embracing color ( P3 ) and in full laminate covert that we ’ve total to require from iPads at this storey .
Even though the processor in the iPad Air ( 2022 ) can deal all kinds of animation and graphic challenge , the refresh pace has n’t convert for the new poser , remain at a rather dissatisfactory 60Hz . That means if you want the super - smooth ProMotion displays that run at 120Hz , then you ’ll require to stump up for an iPad Pro alternatively .
Cameras
For the most part the main camera on the iPad Air ( 2022 ) is the same as its predecessor . It seems to be an identical 12MP f/1.8 detector that features Smart HDR 3 and Wide colour , and can record telecasting at up to 4K/60fps , with options for Slo - mo ( 1080p/240fps ) , Continuous autofocus and Cinematic video stabilization .
The only difference is that it offer drawn-out dynamic range for video up to 30fps and can memorialise 1080p at 25fps and 30fps as well as the 60fps offered by the 2020 model . Whether these are things you ’d utilize is debatable , but they are present .
The larger change is on the front - front television camera where Apple has replace the maturate 7MP f/2.2 FaceTime HD unit of the iPad Air ( 2020 ) with a much better 12MP radical Wide f/2.4 shooter . The chief advantage of this is that it allows the newer iPad to offer Centre Stage , the cunning zooming - out and trailing capability that can keep you in the centre of the shot on video calls even if you ’re moving about . There ’s also extend dynamical range for TV up to 30fps and the extra HD fps option offered by the independent tv camera .
Basically , if you expend your iPad for video recording call and like the audio of the Centre Stage feature , then that ’s a groovy reason to select the new iPad Air over the honest-to-god one .
Connectivity
The last of the tent - pole features Apple bestow upon the new iPad Air is 5 one thousand connectivity . Obviously this only applies to models that come with cellular connections . So if you only buy Wi - Fi versions then this capability wo n’t be included .
If you like to have a web connection where Wi - Fi fears to tread , then you ’ll have a faster one on the new iPad Air ( so long as your meshwork provider offers the feature in your area ) .
For a more detailed look at the specifications for both devices , here ’s a breakdown :
Price & availability
The iPad Air ( 2022 ) is usable to grease one’s palms now and comes in the following conformation :
When it was released , the iPad Air ( 2020 ) offered the same configurations and at very similar damage :
Now that Apple has stopped selling it , you might be capable to pick up some nice deals if you shop around . Take a look at ourbest iPad dealsroundup to regain what offer are presently available for both devices .
Verdict
There ’s no doubt that the new iPad Air ( 2022 ) is an excellent machine that really does get you into the territory of the iPad Pros at a chintzy price . The M1 is a incredibly powerful processor that will make light work of anything you’re able to throw off at an iPad , plus the slightly improved camera and addition of 5 yard are gracious to have .
That being sound out , if you have a current iPad Air ( 2020 ) then we do n’t remember there ’s much point in upgrading . All that office is swell , but only if you have a indigence for it . Otherwise , we still retrieve if you could nibble up the older model on a good mickle , then it will hand over the iPad experience most mass desire but will leave a few wad in your pouch too .
