Compared: New 2022 iPad Air vs 2020 iPad Air

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The fifth-generation iPad Air has launched with an upgrade to M1 and 5G support, but it can be a tough choice for those who already own the fourth-generation model. Here’s how the two stack up.

At Apple’s “Peek Performance” special event, the company unveiled an update to the iPad Air, bringing it to its fifth generation. The iPad Air, which sat in between the standard iPad and iPad Pro, offered the styling of the premium model, but at a more wallet-friendly price. For the fifth-generation model, Apple is closing the gap between the Air and the iPad Pro lineup a little more, at least in terms of specs.

Depending on how you look at it, there might be enough for fourth-generation owners to make the jump to the new model.

Specifications:

iPad Air (5th Gen, 2022)iPad Air (4th Gen, 2020)Base Price$599$599Screen Size (Inches)10,910.9Resolution2,360 x 1,6402,360 x 1,640 Pixel Density (dpi)264264Brightness (nits)500500Display TypeLiquid Retina ,
true tone,
Wide color (P3),
Fully laminated Liquid retina,
true tone,
Wide color (P3),
Fully LaminatedProcessorM1A14 BionicApple PencilSecond GenerationSecond GenerationSmart ConnectorYesYesDimensions (inches) 9.74 x 7 x 0.249.74 x 7 x 0.24 Weight (lbs) 1.021 Capacity64 GB,
256GB64GB,
256GBRear camera (megapixels)1212Front camera (megapixels)127Video recording4K 24/30/60fps,
1080p 240fps Slo-mo4K 24/30/60fps,
1080p 240fps Slo-moConnectivity5G (sub-6GHz),
Gigabit-class LTE,
bluetooth 5.0,
Wi-Fi 6Gigabit class LTE,
bluetooth 5.0,
Wi-Fi 6BiometricTouch IDTouch IDSpeakers22PortUSB-CUSB-C

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Physical Dimensions

When Apple updated from the third-generation iPad Air to the fourth, it made significant changes to the overall appearance. The styling shifted from the familiar iPad to an almost edge-to-edge, no-chin display that was also larger, as well as an iPad Pro-inspired body.

With the fifth-generation iPad Air being a spec bump edition, there’s nothing new about the tablet’s exterior. It has the same general appearance, down to its physical dimensions.

Both the fourth and fifth generation models are 9.74 inches long and 7.02 inches wide, and an equally thin 0.24 inches thick. There is a small variation in weight.

The fifth-generation iPad Air looks the same as the fourth, as the changes are largely internal.

The fifth-generation iPad Air looks the same as the fourth, as the changes are largely internal.

The fourth-generation Wi-Fi edition weighs exactly 1 pound, while the mobile phone is just a little heavier at 1.01 pounds. For the fifth generation, both Wi-Fi and Cellular models are listed at 1.02 pounds, with just a gram difference.

The newer models are heavier, but so little it’s insignificant.

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Screen

Both use the same 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. While Apple could have upgraded to miniLED backlighting like the iPad Pro models, it stuck with LED backlighting instead.

The resolutions are the same for both models, namely 2,360 by 1,640, which gives a pixel density of 264ppi each. You also get identical brightness at 500 nits, full screen lamination, wide color (P3) support and True Tone.

As for the Apple Pencil, Apple is maintaining the use of the second-generation stylus for the new model, just like the previous one.

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Processing performance

The main change between the two generations is the SoC that powers the two models. While the fourth generation used the A14 Bionic, with a six-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four power-efficient cores, an Apple-designed four-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, Apple took a leap of faith for the fifth.

The latest iPad Air has the M1, the same desktop-class chip used in the iPad Pro lineup. It consists of an eight-core CPU evenly spaced with performance and efficiency cores, an 8-core GPU, and a 16-core “next-generation” Neural Engine.

The main features of the fifth generation iPad Air

The main features of the fifth generation iPad Air

Apple says that the 5th-generation iPad Air is up to 60% faster than the previous model, thanks to the M1 processor. It is also claimed to have twice the graphics capabilities.

Before benchmarks are released for the fifth-generation iPad Pro, the best direct comparison is to go to GeekBench and compare the fourth-generation with the 11-inch iPad Pro.

The comparison is striking because the lower-capacity iPad Pro models of the M1 have the same 8GB of memory as the fifth-generation iPad Air. For reference, the fourth-generation iPad Air has 4 GB.

The 11-inch iPad Pro with an M1 processor has a 1,706 single-core and 7,219 multi-core score in Geekbench. This is with the 8 core M1 processor.

Meanwhile, the iPad Air 4 with A14 Bionic scored a 1,583 single-core and a 4,210 multi-core score. The A14 Bionic has a 6-core processor, which explains the lower multi-core score.

On the graphics side, the A14 can hit 12,450 on Geekbench’s Metal test, while the M1 can hit 21,199.

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Cameras

As you’d expect, both rear cameras for the fourth and fifth generation iPad Air have the same 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with an f/1.8 aperture, a 5x digital zoom and Smart HDR 3 for photos.

For video it’s a similar story, with both capable of 4K60 footage, 1080p 240fps Slo-mo and a 3x zoom. The fifth generation differs in that it has an extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps.

On the front, the 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera has been swapped for a 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide version in the fifth-generation model. As part of the changes, it will also get a 2x zoom out.

You're still using the Apple Pencil 2 on the fifth-generation iPad Air.

You’re still using the Apple Pencil 2 on the fifth-generation iPad Air.

The new camera includes Center Stage support that takes advantage of FaceTime viewing angle and zoom.

On video, while the fourth generation has 1080p video with cinematic video stabilization, the fifth also expands the dynamic range for 30 fps video.

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Connectivity

Both models have USB-C for physical connections to devices and accessories, including video output to an external display and storage devices.

On wireless, the two models support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 equally, although things change when it comes to the mobile side.

Apart from M1, Apple’s second big promotion point for the fifth-generation model is connectivity over 5G. This is an improvement, but not necessarily as good as you might think.

USB-C is used for charging and for connecting to items such as external drives.

USB-C is used for charging and for connecting to items such as external drives.

Apple specifies that 5G support is for sub-6GHz bands, which provides overall coverage comparable to LTE. There is no support for mmWave, the extremely fast element of 5G that is widely marketed as a benefit of the standard.

The 5G that Apple includes in the fifth-generation iPad Air is certainly faster than LTE, which it can also connect to, but it’s not the same as mmWave.

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Battery and Charging

A change in processor can sometimes equate to changed usage times. This can certainly be the case for other devices, such as iPhones. It’s not happening here.

Both models stick to Apple’s general tablet standard of up to 10 hours of internet browsing on Wi-Fi or watching video. The number drops a bit for mobile work, to 9am.

Power is supplied via USB-C, with Apple providing a 20W USB-C power adapter for each, charging identical 28.6-inch batteries.

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Other Features

Both models will continue to use Touch ID for biometric security.

The included Smart Connector can seamlessly take advantage of the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio on any device.

Audio support hasn’t changed either, with both two speakers operating in landscape mode.

iPad Air Gen 5 vs iPad Air Gen 4 – Capacity and Price

Before the Wi-Fi version, the fourth-generation iPad Air was available in 64GB and 256GB capacities, for $599 and $749, respectively. The cellular models cost an additional $130, bringing the 64GB model $20. 729 and the 256 GB will yield $879. Check out our roundup of the best iPad deals for discounts on dozens of models.

Apple offered five color variations: Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green and Sky Blue.

There is support for the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio using the Smart Connector.

There is support for the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio using the Smart Connector.

The new fifth-generation iPad Air is offered in the same capacities with the same prices for the Wi-Fi models. The mobile models are $20 more expensive this time around, $749 and $899 respectively.

For 2022, the color variant will keep Space Gray, but the rest will change to Starlight, Pink, Purple and Blue.

An affordable iPad Pro

The modern iPad Air seemed to be a compromise, with an iPad Pro look, but with concessions to make it cheaper. That combination made it popular in its own right, especially for those who didn’t need the full-fat iPad Pro experience.

This time, Apple has kept the impressive exterior, but kept the inside up to par. It’s not quite an iPad Pro, but it certainly has the same chip that runs the entire show.

Add the term 5G and it becomes even more appealing, despite the lack of mmWave.

It is very likely that this spec bump update could bring enough improvements to make a fourth generation user upgrade. The performance matches the iPad Pro-esque design, which is a very attractive combination for anyone who really needs that power.

It’s a spec bump upgrade, but one that bumps just the right way.

This post Compared: New 2022 iPad Air vs 2020 iPad Air

was original published at “https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/03/08/compared-new-2022-ipad-air-vs-2020-ipad-air?utm_medium=rss”