10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air

Apple recently introduced the M2 iPad Pro 10th-generation iPad Pro and the iPad mini 10. However, they still sell the 9th-gen iPad. Throw in the iPad mini and storage sizes and we’re in an “Oops! All iPads” situation where it can be It can be difficult to decide which one to purchase.

It is when you decide between the new and old that confusion is greatest. 10th-gen iPadAnd the iPad Air. The 10th-gen iPad Air has the same physical characteristics as the iPad Air. It features a larger screen, flat sides and Touch ID in its side button. It’s also considerably more expensive than the 9th-gen iPad, closing that wide gap in price between Apple’s entry-level and midrange tablets.

Although they may look similar visually, there are many differences between the two. If you’re considering a mid-tier iPad, perhaps this article will help you decide whether you should get the new 10th-gen iPad or the iPad Air.

10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air: Specs compared

You can compare the specs of these tablets side-by side to get a better idea of their differences.

You can see that despite their similarities in appearance, there are many differences. Some more important than others.

10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air: A14 vs M1

Most noticeable difference is the processor. While the M1 processor in the iPad Air is based on the same general architecture as the A14, it’s way more powerful. It’s got two more high-performance CPU cores, double the GPU cores, more RAM, and media engines to speed up the encoding of H.264 and HEVC video.

All that you might need may not be necessary. The M1 is too powerful if you use your iPad primarily for browsing the internet, taking notes, sending emails, and other social media activities. If you create a lot of digital artwork in apps with custom brushes or do video editing, you will probably appreciate the M1’s extra muscle.

It’s also worth noting that Stage Manager, a new multitasking feature in iPadOS 16.1Only available for iPad Pro models, and iPad Air with M-series processors. We’re not very big fans of the new feature–it needs a lot of work–but if it eventually becomes great it will probably remain out of reach for the 10th-generation iPad.

10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air: Design

The 10th-generation iPad Air and the iPad Air are identical in design. When side by side, you’ll see that the iPad is slightly bigger and slightly heavier than the iPad, but you won’t notice either. Both have a uniform thin-bezel design, flat edges, and a Liquid Retina LCD display. They also both come in a variety of colors, though the 10th-gen iPad’s hues are significantly brighter than the iPad Air’s shades.

10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air: Display

The iPad Air 10th-gen iPad’s displays are identical in size, resolution, and brightness. Both support True Tone. So what’s different? The 10th-gen iPad’s color gamut is sRGB. However, the iPad Air has an expanded P3 color gamut. This means that photos and videos might be richer and more vivid. The iPad Air’s display also has an anti-reflective coating.

More importantly, the iPad Air’s display is laminated and the 10th-gen iPad’s isn’t. Laminate displays eliminate the gap between the glass display and the glass. In our review of the 10th-gen iPad, we found the non-laminated display felt cheap and almost plasticky in comparison to the iPad Air’s superior screen.

10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air: Camera

The rear and front cameras of both iPads are identical with identical resolution (12MP), aperture(f/1.8), supported features (Smart HDR 3 Panorama, Burst mode etc.). This is where the 10th-generation iPad has an edge. Where the front camera on the iPad Air is located along the short side like all other iPads, so it’s at the top when you hold your iPad in portrait orientation, the 10th-gen iPad is the first to position the front camera along the long edge, so it’s centered when your iPad is docked or in a keyboard case.

We think this is a great idea and something for which we’ve been asking for years.

10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air: Connectivity

You’ll find almost identical wireless capabilities in these two iPads. Both offer dual-band 802.11ax (WiFi 6) support and a throughput of up to 1.2 Gbps. Both versions support 5G but only the sub-6GHz bands if you purchase the cellular-enabled model.

The only difference between them is that the iPad Air supports Bluetooth 5 and Bluetooth 5.2. There’s no practical difference between them right now, but Bluetooth 5.2 is required for some technologies like LE AudioThese features could possibly be added to future iPadOS upgrades.

In other words: While there are no real differences in wireless capabilities, the 10th-generation iPad has a slightly better future-proofing feature.

Both models have a USB-C port for charging and data transfers, though they’re not quite the same. The 10th-gen iPad’s port is limited to USB 2.0 data speeds of 480Mb/s while the iPad Air is significantly faster at 10Gbps.

10th-gen iPad vs. iPad Air: Accessories

The choice is clear if you plan to use the Apple Pencil every day. The iPad Air supports magnetic attachments to the iPad’s side to charge. It is also more comfortable to use.

The 10th-gen iPad uses a first-generation Pencil. It is round and smooth so it doesn’t stay put. There is a cap at the back that covers the Lightning plug, which people often lose. To charge the iPad, you will need an included Lightning to USB-C dongle. Despite having the same specs, the second generation Pencil provides a much better experience.

The keyboards and covers for these two iPads are different, despite being identical in size. The iPad Air supports more or less the same keyboards as the 11-inch iPad Pro: the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio. On the other hand, the 10th-generation iPad is not compatible with the new $249 Magic Keyboard Folio. (Yes, Apple’s expanding line of keyboards has confusing names.) It features a full-sized keyboard and a function row, as well as a larger trackpad. The Magic Keyboard Folio, however, is slightly less sturdy than the Magic Keyboard. It adds an additional 60 percent to its cost.

iPad Air vs. the 10th-gen iPad: Which purchase is better?

The starting price for the 10th-gen iPad is $449. This makes it a more affordable option than the $599 iPad air. It’s got the same major features, cameras, and more than enough power for casual everyday tasks. You could actually get the 256GB model at the same price as 64GB iPad Air.

However, the iPad Air often goes on sale for $520 or lower, making it less than $100 than the 10th-generation iPad. For that price, it’s highly recommended. If you are a digital artist or content creator, you’ll probably appreciate those areas where the iPad Air has an edge. The second-generation Apple Pencil is much more comfortable to use and the M1 processor really shines in strenuous applications such as ProCreate, Affinity Designer or LumaFusion. People who create content will appreciate the wide range of colors available on the display’s P3 model.

If you’re on a tight budget, the 10th-gen iPad is a fine choice, but no one will regret buying the iPad Air instead.