The new iPad Air marks the entry of the range in the more raw design of Apple. But it is not only the external appearance that differentiates the iPad Air 4 from its predecessor, the iPad Air 3. The opportunity to compare the differences between the iPad Air 2019 and its improved version, from 2020. Let’s go!
Apple’s end-of-year conference was an opportunity to discover its new fourth-generation iPad Air. At first glance, this is a whole different tablet. But what is better compared to the third-generation iPad Air? Let’s analyze the differences between our two opponents based on the technical data sheets provided by the manufacturer.
Key Specification
| iPad Air 2020 | iPad Air 2029 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic |
| Display | 10.9 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Memory | 4 GB 64 / 256 GB | 3 GB 64 /256 GB |
| Camera | 12 MP | 8 MP |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | Top | Front |
The screen of the fourth-generation iPad Air is larger than the screen of the third iPad Air of the name. Thus, we are entitled to a diagonal of 10.9 inches for the iPad Air 2020 against only 10.2 inches for the iPad Air of 2019. The pixel density, on the other hand, is roughly the same on both iPad Airs. True Tone technology is also responsible for adapting the colors of the screen according to your environment and the ambient light. A real asset so as not to tire the eyes in the evening.
Design
| iPad Air 2020 | iPad Air 2029 | |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm | 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm |
| Weight | 458 grams | 456 grams |
| Screen Size | 10.9 inches | 7.9 inches |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
To begin with, we notice that the iPad Air 2020 does not look at all like the iPad Air of 2019. Indeed, its chassis has been completely revamped and now looks more like the iPad Pro which was unveiled the same year. Thus, the angles are now straighter and recall the appearance of the late iPhone 4. The result is a more serious format, which brings the fourth-generation iPad Air into the tablet sector that can be preferred for the job. Just like its accessories, as we will see below.
As for the dimensions, they are 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm for the fourth-generation iPad Air against 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm for the third-generation iPad Air. The iPad Air 4 is, therefore, a bit wider than the iPad Air 3, but it is less tall and just as thick. The weight, too, has changed: the iPad Air 2020 without 4G is heavier than its predecessor. In contrast, the iPad Air 4 model with mobile data weighs a few grams less than the iPad Air 3. But frankly, there is no real difference here.
However, we notice that the borders surrounding the screen of the fourth-generation iPad Air are much narrower than those of the third-generation iPad Air. The diagonal / format ratio is indeed higher with the new iPad Air: 81.3% vs. 78.3% approximately. You should also know that the iPad Air 4 offers additional colors: space grey, sky blue, rose gold, silver and green.
For the rest, the iPad Air remains true to itself both in 2020 and in 2019.
Performance
| iPad Air 2020 | iPad Air 2029 | |
| Processor | Hexa-core (2×3.0 GHz) | Hexa-core (2×2.5 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU | Apple GPU |
| RAM | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Internal storage | 64 GB | 64 GB/128 GB |
| Storage expansion | No | No |
| OS | iPadOS 14.1 | iOS 12.1.3 |
The fourth-generation iPad Air incorporates the all-new Apple A14 processor. It is also the first device to have the right to this chip – even before the iPhone – which had never happened before. On the iPad Air 2020, the SoC would even be 40% faster, its GPU being about 30% more efficient compared to the iPad Air 3. On a daily basis, you will therefore have no trouble. to run particularly energy-intensive video games. Moreover, the iPad Air are compatible with controllers: that’s good, isn’t it?
The third-generation iPad Air, meanwhile, is content to run with an Apple A12 Bionic. This time, the processor is engraved with a precision of seven nanometers (compared to only five for the new iPad Air 4), but remains powerful enough to be able to open many apps at the same time without flinching. It is in fact divided into six different cores, including two Vortices at 2.5 GHz each and four Tempest clocked at 1.6 GHz. To this are coupled 3 GB of RAM and a quad-core graphics chip.
Camera
| iPad Air 2020 | iPad Air 2029 | |
| Rear | 12 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP, f/2.4, 32mm |
| Front | 7 MP, f/2.0, 31mm | 7 MP, f/2.0, 31mm |
| Video recording | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
Now let’s move on to the camera part. It is needless to say that the iPad Air being a tablet, it will be difficult for you to take it to take pictures with you everywhere. But this backup solution does the trick if you have no choice. In terms of numbers, the iPad Air 3 offers a single eight-megapixel back sensor. With an f / 2.4 aperture, it is capable of shooting HDR images. For their part, videos are available in 1080p at up to 30 frames per second. But the front camera only offers seven megapixels.
For iPad Air 4, the rear lens has been improved. It now has a twelve-megapixel lens. It is exactly the same as in the fourth-generation iPad Pro, which also has the right to LiDAR radar. It thus benefits from a wide-angle with an f / 1.8 aperture, capable of immortalizing landscapes much wider than the iPad Air 3. Furthermore, this sensor is capable of filming in 4K, which does is not the case with the previous version. Finally, you should know that the opening of the camera dedicated to selfies has also been enlarged with this time f / 2.0.
Multimedia
| iPad Air 2020 | iPad Air 2029 | |
| Headphone jack | No | Yes 3.5 Jack |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Feture | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
The third-generation iPad Air does offer a headphone jack, but it can be recharged with a Lightning plug. Apple provides the charger, but you should not lose it at the risk of quickly finding you in the poor state of the battery. For the network, it will be Wi-Fi or mobile data depending on the model you choose, knowing that the edition with mobile data is more expensive, just like with the fourth generation of the iPad Air. Both are 4G compatible. Note also that file-sharing can be done with AirDrop, which facilitates transfer to other Apple devices.
Battery Life
| iPad Air 2020 | iPad Air 2029 | |
| Battery Life | Upto 10 hrs | Upto 10 hrs |
| User R | – | – |
| Fast Charging | Yes | Yes |
| User Replaceable | No | No |
The third-generation iPad Air can last up to ten hours of multimedia web browsing. Autonomy has not been improved with the iPad Air 4, since according to its technical sheet it is the same duration that is proposed. It’s a bit of a shame, especially when you consider that a lot of users prefer the iPad Air for long trips.
The charger that comes with the iPad Air 2020 offers a one-meter-long cable with a twenty-watt AC adapter, which allows it to be powered fairly quickly. The charging time is roughly the same on the iPad Air 2019, so there is no real difference in battery life between our two opponents.
Connectivity
| | iPad Air 2020 | iPad Air 2029 |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Sensors | Acelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
There are serious differences between the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 3 in terms of connectivity. Thus, the new iPad Air 2020 benefits from a latest-generation USB-C socket, more universal and to which you can connect many compatible devices such as the eponymous keys. In addition, the jack port has been abandoned, which means that you will have to buy special headphones or go through true wireless Bluetooth headsets if you do not want to disturb those around you. At the back, there is still the Smart Connector to connect official keyboards.
Conclusion!
This iPad Air 2020 vs iPad Air 2019 comparison was an opportunity to discover that this time, Apple offers us a real improvement from one generation to the next. The iPad Air 4 is thus more elegant than its predecessor, while the iPad Air 3 is less powerful and its screen is smaller. However, these changes come at a price: 100 euros more.
The fourth-generation iPad Air is a mid-range tablet now capable of reaching the same audience as the iPad Pro thanks to the Apple Pencil 2 and the Magic Keyboard. It will be perfect for all trades looking for an Apple mobile touch device without skipping the software part, thanks to iPadOS 14 and its many advantages.
To be honest, buying a third-generation iPad Air is therefore not very interesting since the majority of its components are pale compared to those of the iPad Air 4. But it will still be a good option to save money. , for example for the tighter budget of university students. As is often the case, Apple keeps its promise to deliver a reliable and smooth product over the long term, and the benchmarks prove that there is nothing wrong with this.
