With Apple announcing the new 10.9-inch iPad 2022 model, the iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022 comparison is more relevant than ever as it tries to decide which tablet to buy.
Apple’s latest iPad features an all-new design that makes it feel like a modern tablet, including a larger screen, flat sides, and USB-C connectivity. The new device also gets rid of the old home button and also has an upgraded chipset. In many ways, this is basically the iPad that many have been asking for.
Although the iPad 2022 deserves to be updated, some people may still be tempted by the iPad Air 2022. In the US, this tablet costs an extra $150 and looks almost identical to Apple’s latest version. However, there are some important differences that could make the iPad Air 2022 a better option.
Our iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022 comparison can help you decide which Apple tablet is the right one for your needs.
iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Specifications
| iPad 2022 | iPad Air 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial price | $449 / £499 / AU$749 | $599 / £669 / AU$999 |
| Show | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (2360 x 1640) | 10.9 inches (2360 x 1640) Liquid Retina |
| The operating system | iPadOS 16 (pre-installed) | iPadOS 16 |
| Slices | A14 Bionic | Apple M1 |
| storage | 64 GB, 256 GB | 64 GB, 256 GB |
| cameras | 12 MP (front and rear) | 12 MP (front and rear) |
| wireless | Wi-Fi 6, 5G optional | Wi-Fi 6, 5G optional |
| Dimensions | 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 | 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 |
| Weight | 1.05 EGP (WiFi) | 1.06 lbs (Wi-Fi + Cellular) | 1.02 EGP (WiFi) | 1.02 lbs (Wi-Fi + Cellular) |
Apple upgraded the chip in the 10.9-inch iPad, replacing the A13 Bionic with the latest A14 Bionic. Not only does this chip give the new tablet a boost in processing power over its predecessor, it allows 5G connectivity if you pay extra for the cellular model.
According to Apple’s own materials, the A14 offers 20% better CPU performance and 10% better graphics performance than the previous model. In addition to faster cellular connections, the iPad benefits from Wi-Fi 6 support. This means you’ll get faster data speeds when you’re at home, too, up to 30% faster with Apple accounts.
The iPad Air packs an M1 chip, making it the second Apple tablet to use the company’s powerful chip after the 2021 iPad Pro. This M1 injection is the main thing that sets the new iPad Air apart from the previous model. As we’ve seen with the 2021 iPad Pros, the M1 chip could give the iPad a noticeable boost in performance and energy efficiency. However, some have argued that the M1 chip is an overkill for a tablet.
iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Price
You can pre-order the iPad 2022 now or wait to buy it in-store on October 26. You’ll pay $449 / £499 / AU$749 for the base model, which is a $120 increase over the cheapest 10.2-inch iPad model – a change that doesn’t match well with global editor-in-chief Mark Spoonauer. If you want to get 5G cellular connectivity for your iPad, that starts at $599 / £679 / AU$999.
For that money, you get a meager 64GB of storage space. You can bump that up to 256GB, but that will cost you an extra $150 on either model. If all of that sounds pricey to you, Apple is keeping the 9th generation 10.2-inch iPad at a starting price of $329 / £369 / AU$549.
iPad Air 2022 costs $599 for a 64GB configuration with Wi-Fi (Opens in a new tab). You can pay $749 for a 256GB Wi-Fi model, or pay the same price for a 64GB model with Wi-Fi and 5G cellular connectivity. You can get both 256GB of extended storage and 5G connectivity on the most versatile model, which comes in at $899.
The new iPad Air kept the same price as the 2020 model when it was launched. The standard 2021 iPad (starting at $399) costs $609 if you buy it with 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular. The iPad Pro 11 inch Starts at $799; For $899 (the price of the iPad Air 5 equipped), you can buy a Pro tablet with 256GB of storage and Wi-Fi.
iPad 2022 vs. iPad Air 2022: Colors
With the iPad 2022, Apple has done everything in its power for bright and bold options. You can choose between blue, pink, yellow and silver that makes the most sense.
Not to be outdone by the iPad Air 2022, it comes in your choice of five colors: blue, pink, purple, stars and space gray.
iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Design
Apple has finally changed the design of the regular iPad to make it look like a tablet released this decade. With the home button gone, you have a fingerprint-reading power button in the top-right corner, identical to what you get with the iPad Air and iPad mini.
The iPad body is roughly the same size as the previous model, but the iPad sides are now flat rather than curved, with the back being one flat piece separated from the edges. The back of the iPad 2022 also has a more prominent rear camera, again like the iPad Air and mini.
However, the front camera of the iPad has been moved to the right long edge of the iPad. This is a nice change because it means you can make video calls with your iPad in a natural landscape position.
Finally, the Lightning connector has also been phased out and replaced with a USB-C port. This means easy charging because the majority of mobile devices today use this connection. It’s unfortunate if you’re all on Apple’s proprietary connector.
The iPad Air measures 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches and weighs 1.02 pounds, the same as the previous model. It features a 10.9 inch display and a USB-C port for charging and peripherals.
We’re fans of the iPad Air 4’s design, so we’re glad Apple didn’t change it for the latest model. The tablet lives up to its “Air” moniker by being extremely light, not to mention extremely portable. The Magic Keyboard weighs in at just over a pound, but it’s not enough to make much of a difference for most people.
The lack of a headphone jack on the iPad Air is a huge issue, but since most devices are forgoing the port in favor of wireless solutions, it’s not a big deal. We also can’t argue about this tablet that only has one USB-C port. You’re not supposed to be connected to a bunch of external devices, although you can always use a dongle.
iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Offer
The screen on the iPad is now able to extend after the disappearance of the home button, expanding from 10.2 inches to 10.9 inches, the same size as the iPad Air. The resolution is higher than the previous iPad as well, at 2360 x 1640. This should provide more detail when you’re streaming video or looking at your photos.
The iPad Air 2022 has its own 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640. We liked the display of the old model because it delivered sharp image quality on a relatively small screen. Our only minor criticism was that the screen could have been brighter. Given these factors, we were interested to see how the current iPad Air’s display compares to the older model.
iPad 2022 vs. iPad Air 2022: Cameras
The front camera is the most interesting of the two available for the iPad 2022. It still has a 12MP sensor, but it’s been moved from the top edge to the right side, making it much easier to use in landscape orientation. On the back, the rear camera has been improved from 8MP to 12MP. This will allow you to record up to 4K video if you want to use your new iPad for an HD video project.
Like other recent iPads, the cameras work with Apple Center Stage technology for subject tracking, allowing the field of view to expand or zoom in depending on who is in the shot and where.
The iPad Air has a 12MP front camera, which is larger than the 5MP 2020 model. Not only will you look great when taking selfies, but you will also look your best during video calls. The 12MP rear camera takes high-quality photos as well.
iPad 2022 vs. iPad Air 2022: Accessories
This is where things get fun, and maybe a little frustrating.
For iPad owners, Apple offers a new Magic Keyboard Folio ($249), which includes a keyboard, trackpad, and stand all in one case. The previous iPad only had keyboard cases, which makes the new model more practical for work or study. Like other Magic Keyboard cases, it draws power from the iPad’s smart connector, meaning you don’t have to remember to charge it.
For creators, the company offers Apple Pencil (Opens in a new tab) ($99) again. However, Apple doesn’t offer support for its new Apple Pencil 2. The new iPad still works only with the original Apple Pencil, using a Light to USB-C adapter dongle to allow you to pair and charge it with the tablet (the Lightning port has since been replaced). This comes in the box with new Apple 1st generation Pencils, but will cost you $9/£9/AU$15 if you need to buy an Apple Pencil you already have.
iPad Air compatible Apple Pencil 2 (Opens in a new tab) ($129) and magic keyboardAnd the ($299) are great optional accessories for the iPad Air that help you get more out of the device.
With Magic Keyboard, you can turn your iPad Air into a mini laptop. The keyboard base is sturdy enough to let you comfortably carry the tablet around your home while watching content. As for the keyboard, it has a large area that allows you to type comfortably, while the trackpad feels responsive and easy to use.
Apple Pencil 2 is a great tool for taking notes and drawing. It is a thick pencil that makes it comfortable and convenient to use. Although digital pencils don’t provide the same satisfaction as old school pens and pencils, the Apple Pencil 2 does just fine.
iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: What Should You Buy?
At first glance, the answer to the question posed in the title is a bit tricky. The new iPad 2022 has many of the features and improvements that make it a convenient modern tablet, such as a flatter design, a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and USB-C connectivity. The A14 Bionic chip should also give the latest iPad a performance boost over the previous generation.
However, there are some worrisome aspects that users have to take into account – specifically, the surround support. Since you can’t magnetically attach the Apple Pencil to your iPad to charge it, you’ll need to shell out $9 for a Light to USB-C adapter dongle. The new Magic Keyboard Folio, Which costs $249 (Opens in a new tab)Also, it doesn’t look as powerful as Magic Keyboard at first glance.
Another major difference is the M1 chip that powers the iPad Air. Features like Stage Manager are currently only possible on iPads equipped with the M1 processor. It’s not unreasonable to assume that we could see other features specific to the M1 or M2 that aren’t even possible on the new iPad. With that said, we’ll want to put the new iPad into our benchmark tests to see how the A14 Bionic chip compares to the M1 chip.
Even if the iPad Air costs an extra $150, it seems to be a better device for most people. We’re not knocking the new iPad 2022 — we still need to test the tablet — but the Air does have features like magnetic docking and Apple Pencil 2 charging. And as we’ve said, the M1 chip-powered Air could also get upcoming features like the iPad 2022 may not.
In short, the iPad Air 2022 appears to be a better long-term investment, at least on paper. An iPad 2022 review is coming soon and could shed more light on the iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022 discussion.
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