At the much-awaited “Peak Performance” Spring event, Apple has unveiled the brand-new iPad Air 5 alongside iPhone SE 3 and Mac Studio. While the iPad Air 2022 may have a striking similarity with the iPad Air 2020, there are several notable changes inside. From the improved cameras to the more efficient processor, the latest iPad Air model has got the specs to warrant attention. And that’s exactly what has compelled me to put iPad Air 2022 vs iPad Air 2020 for a direct faceoff to find out what separates the two models and whether or not the upgrade is worth it. So, whether you are planning to upgrade to iPad Air 5 or are willing to discover how well it stacks up against the Air 4, this in-depth showdown is for you!
iPad Air 2020 vs iPad Air 2022: In-depth Comparison
First off, let’s take a close look at the specs to spot the major differences between iPad Air 5 and 4 before diving into the details.
Technical Specifications iPad Air 4 iPad Air 5 Display 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display Screen Resolution 2360×1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) 2360×1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) Brightness 500 nits brightness 500 nits brightness Weight Wi-Fi models: 458 grams (1.0 pound), Wi-Fi + cellular models: 460 grams (1.01 pounds) Wi-Fi models: 461 grams (1.02 pounds), Wi-Fi + Cellular models: 462 grams (1.02 pounds) Rear Camera 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture Front Camera 7MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture 12MP ultra-wide, 122° field of view,ƒ/2.4 aperture Chip A14 M1 Sensors Touch ID (Top button), Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensor Touch ID (Top button), Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensor Speakers Stereo speakers Stereo speakers Microphones Dual microphones for calls, video recording, and audio recording Dual microphones for calls, video recording, and audio recording Storage 64GB and 256GB 64GB and 256GB RAM 4GB 8GB Battery Life Up to 10 hours of battery life Up to 10 hours of battery life Cellular/Wi-Fi 4G, Wi-Fi 6 5G, Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 technology Bluetooth 5.0 technology SIM Card Nano-SIM tray (cellular models) Nano-SIM tray (cellular models) eSIM Supports Supports Apple Pencil Supports Apple Pencil 2 Supports Apple Pencil 2 Colors Silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue Space gray, starlight, pink, purple, and blue In the box iPad Air 4, USB-C Charging Cable (1 meter), 20W USB-C Power Adapter Pad Air 5, USB-C Charging Cable (1 meter), 20W USB-C Power Adapter Price Starting $599 Starting $599
Design & Display: Spot the Difference
In terms of design, the iPad Air 5 looks pretty similar to iPad Air 4. Given the fact that iPad Air 2020 was a huge upgrade from a design perspective, we didn’t expect Apple to make radical design changes either.
Sporting durable aluminum back, sturdy aluminum frame, and scratch-resistant glass at the front, complete with a 10.9-inch LED-backlit multi-touch display with IPS technology, both the iPad models look identical. Moreover, they also have the same 2360-by-1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) and 500 nits brightness. Add to that the rounded corners, anti-reflective coating, true tone display support, as well as the ability to work with Apple Pencil 2nd generation, and two models look in complete sync with each other on the display front.
The top button continues to double up as a Touch ID button. The volume rockers, USB-C connector, magnetic connector, nano-SIM tray, speakers, microphones, and the camera bump are all in their familiar places.
The iPad Air 5 Wi-Fi models weigh 461 grams (1.02 pounds), whereas the Wi-Fi+cellular models weigh 462 grams (1.02 pounds). Notably, the iPad Air 4 Wi-Fi models weigh 458 grams (1.0 pound), while the Wi-Fi + cellular models weigh 460 grams (1.01 pounds).
You can get both the models in five different finishes. While the Air 5 is available in space gray, starlight, pink, purple, and blue, the Air 4 comes in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue.
Chip: M1 Blows A14 Out of Water
While everyone had expected the iPad Air 5 to come with a more powerful processor (i.e A15 processor), not many had predicted that the M1 could be part of the upcoming iPad Air. When compared with the A14 processor which powers iPad Air 4, M1 delivers up to 60% faster performance thanks to the 8-core CPU.
Equipped with 8-core GPU, M1 provides up to 2x faster graphics. Moreover, the 16-core Neural Engine also paves the way forward for more efficient machine learning. Whether it’s multitasking between demanding apps or playing graphics-intensive games, M1 crashes the A14 chip due mainly to the raw horsepower. So, if muscular performance is what you have set your sight at, iPad Air 5 should more than just live up to your expectation.
Camera: 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera Sets iPad Air 5 Apart
Though both iPad Air 5 and 4 come with a 12MP rear camera, the Air 5 features a much-improved 12MP ultra-wide front camera that enables Center Stage.
For those uninitiated, Center Stage takes advantage of machine learning to automatically adjust the front-facing ultra-wide camera when you use supported video apps such as FaceTime. As you move around, it ensures you or anyone else remains in the frame, thereby enhancing the video calling experience. Apple showcased Center Stage as one of the highlights of the 2021 iPad Pros.
Comparatively, iPad Air 4 has a 7MP selfie camera which is decent for capturing selfies or video calls. However, if you want sharper selfies and enhanced video quality, Air 5 with the upgraded FaceTime camera should be your preferred choice.
Battery: Even-Steven
Even though Apple hasn’t divulged any details regarding the battery capacity of iPad Air 5, it is expected to match iPad Air 4 which packs in 7,606mAh battery.
Apple claims that iPad Air 5 provides up to 10 hours of battery life same as the iPad Air 4. That means, despite featuring a more energy-efficient M1 chip, Air 5 fails to deliver more battery life than the predecessor. It would be interesting to pit these two models on the battery life test.
Cellular and Wi-Fi
As expected, iPad Air 5 supports 5G. Even though 5G is yet to be available everywhere, it’s always better to be future-ready rather than lag behind. From this perspective, iPad Air 5 has got you covered unlike Air 4 which supports 4G LTE.
However, both these iPad Air models support Wi-Fi 6 (the latest iteration of Wi-Fi). Hence, you will get faster speeds and much less bandwidth congestion.
USB-C, File Transfer Speed
iPad Air 2022, like its predecessor, features a USB-C port. If you are a power user, you would be pleased to know that the USB-C port on the iPad Air 5 delivers up to 2x faster transfer speeds than the previous generation. Hence, uploading large photos and videos will be a lot faster on iPad Air 2022 as compared to iPad Air 2020.
Storage Capacity
Just like iPad Air 4, iPad Air 5 also comes only in two storage capacities such as 64GB and 256GB. I don’t think many would complain about it, though a 512GB variant would have been a welcome addition.
RAM
Apple is not the one who upgrades RAM (especially on iPad and iPhone) very often. So, I was a little surprised to know that the Cupertino giant has doubled the RAM capacity on iPad Air 2022. iPad Air 5 comes with 8GB RAM as compared to the 4GB RAM found on iPad Air 4.
Even with 4GB RAM, iPad Air 4 hardly breaks any sweat while taking on games and power-hungry apps. Therefore, I assume the iPad Air 4 with 8 GB RAM and the robust M1 chip to blaze through everything – from video editing to graphic designing to playing high-octane games – thrown at it with utmost ease.
Operating System and Keyboard Support
The iPad Air 4 and 5 are compatible with iPadOS 15. So, irrespective of which of these two models you choose, you will be able to use the latest version of iPadOS that comes with a host of new features.
Moreover, these iPad models also support Apple Smart Keyboard Folio and Magic keyboard to let you get the most out of your tablet as a handy laptop. That’s not all, they even allow the Apple Pencil 2nd generation to attach magnetically for automatic charging and pairing.
Price
When it comes to pricing, Apple has gotten a little smarter in recent times. By keeping the price unchanged (starting at $599), Apple has played it pretty safe. Knowing the fact that iPad Air 5 is a spec bump, it makes sense to keep the price steady.
Should You Upgrade to iPad Air 5?
Yes, definitely. The exceptionally powerful M1 chip, 12MP FaceTime camera, and 8GB RAM make the iPad Air 5 a worthy upgrade – if not the compelling one. If you already own iPad Air 4 with a very capable A14 processor and decent cameras, upgrading to iPad Air 5 may not seem to be a super-smart move. Unless of course, you are a power user and need a top-tier processor to crush games and take on resource-intensive apps.
However, the story could be altogether different, if you are upgrading from older iPad Air models or budget iPad. The all-screen design, lightning-fast performance, and more capable cameras will win you over.
In a nutshell, if you are hunting for an iPad that can offer flagship-level performance like iPad Pro 11″ or 12.9″ without having to cope with premium pricing, iPad Air 5 could be a better pick. Should you wish to further tighten your budget while still getting around 80-90% of what iPad Air 2022 offers, iPad Air 2020 could be an ever smarter deal.
