Apple iPad (10th Generation)
The bigger option.
Featuring a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, A14 Bionic chip, 256GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, 5G, 12MP cameras, Touch ID, and all-day battery life, the iPad is a strong contender for sure.
Quick Links
iPads, you can love them, you can hate them, but you can’t ignore ‘em. Today, we take a look at mankind’s biggest dilemmas - which is better, the iPad or the iPad Air? Now, obviously, the latest variant of both these models came out in 2022, so this is a little bit of a late comparison, but stay with us for a second.
Appleactually took a break from producing newer variants last year, so these ones are still under regulation, which means people are buying them every day. This means that, at some point, you come to the inevitable conclusion that one of them has to suck and then spend a lot of time deciding which one. Well, we’ve done the job for you, and you can find the answer just after this.
Performance
Jumping right in, you’ll notice that one of the most obvious differences between the iPad Air and iPad is the performance. Now, the Air is powered by the Apple M1 chip, which, if you notice, is the same one that’s used in some of the MacBook models.The reason it’s so cool is that it’s built on a 5-nanometer process and features an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.Reportedly, this gives the Air a huge bump up in terms of performance if you compare it to the previous generations. There’s almost a 40 percent faster GPU and 50 percent faster CPU performance, actually. Not to mention that the M1 also goes a long way in utilizing AL and ML algorithms, thanks to advanced machine learning abilities.
Coming to the iPad, we have the slower but still very reliable A14 Bionic chip,which is also built on a 5-nanometer process and features a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.Again, this is cool and everything, but it still doesn’t quite square up with the M1 in terms of raw processing power and graphics. Don’t get us wrong; it’s still very smooth and responsive enough to handle your basic everyday tasks like streaming and browsing. It’s just not as fast as the Air.
On the memory front,the Air comes with 8GB of RAM, and the iPad comes with 4GB.Again, having a higher RAM means that you’re going to have an easier time switching between the apps, especially if you’re working with memory-hungry apps like high-performance games or video editing software.
Fun fact: The Wi-Fi + Cellular model of the iPad Air weighs 462 grams, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant of the iPad weighs 481 grams.
Camera
Both the iPad and iPad Air are pretty similar when it comes to raw camera performance. Put them side by side, and you’ll find a robust 12MP camera both on the front and the back.One of the most interesting features here is that both models utilize Center Stage, a feature based on machine learning. This thing basically exploits theUltra-Wide camera’s 122-degree perspective to tweak the frame automatically during video chats.So, if you’re a fan of virtual meet-ups or online courses, Center Stage keeps the focus in place and makes sure you look your best.
Looking at the rear camera, both model versions prioritize crystal-clear image processing to attain stunning photos and videos.Both models give you 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second, which means that those videos are going to be absolutely smooth. And if you are wondering about slow motion, you can do that at 1080p and 240 frames per second.
However, to no one’s surprise, the Air does end up getting a slight edge here as well (funny how that happens), thanks to the more advanced image signal processor that comes with the M1 chip. It’s a little confusing because the ISP is both camera work and post-shot image processing, so is this a win for processing or a win for the camera? A question for the philosophers, but we digress.
The ISP makes use of computational photography and machine learning to reduce noise, improve image quality, and improve low-light performance.This then works in tandem with the Smart HDR 3, which captures and blends multiple exposures to give a much better dynamic range with more natural-looking shadows and highlights. Taking doggo photos just got a lot more cooler.
Battery
Ookay soboth the variants reportedly run an all-day battery.But let’s get real—this translates to about 10 hours of browsing the web, binge-watching your favorite shows, or putting your playlist on repeat. Naturally, if you’re all about power-hungry tasks like gaming or editing videos, you’re going to see that power drain faster.
Jumping into technicalities, the iPad Air has a 28.6-watt-hour (Wh) battery, while its counterpart, the iPad, runs on a just-a-touch-smaller 28.2-watt-hour (Wh) battery.Despite this petite difference in battery capacity, you’ll notice that both models deliver a similar burn rate with battery life, all thanks to those super-efficient processors and finely tuned software they’re running on.
Again, we run into the obvious fact that the Air has an edge. Turns out,if you manage to get your hands on the 20W adapter, you can actually charge it from zero to 50 percent in just about 30 minutes,thanks to the higher wattage and the USB-C charging (which, by the way, is a heck of a lot faster than the lighting port we saw in the previous gen iPads). Sure, the iPad comes with fast charging too, but it’slimited to a slower 18W adapter,which doesn’t charge as fast. Both iPads also support USB-PD (Power Delivery) protocol as well, which means that you’re gonna get faster charging when using compatible third-party chargers.
Audio and Speakers
Coming to audio specs, the iPad Air excels again with a four-speaker setup, split harmoniously between the device’s upper and lower ends. With its higher and mid-range frequencies specialized from the top and the low ones echoing from the bottom, you get to experience a balanced audio profile and a hearty bass resonance.What’s the icing on the cake, you ask? Well, the audio system supports Dolby Atmos, which means movie nights just got a lot more immersive.
But let’s not sideline the 10th Gen iPad. Even with its less complex two-speaker audio setup compared to the iPad Air’s quartet, it certainly doesn’t lag in delivering crisp and powerful sound. And yes, don’t worry, Dolby Atmos compatibility is gonna be following you here as well,but that only works if you’re playing supported media.
About the microphone setup, the iPad comes with a respectable and effectivetwo-microphone configuration,butthe Air takes it a notch higher with itssophisticated five-microphone setup, which comes with integrated directional beamforming and noise suppression.
Conclusion
After going through all these factors, it’s pretty obvious that both devices have their strengths and weaknesses and that they cater to different preferences and needs. However, in the interest of not sugarcoating things, the iPad Air is clearly the winner, with its advanced camera, better design, lighter form, and top-tier performance. This means it’s more suited for people who are into graphic design, video editing, and hardcore gaming.
On the other hand, we have the regular iPad, which is… pretty regular. It’s a more budget-friendly option that’s suited for the everyday consumer who can make do with some light productivity and media consumption. Come to think about it, it could be pretty useful for taking down school notes, but all things considered, the iPad Air is the undisputed champ.
Frequently Asked Questions
The iPad Air comes in a whole bunch of colors, including Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue. The regular iPad also has quite a few variants, such as Silver, Space Gray, and Blue.
Both models are compatible with the Smart Keyboard, but the iPad only works with the first-generation version of the Apple Pencil, while the Air has compatibility with the second-gen option as well. Outside of that, both models are compatible with pretty much all accessories.
Are there any trade-in options available for upgrading to a new iPad?
Apple actually offers a trade-in program where you can get credit for a new iPad by trading in your old stuff (just the eligible models, though). Keep in mind that the trade-in value can change based on the model and condition of your device.
