iPad (2022) vs iPad Air (2022): two very similar tablets for very different uses

The range of Apple tablets has never been as extensive as it is today. And to complicate matters further, some patterns, including the two we’re going to look at today, have converged so much that it’s hard to tell them apart at first glance.

That said, big differences in components, peripheral support, and performance mean that these seemingly identical devices are aimed at very different users.

Features

iPad (2022) // iPad Air (2022)

• Screen : 10.9 inch IPS, 2360 x 1640 // 10.9 inch IPS, 2360 x 1640
• Supported Apple Pencil: Apple Pencil 1^ee generation // Apple Pencil 2^e generation
• Processor : A14 Bionic // M1
• Physical connectivity: USB-C charging and data port, Nano-SIM slot (cellular models) // USB-C charging and data port, Nano-SIM slot (cellular models), magnetic connector
• Storage : 64 GB, 256 GB // 64 GB, 256 GB
• photo module: 12 MP rear and 12 MP front // 12 MP rear and 12 MP front
• Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 5G (cellular models) // Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 5G (cellular models)
• Colors: silver, blue, pink and yellow // grey, starlight, pink, purple and blue
• Drums : 10 hours of web browsing or watching videos over Wi-Fi // 10 hours of web browsing or watching videos over Wi-Fi
• Price : from €589 // from €789

You should buy the iPad (2022) if…

Apple iPad 10 (2022) – Best prices:

…you are buying a tablet for a child or student

Apple’s line of iPads are a convenient way to entertain and educate children. The standard iPad is a more than adequate tablet for this purpose. Screen size, battery life, storage and connectivity are similar to iPad Air. Although it lacks the magnetic connector that comes with the iPad Air, which allows this model to connect the Magic Keyboard, the standard iPad can connect to the Keyboard Folio, which offers almost all the same functionality and transforms the device into a computer-like.

…you want the latest Bluetooth audio protocol

Although the iPad Air is technically a higher-end device than the standard iPad, the latter has a slight advantage in terms of Bluetooth connectivity, since it uses version 5.2 of the wireless protocol, where the iPad Air is limited to Bluetooth 5.0. The difference between the two versions is not revolutionary, but the new 5.2 protocol allows faster pairing and better autonomy. These improvements can come in handy for people who constantly pair new headphones, keyboards, or other peripherals with their iPad.

…you don’t mind Apple Pencil’s wobbly connectivity

Apple has chosen not to add support for the second generation Apple Pencil to the 2022 iPad. The tablet only supports the stylus of 1^D generation. The only problem is that this model is designed to charge via Lightning, and the latest iPad uses a USB-C port. That means you’ll need an adapter to connect and charge your Pencil, which complicates things a bit. If that doesn’t bother you, or if you’re not planning on buying an Apple Pencil, no worries.

You should buy the 2022 iPad Air if…

Apple iPad Air (2022) – Best prices:

…you want laptop-like performance on your tablet

Despite their physical similarities, there is a significant gap between the processing power of the standard iPad and that of the iPad Air. This is because the iPad Air uses the same M1 chip that Apple used in its MacBooks. This processor delivers far more power than most apps require, so you can work smoothly no matter how many tabs you open or what tasks you run. Even editing photos and videos on the iPad is now easier thanks to the M1 chip.

…you with intensive use of the Apple Pencil

The iPad Air is fully compatible with the Apple Pencil, thanks in particular to its included magnetic connector. This little extra allows you to use and charge the stylus, which sticks directly to the edge of the tablet. The new stylus also features a matte finish and an angular design that makes it feel better in the hand. If you plan to use your iPad as a drawing tablet or as a note-taking device, the price difference between the iPad and the iPad Air may be justified.

…you want the full Magic Keyboard experience

The Magic Keyboard allows the iPad Air to be a legitimate substitute for your laptop. The Keyboard Folio lets you do almost as well with the trackpad and physical keyboard, but it lacks the floating hinge that lets you use the iPad like a real laptop.

Alternatives

Apple iPad Pro (2022) 12.9-inch – Best prices:

If you want the best iPad out there, the iPad Pro has some serious advantages. The M2 chip makes almost every other laptop on the market a laughing stock, while its camera and 2TB of storage allow for creating 3D and other projects. The extra cost might not be worth it, but for professionals who want a tablet that truly replaces a laptop, the iPad Pro is still the best bet.

Apple iPad mini 6 – Best prices:

Size isn’t always everything. Apple’s latest iPad Mini features an A15 Bionic chip, full connectivity and the same camera as the iPad (2022). The tablet oddly costs more than the larger model, but if that’s the ideal size for you, the Mini is worth a look.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ – Best prices:

In the world of Android it is probably the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus which is currently the best choice and the strongest competitor to the iPad.

Source: ZDNet.com