iPad 10 vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Is the $250 Difference Worth It? (2024)

FAQs

Is the iPad Air better than the 10th generation? ›

A key difference between the devices is their chips and amount of memory, so if you plan on using your ‌iPad‌ for more demanding tasks like 3D graphic design, advanced photo editing, and gaming, the ‌iPad Air‌ will be the better choice by far.

If you plan to use your iPad to watch videos and play a mix of casual and advanced, graphics-heavy games, then the iPad Air should be your choice. It has a lower price tag, and the M2 chip is fast enough for most people.

Cons: The battery is not intended to be replaced and self-replacement is more difficult than it needs to be. Internal storage cannot be upgraded and may be inadequate given increasingly large file sizes for images and 4K video (although external storage is a straightforward option). No SD card slot.

Powering the 2022 iPad Air is the M1 chip, the first one developed in-house by Apple, while the 2024 iPad Air now gets the M2 chipset. Apple claims that the M2 is 50% faster than the M1 in some tasks. The M1chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, while the M2 offers an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU.

The iPad (10th generation) (also referred to as the iPad 10.9-inch) is a tablet computer developed and marketed by Apple Inc. as the successor to the ninth-generation iPad. It was announced on October 18, 2022, and was released on October 26, 2022.

Your iPad should last at least 5 years. But your device can last even longer depending on: Your iPad model. A newer iPad Pro or iPad Air, which has more storage and features, will likely last longer than an older or lower-end model.

The iPad Air's superior processor becomes more useful for demanding workloads, like photo or video editing. To be sure, the iPad can run the same professional-grade apps the iPad Air can, like Photoshop or LumaFusion, but the iPad Air works noticeably faster for heavier duties.

The design is usually a key differentiator between these two tablets, with the word 'Air' representing a sleeker and lighter design. The latest iPad Air is 6.1mm thick and 462g, while the iPad (10th Gen) is chunkier by 0.9mm and heavier by 15 grams.

Are iPad Air obsolete? ›

According to a report by Macrumors, the original iPad Air has now joined the list of obsolete products. The iPad Air was first launched in 2013 and had a 9.7-inch display. The A7 chip powered the tablet and was then pitched as the thinnest and lightest iPad around.

Just like the macbook air, the ipad air was a thinner and lighter version of the already existing ipad. Now the name just denotes the inbetween step, a bit like how the macbook air was the inbetween laptop for a few years while the 'macbook' macbook was around.

The answer depends greatly on how you plan to use your iPad. For light users who simply browse the web, read books, stream music and occasional video, and have just a handful of apps, 64GB should suffice. But intense media creators, gamers, and professionals may need more room for all their files.

The new 10.9" iPad features a new processor superior to the 10.2" iPad. Everything will be much faster, and the apps will load content quicker. The 10.9 inches iPad says hello to USB-C, leaving the 10.2 inches iPad's Lightning connector behind.

I'd suggest getting rid of the "Air" name and call it the iPad Pro, and then change the iPad Pro to the iPad Ultra. All of the iPads are good sizes, regardless. It may make a little difference when putting a Magic Keyboard case on the large 13-inch model and putting it in your bag.

Overall, we think the iPad Air is a solid choice for college. It's more affordable than the iPad Pro, yet offers a comparable performance for all your studying, research, and note-taking needs.

It doesn't have the new silicon inside but it doesn't really matter when you're spending this little for it. Simply put, if you're on the market for a 10-inch tablet, the 9th-Generation is the clear winner in terms of value. That's not to say the 10th-Generation isn't a good value – it is.

For years, we've recommended the lower-end iPads as great family and kid picks, and that's why the 10th-gen iPad is our top choice: it has a good balance of features, a front camera that's in a better location for video chat, USB-C and an overhauled design at a price that's lower than it was last year.

The iPad Air vs iPad Pro screen

Beyond size, there are differences in screen technology between the iPad Air vs the iPad Pro. The iPad Air comes in a single screen size: 10.9 inches. However, the iPad Pro comes in 11 inches and 12.9 inches. So, if you're looking for a large, laptop-like screen, the iPad Pro is for you.