The iPad Air 4 remains a pretty solid table to buy today. Nonetheless, the iPad Air 5 offers one of the best performances we’ve seen in the market. Even if the price tag of the latest model is higher, the good news is that you don’t always need the latest and shiniest model to enjoy the iPad. In this comparison guide, we will highlight the key differences between the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 so you can decide which is better for your particular use.
Table of contents
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Air 5: Specs comparison table
| Features | iPad Air 4 (2020) | iPad Air 5 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10,9″ | 10,9″ |
| Display | Liquid Retina LED | Liquid Retina LED |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 at 264 ppi | 2360 x 1640 at 264 ppi |
| Dimensions | 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 in (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm) | 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 in (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm) |
| Weight | 1.02 pounds (461 g) | 1.02 pounds (461 g) |
| Colors | Blue, green, silver, space gray, and rose gold | Blue, purple, pink, space gray, and starlight |
| CPU | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple M1 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| Cameras | 12MP rear camera 7MP front camera | 12MP rear camera 12MP ultra-wide front camera |
| Storage | 64GB 256GB | 64GB 256GB |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi | Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi |
| Apple Pencil compatibility | 2nd generation | 2nd generation |
| Max OS compatibility | iPadOS 17 | iPadOS 17 |
| Cellular | 4G LTE | 5G |
| Connectors | USB-C | USB-C |
| Price (new) | $599 (discontinued) | Starting at |
| Price (refurbished) | Starting at | Starting at |
Reasons to buy the iPad Air 5
There are some obvious reasons to buy the iPad Air 5 or to upgrade from your current 2020 model, such as:
- Apple’s M1 CPU is much faster than the A14 of the previous iPad.
- The extra 4GB of RAM does its job in multitasking and creative apps.
- 5G connectivity is really valuable for those interested in the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
- It’s much better for gaming, video editing, augmented reality, and intensive apps.
- It has a better front camera and FaceTime experience with Apple’s Center Stage.
- The price is not that high compared to the iPad Air 4.
👉 Learn more: How Long Do iPads Last?
Design
You won’t find any differences between the iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 design. Both are identical, measure 9.7 x 7 x 0.2 inches, and weigh 1.02 pounds. It’s still Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPad and certainly the most comfortable to use and carry around.
If you commute or travel a lot, or you are a student, the iPad Air is the best choice since it doesn’t sacrifice much power to add portability to the tablet. They can also be good iPads for kids and teenagers.
Display
There are no differences here, similar to the design. Both the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 have a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 and a peak brightness of 500 nits.
At the same time, they feature a P3 color gamut, True Tone technology, and their screen has a fingerprint-resistant coating with low 1.8% reflectivity.
If the display is your primary concern and you want to save as much as possible, the iPad Air 4 should be your choice.
Cameras
Each iPad has 12MP rear cameras, but the key difference here is the front-facing camera of the iPad Air 5, which now has 12MP ultra-wide compared to the 7MP of the iPad Air 4 and an improved f/2.4 aperture over the previous model’s f/2.2.
OK, we may not use this camera as much as we do on our phones, but it’s a great upgrade if you use FaceTime.
In addition, the front camera of the iPad Air 5 features Apple’s Center Stage, which automatically pans to keep you in view as you move. If someone else joins the video call, the camera zooms out to include them. If you work remotely or have a lot of calls with your iPad, this will definitely interest you.
Image credit: Apple
Performance
This is where the icing on the cake is in this comparison between the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5. The reason behind this mainly resides in the powerful M1 chip of Apple that the company recently added to the MacBook Pro lineup. It’s extraordinarily fast for intensive and creative apps like Capcut or Procreate, let alone the extra 4GB of RAM for multitasking.
Don’t get us wrong; the A14 chip of the iPad Air 4 is still reliable and robust, even by today’s standards. However, the M1 chip and the iPad Air 5 offer between 50% and 60% better performance than the old model and about twice in terms of GPU—gamers, it’s your lucky day!
In other words, you are getting near-iPad Pro performance speeds without having to invest in its price tag.
On top of that, the USB-C speeds are also improved at 10Gbps (but not to the Pro Thunderbolt 4 levels) compared to the previous 5Gbps, and the cellular version of the iPad Air 5 offers 5G connectivity support, a very much appreciated feature.
Lastly, they are both compatible with the latest iPadOS 17.
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Air 5: The verdict
To be honest, both the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 are pretty similar in many aspects, but there is one that can decide your next purchase: the CPU. Indeed, Apple’s M1 has a superb performance that can last for years to come and offers much higher performance for creatives and gamers alike.
The price difference is not that high, and the extra investment may very well be worth it, especially considering the 5G connectivity in the Cellular version.
If you are interested in saving up even more money, consider purchasing a refurbished iPad Air 5. A refurbished model has the exact same performance as a brand-new one; it includes a warranty, has been thoroughly tested for perfect functionality, and helps the circular economy.
Check all available models from the best refurbishers in real time below:
64GB storage
Blue
2022 release
64GB storage
Purple
2022 release
64GB storage
Space Gray
2022 release
If the iPad Air 4 is more than enough for you (and it certainly can be), compare all available refurbished models here:
64GB storage
Sky Blue
2020 release
64GB storage
Green
2020 release
64GB storage
Rose Gold
2020 release
You can also learn more about what to do with an old iPad in case you are considering an upgrade and our comparison between the iPad Air 4 and the iPad mini 6.
Good luck!
