We’re comparing the latest iPad and iPad Air to help you make the best buying choice.
Design and Screen Size
The ninth-generation iPad, introduced in September 2021, offers a familiar design with a 10.2-inch display and Touch ID home button. The screen is surrounded by substantial borders.
That’s not the case with the 2020 version of the iPad Air. Its 10.9-inch screen takes up the large majority of the tablet’s front. On top of the iPad Air is a Touch ID-enabled power button.
Both of the tablets offer True Tone technology that will change the temperature of the screen depending on the available lighting.
On one side of the iPad Air is a magnet to attach the optional second-generation Apple Pencil. The iPad is only compatible with the first-generation Apple stylus.
The iPad uses the familiar Lighting connector while the iPad Air uses a USB-C connector that allows you to take advantage of more accessories like an external hard drive.
Another difference to note is that the iPad Air is compatible with the optional Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio. The iPad can only be used with the Smart Keyboard. The Smart Keyboard Folio offers a built-in trackpad to better interact with the tablet.
Front and Rear Cameras
The iPad models offer different areas of strength when focusing on the front and rear cameras.
Great for taking video calls, the iPad’s front camera sports a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide lens compatible with the Center Stage feature. That automatically keeps the speaker centered in the frame while moving around.
The iPad Air’s 7-megapixel FaceTime HD front camera doesn’t offer that feature.
The tables are turned when looking at the rear camera. The iPad Air offers a better 12-megapixel Wide camera. The iPad sports an 8-megapixel Wide lens.
A14 Bionic Chip vs. A13 Bionic Chip
An A13 Bionic chip power the ninth-generation iPad while the iPad Air uses a newer A14 Bionic processor.
Unless you’re a power user running multiple apps or intensive workflows like video editing, there shouldn’t be much difference between the processors in day-to-day use.
Color Options and Price
The iPad starts at $329 for a 64GB version. That’s double the space in the previous generation. A 256GB model is $479. If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi + Cellular model, add $130 to the price.
There are only two colors to select from—silver or space gray.
Fortunately, the iPad Air offers a few more color options. You can select from space gray, silver, green, rose gold, or sky blue.
A base iPad Air model offers 64GB of space and is $599. The 256GB version is $749. The Wi-Fi + Cellular edition is $729 for the 64GB tablet and $879 for the 256GB model.
Both the iPad and iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular models connect to 4G LTE networks.
So while there is a substantial price difference between the tablets, the iPad Air offers a number of more features when compared to the iPad. You’ll need to decide if those features are worth the cost.
Making the Most of an iPad
Both the latest Pad Air and iPad offer a great way to explore the iPad ecosystem without having to break the bank.
And if the newest iPad mini interests you, make sure to take a look at our comparison of how it stacks up with the iPad Air.
