iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4: Which one to Buy and Why?

iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4: Which is the best for me?

Buy the iPad Air 5 or opt for the previous model? That’s the question many are asking after Apple’s “Peek Performance” presentation. Yes, we are aware of the changes brought by the company’s new product, but, which one is worth it for the average user?

What has changed between the iPad Air 2023 and 2020? Are the reasons enough to pay more, or is it better to opt for the old model?

Today, we are going to answer all your questions with our comparison. This way you will know whether to choose the fifth generation iPad Air, or better take advantage of the discounts of the previous model. Although this new version is identical to its predecessor, Apple has reserved the most important changes for the interior of the device.

The iPad Air has always been a device known for delivering balance between performance and attractive price. Indeed, with the inclusion of the M1 chip in this new generation, the device is able to match its big brother, the iPad Pro, in terms of performance.

Comparison Table: iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4

	iPad Air 5 (2023)	iPad Air 4 (2020)
Price	679 €	649 €
Dimensions	9.74×7×0.24 462.66 grams	24.74 x 17.78 x 0.61cm 453.59 grams
Processor	M1	A14 bionic
Storage room	64 GB, 256 GB	64 GB, 256 GB
Screen	10.9 inch liquid retina	10.9 inch liquid retina
Resolution	2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 dpi	2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 dpi
True Tone	Yes	Yes
P3 color range	Yes	Yes
face time camera	12MP ultra-wide angle	FaceTime HD 7MP
Centered framing	Yes	No
Rear camera	12MP wide-angle	12MP wide-angle
Video	4K 24/30/60fps, Slow motion 1080p 240fps	4K 24/30/60fps, Slow motion 1080p 240fps
connectivity	5G (sub-6GHz), Gigabit-class LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 6	Gigabit-class LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 6
ports	USB-C	USB-C
Biometrics	Touch ID	Touch ID
Battery	until 10 a.m.	until 10 a.m.
Colors	Space Gray, Starry White, Pink, Purple, Blue	Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Light Blue, Green
Apple Pencil 2 support	Yes	Yes
smart connector	Yes	Yes

Screen

Despite all the rumors that we’ll see an OLED display on the iPad Air 5, that didn’t happen. Apple has opted for the same panel that we already knew in the previous version, with LED lighting and 2360 x 1640 pixel resolution. It also offers the same level of brightness with 500 nits, P3 color gamut and True Tone.

Of course, the iPad Air 2023 is compatible with the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation, just like its predecessor. In this section, we will find a fairly similar, if not identical, experience.

Processor

This is the really innovative section of the iPad Air 5. The newest iteration of the family comes to bet on the M1, the same processor that we have already seen in some Mac computers and in the iPad Pro of 2021. It has ‘a 8-core GPU and CPU and one neural engine 16 cores to provide great power to the tablet.

Suddenly, the iPad Air of 2023 manages to accumulate a 60% more performance compared to the 2020 model. On the other hand, it is twice as fast as its predecessor, so you will have no problem editing videos, playing games or doing any activity that requires a lot of power.

Instead, the iPad Air 2020 incorporates a A14 bionic chip. This processor has 6 cores, two for performance and four for high efficiency. Like the new model, this device offers a 16-core neural engine.

Of course, it is clear which is more powerful between the two models. You’re not going to miss too much with the fourth-generation iPad Air, but if you make the jump to the newer proposition, you will have a much more durable device over time; and able to perform much heavier tasks.

	Single core	multicore	metal score
iPad Air 5	1,706	7,219	21,199
iPad Air 4	1,583	4,210	12,450

Cameras

In this section we will also find some changes, although quite subtle. As for the main camera of the iPad Air 5, on paper we see that it is identical to that of its predecessor. So we have a 12 MP wide-angle sensor, with a focal aperture of f/1.85x digital zoom and Smart HDR 3 for photos.

Regarding the video, we will have that both are capable of recording at 4K 60 FPS you slow down 1080p and 240fps, not to mention the 3x digital zoom. However, the iPad Air 5 has extended dynamic range for videos up to 30 FPS.

The front camera has improvements. The 7 MP FaceTime HD sensor in the iPad Air 2020 has been replaced by one of the 12 MP and ultra wide angle. Additionally, a double digital zoom has been added. Thanks to this new camera, the iPad Air 2023 has Center Framing function which we have already seen in other Apple products.

Like its rear camera, the iPad Air 5 can record with high dynamic range in videos up to 30 FPS. It also has digital image stabilization and the ability to record in 1080p, just like the previous version.

Battery

Although generally a change of processor also modifies the level of consumption of a device; this will not be the case with the iPad Air 5.

We’ll meet again autonomy that extends up to 10 hours in tasks like diffusion video, web browsing using Wi-Fi and others. However, if we use mobile data, this duration will be reduced by one hour that’s a total of 9 hours of use from the iPad Air 5.

Capacity and Price

The iPad Air 5 and the fourth generation can be found in different versions. Each of them will vary in terms of price, storage capacity and connectivity technology. Of course, 5G-enabled versions will see their final cost increase, so keep that in mind.

iPad Air 5, 64 GB, Wi-Fi: 679 €
iPad Air 5, 64 GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: 849 €
iPad Air 5, 256 GB, Wi-Fi: 849 €
iPad Air 5, 256 GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: €1,019

For its part, the 4th generation iPad Air has gone on sale at a price slightly lower that of his successor.

iPad Air 4, 64GB, Wi-Fi: 649 €
iPad Air 4, 64GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: 789 €
iPad Air 4, 256 GB, Wi-Fi: 789 €
iPad Air 4, 256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: 959 €