What's the difference between the Apple iPad Air (2020) vs iPad Air (2019)?

The Apple iPad Air (2020) and iPad Air (2019) have some notable differences that you should consider before making a purchase or deciding whether to upgrade. Let's take a closer look at the key distinctions between these two models.

Design:

• The iPad Air (2020) features a design refresh compared to its predecessor, with slimmer bezels around the display and Touch ID integrated into the top button.
• The 2020 model comes in a wider range of colors, including Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue, in addition to Silver and Space Grey.
• The camera lens on the back of the 2020 iPad Air is larger and more prominent than on the 2019 model.
• The iPad Air (2019) has larger bezels around the top and bottom of the display, Touch ID in the home button, and classic color options of Silver, Gold, and Space Grey.

Display:

• The iPad Air (2020) boasts a slightly larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone technology, offering a resolution of 2360 x 1640 and a pixel density of 264ppi.
• The iPad Air (2019) has a slightly smaller 10.5-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2224 x 1668 and the same 264ppi pixel density.
• Both displays provide a maximum brightness of 500 nits, are fully laminated, feature an anti-reflective coating, and offer a P3 wide color gamut.

Hardware and features:

• The 2020 iPad Air is powered by the A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine, while the 2019 model runs on the A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine.
• Both models are available in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular versions and offer storage options of 64GB and 256GB.
• The latest iPad Air is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, as well as the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, similar to the iPad Pro range. The 2019 model supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard.
• While both models claim up to 10 hours of battery life while surfing the web, the 2020 iPad Air uses USB Type-C for charging, whereas the 2019 model uses lightning.

Cameras:

• The fourth-generation iPad Air features a 12-megapixel Wide rear camera with advanced features, such as Live Photos with stabilization, Smart HDR, and Autofocus with Focus Pixels.
• The third-generation iPad Air has an 8-megapixel Wide rear camera with similar features but fewer capabilities compared to its successor.
• Both models offer a 7-megapixel FaceTime HD front camera.

Software:

• Both the third and fourth generation iPad Air models run on iPadOS and are compatible with iPadOS 15, offering a similar user experience.

Verdict:

The fourth-generation iPad Air (2020) brings significant upgrades over its predecessor, including a sleeker design with a larger display, a faster processor, improved camera capabilities, the switch to USB Type-C, and compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. The wider range of color options also adds a touch of fun to the latest model. However, if you find the third-generation iPad Air (2019) at a significantly lower price, it remains a powerful device worth considering. Alternatively, you might also want to explore the new entry-level iPad, which offers similar specifications to the third-generation iPad Air but at a lower price point.