Table of Contents
Last Updated on March 29, 2020
Design
Does this iPad model look familiar to you? It should, because its shape, materials and overall design are very similar to that of other tablets released in 2018 by Apple. This tablet has the exact same size of 2017 iPad Pro, which is why many people confuse it for the older model when seeing it for the first time. With 10.5-inch screen and a 1.03 pounds weight, the iPad Air is just a pound lighter than the older version. This model replaces the older version and comes with new and improved features, such as slimmer bezels, Face ID and an aluminium frame. Compared to more advanced models, this tablet has kept its 3.5mm Jack, so that you can use your old headphones. Also, there is no USB type C. The Lightning port has been kept, too.
Due to the fact that the iPad Air is so similar to its previous version, there aren’t many things to be said about its design. It is only worth mentioning that apart from being basic and simply “safe”, the quality in its materials can be sensed from the first touch. What we are trying to highlight by saying that is that its lack of novelty doesn’t make it any worse than other models in this category.
Display and Audio
What most people appreciate about the iPad Air is its 10.5-inch LCD screen. It is brighter than the competition’s similar models; it can be used in the sun and looks really nice. Its display has a 2,224 x 1,668 resolution (264 pixels per inch). Although it seems mediocre for an Apple tablet, it renders crisp images, great contrasts and a wide range of rich colors.
If you compare it to similar models from Samsung, for instance, you will see that despite the fact that it has higher resolution, you can’t really tell the difference. A good example is the Galaxy Tab S5e. In terms of colors, the screen has a wide color gamut, which means that the screen displays more colors and enriches the viewing experience. Surprisingly, the stereo speakers sound impressive. They’re loud, well-balanced, and while they might not fill a whole room at a party, they will satisfy most people. The iPad Pro offers a quad speaker setup, so if plan of listening to a lot of music with a tablet, then it may be worth going for it over the Air (alternatively, you could buy a Bluetooth speaker).
Performance and battery life
Apple has focused on delivering high performance in 2018 and 2019 and has equipped almost all its devices with great chips. The iPad Air integrated the A12 Bionic chip , just as it did with iPad Mini, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR. It plays a very important role in obtaining a smooth and fast operation. It is powerful enough to handle almost any task, it is great for video games, video content, leisure, business etc. If you want a tablet that you can use for complicated tasks, such as video editing or graphic design, you must redirect your attention towards a more advanced model such as the 2018 iPad Pro, which has the A12X Bionic chip.
Are you wondering if you truly need a tablet and trying to figure out whether or not your phone is enough? What the Air demonstrates is that the iOS on a tablet is better optimized and that it has more apps supporting a larger interface. A 10.5-inch screen means there’s a lot of surface to lay your information on. With this tablet, you have the ability to drag-and-drop between apps, a feature that users truly love.
As far as its battery is concerned, the iPad Air doesn’t have the strongest one, but it will get you through a work day with reasonable usage. If you are planning to use it to write, read, play a few games or stream some videos, it will last through the day. If, on the other hand, you plan on using it mainly to watch movies over Wi-Fi, its battery will last around 6 hours. This is better than what the iPad Mini has to offer, but not as good as iPad Pro.
Should you buy the Apple iPad Air?
The iPad Air has a reasonable price compared to the more advanced models that were released recently. It is available in silver, space gray and gold options. If you are planning to buy it, you must choose between a base storage of 64GB and one of 256GB model, depending on your needs. The device is covered by a standard limited one-year warranty that covers factory defects only.
The iPad Air is ideal for entertaining purposes and not so much for work. Are you looking for a great tablet experience without wanting to spend a lot of money; this is the tablet to buy. It is important to remember that this isn’t just a bigger tablet than the 9.7 inch model, but also one that is twice as powerful. It doubles its performance and behaves better in different circumstances.