One of the devices that has changed the most in recent years has been the iPad Air, specifically if you compare, as in this case, the iPad Air 3 with the iPad Air 5 you will be able to check the evolution of one of the best-selling iPad models by Apple in recent years. For this reason, in this post we are going to go fully into all the characteristics that separate them and that you have to know in order to assess this gap between the two models.
Characteristics of both models
The first thing we want to do, before going to buy point by point the most important aspects of these two iPads and that most affect the user experience with them, is to put on the table a table with all the technical specifications that they have so much the Air 3 and the Air 5. In this way you will be able to understand much better the comparison in each of the points that we are going to deal with.
| Characteristic | iPad Air 5 | iPad Air 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | -Space Gray -star white -Pink -Purple -Blue |
-Silver -Space Gray -Prayed |
| Dimensions | -Height: 24.76 cm – Width: 17.85cm -Thickness: 0.61cm |
-Height: 25.06 cm – Width: 17.41cm -Thickness: 0.61cm |
| Weight | -WiFi version: 461 grams -WiFi + Cellular version: 462 grams |
-WiFi version: 456 grams -WiFi + Cellular version: 464 grams |
| Screen | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (IPS) | 10.5-inch IPS Retina |
| Resolution | 2,360 x 1,640 at 264 pixels per inch | 2,224 x 1,668 at 264 pixels per inch |
| Brightness | Up to 500 nits (typical) | Up to 500 nits (typical) |
| refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Speakers | 2 stereo speakers | 2 speakers |
| Processor | M1 | A12 Bionic |
| Storage capacity | -64GB -256GB |
-64GB -256GB |
| Frontal camera | 12 Mpx lens with ultra wide angle and f / 2.4 aperture | 7 Mpx ultra wide angle lens with f / 2.2 aperture |
| rear cameras | -Wide angle of 12 Mpx with aperture of f / 1.8 | 8 Mpx wide angle with f / 2.4 aperture |
| connectors | -USB-C -Smart Connector |
-Lightning -Smart Connector |
| biometric systems | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| SIM card | In WiFi + Cellular version: Nano SIM and eSIM | In WiFi + Cellular version: -Nano SIM -eSIM |
| Connectivity in all versions | -Wifi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax); 2.4 and 5GHz; simultaneous dual band; speeds up to 1.2Gb/s -MIME -Bluetooth 5.0 -GSM/EDGE -UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA -5G (sub-6GHz) -Gigabit LTE (up to 32 bands) -Integrated GPS/GNSS -Calls via Wi-Fi |
-Bluetooth 4.2 -WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; 2.4 and 5 GHz with speeds up to 866 Mb/s -WiFi + Cellular versions with Gigabit class LTE of up to 27 bands. |
| Official Accessory Compatibility | -Smart Keyboard Folio -Magic Keyboard -Apple Pencil (2nd gen.) |
-Apple Pencil (1st gen.) -Smart Keyboard |
This makes the difference
Now yes, once you know what the technical specifications of both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Air 3 are, it’s time to start the comparison. As we always do, first of all we want to talk to you about the points that, in the vast majority of cases, will affect the user experience more than all those people who have one of these two models.
Design and display
The first thing that jumps out at you without a doubt is the design, since it is completely different from one another. The iPad Air 3 was the last of its range to have the traditional Apple design in which the device’s frames became very important, and above all, the home button that housed the fingerprint sensor also drew attention to give life to the Touch ID.
On the other hand, the iPad Air 5 inherits the design that the iPad Air 4 already released , that is, an all-screen where the protagonist is her, the screen. In addition, if we look at the sides, those of the Air 3 are completely rounded, while in the Air 5 they are much more square, following the design line that began with the iPad Pro of 2018, and that most equipment already has. from Apple.
This change in design not only implies an aesthetic change, since this is something subjective, but also means that by having a much more used front in terms of screen, in two teams that have really similar dimensions, the iPad Air 5 can take advantage of it much better, having a 10.9-inch screen , while the iPad Air 3 stays at 10.5 . And if we talk about the screen, we have to mention, how could it be otherwise, its technology, since it improves slightly in the Air 5, with a Liquid Retina True Tone , due to the Retina screen that the Air 3 has .
For the rest, there are no big differences in the experience that users are going to have with both panels, simply the resolution of the iPad Air 5 is somewhat higher than that of the Air 3, but it really is not something that affects too much how they are going to feel the users using these devices in their day to day. Both offer very well balanced colors, and although far from being a really professional screen in this sense, it is more than enough for those people who want to use it for office automation work, consume content and even be able to edit the occasional photograph with the in order to use it in social networks.
Power
Time to talk about another of the most significant changes that you can find between these two iPad models and that is that the Air 5 is the first in its range to have Apple’s famous and acclaimed M1 chip . This movement could be completely focused on marketing, but the reality is that as iPadOS evolves, this iPad model will have all the power and performance necessary to give users the opportunity to do any task they set out to do with hardly any effort. disheveled
However, the iPad Air 3 in that sense is much more limited, since it has the A12 Bionic chip , which, although for very basic tasks, is still completely suitable, for those users who do want to use their iPad in a more intense and above all, for somewhat more demanding tasks, it will surely fall short and the experience may not be as positive. Even so, as we have mentioned, for a basic use of the device, the A12 Bionic will continue to offer good performance.
Compatible Connectors and Accessories
We come to one of the most significant points for the iPad, because despite the fact that visually it has practically no impact, it is something that makes a complete difference on a functional level, we are talking about the connection port of both devices. On the one hand we have the iPad Air 5, which has the USB-C port , while the Air 3 maintains the Lightning that is so loved and hated in equal parts.
When it comes to charging both iPads, it really isn’t something that matters much, although considering that there are more and more devices with a USB-C port, it is something that can be more comfortable. However, where it really affects users is in the accessories that are compatible with both models . The presence of the USB-C port has given a new life to all the iPads that have it, since it has allowed them to work with many more accessories than those that have a Lightning port. From microphones , hard drives and, above all, the famous Hub that raise even more the compatibility of the iPad with any other equipment.
Obviously, if we talk about accessories to connect to the iPad and increase its potential, we have to mention the difference within Apple itself in terms of its accessories. The iPad Air 5 is compatible with the company’s best peripherals such as the Magic Keyboard and the 2nd generation Apple Pencil , while the iPad Air 3 uses the Smart Keyboard and the 1st generation Apple Pencil , which although they are still High-quality devices do not offer the same experience as their corresponding evolutions. In the case of the Magic Keyboard, not only is the experience of the keyboard itself to be highlighted, but the differential point is found in the trackpad that it incorporates, allowing you to navigate through iPadOS as if you were inside a computer. With the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, what stands out the most is the convenience of being able to always magnetize it to the side of the iPad, both to charge it and simply to have it “stored” next to your iPad.
Cameras
Surely, many users have been surprised by the fact that the cameras section is included among the most differential elements between these two iPads. Well, the reality is that yes, there is a specific point that makes the difference very much in favor of the iPad Air 5. On the back of both devices there is a wide-angle lens , 12 Mpx with f / 1.8 for the Air 5 and 8 Mpx with f/2.4 for the Air 3, allowing users to take good pictures when required. To be honest, it is not something that you have to take into account, since it will be on rare occasions when you really need to use them.
Where there is a substantial difference is in the front lens, that is, the one commonly known as the selfie camera. The iPad Air 3 has a 7 Mpx lens, while the Air 5 has a 12 Mpx ultra wide angle lens , which allows you to enjoy a very useful function for all those users who are going to use the iPad for university. or work. This is the framing centered on video calls , which allows the subject in the image to always be in the center of it. In addition, given the quality of the lens, it also allows the image provided to be much sharper, with better colors and more detail.
How do they look alike?
We have already told you about the most important differences that you can find between the iPar Air 5 and the iPad Air 3. However, there are also similarities between the two, which will also affect the user experience with both devices, so it is very important that you know them and take them into account.
Drums
In terms of battery, the reality is that you are not going to notice a substantial difference between them because there really isn’t even one on paper. According to the Cupertino company, both models offer up to 10 hours of Internet browsing via Wi-Fi, or video playback, and up to 9 hours of Internet browsing through mobile networks.
Usually, iPads always offer very good autonomy , since they are designed so that users can use them for long hours, whether at university or at work, as well as during leisure or travel where you may need to be distracted and have fun watching a series or playing a video game.
unlock method
Lastly, we need to talk about how to unlock both devices. Apparently it may seem that it has changed, because the design seems to indicate it, especially considering that the iPad Pro has Face ID and the iPad Air 5 inherits just that same design. However, the reality is completely different, as both the iPad Air 3 and iPad Air 5 are unlocked through a fingerprint sensor .
The iPad Air 3, having the traditional design, has the fingerprint sensor inside the Home button, but in the case of the iPad Air 5 it is located on the device’s on and off button, which is located on the top. of the team.
Is it worth the jump from one to the other?
We have reached the final point of the comparison, and that is that whenever we make this type of post we like to end by giving you our most sincere and honest opinion on whether, in this case, it is worth changing the iPad Air 3 for the iPad Air 5, since that for all those who want to buy one or the other, our recommendation is that they go directly to the iPad Air 5.
Now yes, if you have an Air 3 and you are considering changing it for the 5 you have to be very aware of the reasons that really make you consider this change, since everything depends on the use you are going to make of it. For all users who simply use the iPad to consume multimedia content, it is not worth the jump at all, because with the Air 3 they have more than enough. Now, if you really want to use the iPad to work with it, the possibility of enjoying it together with other accessories makes the difference in favor of the Air 5 , so in this case it would be very worthwhile.
