Apple presented its new mid-range tablet at a special event on September 15, 2020, kicking off a new generation of iPad Air that completely changes its design and incorporates features that increasingly resemble an iPad Pro. In this article we will tell you all about this device.
Revamped, full-color design
Possibly the biggest change this fourth-generation iPad Air has made is in its appearance. We see that it has nothing to do with the previous models and if with the new style of tablet that Apple has been incorporating in its ‘Pro’ versions since 2018. This equipment comes with an ” all screen ” design after eliminating the Home button and considerably reduce the frames, although it must be said that these are slightly wider than those of the more advanced models.
Aesthetically they look much more modern than in previous generations. Even in the back we see a change, since the camera has been improved and a lens practically identical to that of the iPad Pro 2018 has been used, although in this case we do not find a flash. We also see the Smart Connector, which was already released in previous generations and in this it is located at the back, which makes it compatible with some accessories that we will discuss later.
An unprecedented novelty in this device and that not even the ‘Pro’ have is a wide range of colors . The classic space gray and silver are now joined by a rose gold that, depending on the light, seems more coppery, a soft light blue and a green that looks really elegant. All this in a body with a premium aluminum design in which the straight edges and rounded corners are also traced to the latest iPad Pro. In terms of dimensions, we are 24.76 centimeters high, 17.85 centimeters wide and 0.61 centimeters thick. The weight is 458 grams in the WiFi versions and 460 grams in the WiFi + Cellular models.
An almost ‘Pro’ screen
It is quite possible that this is one of the most important parts of a touch device like this. It incorporates a 10.9-inch screen with LCD technology that Apple calls Liquid-Retina. It has a resolution of 2,360 x 1,640 pixels at 264 pixels per inch, with a wide P3 color gamut to which is added the True Tone technology that helps reduce eyestrain by adapting colors to different light situations. It also includes an anti-reflective film, an anti-fingerprint coating and a brightness of 500 nits.
For practical purposes we can say that it looks practically the same as that of the ‘Pro’ models, although it lacks something that would really equate it. It doesn’t have ProMotion technology , which is what Apple calls its 120Hz refresh rate displays. Those who have tried this function on rare occasions would say that it is dispensable, despite not being strictly necessary, but it provides greater fluidity when navigating the system and viewing certain graphics in videos and games. In any case, it cannot be said that this is a point against the iPad Air 4, since it is understandable that it has not been added taking into account that the price is lower than that of the ‘Pro’ models.
It doesn’t have Face ID but it has a new Touch ID
Gone are the times when anyone could unlock our devices or if we put a security method it was a tedious password, code or pattern. The classic Touch ID is still alive in this device, but no longer in the non-existent Home button, but in the unlock button . This iPad Air 2020 has been a pioneer in incorporating a finger sensor in this part (as far as Apple products are concerned) and the truth is that it works just as well as always, with the same efficiency and level of security.
Would a Face ID have been nice? Yes. In fact it would have been great, but again we have to put this product into perspective and see that it is actually Apple’s intermediate tablet model, that its price is lower and therefore you cannot have exactly the same as the models. more advanced.
A processor to match
The main brain of this device and the one that will allow everything to work well is the A14 Bionic chip that it incorporates. This again has 64-bit ARM technology and is only 5nm in size. It even comes with a Neural Engine that helps with numerous processes.
Well, what does this mean for practical purposes? Well, have an iPad beast. It is true that it is not an ‘X’ or ‘Z’ version of the processor, which are the ones that Apple dedicates to the ‘Pro’ models and have a greater power, but it seems more than enough to be able to run any process without problems. Even in areas such as video editing, you can take advantage of this powerful processor that Apple has said is 40% faster than its predecessor, the A13 Bionic. Precisely that processor is prior to this A14, but it was not in the iPad Air 2019, which had an A12 Bionic, so the jump in this regard is very substantial.
Another thing to note is that this processor will allow you to have the latest iPadOS updates for many years, with at least 4 or 5 years guaranteed. Which is a good point to continue enjoying the advances of a software that is increasingly professional, making it possible to do more and more tasks on Apple tablets without having to resort to a computer.
Fair storage capacity
This iPad Air comes in two storage capacities: 64GB and 256GB. The lower capacity version could fall short for many users who focus this device on a regular work team. All the specifications are practically made to be an almost ‘Pro’ team but those 64 GB are already somewhat scarce for this purpose, so you would have to resort to storage on external devices or in the cloud.
LoS 256 GB however seems to be enough for this device. While the 512GB might have been a hit, in the end this would raise the price above what an iPad Pro costs, which would be quite confusing. Therefore this maximum capacity seems more than enough for a majority of the target audience that this fourth generation iPad Air is focused on.
Browse with iPad even without WiFi
Several years ago Apple added the possibility of acquiring an iPad in WiFi or WiFi + Cellular versions . The latter, also known as LTE, allows you to contract an exclusive data rate for this device through an eSIM, in such a way that you can navigate with it online without having to be near a known WiFi network.
In principle, we believe that it is always more worthwhile to have an iPad in a WiFi version, but for a certain user profile, LTE could come in handy. If you are used to using the device on the move, that is, away from home, it may compensate you if you also find a good data rate. This will allow you to have a constant internet connection in places such as public transport, cafeterias, parks or any other place, however inhospitable it may seem. This iPad Air stands out precisely for being a device with a good screen size, but in a compact body that greatly favors portability.
Enough set of cameras for an iPad
We start from the premise that an iPad is not focused on taking pictures, starting with its own size, which can be uncomfortable for this task, unlike an iPhone. In any case, we find interesting features for the cameras of this device, either to take a snapshot at a given moment or to obtain good quality when scanning documents.
- Frontal camera
- 7 Mpx lens.
- F / 2 aperture
- 1080p video recording at 60 fps.
- Wide color gamut.
- Smart HDR.
- Retina Flash (screen serves as flash).
- Backlight sensor.
- Automatic stabilization.
- Live Photo mode.
- Burst mode.
- Exposure control.
- Timer
- Rear camera
- 12MP wide-angle lens.
- Aperture f / 1.8.
- Five element lens.
- Video recording in 4K at 24, 30 or 60 fps.
- 1080p video recording at 30 or 60 fps.
- Slow motion recording at 1080p at 120 or 240 fps.
- Autofocus.
- Wide color gamut.
- Panoramic photos up to 63 Mpx.
- Smart HDR for photos.
- Automatic stabilization.
- Hybrid infrared filter.
- Backlight sensor.
- Live Photos mode.
- Burst mode.
- Exposure control.
And USB-C arrived (finally)
No one doubts that the Lightning was a small revolution when it was introduced by Apple. Both its reversible design and its speeds were very suitable for the time, but with the arrival of USB-C and the adoption of this standard by many companies, Apple’s standard was somewhat delayed. Despite the fact that the company has already begun to incorporate it into its Macs and even the iPad Pro, we did not see it in more devices until the arrival of this ‘Air’ model in 2020.
Having a USB-C connection in this device not only implies a more efficient charging and in less time, but it opens up a new world of possibilities in terms of external accessories. Possibly the highlight is being able to connect photo and video cameras, as well as external storage devices, being able to manage them perfectly from the Files app.
Apple Pencil 2, Magic Keyboard and other compatible accessories
The Apple Pencil 1, already compatible with all recent iPads except for the ‘Pro’, was already somewhat short for this intermediate model. In this new iPad Air we find full compatibility with the renewed second generation Apple Pencil introduced by the company in 2018. Beyond its design and its ease of loading and transport (magnetically on the side of the iPad) stands out for adding additional functions and greater precision.
The surprise also comes from the hand of accessories that connect with the Smart Connector , such as the Smart Keyboard or the Magic Keyboard. The first of these is not new, since the predecessor of this equipment could already be connected to it, but the new model of keyboard with trackpad is an advantage for those users who use the keyboard for a long time and also want to take advantage of the benefits cursor controllable with the trackpad.
Also other accessories such as Bluetooth mice or keyboards are compatible with this iPad Air. So are covers, holders or stylus less dedicated than the Apple Pencil but cheaper. Therefore, it could be said that in this sense the iPad Air has nothing to envy the more advanced models.
Other technical data
- Stereo speakers.
- Double microphone for calls, video and audio recording.
- Sixth generation Wi-Fi 802.ax connectivity with simultaneous 2.4 and 5 GHz dual band and HT80 MIMO.
- In WiFi + Cellular UMTS / HSPA / HSPA + / DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1,700 / 2,1000, 1,900 and 2,100 Mhz) and GSM / EDGE models of 850, 900, 1,800 and 1,900 MHz with Gigabit LTE in bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 and 71.
- Bluetooth 5.0.
- Geolocation with digital compass, WiFi and iBeacon Microlocation in WiFi versions and integrated GPS / GNSS and mobile networks in WiFi + Cellular versions.
- Three-axis gyroscope.
- Accelerometer.
- Barometer.
- Ambient light sensor.
What accessories are included?
It may seem like a simple piece of information, but the truth is that it is really important to know what this iPad Air includes in its original box. We found a 1 meter USB-C charging cable accompanied by a 20W power adapter whose input is also USB-C. In addition, the guides and user manuals are included, with the classic stickers with the Apple logo. And, of course, the iPad Air. What kind of joke would it be otherwise? Accessories including pencil
iPadOS, the absolute star of any iPad
At a time when hardware innovation is in short supply, there are those who suggest that the next revolution will come through software. In the case of this iPad Air, despite its good components, it can be said that it is the case. iPadOS 14 and the successive versions compatible with this model are not exclusive to it, but we cannot ignore that it is the best companion that the device has.
In 2019 Apple decided to separate iOS from the iPad, leaving this system only for the iPhone and iPod touch, thus allowing the iPad to have a system that continues to start from the same aesthetic and functional base, but with some interesting additions. The use of the mouse, enhance the Split View and even have three apps on the screen at the same time, perfectly manage office documents, files from external devices and many more functions are present in this iPad Air. We must also add classics of the company’s software such as Siri, FaceTime, Apple Pay or services such as Find my iPad.
We honestly do not believe that an iPad is better than a computer, but the truth is that for certain people it can be better. Not because he does more things, but because what he is capable of doing may be enough for many. Obviously, those who use very powerful and professional software tools focused on engineering or similar tasks could not adapt an iPad for this purpose, but many professionals in photography, word processing and many other fields in which there are more than enough apps to iPadOS.
The news also bring a price increase
It seemed all too beautiful in this new iPad Air, but we found the surprise when we saw its price. Beyond the fact that other stores may offer specific discounts, if we look only at Apple’s official price that it will maintain for this device, we see that it rises € 100 compared to the previous model . Considering that it is expensive, cheap or fair depends on the perception of each one and on how much they are willing or not to pay for a team with the benefits that we have discussed in this article.
- iPad Air WiFi version
- 64 GB: 649 euros.
- 256 GB: 819 euros.
- iPad Air WiFi + Cellular version
- 64 GB: 789 euros.
- 256 GB: 959 euros.
Conclusion: a round iPad that will outshine the ‘Pro’
Users who want an iPad will have a blessed problem when choosing. If they want a device with which they do not spend a lot of money, have a good processor, the latest iPadOS updates and do not mind having the classic design of the iPad, they will choose the “iPad” model as is, the one that does not have any additional name. If someone wants a tremendously compact computer to take anywhere to consume multimedia content and occasionally surf the Internet, they will have the iPad mini. Whoever wants a device with a new design, powerful processor and capable of handling heavy processes will choose a… What can you choose?
Before the launch of the iPad Air 2020 this question would have been resolved by recommending the iPad Pro, but since this ‘Air’ model has inherited a good part of its characteristics, the question is no longer so clear. In our view, if there is a demanding user who can do without LiDAR sensors, ultra wide angle and 120 Hz refresh rate, the most recommended is ‘Air’. The difference with its 11-inch counterpart is 200 euros and frankly those differences do not seem to be enough to make it worthwhile depending on the audience.
Therefore, if you are looking for a device with a modern look, that guarantees good performance and you do not need the latest of the latest features as mentioned in the previous paragraph, you should definitely opt for this iPad Air 2020.
