Request a product

Apple iPad (8th generation) vs Apple iPad Air (3rd generation)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPad (8th generation)AppleiPad Air (3rd generation)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2020March 2019
Display
Screen size10.2″10.5″
Resolution2160 × 16202224 × 1668
Sharpness265 pixels per inch265 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Brightness500 nits500 nits
Display typeRetina; LED-backlit IPS LCDRetina; LED-backlit IPS LCD (IPS confirmed by Notebookcheck)
Pixel density264 ppi264 ppi
Display featuresOleophobic coating; non-laminated panel (Notebookcheck)P3 wide colour; True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating with 1.8% reflectivity; oleophobic coating
Performance
ChipA12 BionicA12 Bionic
Memory3 GB3 GB
Storage32 GB, 128 GB64 GB, 256 GB
CPU64-bit A12 Bionic; 3 GB RAM reported by Notebookcheck64-bit A12 Bionic; M12 motion coprocessor; 3 GB RAM confirmed by iFixit
AI engineNeural EngineNeural Engine
Cameras
Rear camera8 MP8 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera1.2 MP7 MP
Rear cameraf/2.4 five-element lens; hybrid IR filter; autofocus; Live Photos; HDR; 43MP panorama; burst; timer; backside illuminationf/2.4 five-element lens; backside illumination; hybrid IR filter; autofocus; wide colour and Live Photos; HDR; panorama up to 43 MP; burst; timer; auto image stabilisation
Front cameraFaceTime HD; f/2.4 as listed by Apple; Retina Flash; Live Photos; HDR; burst; timerFaceTime HD; f/2.2; Retina Flash; wide colour capture; backside illumination; auto HDR; burst; timer
Video recordingRear 1080p at 30 fps; 720p slow motion at 120 fps; 3x video zoom; stabilised time-lapse; front 720pRear 1080p; slow-motion at 240 fps; stabilised time-lapse; video stabilisation; 3x video zoom; front 1080p at 30 fps
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity32.4 Wh30.2 Wh
Mobile data optionYesYes
StylusSupported, sold separatelySupported, sold separately
Keyboard made for itYesYes
Battery life detailUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing or video; nine hours cellular browsingUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours cellular browsing
ChargingUSB-C Power Adapter included; 20 W adapter reported by NotebookcheckUSB power adapter or USB computer charging
USB-CLightning; 3.5 mm headphone jackLightning; 3.5 mm headphone jack; Smart Connector
Wi-FiDual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMODual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 5.0
Mobile networkGigabit-class LTE, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA and GSM/EDGE; nano-SIM with Apple SIM support and eSIM; cellular model weighs 495 gGigabit-class LTE; nano-SIM with Apple SIM support and eSIM; cellular model weighs 464 g
Stylus supportApple Pencil (1st generation), sold separatelyApple Pencil (1st generation), sold separately
KeyboardsSmart Keyboard through Smart Connector, sold separatelySmart Keyboard, sold separately
Design
Weight490 g456 g
Thickness7.5 mm6.1 mm
Height × width250.6 × 174.1 mm250.6 × 174.1 mm
Operating systemiPadOSiPadOS
BiometricsTouch ID in Home buttonTouch ID in Home button
SpeakersStereo speakersStereo speakers
MicrophonesDual microphonesDual microphones
SensorsGyroscope; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; GPS/GNSS on cellular modelThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; GPS and GNSS on cellular model
MaterialsEnclosure made from 100% recycled aluminium; recycled tin solder on main logic board–
ColoursSilver, Gold, Space GreySilver, Gold, Space Grey
Software at launchiPadOS 14iOS 12; orders opened 18 March 2019, with shops receiving it the following week
In the boxiPad; Lightning to USB-C Cable; USB-C Power AdapteriPad Air; Lightning to USB cable; USB power adapter

More comparisons