Request a product

Apple iPad (8th generation) vs Apple iPad Air (4th generation)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPad (8th generation)AppleiPad Air (4th generation)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2020October 2020
Display
Screen size10.2″10.9″
Resolution2160 × 16202360 × 1640
Sharpness265 pixels per inch264 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Brightness500 nits500 nits
Display typeRetina; LED-backlit IPS LCDLiquid Retina; LED-backlit IPS LCD; 10.86 inches measured diagonally as a rectangle
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 BionicA14 Bionic
Memory3 GB4 GB
Storage32 GB, 128 GB64 GB, 256 GB
CPU64-bit A12 Bionic; 3 GB RAM reported by Notebookcheck6-core A14 Bionic; 4 GB RAM (Notebookcheck)
GPU–4-core GPU
AI engineNeural Engine16-core Neural Engine
Cameras
Rear camera8 MP12 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 illuminationWide; f/1.8 five-element lens; backside illumination; hybrid IR filter; autofocus with Focus Pixels; wide colour and Live Photos; Smart HDR 3; panorama up to 63 MP; auto image stabilisation; burst; timer
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; Smart HDR; auto image stabilisation; burst
Video recordingRear 1080p at 30 fps; 720p slow motion at 120 fps; 3x video zoom; stabilised time-lapse; front 720pRear 4K at 24, 30 or 60 fps; 1080p at 30 or 60 fps; slow-motion 1080p at 120 or 240 fps; stabilised time-lapse; cinematic stabilisation; continuous autofocus; front 1080p at 60 fps
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity32.4 Wh28.6 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 or video; nine hours cellular browsing
ChargingUSB-C Power Adapter included; 20 W adapter reported by Notebookcheck20W USB-C power adapter supplied; charging via adapter or computer
USB-CLightning; 3.5 mm headphone jackUSB-C with charging and data transfer up to 5 Gb/s; external 4K displays; Smart Connector
Wi-FiDual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMOWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); simultaneous dual band; 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 and eSIM; cellular model weighs 460 g
Stylus supportApple Pencil (1st generation), sold separatelyApple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separately
KeyboardsSmart Keyboard through Smart Connector, sold separatelyMagic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, sold separately
Design
Weight490 g458 g
Thickness7.5 mm6.1 mm
Height × width250.6 × 174.1 mm247.6 × 178.5 mm
Operating systemiPadOSiPadOS
BiometricsTouch ID in Home buttonTouch ID in top button
SpeakersStereo speakersLandscape stereo 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 board100% recycled aluminium enclosure
ColoursSilver, Gold, Space GreySilver, Space Grey, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue
Software at launchiPadOS 14iPadOS 14
In the boxiPad; Lightning to USB-C Cable; USB-C Power AdapteriPad Air; USB-C charge cable (1 m); 20W USB-C power adapter

More comparisons