Apple iPad Air (4th generation) vs Apple iPad Air (5th generation)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iPad Air (4th generation) compared with iPad Air (5th generation)
AppleiPad Air (4th generation)AppleiPad Air (5th generation)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2020March 2022
Display
Screen size10.9″10.9″
Resolution2360 × 16402360 × 1640
Sharpness264 pixels per inch264 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Brightness500 nits500 nits
Display typeLiquid Retina; LED-backlit IPS LCD; 10.86 inches measured diagonally as a rectangleLiquid Retina; LED-backlit IPS LCD; 10.86 inches measured diagonally as a rectangle
Pixel density264 ppi264 ppi
Display featuresP3 wide colour; True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating with 1.8% reflectivity; oleophobic coatingP3 wide colour; True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating with 1.8% reflectivity; oleophobic coating
Performance
ChipA14 BionicM1
Memory4 GB8 GB (better)
Storage64 GB, 256 GB64 GB, 256 GB
CPU6-core A14 Bionic; 4 GB RAM (Notebookcheck)8-core CPU with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores; 8 GB RAM
GPU4-core GPU8-core GPU; Media Engine with hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC video decode and encode
AI engine16-core Neural Engine16-core Neural Engine
Cameras
Rear camera12 MP12 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera7 MP12 MP (better)
Rear cameraWide; 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; timerWide; f/1.8 five-element lens; autofocus with Focus Pixels; digital zoom up to 5x; wide colour and Live Photos; Smart HDR 3; panorama up to 63 MP; auto image stabilisation; burst; geotagging; HEIF and JPEG
Front cameraFaceTime HD; f/2.2; Retina Flash; wide colour capture; backside illumination; Smart HDR; auto image stabilisation; burstUltra Wide; 122° field of view; f/2.4; Centre Stage; Smart HDR 3; lens correction; Retina Flash; wide colour capture; auto image stabilisation; burst
Video recordingRear 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 fpsRear 4K at 24, 25, 30 or 60 fps; 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps; 720p at 30 fps; slow-motion 1080p at 120 or 240 fps; extended dynamic range up to 30 fps; stabilised time-lapse; cinematic stabilisation; continuous autofocus; HEVC and H.264; front 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity28.6 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
Charging20W USB-C power adapter supplied; charging via adapter or computer20W USB-C power adapter supplied; charging via adapter or computer
USB-CUSB-C with charging and data transfer up to 5 Gb/s; external 4K displays; Smart ConnectorUSB-C with charging, DisplayPort and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; one external display up to 6K at 60 Hz; Smart Connector
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); simultaneous dual band; HT80 with MIMOWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); simultaneous dual band; HT80 with MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
Mobile networkGigabit-class LTE; nano-SIM and eSIM; cellular model weighs 460 g5G (sub-6 GHz) and Gigabit LTE; nano-SIM and eSIM; cellular model weighs 462 g
Stylus supportApple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separatelyApple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separately
KeyboardsMagic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, sold separatelyMagic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, sold separately
Design
Weight458 g (better)461 g
Thickness6.1 mm6.1 mm
Height × width247.6 × 178.5 mm247.6 × 178.5 mm
Operating systemiPadOSiPadOS
BiometricsTouch ID in top buttonTouch ID in top button
SpeakersLandscape stereo speakersLandscape stereo speakers
MicrophonesDual microphonesDual microphones
SensorsThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; GPS and GNSS on cellular modelThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; GPS and GNSS on cellular model
Materials100% recycled aluminium enclosure100% recycled aluminium enclosure
ColoursSilver, Space Grey, Rose Gold, Green, Sky BlueSpace Grey, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue
Software at launchiPadOS 14iPadOS 15
In the boxiPad Air; USB-C charge cable (1 m); 20W USB-C power adapteriPad Air; USB-C charge cable (1 m); 20W USB-C power adapter

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