iPad Air 5 (2022) vs iPad Air 4 (2020): Which One’s for You?

The newest iPad Air 5 is released. Learn all the differences between the iPad Air 4 (2020) and iPad Air 5 (2022) so you can know which one is better for you.

By @Lena Last Updated September 5, 2024

The iPad Air 5 - an upgrade to the iPad Air 4 - is finally available. The 2022 iPad Air 5 looks almost identical to the previous 2020 iPad Air 4 but compared with its predecessor, it has many improvements.

Despite the many upgrades, there are some similarities between iPad Air 5 and iPad Air 4, which brings you to the question: should I buy the latest iPad Air 5 or spend less money on the iPad Air 4? Read on to learn the differences between these two iPads so that you can see which one might be the best for you.

iPad Air 5 (2022) vs iPad Air 4 (2020)

Here are the main specs of iPad Air 5 and iPad Air 4.

 

   iPad Air 5 (2022)

    iPad Air 4 (2020)

Size

247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches)

247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm (9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches)

Weight

Wi-Fi: 461 grams (16.26 ounces)

Cellular: 462 grams (16.30 ounces)

Wi-Fi: 458 grams (16.15 ounces)

Cellular: 460 grams (16.23 ounces)

Screen size and refresh rate

10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD

60Hz

10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD

60Hz

Screen resolution

2360×1640 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)

2360 x 1640 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)

Storage

64GB, 256GB

64GB, 256GB

Processor

Apple M1

Apple A14 Bionic

Operating system

iPadOS 15

iPadOS 15

RAM

8GB

4GB

Camera

12-megapixel rear, 12MP ultra-wide front

12MP rear, 7MP front

Video

4K at 24, 30, 60 fps; 1080p at 30, 60, 120, 240 fps

4K at 24, 30, 60 frames per second, 1080p at 30, 60 fps

Connectivity

5G, Wi-Fi 6

4G, Wi-Fi

Ports

USB-C

USB-C

Battery and charging

10 hours on Wi-Fi, 9 hours on cellular

20W wired fast charging support

10 hours on Wi-Fi, 9 hours on cellular

20W wired charging

iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4 - Design

While the iPad Air 5 and iPad Air 4 come in different colorways, both iPads are similar in size and they weigh about the same. In addition, the displays of the two tablets are the same. As far as appearance is concerned, there is not much difference between the two.

iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4 - Performance

Compared with iPad Air 4, the biggest upgrade to the new iPad Air (2022) is its CPU, the M1 chip that powers the iPad Pro and some MacBooks. This tablet should easily run almost any task you throw at it. Apple says the iPad Air (2022) is 60% more powerful than its predecessor.

iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4 - Camera

iPad Air 5 and iPad Air 4 have the same 12-megapixel wide rear camera. Around the front, the 7-megapixel camera has been replaced by a 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide version on iPad Air 5. Meanwhile, it gets the Center Stage feature - it will try to keep you in the middle if you move around during a video call. If you like to take selfies and video calls, obviously, iPad air 5 will be more suitable for you.

iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4 - Battery

Apple claims that the iPad Air 5 has the same battery life as the iPad Air 4, up to 10 hours. This means that despite the more energy-efficient M1 chip, the Air 5 fails to deliver more battery life than its predecessor.

To sum up, the iPad Air 5 has a lot of improvements compared to the iPad Air 4. For sure, it is a better device. If you don't have an iPad and are planning to buy one, the iPad Air 5 is a good choice. But if you already own an iPad Air 4, you don't need to go for the new iPad Air 2022. It's still a powerful device, at least for the next few years.

Bonus Tip: Get An Easy Way to Backup and Transfer iPad Data

When the new iPad arrives, the next step is to transfer some needed data to it, in addition to various settings. However, whether you want to transfer data from computer to iPad or want to transfer data from old iPad to new iPad, Apple does not provide a convenient way for you to make it.

iCloud only offers 5 GB of free storage space, which may not enough to store the needed data. iTunes indeed can help you transfer data from computer to iPad but it will erase existing data on the device. Fortunately, there are many third-party tools that can help you transfer data in the way you want.

AOMEI FoneBackup is one professional iOS data management tool for Windows PC users. It supports data transfer between iPad and computer, between iPad and another iPad/iPhone. You can easily transfer both purchased and non-purchased items.

With only a few clicks, you can put your important data in the right place. For example, it only requires 3 steps to transfer photos, videos, songs, etc. from computer to iPad.

1. Launch AOMEI FoneBackup and plug in iPad.

2. Click Phone Transfer > Go to PC to iPhone>  Select the photos, videos, songs, contacts you need.

3. Finally, click Transfer.

You can easily share data with family and friends because it supports data transfer between different Apple IDs. Besides data transfer, AOMEI FoneBackup also supports Selective Backup and Full Backup to help you backup selected or all iPhone data. Go for it now and discover more!

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Final Words

Hope this iPad Air 2022 vs iPad Air 2020 guide can help you make a decision. The iPad Air 5's M1 chip is the main feature that sets it apart from its predecessor. But the iPad Air 4 is still one of the best tablets for most people. What do you think?