4Th generation ipad air:  iPad Air (4th generation) – Technical Specifications

Find the best iPad Air 4 generation prices in June 2023

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)

If you’re looking for the best iPad Air 4 generation prices, you’ll find them right here. We’re tracking the best prices on the 2020 version of the iPad Air on this page – and the prices have been especially good lately, with retailers offering discounts since Apple launched the new 2022 iPad Air 5 earlier this year.

We’re big fans of the iPad Air here at Creative Bloq. It isn’t quite as powerful as the stunning iPad Pro 11 and 12.9, but Apple’s highest-end tablets are really overkill for many people. The iPad Air occupies a nice middle ground, offering a better screen and performance than the standard iPad without being so expensive as the iPad Pro. 

A new iPad Air was released in March 2022, giving the mid-range tablet a boost in power with the addition of Apple’s M1 chip. But other than that boost in processing power, the iPad 5 is quite a similar proposition to the 4th generation model, so the iPad Air 4 is still a good tablet to consider if you’re looking for a bargain. With the newer model now on sale, you might find some good savings on this older device, which still offers great performance. 

We’ll link to the best current deals that we can find below. With rumours circulating about a possible Amazon fall event, it’s worth keeping an eye on our Apple Prime Day for deals too. If you want to see where the iPad Air 4th Gen sits in the iPad family tree, see our full list of all the iPad generations. And if you’re looking for iPad accessories, don’t miss our guides to the best iPad keyboards and the best iPad stands.

(Image credit: Apple )

iPad Air (4th Gen, 2020)

The iPad that’s best for the majority of people.

Display: 10.9-inches | Processor: A14 Bionic | Storage: 64GB-256G | Apple Pencil: 2nd Gen

Beautiful design

Really powerful

Slim and portable

Nothing at this price

We’re still big fans of the 4th Gen iPad Air, even though it’s got a newer, more Pro-like brother in the M1-chipped 5th Gen Air. Why? Because it still does what it aims to do brilliantly, and because it doesn’t have that latest chip, you’re more likely to find a competitive iPad Air 4 generation price. It’s great for browsing and media consumption, and it supports Apple Pencil 2, making it a great option for digital art too.

While the iPad Air 4 generation price starts at $599/£579 for the 64GB wifi model, we’ve seen iPad Air 2020 prices regularly fall to $549/£559 over the two and a half years that it’s been on sale. Now with the newer iPad Air on sale, we’ve seen bigger savings, the lowest price yet being $469, which we’ve seen at Amazon several times in recent months – and not during any specific retail event, so look out for even bigger savings during Black Friday or other sales. 

As for the 256GB configuration, that starts at $749/£729. The WiFi + cellular version retail at $729 and $879 respectively. Again we’ve been seeing fairly regular discounts, but there seems to be less availability on the cellular versions. See our full iPad Air 2020 review for more details.

Which iPad Air should I buy today?

There are two iPad Airs on the market today if you’re looking for an unused device: the 2020 iPad Air 4th generation, which we’ve looked at above, and the 2022 iPad Air 5, which was released in March. 

If you want the fastest processing power, then you’ll want to go for the newer model. It’s the same size (10.9in) as the 2020 iPad Air, and it has the same design and very similar battery life. The big difference, however, is the inclusion of the M1 chip – the same chip used in the 2021 iPad Pros – for a boost in power. See our Apple iPad Air (5th Gen, 2022) review and our roundup of the best iPad Air 5 prices for more details.

However, if you’re looking for the best price possible, we’re seeing very good iPad Air 4 generation prices at the moment, which is logical following the release of a newer model. The iPad Air 4 is still a stunning tablet and can keep up with today’s demands, so we’d certainly recommend considering it if you spot a particularly good deal above. See iPad Air 4 vs iPad Air 5 for a detailed comparison of the two tablets.

Related articles:

  • Get the best iPad pro deals
  • These are the best iPad mini prices
  • The best tablets for students

Round up of today’s best deals

Apple iPad Air (2020)

View Deal

See all prices

powered by

Daily design news, reviews, how-tos and more, as picked by the editors.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

Beren has worked on creative tech magazines and websites at Future Publishing for 13 years. He started this journey as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, and in 2012 found himself bridging the magazine/website divide as Commissioning Editor on the newly launched Creative Bloq. Since then he took the editor role on ImagineFX, was Launch Editor of the fine art magazine Paint & Draw, moved to Canon Pro Europe website as Deputy Editor, and then edited the graphic design magazine Computer Arts. In 2020 he moved back to Creative Bloq, the biggest global art and design website, and as Deals Editor has applied his expertise in creative tech to help digital creatives get the best deals on the kit that they need and love. Outside of work, Beren likes nothing better than to climb himself a bit of rock.  

iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Air 5: Should you upgrade?

Image: Apple

Apple has wrapped up its year of iPad releases, which makes now the best time to scope the market and find the right tablet for you. If your heart is set on the thin and lightweight iPad Air model, then your options boil down to this year’s iPad Air (2022) and its predecessor, the iPad Air (2020). I’ll refer to the two as iPad Air 5 and iPad Air 4, respectively. 

Also: Why your Apple device might stop charging this winter

Apple

  • Apple just announced a ton of software features at WWDC. Here’s everything new

  • Every hardware product Apple announced at WWDC today: Vision Pro headset, Mac Pro, more

  • All the Mac news from WWDC 2023: Mac Pro, Mac Studio, and M2 Ultra

  • iOS 17’s Live Voicemail lets you read a voicemail in real time

  • Apple makes contact sharing easier in iOS 17 with NameDrop

  • Here’s every iPhone model that will get Apple’s iOS 17

In the newest iPad Air 5 lives the company’s tried-and-true M1 processor, a wider front-facing camera, and the hottest buzzword in tech: 5G. Theoretically, all three upgrades should make a difference in the day-to-day iPad experience. 

But if pricing impacts your buying decision, then the similarly-designed iPad Air 4 is just as worthy of your consideration and can be had for noticeably less money. Read on to learn more about what the defining features are for both models and why you should pick one over the other.

Also: The best iPad Air cases

Specifications

iPad Air 4 (2020) 

iPad Air 5 (2022) 

Display 

10.9-inch Liquid Retina LED

10.9-inch Liquid Retina LED

Brightness 

500 nits 

500 nits 

Apple Pencil compatibility 

Second-generation Apple Pencil 

Second-generation Apple Pencil 

Processor

A14 Bionic

M1 

Connectivity

USB-C, magnetic pins

USB-C, magnetic pins

Storage options 

64GB, 256GB 

64GB, 256GB 

Camera 

12MP rear camera; 7MP front camera 

12MP rear camera; 12MP ultra-wide front camera 

Colors 

Space gray, silver, rose gold, green, and blue 

Space gray, starlight, pink, purple, and blue 

Battery 

10 hours of web browsing 

10 hours of web browsing 
Retail price

$499 

$599

You should buy the iPad Air 5 (2022) if.

..

Image: Apple

1. You’re ready to embrace Apple’s M1 supremacy

The saying you can’t teach an old dog new tricks doesn’t really apply to the iPad Air 5. In fact, underneath the familiar glass and aluminum exterior is Apple’s ARM-based, eight-core CPU, M1 processor. Trickling down from MacBooks and iMacs, Apple’s M1 chip is expected to be up to 60% faster and more powerful than its A-series counterpart — like the A14 found in the iPad Air 4. 

That’s a significant step up, considering both iPads start on equal footing with 8GB of RAM. While the iPad Air 5 didn’t get Apple’s newer M2 chip, the M1 is still a powerhouse for graphics-intensive apps, such as video editors, 3D racing games, augmented reality, and general multitasking.

2. You want a better front camera and FaceTime experience

Camera performance isn’t typically the key selling point for tablets, let alone iPads. But with the iPad Air 5, Apple does emphasize its new and improved front-facing camera.

Also: iPad (2022) vs. iPad Air (2022): How different are the two?

While the 12MP rear camera remains untouched, the front now houses a 12MP ultra-wide camera. With a wider field of view than the previous generation’s 7MP FaceTime HD lens, the new iPad can take advantage of Center Stage, Apple’s webcam feature that tracks and follows your face as you move around. This is particularly useful for presentations and FaceTime calls with friends and family.

3. You thrive on 5G

Apple didn’t leave the possibility of 5G up in the air with the latest iPad model. Though not mmWave 5G, the sub-6 GHz bands on the iPad Air 5 allow you to dial into the 5th-generation network and access faster download speeds than the 4G LTE of the iPad Air 4. 

You will, of course, need to be under a 5G data plan, have the appropriate nano-SIM card (or eSIM), and purchase the more expensive, cellular version of the iPad, to reap the benefits of the faster network. If you meet the prerequisites and frequently work from outside, then the 5G-enabled iPad is the one to buy.  

You should buy the iPad Air 4 (2020) if…

Image: Apple

1. Price comes before anything else

With the release of the new iPad Air, most third-party retailers have since marked down the 2020 model as a means to clear out inventory. The winner of this sequence is you, the consumer. At the time of writing, the iPad Air 4 can be had for as low as $429, less if you opt for an open-market retailer like eBay. That’s more than a $150 difference compared to the new iPad Air 5 which, in a snapshot, only wins out on 5G, the front-facing camera, and processing power. If one, two, or even all three of those aspects are not on your priority list of features, then opting for the older iPad Air may be the best play here. 

FAQ

Featured reviews

Apple Review 2020 iPad Air 4

The fourth generation has seen a notable redesign – the tablet is thin, fast, and boasts a smooth, flat back. There were rumors about the new iPad even before its official release, which only fueled public interest, so the new model was eagerly awaited.

Updated design – bright and long-awaited

In this review, we can not ignore the updated design. The new iPad Air 4 borrows a lot from the iPad Pro line. The new model has rounded corners, making the tablet look more modern.

The iPad Air 4’s Retina LCD display

The Liquid Retina screen fills almost the entire perimeter of the iPad, including the rounded corners. The panels that enclose the screen are smaller than the previous iPad Air. The previous generation iPad had a built-in screen with a diagonal of 10.5 inches, a resolution of 2224×1668 and a density of 264 pixels per inch. The new iPad Air 4 has a screen diagonal of 10.9 inches, resolution – 2360×1640, while the density remains the same – 264 PPI.

Even though the screen is bigger, iPad Air 4 still looks compact. Most of all, this is facilitated by panels, due to the reduction of which, it was possible to increase the working area of ​​​​the display.

iPad Air 4 comes with a 20-volt USB-C power adapter

Among the most notable changes to the new generation of iPad Air 4 models is the move from Lightning to USB-C, allowing you to connect various peripherals to iPad, such as external USB-C 4K displays, printers, USB-C hubs with multiple SSDs, SD cards and wired Ethernet. This type of connector allows you to connect a USB-C camera to your tablet, such as the latest mirrorless cameras or the new GoPro Hero 9.black. All this indicates that the functionality of the gadget has become almost limitless. Apple developers have thus upgraded the iPad Air, borrowing this functionality from the iPad Pro.

In addition, the developers opted for the second-generation Apple Pencil stylus in the new model, which is also, no doubt, another positive improvement. The first generation Apple Pencil was powered by the Lightning connector, so with the transition to USB-C, developers simply had no other options.

Apple Pencil 2 on iPad Air 4

The new stylus has several advantages over the first generation stylus. It has a matte finish, wireless charging option and feels more comfortable in the hand. In order to switch from one tool to another, just “tap” on one side of the stylus with your finger. For example, if you’re using an Apple Pencil as a brush and you’re making an extra stroke, all you need to do to change the tool to an eraser is double-tap the side of the stylus.

Since Apple switched to the new Lightning connector, the device has been charging wirelessly. For recharging, the Apple Pencil 2 fixes it on the side of the iPad Air – now it all looks much more aesthetically pleasing than before, when the stylus just stuck out of the tablet.

As usual, the developers have paid attention to small details – Apple Pencil’s charge level can be determined by funny animations that appear when you start recharging the stylus.

This tablet does not have Face ID, it is being replaced by an updated version of Touch ID. Since the Home button is “ideally outdated”, the developers had to move the biometric sensor to the place of the “Sleep / Wake” button. For the first time, Touch ID on an iPad isn’t tied to the Home key – it’ll take a while to get used to.

Setting up Touch ID

When setting up an iPad Air 4, the tablet owner needs to go through the process of registering their fingerprint using the Touch ID feature. If the working position of the tablet is vertical, then usually the device “remembers” the imprint of the right index finger. But the iPad, unlike the iPhone, is designed to work in almost any position, so the developers are pushing us to ensure that during installation we turn the tablet to a horizontal position and allow the device to scan a second fingerprint. We might not have bothered if we hadn’t been led to this, but when the iPad is in landscape mode, it’s really easier to unlock the screen with your left finger.

Touch ID in action

Unlocking your iPad Air 4 with Touch ID is easy — just press the key to wake your iPad up — and it will automatically recognize your fingerprint. Holding your finger on the key for a second will unlock the device and then you will be taken to the home screen.

The presence of Touch ID is not so critical, but nevertheless, we could not get rid of the feeling of a certain bulkiness and slow response of the device compared to Face ID, however, all this is not at least a weighty reason to fork out for an iPad Pro. This is probably the only feature of the iPad Air 4 that we had mixed feelings about.

Not to mention the other additions: iPad Air now supports Wi-Fi 6, has a built-in updated 12-megapixel rear camera that can shoot 4K video, and enhanced speakers – although there are still only two.

iPad Air in operation

iPad Air has a very high speed, this is exactly what attracts attention from the very first seconds – the device opens applications with lightning speed, “does not slow down” in mode multitasking and quickly responds to moving around the interface. In the process of working with simple tasks, you get the feeling that this is the fastest tablet in the world.

For more accurate results, we traditionally turned to the Geekbench program. In version 5.2.5, our iPad Air scored 1588 and 4120 in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. This is a very good result when compared to the iPad Pro 2020, which scored 1117 and 4690 in similar tests.

New speakers on the iPad Air 4

Thus, in the single-core test, the iPad Air 4 outperforms the iPad Pro by 30%, while in the multi-core test it lags behind by about 12%. The A14 Bionic processor is a six-core chip clocked at 2.99 GHz and 4 GB of RAM. Currently, all iPads in the Pro line are powered by the A12Z Bionic processor, which has eight cores clocked at 2.49GHz and 6GB of RAM.

It turns out that the iPad Air 4 has fewer functional cores than the iPad Pro, but compensates for this with a higher clock speed. Hence the more impressive results in single-core tests and only a slight lag in multi-core ones.

Most tasks are single-core operations that do not slow down the tablet in any way. But performing multi-core operations is a completely different matter that requires intensive work of the device – for example, editing “heavy” 40MP photos in RAW format or exporting an HDR Dolby Vision movie to the iMovie application.

As far as graphics are concerned, the iPad Air is a pleasant surprise. The iPad Pro 2020 scored 12,021 in Metal mode on the Geekbench app, and 12,518 on the iPad Air. Thus, in terms of graphics quality, the new iPad Air is currently the best.

The new iPad is great for both simple basic tasks and more advanced tasks. To be honest, the iPad Air 4 is by far the most powerful iPad Apple has ever released, so we hope fans of the brand will appreciate it.

Power

The conclusion about the high or low power of the iPad Air in any case will be subjective, since it all depends on what purposes you intend to use the tablet for. We love that the iPad Air 4 is well thought out, the best tablet Apple has ever made. Of course, in some ways it falls short of the 2020 iPad Pro line, but this in no way begs its other virtues.

If you’re looking for a tablet for work or school, we’d recommend the iPad Air 4. It’s not as expensive as the iPad Pro, but it has a more advanced processor, 2nd generation Apple Pencil support, and a USB port -C. If you want to be able to connect flash drives or other external drives, this is the cheapest iPad with this feature.

With its strong single-core performance, the new model delivers fast performance on almost any task, all at a fraction of the cost of an iPad Pro.

Reading is easier on the iPad Air as developers have enlarged the screen. If you plan on multitasking, you can connect an external USB-C monitor to display more information on the screens.

This generation iPad Air supports the Magic Keyboard. We are very pleased with this keyboard and even put up with its considerable cost, because it seems to be designed for typing – the keys are very pleasant to press and even have a backlight. The built-in glass trackpad makes text editing and navigation even more convenient than before.

If we consider the power of the tablet in terms of gaming, then selfless gamers may be a little upset – due to the lack of additional graphics power, the tablet has weaker maximum settings than models in the iPad Pro line, but in general, gaming graphics suffer slightly.

Which is better?

If you’re thinking about getting a new iPad Air, you have a tough decision to make, as the new tablet has a strong competitor, the latest generation iPad Pro. The 2018 11-inch iPad Pro is still a great tablet, even though the company has already discontinued it.

At the beginning of 2020, Apple discontinued the 2018 iPad Pro and launched new models. However, the 11-inch iPad Pro 2018 is still available from authorized dealers and is a worthy alternative to the iPad Air 4.

frequency 120 Hz. This model features the A12X Bionic processor, which makes the iPad Pro perform better in multi-core performance and graphics power tests than the iPad Air 4. However, it falls slightly behind in the Metal Graphics test due to the additional graphics core in the A12Z processor Bionic.

Updated camera on the iPad Air 4

Given the fact that the A12Z and A12X Bionic processors are almost the same, it would be much more appropriate to purchase a two-year-old tablet with an “old” processor. Some difficulties may arise when working with heavy graphics tasks, but not all users tend to run such operations.

In direct comparison, the old 11-inch iPad Pro with 256GB of storage costs $749, which is the same price as the 2020 iPad Air with 128GB of storage.

By choosing iPad Pro, you will lose some of the color features offered by iPad Air, as well as a small amount of additional memory. Depending on your goals, it may be worth sacrificing this for additional benefits.

Should I buy a new iPad Air 4?

The new iPad Air 4 is a fantastic device, and that’s an undeniable fact. It’s the most powerful tablet of any iPad (and that speaks for itself) with many of the key features taken from the iPad Pro such as design, Apple Pencil support, improved display, USB-C port, and Magic Keyboard connectivity. .

Some compromises have to be made: the new model lacks Face ID and LiDAR scanner, and there is no 120Hz display. But these “losses” are not so critical, given the other strengths of the iPad Air.

That said, choosing between the new iPad Air and previous generations of iPad Pro isn’t getting any easier.

The only thing we can do is to assure you that the iPad Air 4 is an exceptional tablet in terms of quality and features, so for many it may be the perfect value for money. However, the release of the new iPad Pro is inevitable, so for those who use the tablet in some serious workflows, it makes sense to be patient and wait for the release of the new model from the Pro series. If you want an iPad with Face ID and don’t mind a bit of a power gap, you should check out the 2018 iPad Pro.0003

Benefits:

  • New design and colors
  • Apple Pencil 2 support
  • Magic Keyboard support
  • Very high power
  • USB-C port
  • WiFi 6
  • Touch ID

Drawbacks:

  • No 120Hz ProMotion display
  • Difficulty choosing between iPad Air 4, iPad Pro 2018 and iPad Pro 2020
  • Base memory 64 GB

Judging a model like the iPad Air 2020 is very difficult. If we compare this model with the iPad Pro 2018, considering the ratio of price and functionality as criteria, we would rate it 4 points out of 5, since both models have a lot in common. But if we compare the iPad Air with the iPad Pro 2020 line, we would rate it 4.5 out of 5.

Why not buy the iPad Air 4 and what to choose instead

The iPad Air 4th generation is a problem. Due to the iPad mini announced on September 14th. Rumors of a new model of Apple’s compact tablet have been circulating in the ear for a year or more. The rumors were exciting, they aroused genuine interest. The new iPad mini with a screen on the entire front surface, with a Touch ID sensor built into one of the device’s buttons, was called a “bomb”. We dreamed of supporting the new iPad mini 5G and Apple Pencil 2. The 6th generation iPad mini really turned out to be a bomb. She exploded. There are people injured. iPad Air damaged.

iPad Air 4 is not the best choice for 2021

In September 2020, the 4th generation iPad Air was also a “bomb”, and its birth was also accompanied by an explosion. Explosion of positive emotions. The tablet event of 2020 was virtual – therefore, the applause that this tablet could not fail to meet would have thundered all over the world and would have become a sensation. There was only a screen on the front of the iPad Air. Edge to edge. The Touch ID sensor is built into one of the buttons. For the first time in Apple history, the iPad Air debuted a new iPhone chip, the Apple A14 Bionic. He was incredibly fast. Because of it, the 4th generation iPad Air was almost in no way inferior to the 2020 11-inch iPad Pro.

Apple really made the new iPad 2021 better

But it was cheaper, and you could choose the color of the tablet when buying. Any of five: Space Grey, Silver, Green, Rose Gold and Sky Blue. The 2020 iPad Pro could only be Silver or Space Gray. Sales of the 11-inch iPad Pro dropped, the 4th generation iPad Air sold like ice cold soda on a hot day. Since Apple never explains the meaning of its actions to the public, it has not been understood. The 11-inch iPad Pro, according to experts, lived its last days. But on April 20, 2021, 11- and 12.9 came outinch iPad Pro, and the 4th generation iPad Air is what it should have been from the start. A mid-range tablet, a little more expensive than it should be.

iPad Air 4 or iPad Pro 2020

iPad Pro – even last year – is a great tablet

iPad Pro 2020 and 2018 are almost identical. The main innovation of the iPad Pro was LiDAR, but Apple then could not clearly explain why it was needed. The tablet had a new chip – Apple A12Z, almost no different from the Apple A12X in the 2018 iPad Pro. Their performance was almost the same. Of the things that should have been fixed in the 2018 iPad Pro, nothing has been fixed. The tablet went with a bang, both in the 11-inch version and in 12.9-inch. Until the iPad Air came along. The 4th generation iPad Air used Apple’s A14 mobile chip, designed for the iPhone, mid-range iPad, and other relatively lightweight Apple products.

iPad mini 6 problems and is it worth buying

But it was the newest generation chip, it was produced using the most advanced technology at that time. In terms of multi-core performance (and this is almost a synonym for CPU performance in general), it was inferior to the A12Z, but not by much. 10.9The 4th generation iPad Air’s 1-inch screen was almost the same as the 11-inch iPad Pro. Some features available on iPad Pro were not supported on iPad Air 4th generation. For example, Face ID, ProMotion and LiDAR. Apple was very proud of them, but the professionals who replaced the iPad Pro with the iPad Air 4 assured that they were not particularly needed. Face ID has been treated badly due to the pandemic and the wearing of masks. Instead of abolishing the 11-inch iPad Pro, it was returned to a level unattainable for ordinary iPads, but more on that some other time.

Which is better: iPad mini 6 or iPad Air 4

iPad mini 6 is almost better than iPad Air 4 in almost every way latest iPad Air. mini even had a nickname – Compressed Air, “compressed air”. But this year things were different. iPad mini, following the “big brother”, has changed radically. Edge-to-edge screen, Touch ID sensor built into one of the buttons, USB-C instead of Lightning, support for Apple Pencil 2. If the 6th generation iPad mini did not have the latest Apple A15 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi + model cellular communication did not support 5G, no problems would arise. But the new iPad mini has both. That is, it really outperforms the 4th generation iPad Air, and if you buy a model with cellular connectivity, the 6th generation iPad mini comes out ahead here too. The chip in the iPad mini 6 is the same as the iPhone 13 Pro, with a 5-core GPU more powerful than the iPhone 13/13 mini.

Spotlight on the iPad: what it is and how it works

Due to artificially reduced clock speeds, iPad mini is slower than any of the iPhone 13. But mini is still faster than Air, especially in graphics and artificial intelligence.