Apple iPad (2022) vs. iPad Air (2022): The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Air (2022) wins overall thanks to its significantly faster M1 chip, better display, and slimmer design. However, the iPad (2022) remains a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize value and still want a great iPad experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad (2022) | Apple iPad Air (2022) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A2757 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2757 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2589 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2757, A2777 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2589, A2591 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2777 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2591 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 18 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 26 | Available. Released 2022, March 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm (9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 in) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 477 g (Wi-Fi) / 481 g (LTE) (1.05 lb) | 461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb) |
| Stylus support (1st gen only) | Stylus support (2nd gen) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 16.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort; magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Po 7606 mAh (28.6 Wh) | Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Blue, Pink, Yellow | Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue |
| Models | A3162, A2757, A2777, A2696, iPad13,18, iPad13,19 | A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17 |
| Price | About 430 EUR | About 550 EUR |
Apple iPad (2022)
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable A14 Bionic chip
- Good display quality
- All-day battery life
- Center Stage front camera
- Less powerful than the iPad Air
- Standard Retina display (not laminated)
- Thicker and heavier design
Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Blazing-fast M1 chip
- Liquid Retina display with P3 color gamut
- Slimmer and lighter design
- Excellent performance for demanding tasks
- All-day battery life
- More expensive than the iPad (2022)
- Storage options can be limiting at lower tiers
Display Comparison
The iPad Air (2022) boasts a Liquid Retina display with a wider color gamut (P3) and a laminated display for improved viewing angles and reduced reflections. The iPad (2022) has a standard Retina display, which is still excellent but lacks the Air's extra polish. Both have a 10.9-inch size.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature a 12MP Wide rear camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage. Image quality is comparable, though the Air's slightly better processing might give it a marginal edge in certain conditions. The front cameras are excellent for video calls.
Performance
This is where the iPad Air (2022) truly shines. The M1 chip offers a substantial performance boost over the A14 Bionic in the iPad (2022), making it noticeably faster for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and multitasking. The A14 is still capable for everyday use, but the M1 is in a different league.
Battery Life
Both iPads offer all-day battery life, typically around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. While the numbers are similar, the M1 chip in the Air is more efficient under heavy load, potentially extending its battery life during intensive tasks.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Apple iPad (2022)? Students, casual users, and those on a budget will appreciate the iPad (2022)'s affordability and reliable performance. Who should buy the Apple iPad Air (2022)? Creative professionals, power users, and anyone seeking a premium tablet experience with top-tier performance and a more refined design.