Apple iPad Air (2022) vs. iPad 10.2 (2021): The Ultimate Tablet Showdown

Choosing the right iPad can be tough, especially with so many options available. The iPad Air (2022) and iPad 10.2 (2021) are both excellent tablets, but cater to different needs and budgets. Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad Air (2022) is the clear performance winner thanks to the M1 chip, offering a significantly faster and smoother experience. However, the iPad 10.2 (2021) remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize affordability and a familiar design.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad Air (2022)	Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 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 - A2589	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603
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 - A2589, A2591	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE - cellular model only
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	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	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604

Launch
Announced	2022, March 08	2021, September 14
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 18	Available. Released 2021, September 24

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in)	250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
Weight	461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb)	487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb)
	Stylus support (2nd gen)	Stylus support (1st gen only)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution	1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)	1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density)
Size	10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)	10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)	Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz)	Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
Chipset	Apple M1	Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPU	Apple GPU (8-core graphics)	Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OS	iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1	iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM	64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF	8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS	1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video	1080p@30/60fps	1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, EDR	4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS (5G model only)	GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector	Lightning, USB 2.0; 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, dual-band, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer

Battery
Type	Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh)	Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue	Silver, Space Gray
Models	A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17	A2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2
Price	About 550 EUR	About 430 EUR

Tests
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-29.4 LUFS (Average)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPad Air (2022)

Blazing-fast M1 chip
Stunning Liquid Retina display
Slim and lightweight design
Improved front-facing camera
USB-C charging

Higher price point
No headphone jack

Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)

More affordable
Familiar design
Good battery life
Sufficient performance for everyday tasks
Headphone jack

Older A13 Bionic chip
Less vibrant display
Thicker bezels
Slower performance compared to Air

Display Comparison

The iPad Air (2022) boasts a Liquid Retina display with a wider color gamut and better contrast. While both have a nominal contrast ratio of 1123:1, the Air's display is noticeably brighter and sharper. The iPad 10.2 (2021) is still a good display, but lacks the Air's premium feel and visual fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Both iPads offer basic photo and video capabilities. Neither is a standout performer in this area, but they are adequate for casual snapshots and video calls. The iPad Air (2022) has a slightly better front-facing camera, which is beneficial for video conferencing.

Performance

This is where the iPad Air (2022) truly shines. The M1 chip provides a massive performance boost over the A13 Bionic in the iPad 10.2 (2021). Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding games and creative applications with ease. The A13 is still capable, but it shows its age compared to the M1.

Battery Life

Both iPads offer all-day battery life under typical usage. While Apple doesn't publish exact battery capacities, real-world testing suggests they are comparable, providing around 10 hours of usage.

Buying Guide

The iPad Air (2022) is ideal for students, creative professionals, and anyone who demands top-tier performance for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. The iPad 10.2 (2021) is perfect for casual users, students needing a basic tablet for note-taking and browsing, and families looking for an affordable entertainment device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the M1 chip in the iPad Air (2022) worth the extra cost?

If you frequently use demanding apps or play graphics-intensive games, the M1 chip's performance boost is definitely worth the investment. For basic tasks, the A13 in the iPad 10.2 is still adequate.

❓ Does the iPad 10.2 (2021) support Apple Pencil?

Yes, the iPad 10.2 (2021) supports the Apple Pencil (1st generation). However, it doesn't support the 2nd generation Pencil, which offers magnetic charging and pairing.