Apple iPad Air (2022) vs. iPad 4: A Generational Leap?

The Apple iPad has long been the gold standard for tablets. But how does the modern iPad Air (2022), powered by the M1 chip, stack up against the venerable iPad 4, released nearly a decade ago? This comparison dives deep into performance, features, and value to help you decide which iPad is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad Air (2022) utterly dominates the iPad 4 in almost every category. Its M1 chip delivers blazing-fast performance, a superior display, and improved features. However, the iPad 4's affordability might appeal to budget-conscious users needing basic tablet functionality.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad Air (2022)	Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1459/ A1460
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A1459/ A1460
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	4, 17 - A1459
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, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / 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	LTE 700 / 850 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - A1460

Launch
Announced	2022, March 08	2012, October. Released 2012, November
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 18	Discontinued

Body
Build	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)	241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm (9.50 x 7.31 x 0.37 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	Micro-SIM
Weight	461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb)	662 g (1.46 lb)
	Stylus support (2nd gen)	-

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution	1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)	1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density)
Size	10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)	9.7 inches, 291.4 cm2 (~65.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz)	Dual-core 1.4 GHz
Chipset	Apple M1	Apple A6X (32 nm)
GPU	Apple GPU (8-core graphics)	PowerVR SGX554MP4 (quad-core graphics)
OS	iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1	iOS 6, upgradable to iOS 10.3

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM	16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF	5 MP, AF
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular
Single	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)	1.2 MP
Video	1080p@30/60fps	720p@30fps

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

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, EDR	4.0, A2DP
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS (5G model only)	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector	Lightning, USB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot

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

Battery
Stand-by	-	Up to 720 h
Talk time	-	Up to 9 h
Type	Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh)	Li-Po 11560 mAh, non-removable (42.5 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue	Black, White
Models	A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17	A1459, A1460, iPad3,5, iPad3,6
Price	About 550 EUR	About 500 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -85.7dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 762:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 67dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

Apple iPad Air (2022)

Blazing-fast M1 chip
Stunning Liquid Retina display
Improved cameras
Modern features (USB-C, Touch ID 2nd gen)
Slim and lightweight design

Higher price point
Can be overkill for basic users

Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular

Affordable
Cellular connectivity option
Compact and lightweight

Outdated processor
Low-resolution display
Poor camera quality
Limited app compatibility
Significant battery degradation likely

Display Comparison

The iPad Air (2022) boasts a stunning Liquid Retina display with vibrant colors, excellent brightness, and True Tone technology for comfortable viewing in any lighting. The iPad 4's display, while adequate for its time, suffers from lower resolution, poorer color accuracy, and a noticeably lower contrast ratio (762:1 nominal). The Air's laminated display also reduces glare and improves viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

The iPad Air (2022) features improved front and rear cameras compared to the iPad 4. While neither tablet is a photography powerhouse, the Air's cameras offer better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The iPad 4's cameras are noticeably dated and produce grainy images.

Performance

This is where the iPad Air (2022) truly shines. The M1 chip provides a massive performance boost over the iPad 4's dual-core A6X processor. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding games and applications with ease. The iPad 4 struggles with modern apps and can feel sluggish even with basic tasks.

Battery Life

Both tablets offer respectable battery life for their respective eras. The iPad Air (2022) provides around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The iPad 4, while offering a similar runtime, will likely see its battery degrade more significantly due to its age.

Buying Guide

The iPad Air (2022) is ideal for students, professionals, and anyone seeking a powerful and versatile tablet for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and creative work. The iPad 4 is a viable option for casual browsing, reading, and basic media consumption on a tight budget, but be prepared for significant performance limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPad Air (2022) worth the upgrade from an iPad 4?

Absolutely! The iPad Air (2022) offers a transformative upgrade in performance, display quality, and features. It's a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking a modern and capable tablet.

❓ Can the iPad 4 still be used for everyday tasks?

Yes, the iPad 4 can still handle basic tasks like web browsing, email, and reading. However, it will struggle with more demanding apps and multitasking.