Apple iPad Air (2022) vs. iPad 9.7 (2018): A Detailed Comparison

Choosing between an iPad can be tough, especially with different generations offering varying features and price points. We're pitting the powerful Apple iPad Air (2022) against the reliable Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) to help you decide which tablet best suits your needs and budget.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad Air (2022) is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster M1 chip, a superior display, and modern features. However, the iPad 9.7 (2018) remains a compelling budget option for basic tasks and casual users who prioritize affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad Air (2022)	Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)

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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1954
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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps, 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	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, March 08	2018, March 27. Released 2018, March 27
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 18	Discontinued

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)	240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm (9.45 x 6.67 x 0.30 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb)	469 g (Wi-Fi) / 478 g (LTE) (1.05 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)	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 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz)	Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr)
Chipset	Apple M1	Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm)
GPU	Apple GPU (8-core graphics)	PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics)
OS	iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1	iOS 11.3, upgradable to iPadOS 17.6.1

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM	32GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	HDR	HDR
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@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec.

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	Face detection, HDR, panorama
Single	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)	1.2 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard)
Video	1080p@30/60fps	720p@30fps

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 (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only)
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/ac, dual-band, hotspot

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

Battery
Talk time	-	Up to 10 h (multimedia)
Type	Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh)	Li-Po 8827 mAh, non-removable (32.9 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue	Silver, Gold, Space Gray
Models	A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17	A1893, A1954, iPad7,5, iPad7,6
Price	About 550 EUR	About 350 EUR
SAR	-	1.18 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.99 W/kg (body)

Apple iPad Air (2022)

Blazing-fast M1 chip
Stunning Liquid Retina display
Slim and lightweight design
Modern features like Center Stage
USB-C charging

Higher price point
Storage options can be limited

Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)

Affordable price
Compact and portable
Good for basic tasks
Durable build quality

Outdated processor
Smaller display
Limited storage
Lightning connector

Display Comparison

The iPad Air (2022) features a stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone technology, offering vibrant colors and excellent clarity. The iPad 9.7 (2018) has a smaller 9.7-inch Retina display, which is still good but lacks the Air's advanced features and larger size. The Air's laminated display also reduces glare and improves viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Both iPads have decent front and rear cameras for video calls and casual photos. However, the iPad Air (2022) offers slightly improved image quality and features like Center Stage for more engaging video calls. The iPad 9.7 (2018)'s cameras are adequate but noticeably less impressive.

Performance

The M1 chip in the iPad Air (2022) is a game-changer, delivering significantly faster performance than the A10 Fusion in the iPad 9.7 (2018). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved graphics performance for gaming and creative tasks. The Air handles demanding applications with ease.

Battery Life

Both iPads offer all-day battery life under typical usage. While the iPad Air (2022) has a slightly larger battery capacity, real-world usage shows comparable battery performance. Expect around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on both devices.

Buying Guide

The iPad Air (2022) is ideal for students, creative professionals, and anyone who demands high performance and a premium experience. The iPad 9.7 (2018) is a great choice for budget-conscious users, families, or those needing a simple tablet for browsing, reading, and light entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you prioritize performance, a modern display, and future-proofing, the iPad Air (2022) is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tight budget and only need a tablet for basic tasks, the iPad 9.7 (2018) remains a viable option.

❓ Can the iPad 9.7 (2018) still handle everyday tasks?

Yes, the iPad 9.7 (2018) is perfectly capable of handling everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, reading ebooks, and streaming videos. However, it may struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking.