-
Our top choice
Apple iPad (2022)
The iPad (10th generation) is the perfect blend of features and value for money, and its upgraded design makes it the perfect go-to iPad for most people.
Strong Points- Great design upgrade
- Solid performance
- Bright color options
Cons- No Stage Manager
- No fully laminated displays
-
Great alternative
Apple iPad Air (2022)
The Apple iPad Air goes from a great tablet to an even better one with this model. The 2022 Air offers faster performance while still boasting a stylish design.
Strong Points- Superior performance
- Support for Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
- 8GB RAM
Cons- No facial recognition
- Not as powerful as the latest models
Apple unveiled the 10th generation of its entry-level iPad in October 2022, offering a redesign from its predecessor, a chip upgrade, and a color refresh. The entry-level iPad redesign finally ditched the home button, opting for a look that’s more similar to the iPad Air compared to the older design of the 9th generation iPad. 2024 saw many updates to the iPad line, including a new iPad. iPad Air with M2 However, there will be no new model of the standard iPad, with the 2022 10th generation model still being the latest version.
If you have a slightly older iPad Air (2022), you might be wondering if it’s worth buying a 10th generation iPad as a replacement. Apple has discontinued this model, but you may have seen the iPad Air (2022) for sale online. The standard iPad is the cheapest new iPad available right now, but how do its specs compare to the previous iPad Air? Should you take the plunge and consider buying the more expensive 2024 iPad Air model? Or would it make more sense to wait until the 11th generation iPad is released? Here’s what you need to know.
Pricing, Availability and Specifications
The iPad (10th generation) remains Apple’s cheapest iPad
The iPad (10th generation) was released in October 2022. It was available for $449 for the Wi-Fi only model. Currently, the 10th generation iPad can be purchased from Apple for $349 for the Wi-Fi only model and $499 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The iPad Air (2022) was released in March 2022 and started at $599 for the Wi-Fi only model, but it has been discontinued and is no longer sold on Apple’s website. However, it is still available at other retailers, with sites like Best Buy selling it for around $400.
The iPad (10th generation) comes in four color options: blue, pink, yellow, and silver. These colors are much bolder than the 2022 iPad Air, which comes in five muted color options: purple, pink, blue, space gray, and starlight.
Comparing the specifications of the two models, we see the following:
-
Apple iPad (2022) Apple iPad Air (2022) Storage 64/256GB 64/256GB CPU Apple A14 Vionic Apple M1 chip operating system iPadOS16 Update iPadOS16 Update battery Up to 10 hours Up to 10 hours, USB-C port USB-C USB-C Camera (rear, front) 12MP f/1.8 rear, 12MP f/2.4 front landscape 12MP f/1.8 rear, 12MP f/2.4 front vertical measurement 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm, 477g 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm, 461g color Yellow, blue, pink, silver Blue, purple, pink, starlight, space gray
Design and Build
It is difficult to distinguish at first glance
The Apple iPad (10th generation) and iPad Air (2022) are virtually identical in terms of design: they both have uniform bezels around the display, flat-edged aluminum bodies, and power buttons with Touch ID built in. Design-wise, it’s hard to tell the two tablets apart, with color being the most distinctive element.
Both devices have a single camera lens in the top left corner on the back, a USB-C charging port next to the speaker at the bottom, and a Smart Connector – the iPad (10th generation)’s Smart Connector is on the left edge, while the iPad Air (2022)’s Smart Connector is on the back.
Another design difference between the two models is that the FaceTime HD front-facing camera is located on the right edge of the iPad (10th generation), which makes it convenient for video calling when held landscape mode. The iPad Air (2022) has the front-facing camera at the top of the display when held portrait mode. The iPad (10th generation) is slightly larger, 1mm thicker, and slightly heavier than the iPad Air (2022).
screen
Displays are similar but have different color ranges
Both the Apple iPad (10th generation) and iPad Air (2022) have a 10.9-inch display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels. Both devices have a pixel density of 264ppi, which means the details are beautifully sharp and the colors are vibrant and clear.
Both tablets feature Liquid Retina displays with a maximum brightness of 500 nits. Apple’s True Tone technology is also supported on both devices, and they have an oleophobic coating that makes them less susceptible to fingerprints.
However, there are some differences in the displays: the iPad Air (2022) has a P3 wide color display, while the iPad (10th generation) is RGB, giving the iPad Air a slightly wider color gamut. The iPad Air (2022) also has a fully laminated display and anti-reflective coating, which is a noticeable difference when compared to the iPad (10th generation).
Hardware and Battery
Both models have similar battery life
The Apple iPad (10th generation) runs on the A14 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU. The iPad Air (2022) runs on the more powerful M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. The M1 chip includes 8GB of RAM, while the iPad (10th generation) only offers 4GB. The iPad Air (2022) has much more power, making the iPad (10th generation) a very capable tablet, but in some cases the iPad Air (2022) will perform better.
Both the iPad (10th generation) and iPad Air (2022) have a 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, 5x digital zoom, and Smart HDR 3 for photos. Also, both are capable of 4K video recording at up to 60fps. On the front, both tablets have a 12-megapixel camera with an f/2.4 aperture, Retina Flash, Center Stage, and other features. However, the front camera on the iPad (10th generation) is positioned landscape-style as mentioned above, which is more convenient for video calling.
Both tablets offer up to 10 hours of video viewing or up to 9 hours of web browsing and feature USB-C for charging. Storage options are also the same, with both the iPad (10th generation) and iPad Air (2022) available in 64GB and 256GB options. The iPad Air also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, while the iPad (10th generation) only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil.
software
Both devices are expected to support the upcoming iPadOS 18.
Both the iPad (10th generation) and iPad Air (2022) run on the latest version of iPadOS (currently iPadOS 17), and both can support the upcoming iPadOS 17. iPadOS 18 So you get the same experience on both devices.
Thanks to its power, the iPad Air (2022) is able to offer some extra features, including Stage Manager, a handy multitasking feature that’s not available on the iPad (10th generation), although most features are available on both models.
Apple iPad (10th Generation) vs iPad Air (2022): Which Should You Buy?
Apple will stop selling the iPad Air (2022)
If you want a new iPad but don’t want to spend a ton of money, the Apple iPad (10th generation) is a wise choice. For just $349, you get a decent iPad that will meet the needs of most average users. The iPad mini is another $150, and the current cheapest model of the iPad Air is $250 more than the iPad (10th generation). If you just want an iPad for browsing and watching shows and movies, the iPad (10th generation) will do the trick.
There are rumors that a new model of the standard iPad will be released by the end of the year. However, if the rumors are true, the new model will not have any major upgrades other than a slightly improved chip, and will not have the M1 chip found in the iPad Air (2022).
Our top choice
Apple iPad (2022)
Even Apple’s cheapest iPad is more than capable of handling the tasks most users need.
If you currently own an iPad Air (2022), your iPad has a more powerful processor and additional features like Stage Manager, making it even easier to multitask. It’s also compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio. The Air’s display also has an anti-reflective coating and a fully laminated display for added convenience. If your current iPad Air (2022) is working fine and your battery life isn’t deteriorating too much, you’re better off sticking with it than spending $350 on a new device with lesser specs.
However, if you’re feeling a bit bored with the iPad Air (2022), the iPad (10th generation) offers a similar look and experience at an affordable price. With new iPads due for release this year, you might want to wait a little longer for other options to become available. However, the iPad Air (2022) is still on sale for around $400 on some sites, so it’s a decent option if you need a bit more power, while supplies last.
A great alternative
Apple iPad Air (2022)
This is the perfect Apple tablet for those who need a bit more power and additional multitasking capabilities from their device.
