Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: The Apple iPad 2022 shares many features with the Apple iPad Air 2022 but both are different devices. The iPad Air 2022 is still the best-selling Apple iPad of 2022 thus far and the two main differences between these two devices are price and performance. So, between the Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022, which is best for you to buy?
The recommended retail price of the Apple iPad 2022 starts at $449 which is cheaper than the $599 of the Apple iPad Air 2022. However, a close look at the specifications of these two Apple devices shows that the iPad Air 2022 offers better value for users. In this Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022 specs comparison, I’ll share with you why you should buy the Apple iPad Air 2022 instead of the Apple iPad 2022.
See Also: Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Pro 2022: Which is better for you
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022
| Specs | iPad 2022 | iPad Air 2022 |
| Display | 10.9-inches, 60Hz | 10.9-inches, 60Hz |
| Display Panels | Retina IPS LCD | Retina IPS LCD |
| RAM | 3GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 64GB & 256GB | 64GB & 256GB |
| Back Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chipset | A14 Bionic | Apple M1 |
| Software | iPadOS 16 | iPadOS 15 |
| Battery | (28.6Wh) | (28.6Wh) |
| Stylus Support | YES | YES |
iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Display, Design, and Durability
The Apple iPad 2022 has the same design and display as the Apple iPad Air 2022. Both devices have a 10.9-inches display, a Liquid Retina IPS LCD display panel with support for a standard 60Hz refresh rate, and up to 500 nits of brightness. The dimension and weights of both devices are also very similar. So, if you place the iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022 next to each other, it’s difficult to tell the difference at first glance.
The camera module, physical buttons, and bezels of both devices are very similar. The iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022 are made of a Glass front, aluminum back, and aluminum frame. Both devices support Stylus support (2nd gen for the iPad Air 2022 and 1st gen for the iPad 2022) and have Scratch-resistant glass with oleophobic coating protection for the display.
Truth is, none of these devices have the smooth ProMotion technology found in the Apple iPad Pro 2022 but note that these two devices are about $300 cheaper than the iPad Pro models. As far as the display goes, you get the same value on both devices.
See Also: Apple iPad Pro 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Which is better
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Camera
| Camera | iPad 2022 | iPad Air 2022 |
| Main | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front | 12MP | 12MP |
The Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022 have the same camera sensors. Both devices have a 12MP primary camera and the same 12MP front camera. The camera features on both devices are also the same.
The rear cameras of both devices can record steady videos in 4K resolution. The camera features available when taking photos and videos are Photo geotagging, Autofocus with Focus Pixels, Smart HDR, Auto image stabilization, Cinematic video stabilization, Continuous autofocus video, etc. And when making video calls, features such as Center Stage is available on both devices.
The cameras of the iPad Air 2022 and iPad 2022 are not the best but if you already own an Apple iPhone, you’ll have little need for it anyway. But even at that, the camera sensors and their features are enough to handle the task you’ll need them for.
See Also: Apple iPad Pro 2022 vs iPad Pro 2021: Which is better
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Chipset, RAM & Storage
The operations of the Apple iPad Air 2022 are handled by the Apple M1 chip while those of the Apple iPad 2022 are handled by the Apple A14 Bionic chip. The Apple M1 chip of the iPad Air 2022 is faster and more power efficient than the Apple A14 Bionic chip of the Apple iPad 2022. The chipset of the iPad Air 2022 is also equipped with faster CPU cores and a more powerful GPU.
The processor of the M1 chip has 8-cores that are paired with the Apple GPU with 8-core graphics while the processor of the A14 Bionic chip has 6-cores that are paired with the Apple GPU with 4-core graphics. The extra CPU and GPU cores of the Apple M1 chip make the Apple iPad Air 2022 render graphics faster than the Apple iPad 2022. So, when it comes to graphics-intensive gaming and rendering graphics, the Apple iPad Air 2022 is better than the Apple iPad 2022.
The iPad Air 2022 has 8GB of RAM that is paired with 64GB or 256GB of internal storage while the Apple iPad 2022 comes with 3GB of RAM that is paired with 64GB or 256GB of storage. None of the devices have support for storage expansion via a microSD card slot.
See Also: Surface Pro 9 vs Apple iPad Pro: Which is Better
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Software
The Apple iPad Air 2022 boots iPadOS 15 out of the box while the Apple iPad 2022 boots iPadOS 16 out of the box. Both devices will get up to five years of major software updates and users can download apps and games from the Apple App store.
The software and user experience on both smartphones are very smooth. Animation is fast, apps open very quickly, switching between apps is smooth, and the user interface on both phones looks neat. However, the iPadOS 16 on the iPad 2022 has some new features, and users of the iPad Air 2022 will have to upgrade to the iPadOS 16 software to enjoy these new features.
See Also: Google Pixel 7 vs Apple iPhone 14: Which is better
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Battery & Other Features
The Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022 are powered by a 28.6Wh battery. Although the Apple iPad Air 2022 has the same battery size as the Apple iPad 2022, its battery lasts longer because the Apple M2 chip in the iPad Air 2022 is more power efficient.
Features available on the Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022 are Fingerprint (top-mounted), USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector, 5G, A-GPS, FaceTime video, Stereo speakers, Dual microphones, Nano-SIM, eSIM, Stylus support, etc.
See Also: Apple TV 4K 2022 is now Available for Purchase for $129
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Price
The starting price of the Apple iPad Air 2022 (8GB + 64GB) is $599 while the starting price of the Apple iPad 2022 (3GB + 64GB) is $449. But there is currently a $100 discount on the iPad Air 2022 bringing the price to $499. Details of where and how to buy the iPad Air 2022 and iPad 2022 are available in the table below.
| Apple iPad 2022 | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $449.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (EUR) | €579.00 |
| Apple iPad Air 2022 | Prices |
| Buy on Amazon | $499.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (EUR) | €689.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (UK) | £569.00 |
Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022: Conclusion
The Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022 have so many features in common. Both devices have the same display size, display panel, display features, design, camera sensors, camera features, and even battery capacity. The differences between the Apple iPad 2022 and iPad Air 2022 are chipset, RAM, and price and this is why you should probably buy the iPad Air 2022 instead of the iPad 2022.
This Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022 specs comparison has shown that the iPad Air 2022 has a more powerful chipset and thus can render graphics faster than the iPad 2022. The iPad Air 2022 also has a bigger 8GB RAM and is currently selling for just $499 which is just $50 more expensive than the iPad 2022. So, it’s best you spend the extra $50 in buying the iPad Air 2022 and get the extra performance boost and extra RAM size. However, if you’re on a tight budget then you can make the sacrifice and buy the Apple iPad 2022.
