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iPad Air Q&A
Update Published May 21, 2024
All Apple Q&As >> iPad Air Q&A (Home) | Also see: All iPad Specs
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What are all the differences between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Air 4 it replaced?
The iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 both have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently with current operating system support details and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling either model on the used market.
There are four iPad Air 4th Gen models and three iPad Air 5th Gen models. For simplicity, this Everyi.com Q&A refers to these tablets as the iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5, which are the names readers most commonly use.
The iPad Air 4 models are the iPad Air 4 (Wi-Fi Only), iPad Air 4 (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA), iPad Air 4 (Wi-Fi+Cell Global), and iPad Air 4 (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
The iPad Air 5 models are the iPad Air 5 (Wi-Fi Only), iPad Air 5 (Wi-Fi+Cell), and iPad Air 5 (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 4 - Left; iPad Air 5 - Right)
With even a detailed inspection of the iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5, it is practically impossible to tell them apart unless the color is unique to one line or the other.
However, just because they look the same does not mean that there are not differences under the skin. Because these differences are not obvious, a detailed comparison is particularly worthwhile.
External Design & Color Differences
The iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 use the same exterior design with rounded corners and flat sides and have the same fully-laminated, antireflective 10.9" LED-backlit 2360x1640 "Liquid Retina" display (264 ppi, 500 nits) surrounded by a thin black bezel. The display offers "wide color" (DCI-P3) support and Apple's "True Tone" technology. They do not support ProMotion (120 Hz refresh rate).
Both models support "Touch ID" capability built into the power button on the top of the device and have stereo speakers and dual microphones.
Color options are different and the iPad Air 5 is slightly heavier, as well:
 iPad Air 4 |
 iPad Air 5 |
|
| Colors: | Silver Space Gray Rose Gold (Light) Green Sky Blue |
Space Gray Starlight Pink Blue Purple |
| Height x Width (In.): | 9.8 x 6.8 | 9.8 x 6.8 |
| Depth (In.): | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Weight (Lbs.): | 1.0-1.01 | 1.02 |
Accessory Support Similarities
The iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 both support the excellent Apple Pencil 2 (A2051, MU8F2AM/A, US$129), which smartly charges via a magnetic connection on the side.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Pencil 2)
The iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 both support the advanced Apple Magic Keyboard (11") (MXQT2LL/A) and Apple Smart Keyboard Folio 2 (11") (MXNK2LL/A).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 5 with Magic Keyboard)
Camera Differences
The newer iPad Air 5 provides a much better front camera as well as significant software improvements compared to the iPad Air 4 it replaced:
iPad Air 4 |
iPad Air 5 |
|
| Front Camera | ||
| Megapixels: | 7 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/2.0 | f/2.4 |
| Video: | 1080p | 1080p |
| Center Stage: | No | Yes |
| Rear Camera | ||
| Megapixels: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Video: | 4K | 4K |
The cameras in the iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 are both quality, but the addition of "Center Stage" capability for the iPad Air 5 -- which automatically tracks and zooms to keep subjects in frame during video conferences -- is a major improvement.
Identification Differences
It is easy to mix up the iPad Air 4 or iPad Air 5 models with each other and with any number of other iPads. Accordingly, visual identification is not a good method for differentiation.
Instead, one of the best methods for external identification is via Model Number. Model numbers are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad:
iPad |
Model No |
EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPad models by its specific Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About).
Internal & Connectivity Differences
The iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 models have significant internal differences:
iPad Air 4 |
iPad Air 5 |
|
| Clockspeed: | 3.0 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Processor: | A14 Bionic | M1 |
| Processor Cores: | Six | Eight |
| Graphics Cores: | Four | Eight |
| Neural Engine: | Yes | Yes |
| RAM: | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage: | 64/256 GB | 64/256 GB |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| 4G/LTE Bands: | 29-31 Bands | 30-32 Bands |
| 5G Bands: | None | 21 Bands |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Port Type: | USB-C | USB-C (3.1 Gen 2) |
From this internal comparison, it is obvious that the iPad Air 5 is significantly more capable than its predecessor with a faster processor and graphics processor, twice the RAM, 5G cellular capability, and a faster USB-C port.
Apple estimates around ten hours of runtime for both of these tablets on Wi-Fi and around nine hours of runtime for cellular-capable models when operating on a cellular network.
iOS Support Differences
The iPad Air 4 models first shipped with iPadOS 14.1 and the iPad Air 5 models first shipped with iPadOS 15.4. Both models support iPadOS 15, iPadOS 16, and iPadOS 17, as well.
However, running iPadOS 16, in particular, there are major support differences. Neither model support the Reference Mode and Accessibility Detection features.
The iPad Air 4 does not support the Stage Manager or Virtual Memory Swap features (Apple mistakenly initially listed it as compatible with Virtual Memory Swap, but this was an error). The iPad Air 5, on the other hand, does support the Stage Manager feature to improve multitasking, except for full external display support.
Running iPadOS 17, both models lack support for the minor Screen Distance and External Camera for FaceTime features.
iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 Comparison Chart
The above differences between the iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 -- as well as original US pricing details -- are summarized below:
iPad Air 4 |
iPad Air 5 |
|
| Display: | 10.9" | 10.9" |
| Resolution: | 2360x1640 | 2360x1640 |
| Clockspeed: | 3.0 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Processor: | A14 Bionic | M1 |
| Processor Cores: | 6 | 8 |
| Graphics Cores: | 4 | 8 |
| RAM: | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage: | 64/256 GB | 64/256 GB |
| 4G/LTE Bands: | 29-31 Bands | 30-32 Bands |
| 5G Bands: | None | 21 Bands |
| Front Camera: | 7 MP | 12 MP |
| Center Stage: | No | Yes |
| Touch ID: | Power Button | Power Button |
| Port Type: | USB-C | USB-C (3.1 Gen 2) |
| SIM Card: | Nano | Nano |
| Colors: | Silver Space Gray Rose Gold (Light) Green Sky Blue |
Space Gray Starlight Pink Blue Purple |
| Original iPadOS: | iPadOS 14.1 | iPadOS 15.4 |
| Maximum iPadOS: | iPadOS 17 | iPadOS 17 |
| Height x Width (In.): | 9.74 x 7 | 9.74 x 7 |
| Depth (In.): | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Weight (Lbs.): | 1.0-1.01 | 1.02 |
| Orig. Price (Wi-Fi): | US$599 US$749 |
US$599 US$749 |
| Orig. Price (Cell): | US$729 US$879 |
US$749 US$899 |
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPad as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPad.com.
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, the iPad Air 5 is a relatively modest improvement compared to the iPad Air 4 that it replaced, but there are notable improvements nevertheless. The iPad Air 5 provides (1) a faster processor and graphics processor, (2) twice the RAM, (3) a better front camera with "Center Stage" capability, (4) a faster USB-C port, and (5) the option of 5G cellular.
Running iPadOS 16 or later, the iPad Air 5 also provides partial Stage Manager support for improved multitasking whereas the iPad Air 4 does not.
Combined, these improvements make the iPad Air 5 an excellent tablet, but the iPad Air 4 still is a very good one and it is well worth consideration on the used market for those on a budget.
iPad Air Purchase & Sale Options
There are many companies that sell the iPad Air. However, buying from a quality company with significant Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).
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