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Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple iPad Air (2020)
...


9.1/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad Air (2020) currently has an Informr score of 9.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 49 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Excellent screen
  • Supports 2nd Generation Apple Pen
  • New color options
  • Fast processor
  • USB-C type port

What's bad

  • Expensive with accessories added
  • No FaceID
  • 64GB baseline storage

Apple, the seemingly undefeatable king of tablets, is at it again with the iPad Air 2020 (also known as the iPad Air 4.) With so many options on the market right now, what can we expect this new iPad to bring us that’s different?

Design

The Apple iPad Air (2020) brings the sleek, modern iPad Pro series design to a more affordable price point. It features minimal bezels, a more square shape, an uninterrupted back panel, and two new color options: Mint green and Sky Blue.

They’ve also done away with the home button opting instead to put the fingerprint scanner into the lock button.

Display

The Apple iPad Air (2020)’s 10.9-inch display adds a little extra room over the baseline model without becoming cumbersome to hold or carry. Reviews indicate the screen offers rich colors and excellent contrast. TrueTone also allows it to adjust color temperatures to the lighting no matter where you’re using it -- an outstanding feature for late-night reading or study sessions.

The bezels are practically non-existent and allow for a much more immersive feeling when using it for art or media.

Performance

Saying this tablet is fast is an understatement. Reviews noted that opening up an app is near-instantaneous. It’s also capable of some impressive multi-tasking if you don’t mind bouncing between apps or using the split-screen mode in iPadOS 14.

Sporting the same processor as the iPhone 12, there seems to be nothing that the iPad Air (2020) cannot do. Some reviewers even stated that it’s the closest they’ve come to a tablet that could replace a laptop entirely.

Software & Storage

The Apple iPad Air (2020) offers the same up to date iPadOS as the rest of the iPad line. Storage, however, is a different matter. Reviewers were not impressed by the baseline 64GB that comes with the price, and to get more storage you have to pay a fair bit more.

Cameras

The rear-facing 12MP camera does a respectable job for a tablet -- just remember you’ll have to aim the rather-large tablet like a camera. So it’s not exactly ideal for vacation photos or the like.

The iPad Air (2020)’s selfie cam does okay for Zoom calls, but it won’t replace your smartphone for decent pictures.

Battery Life

The iPad Air (2020) impressed reviewers with its battery life. While watching videos and using other media, reviewers reported that the tablet lasted around 10 hours on a single charge. Using the tablet for work or school takes a little bit off the top because of multi-tasking, but it’s still plenty to get you through the day. For light users, reviewers said it could take as much as a couple of days to need a recharge.

Perhaps best of all, the tablet uses USB Type-C, so when it’s time to charge, you don’t have to hunt down a Lightning cable.

Audio

While the iPad’s back appears to sport four different speaker grills, it only has two speakers. The upper grills serve as an outlet if you cover the bottom two by accident while watching media. Reviewers stated that the speakers and audio were surprisingly good, even having a little bass, which is challenging for speakers on any tablet.

Accessories

The added cost of accessories is one of the most significant points of contention from reviewers. They’re not cheap, but they are useful, if not necessary, for enjoying iPad Air 2020 to its fullest. But buying them will run you nearly half the price of the tablet itself if you opt for the full lineup.

The tablet supports the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil with a place to snap on and charge at the tablet’s top. It also supports the Magic Keyboard, which was reserved for only Pro models previously.

Of the two, the Smart Keyboard is the most pricey. So if your budget is tight, plan to pick up the Apple Pencil first.

Specs at a Glance

  • Recycled aluminum design
  • 10.9-inch IPS display
  • A14 Bionic processor
  • 4GB of RAM
  • IPad OS 14 software
  • 64/256GB of storage
  • Rear-facing 12MP and 7MP selfie cameras
  • 10 hours of battery life
  • Stereo audio
  • Supports 2nd Gen Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard

The Bottom Line

There’s a reason Apple is the best at what they do. Each new iPad or phone that comes along keeps to that standard. The Apple iPad Air (2020) is no exception. You would be hard-pressed to find any genuinely negative things to say about it.

All of that comes with a price, and it’s not a small one, but if you’re looking for the top of the line and the speed that comes with it, the Apple iPad Air (2020) is well worth the money.

Tech Radar says, “The iPad Air 2020 is a phenomenally well-made tablet that improves upon the last-gen version in a variety of ways, solving issues with that tablet’s dated design and accessories. The jump in price will make this a tougher sell for some, but the iPad Air for 2020 is so impressive that you may have trouble choosing between it and the iPad Pro.”

Laptop Mag states, “The best tablet for most people, the redesigned iPad Air has a modern chassis, fast performance and long battery life — plus, it supports Apple's best accessories.”


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
Unknown
Processor
Processor
Unknown
10.9"
Screen Size
Screen Size
10.9"
12+ MP, f/1.8
Camera
Camera
12+ MP, f/1.8
28.6 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


IT Pro
IT Pro

The iPad Air comes so close to being a genuine laptop replacement. However, it falls short in just enough areas - the inability to use it as a primary device across multiple external displays being a particularly frustrating example - to convince most that a MacBook is the better choice.

- Connor Jones, IT Pro
Android Authority
Android Authority

The iPad Air (2020) is the all-purpose iPad — a tablet that’s ready to have fun, but can be serious when it needs to be, with enough flexibility and features to even satisfy would-be power users. There are compromises here for those casting a side-eye at the Pro range, but it’s only the paltry base...

- Oliver Cragg, Android Authority
Gadget Guy
Gadget Guy

More than ever, the Apple iPad Air (4th gen) now feels and handles like an iPad Pro-lite. It hits such a sweet spot in terms of price, performance and features that it’s the iPad of choice for professional users looking for a tablet which holds its own for both work and play. You’d really need to pu...

- Adam Turner, Gadget Guy
What Hi-Fi
What Hi-Fi

If you want the ultimate iPad experience, Apple would probably point you in the direction of its Pro range. But the iPad Air 4 (2020) is all the iPad most people will ever need. It’s such a solid and capable all-rounder, that very few will feel the need to spend the extra for the iPad Pro. The desig...

- What Hi-Fi
Top Ten Reviews
Top Ten Reviews

The iPad Air 4 is a significant evolution of the iPad, not only in the obvious design way but also because this brings so many powerful features, it's essentially a more affordable iPad Pro.

- Luke Edwards, Top Ten Reviews


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Quick view

Screen Size
10.9"

The Apple iPad Air (2020)'s screen size is 10.9 inches with 1640 x 2360 pixels resolution.

Processor
Unknown

There is a Apple A14 Bionic Hexa-core processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the iOS iPadOS 14 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3) operating system (OS).

Camera
12+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 12+ MP, f/1.8 camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 7+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
64/256 GB

Internal memory is 64/256 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
28.6WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 28.6 WHr battery. Apple's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad Air (2020) Specs

Overview
Release Date October 31, 2020
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS iPadOS 14 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A14 Bionic Hexa-core
Internal Storage 64/256 GB
RAM Unknown
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
12+ Megapixels, f/1.8
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Panorama, Self-timer, HDR
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 60 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
7+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Aperture F2.0, HDR
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 60 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1640 x 2360 pixels
Pixel density 264 pixels
Size 10.9 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 28.6 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Battery Charge Time Unknown
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 9 hours
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage No
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue
Dimensions [H x W x D] 24.76 x 17.85 x 0.61 cm (9.8 x 7 x 0.2 in)
Weight 460 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack No
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Unknown
Screen Reader Unknown
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Apple iPad Air 4, iPad Air 4th Generation
Related Links Apple iPad Air (2020) Reviews
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