iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2018, A12 series)

The iPad Air 2020, released in October 2020, and the iPad Pro 2018, launched in October 2018, are both powerful tablets from Apple, running on iPadOS. While the iPad Air 2020 features a more recent processor generation and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button, the iPad Pro 2018 distinguishes itself with a higher refresh rate display and Face ID for biometric authentication. Both devices offer a modern tablet experience, supporting Apple Pencil and external keyboards, but cater to slightly different user priorities.

The longevity of a tablet is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience. The iPad Air 2020, released in October 2020, benefits from a more recent launch date compared to the iPad Pro 2018 (October 2018). This typically means a longer period of official software updates for the Air 2020, extending its functional lifespan for users prioritizing the latest iPadOS features and security patches [1]. While the iPad Pro 2018 continues to receive updates, some users have noted potential performance impacts with very recent iPadOS versions [10, 25, 26]. Both models feature robust aluminum enclosures. However, like many modern tablets, both generally receive low repairability scores due to extensive use of strong adhesives, making internal repairs challenging [13, 32, 42].

The performance of these tablets is influenced by their internal processing power, impacting application speed and multitasking efficiency. The iPad Air 2020 features a newer generation processor, offering strong CPU and graphics capabilities for modern applications [1, 12, 19, 20, 21]. The iPad Pro 2018, with its older but powerful processor, still delivers robust multi-core processing and graphics, maintaining a responsive experience for demanding tasks [2, 4, 29].

• Application Handling: The iPad Air 2020 provides smooth performance for daily tasks and efficient multitasking [1, 8, 21, 24]. The iPad Pro 2018, especially models with higher RAM, handles intensive professional applications with notable responsiveness [2, 6, 29].
• Storage and Memory: The iPad Air 2020 offers 64GB or 256GB of storage and 4GB of RAM [1, 9]. The iPad Pro 2018 provides storage from 64GB up to 1TB, and includes 4GB or 6GB of RAM [2, 3, 5, 6].
• Battery Endurance: Both tablets are designed for approximately 10 hours of battery life for general use [1, 4, 11, 14, 19, 21, 24].

The visual experience on these tablets is shaped by their display technology, resolution, and responsiveness. Both the iPad Air 2020 and iPad Pro 2018 feature Liquid Retina IPS LCD displays, delivering vibrant colors and clear visuals [1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 21, 24, 40, 41]. The Air 2020 has a 10.9-inch display (2360 x 1640 pixels), while the Pro 2018 offers 11-inch (2388 x 1668 pixels) or 12.9-inch options [1, 4, 7, 8, 16, 18, 24, 43]. Both include True Tone and P3 wide color support [1, 4, 7, 11, 12, 16].

• Brightness and Smoothness: The iPad Air 2020 provides up to 500 nits of brightness [1], while the iPad Pro 2018 reaches 600 nits [11]. The iPad Pro 2018's ProMotion technology enables an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for noticeably smoother scrolling and more fluid interactions, especially with the Apple Pencil, compared to the Air 2020's standard 60Hz refresh rate [1, 4, 7, 11, 18, 36].
• Visual Comfort: Both displays are fully laminated and feature an anti-reflective coating, reducing glare and improving visibility [7, 11, 16].

The camera systems on these tablets are designed for utility, including document scanning, video calls, and casual photography. Both devices feature a 12-megapixel wide rear camera and a 7-megapixel front camera [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 16, 22, 24, 27].

• Photography and Video: The iPad Air 2020's rear camera supports 4K video recording for everyday photography and document capture [12, 22, 24]. The iPad Pro 2018 also records 4K video, with its front camera offering Portrait mode [2, 4, 6, 41]. Some users note the Pro 2018's rear camera may lack image stabilization and have a narrower field of view [30].
• Front Camera and Audio: Both tablets offer a 7-megapixel front camera suitable for video conferencing and selfies [1, 7, 22]. The iPad Air 2020 features stereo speakers [1, 7, 12, 18], while the iPad Pro 2018 is equipped with quad speakers for more immersive sound [27].