Before the Pro line, the iPad lineup consisted of the 7.9-inch Mini and the 9.7-inch Air. It was the perfect tablet that managed to strike a striking balance between being a compact tablet and something more productive. Its airy slim design makes it easy to carry, making you feel like you're holding a paperback book.

iPad Air 2 maintains the perfect balance of size and weight, making it a complete package. The first thing that catches your eye is its thickness, which is obviously key feature Air. It weighs just 437 grams and adding to its beauty is the simplistic design that undoubtedly places the tablet in the premium category.

iPad Pro

Just when we thought things couldn't get any better, the company announced the next iPad, the iPad Pro 10.5, as well as the new and improved iPad Pro 12.9. The company has made several improvements to its iPad lineup in terms of design in recent years, if you compare the new iPad Pro models to the original iPad Pro 9.7.

Aside from the weight factor, the new iPad Pro looks nearly identical to its predecessor—the 9.7-inch models look identical—but the new iPad lacks a True Tone display and anti-glare coating. The company has also reduced bezels by 40 percent in iPad Pro 10.5, while bezels have all but disappeared in iPad Pro 12.9.

Technically, the new iPad Pro lineup is the company's biggest update since the launch of iPad Pro 9.7, especially the 12.9 version, which is a monster in every way. The world has witnessed a new breed of iPad that is getting bigger and faster in every aspect. Bright display, best options storage, superior cameras and a faster processor - all in a compact package.

iPad Air vs iPad Pro

1. Screen size

The iPad Pro comes in two screen sizes: 10.5 inches and 12.9 inches. On the other hand, the second generation iPad Air is available in a 9.7-inch screen size.

2. Display

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a screen resolution of 2732 × 2048 px at 264 ppi, and the 10.5-inch model has a screen resolution of 2224 × 1668 px at 264 ppi. The iPad Air 2, on the other hand, has a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels (264 ppi).

3. Storage

iPad Pro - 10.5 and 12.9 - available in three internal options storage: 64, 256 and 512 GB. The new and larger 512GB configuration makes this the first iOS device to offer this storage option. iPad Air comes with 16, 64, and 128 GB of built-in storage options.

4. Processor

Under the hood, iPad Pro features an advanced A10X Fusion Forth-Generation chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture and is housed in the accompanying Apple M10 processor, making iPad Pro insanely faster and more efficient than its predecessors. The iPad Air, on the other hand, packs the Apple A8X chip with 64-bit architecture and the Apple M8 motion coprocessor.

5. Memory

Both the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch variants pack 4GB LPDDR4, which means better performance compared to the iPad Air, which only has 2GB LPDDR3. The extra RAM means it will technically wipe the floor for Air when it comes to multitasking.

6. Camera

Coming to the camera, the iPad Pro comes with a 12-megapixel main camera that is capable of recording 4K videos and a 7-megapixel front camera that can record up to 1080p high-quality videos. The iPad Air 2, on the other hand, has an 8-megapixel iSight camera on the back and a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera that is capable of recording videos at 720p HD resolution.

A 2.39 GHz hex 64-bit processor powers the iPad Pro, while the iPad Air has a 1.5 GHz triple-core 64-bit processor.

8. Weight

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi model) weighs 469 grams (1.03 lbs), and the iPad Pro (Wi-Fi + Cellular model) weighs 477 grams (1.05 lbs). The 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) weighs 677 grams (1.49 lbs), and the iPad Pro (Wi-Fi + Cellular) weighs 692 grams (1.53 lbs). The iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi) weighs 437 grams (0.96 lbs), and the iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) weighs 444 grams (0.98 lbs).

9. Operating system

The iPad Pro comes with iOS 10, which can be upgraded to the company's latest and improved iOS 11. On the other hand, the iPad Air 2 comes with Apple's iOS 8.1.

10. Graphics

The iPad Pro features a 12-core PowerVR 7XT-series GPU, while the iPad Air 2 features an 8-core PowerVR GXA6850 GPU.

iPad Pro	iPad Air
Available in 10.5 and 12.9 inch screen sizes.	Available in 9.7-inch model.
Powered by the A10X Fusion chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture and integrated into the Apple M10 coprocessor.	Powered by the Apple A8X chip with 64-bit architecture and integrated into the Apple M8 motion coprocessor.
Comes with a 12-core PowerVR 7XT series processor.	Included with PowerVR GXA6850 octa-core GPU.
Packs of 4GB LPDDR4 RAM under its hood.	Comes in 2GB RAM LPDDR3.
12-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and six-element lens.	8MP 1080p camera on the back.
7 megapixel front camera FaceTime HD with 1080p HD video recording.	1.2 megapixel front camera with 720p HD video recording.
Comes with iOS 10 (upgradable to iOS 11).	Comes with iOS 8.1.

Resume

The biggest differences between the iPad Pro and iPad Air, aside from the display, are in the processor and memory department. Apple has managed to double the storage capacity from the 2GB of RAM found in its predecessor, the iPad Air 2, to the 4GB found in its latest iPad line. A huge 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM coupled with the company's latest and improved A10X Fusion chip makes the new iPad Pro stand out. The iPad Pro is definitely the way to go if you don't mind spending a whopping $600 or more on a tablet. Well, for those who don't want to spend too much money and still want to go for a solid iPad without the bells and whistles, the iPad Air 2 could be a good investment and you won't be disappointed.

Detailed analysis.

On September 10, Apple showed us as part of its presentation. Many users are now faced with the question: buy a new product or make a choice in favor of its predecessor. There is no clear answer to this question yet – let’s figure it out together.

The new iPad is positioned by the company as universal solution for schoolchildren for students. This is facilitated by ample opportunities and relatively low cost. But does the new product have any significant advantages over its predecessor, the iPad 2018?

Design

The appearance of the 7th generation iPad, in comparison with its predecessor, has hardly changed. Apple uses the same, time-tested aluminum body.

The new tablet is offered in three possible colors - silver, gold and dark. No changes here either.

But the new product has increased the display size to 10.2 inches. Due to this, the iPad 2019 has become a little larger, despite the reduced frames around the display. The actual dimensions on paper look like this:

250.6×174.1×7.5 mm. Weight – 483 g (Wi-Fi), 493 g (Wi‑Fi + Cellular).
iPad 2018: 240.6×169.5×7.5 mm. Weight – 469 g (Wi‑Fi), 478 g (Wi‑Fi + Cellular).

The difference in dimensions, of course, is not so big, but in some cases it can be decisive - if compactness is a priority.

Display

Both tablets use an identical IPS matrix with a brightness of 500 cd/m². The only difference is the screen size and resolution. The new iPad has a resolution of 2160x1620 pixels, while its predecessor has 2048x1536.

The pixel density in both cases is the same - 264 pixels per inch.

Unfortunately, anti-reflective coating and full matrix lamination are not available in either the new or the earlier version.

Characteristics

The iPad 2019 and iPad 2018 are based on an identical processor – the Apple A10 Fusion, built using a 16nm process technology. Both devices have a motion coprocessor on board – Apple M10.

The capabilities of the Apple A10 Fusion are more than enough for all multimedia and demanding tasks - including games and operations related to real-time data processing (for example, when working with augmented reality).

Of course, now the Apple A10 Fusion can hardly be called a truly productive solution, but the chip will still be relevant for at least several years.

Built-in memory

The 7th generation iPad, like its predecessor, is offered in versions with 32 GB and 128 GB of internal space.

Apple did not add an option with 256 GB of memory, apparently considering that the version with 128 GB would cover all tasks.

Battery and charging

Apple, traditionally, does not disclose the exact capacity of batteries. But the company assures that the iPad 2019 will last as long as any other tablet from the company - 10 hours with active use. So high rate autonomy has never been beaten by competitors.

Cameras

The camera in the new iPad has not received any improvements. Apple still uses a single 8 MP module (ƒ/2.4 aperture).

The features are the same - support for Live Photos, a five-element lens, software image stabilization. It is also possible to shoot 1080p video and 720p slow-motion videos at 120 fps.

Scope of delivery

The scope of delivery has not changed. The 7th generation iPad, like its predecessor, comes with a 12 W power adapter and a Lightning cable

Other changes

iPad 2019 received support for the proprietary Smart Keyboard. This became possible thanks to the appearance of the Smart Connector on the rear panel of the new product. The iPad 2018 did not have this feature.

Also, the new iPad in the version with a cellular module received support for Gigabit Class LTE technology, providing speeds of up to 979 Mbit/s. The predecessor could only reach speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s.

Regarding other aspects, both devices have support for Apple Pencil and Touch ID of the second generation. Nothing new here.

Prices

The 7th generation iPad can be pre-ordered now. The start of sales is scheduled for September 30.

The prices are:

iPad 2019 Wi-Fi 32 GB- 27,990 rubles.
iPad 2019 Wi-Fi 128 GB- 34,990 rubles.
iPad 2019 Wi-Fi + Cellular 32 GB- 38,990 rubles.
iPad 2019 Wi-Fi + Cellular 128 GB- 45,990 rubles

As for the iPad 2018, Apple has removed it from sales on the official website. However, the tablet can still be purchased from authorized resellers.

In general, the difference between the tablets is not so obvious. The new product is worth a closer look only for those who need a larger display and support for the proprietary Smart Keyboard. Everyone else can safely choose the iPad 2018 - there are no other fundamental differences, and the price of the device is noticeably lower.

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The slightly crazy pre-New Year shopping season has arrived again. Many people are eyeing products with a well-recognized bitten apple, but choosing an iPad is now more difficult than before. The publication offered several tips to help you make the right choice.

Outline the scope of tasks

Perhaps the most main way do not be disappointed in the purchase - clearly understand how you are going to use the purchase. The first step is to understand which device is right for you.

Thanks to huge assortment advanced programs from Apple itself and third-party developers, the iPad is now capable of very, very much. This is not only a “watch a movie - read the Internet” device, but also a completely adequate (although, of course, not without its limitations) working tool for a journalist, photo editor, designer, artist, DJ or musician.

If a year ago the iPad 4 with a Retina screen and the most powerful processor at that time gave a huge head start to the iPad mini in literally everything except for size, weight and convenience, then this year the iPad Air and iPad mini with a Retina display have almost identical hardware ( The iPad mini's processor runs at a slightly lower frequency and slows down faster under load to avoid overheating). The display resolution is also the same (2048 by 1536); the mini has a pixel density equal to that of the iPhone 5 – 326 ppi. The mini screen has a slightly smaller color gamut, but this will only be noticeable to professionals. Does this mean that you can take anyone? Or mini - because it's cheaper?

The most important differences are size (including screen size) and weight. Accordingly, you should choose Air or mini based on the intended use scenarios. Are you going to read a lot of books? iPad mini gives the same clear picture, but weighs less - it’s easier to read when holding it with one hand, for example in transport. But for magazines formatted for the iPad, the larger screen size of the Air will be more convenient - the font size in magazine applications, as a rule, cannot be changed, so reading on the small mini screen will strain your eyes more.

For games, perhaps, both tablets are “equally useful,” so no one bothers to take more compact version, if desired, using Apple TV you can “mirror” the screen on a large TV and actually play like on a console. For a “single” movie viewing there is also not much difference, but if you are going to watch a movie on the iPad together (on a trip, for example), then it is better to take the Air - placing the mini at a distance that is comfortable for both viewers is difficult.

If you plan to actively use the iPad for creative purposes and use it comfortably, there is no alternative to the iPad Air. Drawing, serious music software, typing texts - all this requires a large screen and the ability to most comfortably touch often small interface elements with your finger. If nothing like this is planned, and the tablet is purchased as an entertainment and communication (mail, Skype, FaceTime) device for use “on the go”, which you constantly carry with you while doing work on a laptop or PC, it is better to take a closer look at the iPad mini with Retina display.

Select volume

Apple charges customers 4,000 rubles for each “step” in memory capacity (32 – 64 – 128 GB) from the base 16 GB model, which at current prices for flash memory increasingly resembles a robbery, especially for the 32 GB model models. Some assumed (forgetting how capitalism works) that 16 GB of built-in storage in i-devices this fall would remain the lot of old budget models, and the capacity of new iPads starts from 32 GB at the price of the “old” 16. It did not happen.

At the same time, applications are becoming more and more “heavier” (including due to the need to use “retina” graphics), and space-consuming HD or Full HD video is becoming easier to download on the Internet. Because of all this, 16 gigabytes will fill up for a user who actively uses the tablet for media consumption very, very quickly. It makes sense to take the least capacious iPad Air or mini model only in order to save money and if you plan to store at least music (video is more difficult) on cloud services like iTunes Match or Google Play Music.

You can, of course, experiment with storing media on standalone wireless media that connect to the tablet via Wi-Fi, but you should remember that manufacturers have not yet offered a truly comfortable software solution for them, and the user experience is not yet up to par. In general, from our point of view, spending 4,000 rubles on a more capacious iPad model (32 GB) definitely makes sense - at least you can download a whole season of the series (or even a couple of them, if in standard quality) before your vacation.

At the same time, the 128 GB model is still the lot of the most fanatical content consumers or simply wealthy people who want to have the “best” everything. For most buyers, it makes the most sense to choose between a 32-gigabyte (in practice, this is enough for most users) and a 64-gigabyte (if you definitely store a lot of videos and music) models.

LTE or Wi-Fi only?

In new iPads with the module cellular communications(without it, a tablet of the same capacity will be 5,000 rubles cheaper) LTE support has appeared. Works with LTE-compatible SIM cards (requires nano-SIM format) from leading mobile operators, speed (subject to good coverage at a given point and an uncongested network) of several tens of megabits per download are quite achievable. True, judging by the reviews, there are not very many such points yet; fourth-generation networks in Russia are far from perfect.

Actually, if you use your iPad primarily at home, in an office, or in a cafe with Wi-Fi to access the Internet, then there is not much point in a cellular module. When the need nevertheless arises to access the Internet from your tablet, as they say, “in the open field,” you can always distribute the Internet from your smartphone. In addition, it is always easier to use and pay for one SIM card than two.

So an iPad with LTE makes sense only for those who regularly (say, at least a couple of hours a day) need Internet access that does not depend on the presence of Wi-Fi networks. By the way, in “access point” mode, such a tablet can work continuously, distributing the Internet to a laptop, smartphone and other devices, for almost a day. If you find frequent use of this use case, then you should also take a closer look at the LTE version.

Save wisely

The official Apple online store sells not only the latest tablet models. If your goal is to spend as little as possible, but at the same time buy Apple equipment officially, your choice will be from the year before last iPad 2 from 14,990 rubles and last year’s iPad mini from 11,990 rubles. Both are available only with a storage capacity of 16 gigabytes, and by adding another 5,000 rubles to the price, you can purchase a device with a 3G module that has access to the Network anywhere within the coverage of your cellular operator, and not just where there is Wi-Fi.

From our point of view, there is no point in buying an iPad 2 for that kind of money - the device, let us remind you, was released in 2011 and is already hopelessly outdated. But the iPad mini for 11,990 (and a little cheaper from “gray” sellers) is a good option for an “almost pocket” tablet for money that is ridiculous by Apple standards. Note that it is also available in the “space gray” color, new to Apple, which is indistinguishable from the Retina version.

Buy a case

Carrying an iPad with you all the time without at least protecting its screen is the right way After just a couple of months, every day you can admire the screen, disfigured by scratches. Apple offers branded polyurethane magnetic Smart Covers for iPad Air and iPad mini (RUB 1,599) and leather protective cases Smart Case (RUB 3,399). Yes, Smart Case costs the same as a budget Chinese Android tablet, very expensive for a case. In addition, the accessory adds quite a lot to the weight (145 grams for the iPad Air) and thickness (4 mm) of the device - it turns out that the iPad Air in the Smart Case weighs almost as much as last year’s massive and heavy iPad 4 without it. Personally, we prefer the Smart Cover - it’s lighter, thinner and doesn’t use killed animals (That is, leather. Or is it artificial for 3,400? Apple doesn’t specify).

If you care about charity or the color red, check out the PRODUCT(RED) series cases. The i-device manufacturer has long been collaborating with the charity project (RED), organized by U2 lead singer Bono. As part of (RED), Apple releases products in its signature red design. A percentage of proceeds goes to the Global Fund to fund AIDS programs in Africa.

Since November, residents of Russia can also participate in the program by ordering a gadget from the (PRODUCT) RED series from the Apple online store: iPod shuffle/nano/touch players, Smart Cover and Smart Case for iPad, as well as Bumber cover for iPhone.

If you don't limit yourself to Apple products, the range of security solutions for iPad is amazing. True, not all manufacturers have yet managed to prepare solutions for the new iPad Air form factor.

Take care of your ears

The new ones iPads are the best With built-in speakers in its class, the iPad Air is generally able to replace pocket Bluetooth speakers like Jambox mini. However, Apple does not put standard headphones in boxes with tablets (unlike players and smartphones). There is different options– you can go the way of fanatics and buy branded “ears” EarPods. But from our point of view, their price tag is greatly inflated. For 1,200 rubles you can buy a much more decent headset with insulating earplugs - at least you can listen to music on the subway. In EarPods on the subway you can only hear hard rock, and then only on maximum volume, and this is harmful to hearing. There are a lot of options, off the top of my head: JBL J22i, Sennheiser CX 275s, Skullcandy 50/50, AKG K 328.

The audio path of the iPad is unlikely to make lovers of “warm tube sound” reconsider their disdain for compact music gadgets, but you will certainly hear the difference between headphones for 3,000 rubles and 15,000 and may even be pleasantly surprised. If you view the iPad as a media player and are picky about sound quality, it makes sense to shell out for good (or even “smart”) “ears.”

Choose the right tools

If you are going to constantly download new music and (especially) videos obtained from the Internet onto your tablet, you need to remember: the implementation of this process on the iPad leaves much to be desired. The standard solution - adding media to the iTunes library (video - only in mp4/m4v or mov) on the computer, then synchronizing the tablet - will seem long and inconvenient for many.

You can make your life easier with the help of special programs. For example, to watch videos at home, if you have a PC and home network Wi-Fi, “streaming” using the Air Video application is perfect. And the free VLC video player allows you to upload movies in a variety of formats, including over Wi-Fi and bypassing iTunes. For quick “uploading” via cable, there’s still no escape from Apple’s proprietary “media combiner,” but at least you don’t need to add anything to the library in advance.

Want to turn your iPad into a typing tool? It's more real than you think. Do you want to draw? The Paper app is here to help, and its developers recently even released a special stylus to help you unlock the full potential of the iPad as a platform for professional image creation. The App Store has over a million applications and about 480,000 are written specifically for tablets. There will be no shortage.

In recent years, Apple has stopped numbering and giving any additions to the name of its tablets. As a result, the new iPad 2018, officially announced yesterday, is called... iPad. Simple user This can definitely be confusing, so in this text we will explain the differences between the iPad 2017 and iPad 2018, clarify their characteristics, and at the same time clarify some other points.

Let’s clarify one of them right away: Apple is now applying all its innovations in tablet hardware to the iPad Pro. But ordinary iPads, including the new product in question, are unremarkable in terms of hardware. They always get older and weaker hardware than the current iPad Pros have at the same time, but simple iPads are much cheaper.

Differences between iPad 2018 and iPad 2017

As you can understand from the previous paragraph: you shouldn’t expect any innovations from a regular iPad, even a 2018 model. If you want top-of-the-line hardware, look no further than the current iPad Pros or wait for the new iPad Pros this summer or fall. But what is remarkable about the iPad 2018 then and what are its characteristics?

The fundamental differences between the iPad 2018 and the iPad 2017 consist of only two points:

1. A10 processor (debut in iPhone 7 in 2016) instead of A9 (from iPhone 6S);
2. Support for the Apple Pencil stylus, which was previously only supported by the iPad Pro.

All. There are no other major differences. No different the following characteristics:

• Design;
• Display and its resolution (9.7 inches, 2048*1536 pixels, 264 PPI);
• Steodynamics;
• Dimensions (240*169.5*7.5 mm) and weight 469 g;
• Cameras. The main module with a resolution of 8 MPx and the front one with 1.2 MPx. Other camera specifications also remain the same;
• Set of sensors;
• Amount of RAM and permanent memory (2 GB and 32/128, respectively);
• Battery and stated time battery life(10 hours).

New live

Since the list of innovations is so meager, and all other characteristics do not differ at all, then let's pay a little more attention to the Apple A10 Fusion processor.

Differences between iPad 2018 and iPad Air 2

The most interesting thing is that the newest iPad 2018 does not look particularly advantageous even against the background of the old iPad Air 2, released in 2014. The differences between them are not that significant. By the way, just a year after Air 2 in 2015, there was a division into “budget” iPad and premium iPad Pro.

By the way, in some sources, including official ones, you can find the phrase “sixth generation iPad” in relation to the iPad 2018. This can be misleading, since the report here is based on the first four numbered iPads, which were released in 2010-2012, then both Airs are skipped, and the report resumes from last year, when the 2017 iPad came out.

Released in 2014, Air 2 is equipped with the most powerful A8X processor at that time, which in terms of performance is not very far behind the younger version A10, which was used in the iPad 2018.

Moreover, the Air 2 even retains some advantages over the iPad 2017 and 2018. In particular:

• Its thickness is only 6.1 mm versus 7.5 mm for current iPads;
• Air 2 is lighter (437 g versus 469);
• Air 2 is equipped with an additional anti-glare screen coating, which Apple has abandoned in modern “budget” iPads.

In terms of software, Air 2 is also still relevant. The future iOS 12, which has not yet been announced at the time of writing this text, should be compatible with the 2014 tablet.

Thus, the only serious advantages of the presented iPad 2018 over the model, which is already in its fifth year, is support for the Apple Pencil stylus and fast data transfer on LTE networks for versions of the tablet that support them.

Differences between iPad Pro and iPad 2018

Despite the fact that the new generation of iPad Pro 2018 has not even been presented yet, last year's iPad Pro is also quite confidently ahead of the iPad 2018 in terms of characteristics and capabilities. The main differences between the iPad Pro and the iPad 2018 are as follows (and all of them are not in favor of the simple iPad):

• A10X processor with six main cores;
• Twice more RAM (4 GB instead of 2);
• Built-in storage capacities of up to 256 and 512 GB (in a regular iPad the limit is 128 GB);
• Larger displays with 120Hz refresh rate (60Hz on the plain iPad);
• TrueTone technology, which adjusts the screen tint to the environment;
• Smart Connector, providing Smart Keyboard connection;
• Supports LTE speed 450 MB/s;
• Main camera 12 MPx with f/1.8 aperture instead of 8 MPx f/2.4;
• Front camera 7 MPx versus 1.2 MPx in iPad 2018;
• 4 speakers instead of two.

iPad Pro 10.5’’ (left) and iPad 2017/2018

However, some of these points can hardly be considered too compelling, and the price difference between a simple iPad and the most affordable Pro is almost twofold (25 and 47 thousand rubles, respectively).

What types and generations of iPad are relevant today?

So, Apple’s assortment currently includes an affordable iPad with a 9.7’’ display diagonal, which the company updated yesterday. There are also two iPad Pros with diagonals 10.5’’ and 12.9’’. The company uses the most advanced hardware in the Pro models, so their prices are significantly higher than the regular iPad. Apple's new iPad Pros should be expected in the summer or even fall.

Current Apple iPad lineup

Finally, there is also the iPad Mini with a diagonal of 7.9''. But if the company now updates other tablets annually, the Mini has not been updated since 2015, when its fourth version was shown (at that time Apple still numbered releases).

Moreover, according to rumors, there is no need to wait for an update for it, and the Mini itself will soon completely disappear from sale. The reason is that it is coming out with a huge screen at the end of this year and Cupertino doesn’t want the relatively cheap Mini to compete with it in any way.

Unboxing the new iPad 2018

In March 2019, Apple without much fanfare released the next update to its “air” tablet – iPad Air 3. Got the gadget latest processor from iPhone (A12) and support for branded accessories like Pencil and Smart Keyboard. How good is the new product compared to the similar size 1?

Dimensions and weight of iPad Air 3 (2019) and iPad Pro (2018)

The overall dimensions of the devices are approximately the same - Air 3 is slightly taller, thicker, but narrower than the Pro version - 250.6 mm × 174.1 mm × 6.1 mm versus 247.6 × 178.5 × 5.9 mm, respectively. The weight was also comparable - the iPad Pro on virtual scales in all versions produces 468 g, and “air” - 456 g (with Wi-Fi) and 464 g (with Wi-Fi and a 4G modem). In general, the differences here are more formal than real.

iPad Air 3 (2019)

iPad Pro (2018)

iPad Air 3 (2019) and iPad Pro (2018) display

Thanks to the narrow frames, the iPad Pro (2018) has the same dimensions as the iPad Air (2019), offering a screen with a slightly larger diagonal – 11 inches versus 10.5.

Another noticeable difference between the gadgets is that ProMotion technology never appeared in the Air. Let us remember that it debuted in the iPad Pro two years ago. The essence of ProMotion is that the screen with this function is updated more often, and as a result, the “picture” is perceived as smoother and more pleasing to the eye.

However, the Air still got a very, very good display - with support for an expanded color gamut and TrueTone technology (adjusts the white balance on the screen to the lighting conditions at the moment).

On both the Air and Pro, the picture is very clear - 264 pixels per inch know their stuff.

Performance of iPad Air 3 (2019) and iPad Pro (2018)

Like the iPhones introduced in September 2018, the new iPad Air is powered by Apple's latest chip, the A12 Bionic processor with Neural Engine technology. In the coming years, its computing power will be more than enough for augmented reality applications, games and photo editors.

The iPad Pro received an A12X processor created specifically for the top line of Apple tablets. Additional features will come in handy if you plan to work with really “heavy” applications like 3D modeling programs.

Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support

Apple is true to itself - the company does first new technology exclusive on top gadgets, and then gradually adds it to more affordable lines. So the iPad Air 3 (2019) received support for Pencil for the first time in history (but it was the 2nd generation, not the first). Now on the new tablet you can not only draw, but also do it comfortably - double tapping on the “pencil” will allow you to switch between drawing tools on the go, rather than closing them and then opening them again.

The Air is also compatible with the compact Smart Keyboard – it connects to the tablet via the proprietary Smart Connector port.

It should be separately noted that it is the Smart Keyboard that is compatible with the “air” gadget – there will be no connection with the Smart Keyboard Folio (this accessory covers both the front and back panels of the iPad). The latter will only work with the Pro version of the Apple tablet.

iPad Air 3 (2019) and iPad Pro (2018) buttons and connectors

iPad Air 3 exactly repeats the set and arrangement of buttons and connectors on the iPad Air 2, namely the volume control, power (sleep) and Home buttons with Touch ID.

The device retained the 3.5 mm audio input, the Lightning interface and received a Smart Connector.

In turn, the iPad Pro (2018) lost the audio jack, the Home button, and Lightning was replaced by USB-C. There are additional microphones and a magnetic surface for mounting and Apple chargers Pencil 2.

iPad Air 3 (2019) and iPad Pro (2018) cameras

The iPad Pro (2018) has a more advanced photo module - a 12-megapixel main camera with f/1.8 and a four-element TrueTone LED flash to create uniform illumination in the picture.

All that the iPad Air 3 (2019) can boast in this regard is an old 8-megapixel camera with an f/2.5 aperture. As they say, “no complaints.”

What about the “front-facing”? Both tablets have a 7-megapixel camera – but the Pro version has TrueDepth technology with support for Face ID and portrait mode.

User authentication on iPad Air 3 (2019) and iPad Pro (2018)

The iPad Air still has a Home button with a Touch ID sensor built into it - so authentication happens the old fashioned way, through a fingerprint. But the iPad Pro, of course, already has Face ID - to unlock the tablet, just look at it.