IPad Air (4th generation) explained

iPad Air (4th generation)
Aka:iPad Air 4, iPad Air (10.9-inch)
Developer:Apple Inc.
Manufacturer:Foxconn
Family:iPad Air
Type:Tablet computer
Generation:4th
Os:Original: iPadOS 14
Soc:Apple A14 Bionic with 64-bit architecture and embedded motion co-processor
Cpu:Hexa-core (2× 3.1GHz Firestorm and 4× 1.82GHz Icestorm)
Memory:4 GB[1]
Storage:64 or 256GB flash memory
Display:10.9inches (2,360 x 1,640) px (264 ppi), 500-nits Max Brightness, Wide-Color Display (P3), True Tone Display, Fully Laminated Display, 1.8% Reflectivity and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support
Graphics:Apple-designed 4-core
Sound:Stereo speakers
Input:Multi-touch screen, headset controls, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, digital compass, dual microphone, Touch ID fingerprint reader, barometer
Power:28.6 W·h lithium-polymer battery
Camera:Front: 7 MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture, burst mode, timer mode, exposure control, face detection, Smart HDR, wide-color capture, auto image stabilization, Retina flash, 1080p HD video recording
Rear: 12 MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture, five-element lens, burst mode, timer mode, exposure control, noise reduction, face detection, Hybrid IR filter, Live Photos with stabilization, Autofocus with Focus Pixels, face detection, Smart HDR, panorama, wide-color capture, auto image stabilization, 2160p 4K 60fps video recording, video stabilization, slo-mo, time-lapse
Dimensions:9.74 inches (247.6 mm);(h)
7 inches (178.5 mm);(w)
0.24 inch (6.1 mm);(d)
Weight:Wi-Fi:
1.0 pound (458 grams)
Wi-Fi + Cellular:
1.01 pounds (460 grams)
Predecessor:iPad Air (3rd generation)
Price:$599 USD
£579 GBP
€649 EUR
$779 CAD
$879 SGD
$899 AUD
R11 500 ZAR
₹54 900 INR
Service: App Store, iTunes Store, iBookstore, iCloud, Game Center
Successor:iPad Air (5th generation)

The iPad Air (4th generation), informally referred to as iPad Air 4, is a tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced by Apple on September 15, 2020. Pre-orders began on October 16, 2020, and shipping began a week later on October 23, 2020 alongside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. The device closely resembles the design of the 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation) and has several features that were previously exclusive to the iPad Pro line, such as support for Magic Keyboard and the second-generation Apple Pencil. It is available in five colors: Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue.

The 4th generation iPad Air was discontinued on March 8, 2022, following the announcement of its successor, the iPad Air (5th generation).

Features

Hardware

The Apple A14 Bionic SoC has 11.9 billion transistors inside, allowing for higher efficiency in terms of both power and performance. The chip has a 6-core CPU that is 40 percent faster than the A12, a 4-core GPU that is 30 percent faster, and Apple's 16-core Neural Engine, which is twice as fast and features improved machine learning.[2] The Neural Engine can process more than 11 trillion operations per second.[3]

It has a wider 60Hz[4] 10.9-inch 2360 by 1640 Liquid Retina Display display with 3.8 million pixels. The display is laminated and has an anti-reflective coating, as well as featuring wide color and True Tone.[5]

The Home Button in the previous generation has been removed, as has the headphone jack; the Touch ID sensor has been relocated to the Sleep/Wake button attached on the top right edge of the device.[6] Landscape stereo audio effect is also added to the system's audio recording system.[7]

It features a rear 12MP camera capable of 4K video recording at up to 60fps as well as a 7MP FaceTime camera capable of 1080p 60fps video.[8]

The hardware specifications of the iPad Air (4th generation) are comparable to those of the iPad (10th generation). However, the iPad Air lacks 5G cellular data and Center Stage front camera support, whereas the iPad (10th generation) lacks a P3 Wide Color display, Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support, and Smart Keyboard Folio support.[9]

Connectivity

With the release of its fourth-generation iPad Air, Apple discontinued the proprietary Lightning port in favor of a universal USB-C port that is used for charging as well as connecting external devices and accessories. The port is capable of transferring up to 5 Gbit/s (625 MB/s), allowing for fast connections to cameras and external storage, as well as support for monitors with up to 4K resolution.[10] For wireless connection, the device comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 6 (802.11ax).[11]

It is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard for iPad, and Smart Keyboard Folio.[12]

Reception

Apple's fourth-generation iPad Air has drawn criticism for being more expensive than its predecessor. In general, though, the iPad Air 4 has been widely praised by consumers and tech reviewers alike, with Henry T. Casey of Tom's Guide saying it is "the best tablet for most people" and "one of the best iPads ever,"[13] and with James Peckham of TechRadar calling it "a phenomenally well-made tablet."[14] PCMag.com included the iPad Air (4th generation) in its Best Tech Products of the Year list in 2020 and awarded it their Editors' Choice for high-end tablets.[15]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple was praised for keeping Touch ID integrated into the power button instead of Face ID, because early on in the pandemic, Face ID was unable to work when a user was wearing a face covering.[16] [17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: iPad Air 4 benchmark results emerge on the web as Apple reportedly prepares A14 Apple TV [U]]. Filipe. Espósito. October 4, 2020.
  2. Web site: iPad Air : Completely Redesigned, Available Now. 2021-06-20. MacRumors. en.
  3. Web site: September 16, 2020. Jonny Evans. There's something in the iPad Air for enterprise IT. Computerworld. May 28, 2021. October 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201027141008/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3575489/there-s-something-in-the-ipad-air-for-enterprise-it.html. live.
  4. Web site: September 15, 2020. Jason Cross. iPad Air (2020): Seven things you need to know about Apple's redesigned tablet. Macworld. May 28, 2021. May 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210529023501/https://www.macworld.com/article/234584/ipad-air-2020-faq-specs-features-price-design-release-date.html. live.
  5. Web site: iPad Air 4 (2020) review. September 9, 2015. TechRadar. James Peckham. February 28, 2021.
  6. Web site: Warren. Tom. 2020-09-15. Apple announces new iPad Air that looks more like an iPad Pro, starting at $599. 2020-09-15. The Verge. en.
  7. Web site: October 27, 2020. Sascha Segan. Apple iPad Air (2020) Review. PCMag. May 28, 2021. March 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325115920/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-ipad-air-2020. live.
  8. Web site: iPad Air (4th generation) - Technical Specifications . 2022-06-19 . support.apple.com.
  9. Web site: IPad - Compare Models .
  10. Web site: All-new iPad Air with advanced A14 Bionic chip available to order starting today . . October 16, 2020 . Apple.com . Apple, Inc . 2021-05-28 . A USB-C port comes to iPad Air for up to 5 Gbps data transfer, which is 10 times faster, for connecting to cameras, hard drives, and external monitors up to 4K..
  11. Web site: iPad Air - Technical Specifications. 2021-07-14. Apple. en.
  12. Web site: September 19, 2020. Arjun Sha. 15 Best iPad Air (4th Gen) Accessories You Can Buy. Beebom. May 28, 2021. October 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201026094448/https://beebom.com/best-ipad-air-4th-gen-accessories/. live.
  13. Web site: May 2021. Henry T. Casey 19. 2021-05-19. Apple iPad Air (2020) review: The best tablet for most people. 2021-07-29. Tom's Guide. en.
  14. Web site: June 2021. James Peckham 07. 2021-06-07. iPad Air 4 (2020) review. 2021-07-29. TechRadar. en.
  15. Web site: Apple iPad Air (2020) Review. 2021-07-29. PCMAG. en.
  16. Web site: Tibken . Shara . iPhone 12 and the Touch ID button: Why Apple probably won't give it to us this year . CNET . October 13, 2020 . October 21, 2020.
  17. Web site: Collins . Katie . Our masks make Face ID useless. iPhone 12 did nothing to fix it . CNET . October 20, 2020 . October 20, 2020.