iPad Air 4 vs iPad Air 5
The iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 share a badge but not a lineup, and that difference shows up in the spec sheet. The scorecard favors the iPad Air 5, which leads in 2 of 5 areas. Its strongest showing is in the performance category.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance iPad Air 5 wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Cameras iPad Air 5 wins
- Battery & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display1.7
- Performance0.0
- Memory & Storage3.3
- Cameras6.7
- Battery & Connectivity4.3
- Display1.7
- Performance9.0
- Memory & Storage3.3
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPad Air 5 has 4 more GPU cores
The iPad Air 5 clearly leads on gpu cores, and 8 versus 4 is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. More GPU cores mean more graphics muscle for games, video editing and 3D apps.
-
The iPad Air 5 has 2 more CPU cores
On cpu cores, the iPad Air 5 posts 8 against 6 for the iPad Air 4, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Core count is only part of the picture, since chip design and clock speeds also shape performance.
-
The iPad Air 5 has a sharper 12 MP front camera
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 12 MP for the iPad Air 5 versus 7 MP for the iPad Air 4. A sharper front camera makes you look clearer on video calls and online classes.
Design & Size
- iPad Air 4 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Air 5 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
Size won’t decide this one: the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 have very similar dimensions. The scale doesn’t pick a winner between these two.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.24 in |
| Weight | 16.16 oz | 16.26 oz |
Display
Too close to call
On display, the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 are effectively level. The display verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Performance
iPad Air 5 leads
Look at the performance table and one name keeps coming out on top: the iPad Air 5. Choose the iPad Air 5 and you get 4 more GPU cores. The iPad Air 5’s extra GPU cores are most noticeable in demanding games and pro creative apps. For performance, the iPad Air 5 is the one to beat.
GPU cores
iPad Air 4: 4 iPad Air 5: 8 If you mainly read, browse and stream, the GPU gap is unlikely to affect you much.
CPU cores
iPad Air 4: 6 iPad Air 5: 8 For browsing and streaming, core count rarely matters; for creative work, the iPad Air 5’s extra cores give more headroom.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Neither the iPad Air 4 nor the iPad Air 5 has a real advantage in the memory & storage category. The takeaway: memory & storage is not where these two differ.
Accessories & Productivity
We don’t score this area directly, because the accessories & productivity specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Cameras
iPad Air 5 leads
By a small margin, the iPad Air 5 is the stronger of the two in this area. The iPad Air 5 takes this one with a sharper 12 MP front camera. Resolution isn’t everything for video calls, but a higher starting point helps in good light. Weighing only cameras, the iPad Air 5 comes out ahead.
Front camera
iPad Air 4: 7 MP iPad Air 5: 12 MP If your tablet doubles as a video-call device, the iPad Air 5’s front camera is the more useful one.
Battery & Connectivity
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on battery & connectivity; the numbers are close throughout. Bottom line for battery & connectivity: it’s a wash.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10.9 in | 10.9 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Liquid Retina (LCD) |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2360 x 1640 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A14 Bionic | M1 |
| CPU cores | 6 Fewest CPU cores | 8 (winner) |
| GPU cores | 4 Fewest GPU cores | 8 (winner) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Max storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 14 | iPadOS 15 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 12 MP (winner) |
| Front camera position | Portrait edge | Portrait edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.6 Wh | 28.6 Wh |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.24 in |
| Weight | 16.16 oz | 16.26 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air 4 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 | $599 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 cost the same.
Launch prices in the US as of March 2022; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air 4 if…
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the iPad Air 5 if…
- you want more graphics power (8 vs 4)
- you want more processing muscle (8 vs 6 cores)
- you spend a lot of time on video calls (12 MP vs 7 MP front camera)
- you find that the improvements in the iPad Air 5 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPad Air 4 or the iPad Air 5?
On the specs compared here, the iPad Air 5 makes more sense for most buyers; the iPad Air 4 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Air 4 to the iPad Air 5?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the iPad Air 5 offers 4 more GPU cores, 2 more CPU cores and a sharper 12 MP front camera compared with the iPad Air 4.
Does the iPad Air 4 last longer on a charge than the iPad Air 5?
On paper, the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Is the iPad Air 4 bigger than the iPad Air 5?
Neither by much. The iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the iPad Air 4 perform better than the iPad Air 5?
Going by the specs, the iPad Air 5 comes out ahead: it offers 4 more GPU cores and 2 more CPU cores.
Which has the better camera, the iPad Air 4 or the iPad Air 5?
The iPad Air 5 has the edge for photography, offering a sharper 12 MP front camera.
Executive Summary
When I compare the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5, I try to ignore the names and look only at what changes. I’d put 4 more GPU cores at the top of the list, and it belongs to the iPad Air 5. Add a sharper 12 MP front camera to the list, and the iPad Air 5 looks even better.
Who should get which? The iPad Air 4 for the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the iPad Air 5 for performance.
My pick: the iPad Air 5.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.