The tenth era iPad comes with a whole lot of nice updates, however the ninth era iPad continues to be within the lineup and the 2022 iPad Air must also be thought-about. Nevertheless, the iPad 10 could supply the candy spot of recent options at an reasonably priced value. Beneath, we’ll analyze all of the similarities and variations between the iPad 10 and 9 and the iPad Air that will help you determine which one is the only option.
The 2022 iPad Air blurs the road between extra reasonably priced iPad and Professional fashions, motivating many individuals to skip the 11-inch iPad Professional. However the entry-level iPad 9 carries on the previous design with its giant bezels and residential button.
Now that the iPad 10 comes at a cheaper price than Apple’s newest slim-bezel design and most of the identical options because the iPad Air, it is more likely to flip clients away from each the iPad Professional and Air.
Associated:
Let’s dig into what you get with the iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air. In all charts beneath, iPad 10 is within the center column, iPad 9 on the left and iPad Air on the precise.
iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air
efficiency

In its announcement, Apple targeted on enhancements from iPad 9 to 10. With the A13 to A14 Bionic improve, the corporate touts his CPU pace as 20% sooner and the neural engine 80% sooner.
iPad9 | iPad10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
chips | A13 Bionic | A14 Bionic | M1 |
CPU core | 6 | 6 | 8 |
GPU core | 4 | 4 | 8 |
neural engine core | 8 | 16 | 16 |
depository | 64GB or 256GB | 64GB or 256GB | 64GB or 256GB |
RAM | 3GB | 4GB | 8GB |
USB-C | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
mobile | 4G | 5G | 5G |
The 2022 iPad Air, alternatively, has the M1 chip. This features a extra highly effective 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. Nevertheless, except you are utilizing your iPad laborious for pro-level workflows like video modifying or graphic design, you could not want or discover the M1 chip improve.
display

The iPad 10 will get nearly the identical show because the dearer iPad Air. It is a 10.9 inch Liquid Retina panel with a decision of 2360 x 1640. Different specs embody 500 nits brightness, True Tone and slim bezels.
The three essential options that the iPad Air lacks on the iPad 10 are P3 Vast Coloration, anti-reflective coating and laminated show.
However for most individuals, the iPad 10’s upgraded show will probably be nice 😁.
iPad9 | iPad10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
display | 10.2 inches | 10.9 inch | 10.9 inch |
Decision | 2160×1620 | 2360×1640 | 2360×1640 |
PPI (pixels per inch) | 264 | 264 | 264 |
show brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits | 500 nits |
true tone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
P3 huge coloration | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Promotion (120Hz) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
anti-reflection coating | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Totally laminated show | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Customary Retina show | ✅ | – | – |
Liquid Retina show | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Connectivity and equipment

iPad 10 comes with the all-new Magic Keyboard Folio, which affords nice options over the dearer Magic Keyboard for iPad Professional/Air.
The draw back, nonetheless, is that the iPad 10 continues to be restricted to the primary era Apple Pencil. Which means a USB-C to Lightning adapter is included for a clunky charging expertise.
iPad Air works with all the identical Apple equipment as iPad Professional. This consists of the 2nd era Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Sensible Keyboard Folio.
The iPad 10 and iPad Air nonetheless use Contact ID, nevertheless it’s within the prime button as an alternative of the house button.
iPad9 | iPad10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
Apple Pencil assist | 1st era | 1st era | 2nd era |
Magic keyboard assist | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Magic Keyboard Folio assist | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
5G | ❌ | ✅ (however no mmWave) | ✅ (however no mmWave) |
Wi-Fi 6 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Thunder | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
USB-C | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ 3.1 Gen 2 |
lightning strike | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
contact ID | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
facial recognition | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
One other improve for the iPad 10 is the change to USB-C. Apple does not element in its tech specs whether or not it is USB 3.1 Gen 2 for the iPad 10 just like the iPad Air makes use of.
Just like the iPhone SE 3, the iPad 10 and iPad Air don’t assist mmWave 5G in mobile fashions. However mmWave is essentially the most uncommon model of his 5G protection, so it in all probability will not matter to most individuals.
splash of coloration

If the colour of your subsequent iPad is essential to you, the iPad 10 and iPad Air have extra selections.
The iPad 10 is available in silver, pink, blue and yellow. iPad Air is out there in 4 colours: Area Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple and Blue.
The iPad 9 is simply obtainable in house grey and silver.
iPad 10 vs 9 vs Air battery life
The iPad 10 has the identical battery life because the iPad 9 and iPad Air.
- 10 hours of net or video use on WiFi
- 9 hours of net use on cell
storage and value
This is a breakdown of the value distinction (MSRP) for these three iPads: Nevertheless, the iPad Air has been in the marketplace for a while, so you’ll be able to generally discover it at a reduced value.
iPad9 | iPad10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
64GB Wi-Fi | $329 | $449 | $599 |
64GB + cells | $459 | $599 | $749 |
256GB Wi-Fi | $479 | $599 | $749 |
256GB + cells | $609 | $749 | $899 |
digicam

You should utilize the identical rear digicam as Air’s iPad 10, which makes use of a 12MP wide-angle lens. The iPad 9 has a barely much less succesful 8MP rear huge digicam.
One other cool change first launched on iPad is the addition of a panorama entrance digicam to the tenth era mannequin, making video calling much more handy.
iPad9 | iPad10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
8MP huge rear lens | ✅ | – | – |
12MP huge rear lens | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sensible HDR 3 for images | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
rear digicam flash | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
4K video | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
prolonged dynamic vary | ✅ | ✅ | |
sluggish movement video | 720p at 120fps | 1080p at as much as 240 fps | 1080p at as much as 240 fps |
Extremely-wide 12MP entrance digicam | ✅ | – | ✅ |
Panorama ultra-wide 12MP digicam | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
2x optical zoom out | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
middle stage auto monitoring | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Horizontal two-speaker audio | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
By way of audio system, the iPad 10 and Air use the identical horizontal two-speaker system, whereas the iPad 9 makes use of a extra primary two-speaker system.
iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air conclusion

Causes to purchase an iPad 10
Contemplating all of the similarities and variations, the iPad 10 may very well be an amazing selection for most individuals. At its common value, it is $150 lower than the iPad Air and has nearly all the very best options.
The iPad 10 is out there now from Apple, Amazon, Finest Purchase, and extra.
Why purchase an iPad 9 or iPad Air
If you need essentially the most reasonably priced iPad with a 10-inch display for primary use, however do not thoughts the previous design, the iPad 9 is for you.
If you may be pushing your pill to its limits frequently, the iPad Air with its M1 chip is perhaps extra interesting. However actually, in the event you’re an influence person or would-be energy person, you may need an iPad with as much as 16GB of RAM, as much as 2TB of storage, a 120Hz ProMotion show, and Thunderbolt assist. Professional could also be higher.
Nevertheless, if you’ll find the iPad Air on the market, it may very well be extra interesting.
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