iPad iPad Air 2 replacement suggestions

[O.N.Y.X]

Since my iPad Air 2 is showing more and more signs of age I’m asking the experts on this forum on what newer model to replace it with. The Air 2 still works well enough but the battery doesn’t cut it anymore and will die after 1-2 days of light use. I don’t want to invest money into a new battery, so my question is... what replacement model would you recommend?

My options are

1) the most recent Air 4
2) the 11 inch Pro, 2018 model
3) the 11 inch Pro, 2020 model (obviously most expensive)

My main usage scenarios:

• I keep all my manuals and most magazines if available in digital format on my iPad
• particularly during the summer months I use a GoPro to record outdoor activities, I’d like to edit and play those videos on my iPad
• I’m quite “audiophile”, depending on the quality of the built in speakers I might listen to music or watch movies on my iPad
• surfing the web, emailing and other minor stuff

Mom has an iPad Air 4 which is really nice but I don’t know how it compares to the (more expensive) Pros. Also: Would it make sense to wait for an even newer iPad?
Thanks for your replies!

 

[1BadManVan]

Air 4 would work great for you. As great as the speakers are on the pro, they are certainly not audiophile comparable. The air 4 still has great stereo speakers and is a huge upgrade over your current air

 

[one more]

As great as the speakers are on the pro, they are certainly not audiophile comparable.

I agree a 100%, we cannot physically achieve a good sound coming out of something as small as a phone, tablet or laptop, for that matter. Simple physical sound membranes limitations. However, the sound cards in all these devices are quite decent, so I would not worry about iPad speakers and invest into some good audio gear (headphones or speakers).

For your main question, you will have a great upgrade to your Air 2 with either of your listed options. You just need to calculate your real storage needs.

 

[Falhófnir]

I also think you'd probably get on well with the Air 4, though maybe worth looking around. There's quite a lot of sales on the Pro at the moment, so if you want 128GB or more the Pro might make sense vs the 256GB Air. It might be good to have >64GB if you're editing and storing videos on the iPad?

 

[O.N.Y.X]

The speakers on my mom’s Air 4 are a huge leap in quality compared to my Air 2 (yes, I guessed that lol). Is there are substantial difference between the Air 4 and the Pros that would justify the higher price?

 

[O.N.Y.X]

I also think you'd probably get on well with the Air 4, though maybe worth looking around. There's quite a lot of sales on the Pro at the moment, so if you want 128GB or more the Pro might make sense vs the 256GB Air. It might be good to have >64GB if you're editing and storing videos on the iPad?

128 GB would be the absolute minimum for videos. I ran out of space quickly on my 64 GB iPhone 11 pro doing some short-clip (4K resolution) editing. Longer clips will not be stored on the iPad.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Is there are substantial difference between the Air 4 and the Pros that would justify the higher price?

The iPad Pro has quad speakers. The iPad Air 4 only has dual speakers.

 

[Falhófnir]

128 GB would be the absolute minimum for videos. I ran out of space quickly on my 64 GB iPhone 11 pro doing some short-clip (4K resolution) editing. Longer clips will not be stored on the iPad.

I'd certainly look between the 128GB Pro and 256GB Air then, here both those models are comparably priced with the Pro on sale (Air still seems to be too new to get much discount). Pro would have better speakers and 120Hz display, Air more storage space.

 

[960design]

My options are
1) the most recent Air 4
2) the 11 inch Pro, 2018 model
3) the 11 inch Pro, 2020 model (obviously most expensive)

I would replace it with a current gen iPad at $329.

iPad 10.9-inch (10th generation)

iPad has an all-screen Liquid Retina display, the A14 Bionic chip and four color options. And it supports the Magic Keyboard Folio.

www.apple.com

It has a 10.2 inch display and should be a significant improvement from the Air 2.
Price wise the 10.2 at $329 vs the Air at $539. I have an iPad Pro 11, but use headphones 99% of the time.

 

[brerlappin]

If you can find one, the iPad Air 3

 

[O.N.Y.X]

If you can find one, the iPad Air 3

Like the Air 2 it should be good for at least 3 years, better 4+ years.

 

[ACG12]

Wait for the 9th gen iPad that’s coming out this year if you want to keep using a home button. It’s going to have the Air 3 display and possibly the A13 processor (at the minimum A12).

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Good point, i like the home button more than the face recognition on my iPhone. Based on the comments here i’m leaning a bit towards the iPad Air 4, 256 GB. I might not have enough patience waiting for the 9th gen model because of the worn battery of my Air 2. Do we have any presumed release dates for the new models?

 

[Apple_Robert]

For sound, I would go with the iPad Pro. Outside of that, the iPad Air would fit the bill just fine.

 

[rui no onna]

Good point, i like the home button more than the face recognition on my iPhone. Based on the comments here i’m leaning a bit towards the iPad Air 4, 256 GB. I might not have enough patience waiting for the 9th gen model because of the worn battery of my Air 2. Do we have any presumed release dates for the new models?

I don't think you can go wrong with either Air 4 or iPad Pro.

If 256GB storage is sufficient, I'm inclined to go with the Air 4. The Apple A14 is Apple's latest chipset. Since it's on 5nm process and has fewer CPU and GPU cores, long term battery wear will likely be less than the more power-hungry A12X/Z-based iPad Pros.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Thanks again for all your opinions, i just ordered an Air 4

 

[one more]

Do we have any presumed release dates for the new models?

iPads usually follow March & October update cycles.