iPad Air Teardown: A12 Bionic Processor With 3GB of RAM, Bluetooth 5 and Larger Battery, But Lacks ProMotion Display Tech

[recoil80]

All in all, it is a good buy for us who use tablets as secondary devices, for browsing, entertainment and such. I see this as a good buy. I couldn't care less about bezels and 120 Hz display.

I really like Pro Motion and that could be a reason for buying a 10.5 iPad pro instead of the new iPad Air. Same keyboard, same pencil but different display. I wouldn't buy a pro and spend the extra money for FaceID and the new pencil, but if I found a good deal on a 2017 Pro I'd rather buy it instead of the new Air for the display alone

 

[69Mustang]

I agree - my 2017 iPad Pro 12.5, at least so far, has given me no issues the last 16 months since I purchased it. It doesn't bend so easily, has a phone jack, and still has touch id. I have no interest in face id - it's more expensive, and I honestly don't want my eyes bombarded by IR radiation. The only improvement I'd like would be to expand touch id to the whole display rather than just the home button, and to be able to use the newer pencil with it. The old pencil charging method - inserting it into the lightning port - is awkward. I guess I should knock on wood, as others in this thread have mentioned some issues with the 2017 models. I think the best buy on a MBP right now is for the 2015 models, the last with the older keyboard model or flimsy display cables causing the "stage light" effect. Neither of those "features" would have been necessary if Apple wasn't so focused on thin.

I purchased the 2015 MBP in 2017. Never regretted it. The 12.9 iPP is on sale at B&H right now, so it's an even better value.

 

[hinesmj]

What’s the point of this iPad? I can’t see any.

For people like me, who use this sparingly as an e-reader, streaming device, browsing, etc. I don't need something to replace my work laptop. I need a simple to use, speedy and reliable tablet. This is perfect and I plan on picking one up to replace my original iPad Air.

 

[Rogifan]

To offer something more affordable under the ‘Pro line’. Considering everything it’s offering, it’s fairly competitive in features and it has first Gen Apple Pencil support. The 10.5 is like the perfect median of a size of an iPad that’s not too large or too small either.

But it’s not under the ‘Pro’ line.
[doublepost=1554303613][/doublepost]

For people like me, who use this sparingly as an e-reader, streaming device, browsing, etc. I don't need something to replace my work laptop. I need a simple to use, speedy and reliable tablet. This is perfect and I plan on picking one up to replace my original iPad Air.

Why this over the $329 iPad?

 

[BaracksPhallusPalace]

using this thing in the apple store with the 60hz display was painful. If that's not enough to go with the 2017 IPP, the Pro also has 1Gb more memory so it will likely run iOS better in the long run. Judging by the lack of QC with the 2018 IPP (bending, display issues) the 2017 IPP is still probably the best iPad ever made.

 

[G5isAlive]

But it’s not under the ‘Pro’ line.
[doublepost=1554303613][/doublepost]
Why this over the $329 iPad?

The Air has a better screen, and the OP says he likes to stream... plus, a better processor, more ram, more storage, makes it more future proof. Having said that, the $329 is a reasonable device.

 

[ajfahey]

Would love to know your definition of 'marginal.' More Ram, much faster graphics and cpu, more base storage, pencil support versus none, more battery, better display (True Tone and larger), brighter display, wider gamut, Smart Keyboard support versus none, better bluetooth, better wifi, better FaceTime camera...

The only thing that wasn't drastically improved was the form factor. And the only new features missing, FaceID, ProMotion, Pencil Gen 2, and quad speakers, can be had for a mere $300 more.

Marginal? I must have missed the /s

All improvements are, definitionally, marginal. The key issue is the size of the margin. The current incarnation of the iPad Pro is marginally faster than the iPad Air 2. The margin is 2.78 times as fast, according to GeekBench, a margin of 178%.

 

[G5isAlive]

All improvements are, definitionally, marginal. The key issue is the size of the margin. The current incarnation of the iPad Pro is marginally faster than the iPad Air 2. The margin is 2.78 times as fast, according to GeekBench, a margin of 178%.

You might want to check your dictionary because I think you are trying to obfuscate the vernacular.

According to Webster, " limited in extent, significance, or stature". i.e. size matters, and is not limitless as you imply.

But if you are right ( you aren't) then what purpose did the OP have in leaving a statement of obvious 'there are changes.'

 

[Emanuel Rodriguez]

The smart connector functionality is also very useful for those wanting it for laptop replacement...(bluetooth keyboards don't have the seamless functionality)

Yes, that definitely was part of the reason I started recommending them. Bluetooth keyboards all (as far as I know) have to be separately charged, which is quite inconvenient, especially in a large deployment.

 

[Jamers99]

So Apple can put BlueTooth 5.0 in the new iPad but not in the 2019 iMac?

 

[PickUrPoison]

So Apple can put BlueTooth 5.0 in the new iPad but not in the 2019 iMac?

Can, but didn’t. I think they didn’t upgrade the motherboard with this update.

I suppose they thought they wouldn’t sell any fewer if they kept 4.2. Which is probably true.

 

[terpsbball2002]

A marginal improvement over the iPad Air 2 from 2014.

Okay, I dislike a lot of of what Apple does, but come on. I have a air 2 and it's slooooooow compared to my iPad Pro 10.5. The new iPad mini with a A12 smokes the Air 2.

 

[Mainsail]

I just purchased a new iPad Air 2019. I thing it is a pretty good value: Larger screen, A12 Bionic, Laminated Display, 64 GB storage, with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support.....all for $499. If you want a basic iPad and need more than 32 GB of storage, the Air is a pretty good option, since it is only $70 more than the entry level iPad with more storage.

I understand that some stores are getting rid of inventory of older Pro models for about the same price, and some people might want to consider these deals while they last. That’s great for now.

In the long run, I think the new Air will occupy a sweet spot for many iPad buyers.

 

[hinesmj]

But it’s not under the ‘Pro’ line.
[doublepost=1554303613][/doublepost]
Why this over the $329 iPad?

Well, I'd like to know it has at least a little bit more horsepower for longevity. I also like the bigger screen.