I recently bought the Air, I like it, but I am thinking about exchanging it for the Pro. I can’t get Touch ID to work well (I work on cars and it seems like my hands are always dry and maybe the skin changes at different times). The main reason for the change would be for Face ID. I’m looking for someone who has had experience with both, is the Pro a noticeably better iPad than the air in every day use? Thanks!
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iPad Pro 2020 Air VS Pro
- Thread starter BullittMustang
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The Pro has 4 speakers, a better camera, smaller bezels which makes the Pro .1” bigger, also with ProMotion.
Yes, I would go for the iPad Pro instead of the iPad Air 4.
Try to add same finger several times. It also takes about a week for Touch ID to learn and work better...
I'd wait just a bit, just found another rumor: https://pocketnow.com/apple-reporte...-to-launch-new-ipads-and-possibly-airtags-too
Is Face ID worth an extra $200? I dont think so at all. I have an Air 4 and a new 2020 12.9 iPad Pro. Selling the Pro, keeping the Air and pocketing over $400.
Hey man, I buy the Pro version iPhone for the telephoto lens. It it worth it, OH HELL NO, but you do what you gotta do. If OP can't get Touch ID to work for him, well...
I don't have experience with both. There are several long threads on these forums that address this comparison. My take: If 64gb is sufficient, the base Air is probably the best value. If 64 is not sufficient and 128gb is, then the whole value issue becomes much more murky. I don't think the differences in processors will make much difference for the vast majority of user. The A14 is faster with somethings, the A12z with others. The Pro has the promotion display, better speakers, better camera (if that matters to you), ad LIDAR (if that matters to you). Both are really nice devices but if the touch ID is not working well for you, the face detection in the Pro is probably going to be the most important factor.
Return the air
Get the Pro now or in March. That’s up to you. But it’s way better than the air due to Face ID & 120hz
Get the Pro now or in March. That’s up to you. But it’s way better than the air due to Face ID & 120hz
It is not only faceId tho.
plus it’s the primary means of interacting with the device. Worth it.
to put it in perspective I find it a pain in the ass to double click the button for Apple Pay, would never go for touchId in button over faceID
OP if the power button Touch ID does not work for you, then you kind of have to accept using PIN or get an ipad pro 11. Touch ID on my Air 4 works flawlessly on mine, so not sure why your getting issues. If you get the Pro then at least you get 120 mhz Pro-motion and face id, but you will miss out on the classier/newer/snappier and more efficient A14 bionic in the Air 4.
Yes, and I like the cleaner look of the back of the air, with no antenna lines. Looks like the pro even has them on the WiFi only version. I’ve got another week or so to make my decision.
Thanks for the tip. I added the same fingerprint again without deleting the previous one, it now works MUCH better. Now my decision to exchange gets harder!
Do have in mind that Touch ID and Face ID both have their pros and cons. Neither is perfect.
TouchID does fail when your finger's skin texture changes (too dry, wet). However when it works it is faster compared to FaceID. FaceID is slower and sometimes fails too. I have to admit that in both cases I have been asked to enter passcode but it happens more often on FaceID than on TouchID. FaceID seems to depend on the angle you use your device. I guess I am some sort of talent, but I achieve like no more than 60-70 % accuracy. TouchID on the other side is more like 90 % accuracy for me.
However my experience is with home button where the surface is bigger. Not sure how it works on Air 4.
Air 4 owner here who had the same decision 4 months ago. Touch ID had been okay for me but yes, there were times I wish I didn’t have to retry my fingerprint again. Of course with staying at home more, I’m not wearing a mask.
But overall it’s a really great device for me. Only wish there were more peripherals specific to the Air and not just Pro 11.
But if its not working for you, return and wait a few weeks. At this point, you really should wait before buying a Pro. If one does come in the spring, the current one will certainly be much cheaper.
But overall it’s a really great device for me. Only wish there were more peripherals specific to the Air and not just Pro 11.
But if its not working for you, return and wait a few weeks. At this point, you really should wait before buying a Pro. If one does come in the spring, the current one will certainly be much cheaper.
I’m glad it helped
regarding iPad Pro - I don’t think it’s a good idea to buy one today. I do believe Apple will update it soon. It costs premium, but still uses “old” Hardware. Even for an artist, you might want pro if (IMHO):
- size (you need a big canvas)
- RAM - some applications for painting limit amount of layers you can create based on RAM
- available storage (no “middle ground”, 128gb option for air)
- 120hz display - is it better - yes, is it a deal breaker - no.
- Face ID - it is still cool at home (no mask), but with a bigger iPad it’s actually harder to use (you have to have a proper angle for Face ID to work...)
- sound (but for the difference in price you can get yourself a pair of AirPods Pro...)
if you don’t need it for painting, but want to buy a keyboard - I think it’s just better to get a MacBook Air...
I think that basic iPad Air is a very good option, even for an artist...
The Air 4 and Pro 11 are essentially exactly the same device, chassis wise, so if there were Peripherals released for the Air 4, then they would also work with the Pro 11 and vice versa. They both use USB C and the smart connector, and have the same dimensions. By extension for Apple this means more $$$ for them.
You would think so, but there are key differences.
Sure, Apple branded peripherals work, but certainly not third-party ones. Everything from screen protectors with a notch, or keyboard cases that cover the TouchID button. And the magnets on the Air 4 are placed differently that the automatic screen awake won't work on some folio cases.
There are a few manufacturers who won't update either they don't know of these changes, or they don't want to spend money on creating a new line for the iPad Air 4.
Ah ok i understand. Well at least the Apple peripherals work the same way, and also the more reputable brands make it clear on their product descriptions e.g pitaka case works on both. Give it a bit more time, the Air 4 has only been released for 3 months.
Ill chime in with my 2 cents for what it's worth. I just returned an iPad Air 4. This was first iPad since selling my iPad 3 (first with a Retina display) several years ago.
I returned the Air for two primary reasons: the screen and Touch ID.
IMO, when the device is mostly screen - get the absolute best display you can afford. Scrolling and navigating at 60hz left a bit to be desired. Text blurred out when trying to scroll through pages. Writing with the Pencil 2 always felt a bit laggy. Coming from such an old iPad, I didn't think I was going to mind, but I found myself bothered by it constantly.
Furthermore, I always found TouchId to be a constant annoyance. It is a very minor annoyance, but when you are constantly opening up the iPad, the extra effort it takes to find the power button (as you may be holding it in a different orientation) and the extra time it takes for the sensor to authenticate starts to add up.
I will be holding out to see if they update the Pro 11" this month or else look to find a discounted 2018 or 2020 pro.
I returned the Air for two primary reasons: the screen and Touch ID.
IMO, when the device is mostly screen - get the absolute best display you can afford. Scrolling and navigating at 60hz left a bit to be desired. Text blurred out when trying to scroll through pages. Writing with the Pencil 2 always felt a bit laggy. Coming from such an old iPad, I didn't think I was going to mind, but I found myself bothered by it constantly.
Furthermore, I always found TouchId to be a constant annoyance. It is a very minor annoyance, but when you are constantly opening up the iPad, the extra effort it takes to find the power button (as you may be holding it in a different orientation) and the extra time it takes for the sensor to authenticate starts to add up.
I will be holding out to see if they update the Pro 11" this month or else look to find a discounted 2018 or 2020 pro.
Im confused, if the Air 4 was your first ipad since your ipad 3, why do you find the 60hz leaves you a bit to be desired and the pencil 2 to be laggy? (only Ipad Pro 2017 onwards had 120 Mhz screen). The Air 4 should be a massive upgrade for you.
Is the Pro a noticeably better iPad than the Air for everyday use:
Depends. The screen is smoother and the sound is louder on the Pro. Do you notice those things, yes. Do they change my opinion about the Air, nope. I really like 120Hz and FaceID, but they aren’t requirements for me. The only thing that causes me to lean towards the Pro 11 is 512GB of storage. I hate that non-Pro iPads are limited to 256GB or worse. I would pay a storage premium for the Air with 512GB of storage.
Depends. The screen is smoother and the sound is louder on the Pro. Do you notice those things, yes. Do they change my opinion about the Air, nope. I really like 120Hz and FaceID, but they aren’t requirements for me. The only thing that causes me to lean towards the Pro 11 is 512GB of storage. I hate that non-Pro iPads are limited to 256GB or worse. I would pay a storage premium for the Air with 512GB of storage.