iPad Air 4 or iPad 9th gen?

[kingston73]

I've decided I'm going to trade in my 2018 ipp and I'm split between getting a 9th gen or air 4. Seems performance isn't going to be much different and I'm wondering if I will notice any difference going with the 9th gen and it's non laminate screen?

 

[ACG12]

Why would you downgrade?

 

[scoblep]

Just keep the 2018. It doesn't make sense to upgrade to either of those options from a 2018 iPad Pro. It doesn't make sense to buy an iPad Air right now either since a new one could be out within the next month or so.

 

[SkiHound2]

Why would you downgrade?

Yep, 2018 IPP user experience is very close to the 2021 IPP. 9th gen iPad and Air 4 are nice devices, but I'd certainly view them as downgrades.

 

[rui no onna]

Just keep the 2018. It doesn't make sense to upgrade to either of those options from a 2018 iPad Pro. It doesn't make sense to buy an iPad Air right now either since a new one could be out within the next month or so.

It can make sense if you find an Air 4 on a good sale. Chances are we'll only see minor changes between Air 4 and Air 5 (probably similar to 2018 iPP to 2020 iPP).

That said, I don't see the point of going from 2018 iPP to either iPad 9th gen or Air 4 unless it's because one wants to downsize from 12.9".

 

[kingston73]

OK, that answers things for me, thank you all for the opinions. I didn't really think of it like that but I guess I see now it's a silly idea.

 

[1BadManVan]

OK, that answers things for me, thank you all for the opinions. I didn't really think of it like that but I guess I see now it's a silly idea.

Definitely a downgrade, just save up for a newer M1 pro. You’re giving up quad speakers, higher quality and high refresh screen, no Face ID etc. to move over to either of those.

Is there something your 2018 isn’t doing as well that makes you feel you want to switch?

 

[scoblep]

It can make sense if you find an Air 4 on a good sale. Chances are we'll only see minor changes between Air 4 and Air 5 (probably similar to 2018 iPP to 2020 iPP).

That said, I don't see the point of going from 2018 iPP to either iPad 9th gen or Air 4 unless it's because one wants to downsize from 12.9".

Either way the sales will only get better after the release of the new iPad Air.

The main point that everyone agrees on though is that it's not worth moving from a 2018 iPad Pro. Keep it as long as it does what you need from it. Neither of those models represent a meaningful upgrade from any 2018 iPad Pro model.

 

[kingston73]

The only thing my 2018 isn't doing well is battery. It's down to about 86% but that's not low enough for apple to replace.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

If ProMotion isn’t important to you, then see whether the new Air 5’s features will entice you. I know people will say it’s a ’downgrade’, but the A15 chip will be much faster than the A12X. The camera front and back will likely be superior on the Air 5.

Alternatively, consider buying into a M1 Pro - or - wait to see what spec the rumoured 2022 Pro will have.

I wouldn’t recommend an iPad 9, the RAM capacity is definitely a huge step-back from the 2018 Pro. Also the lightning port is a huge regression.

 

[deaglecat]

iPad 9 is not high end. But is fantastic value for money ... sure lightning connector - but modern 20W USB C charger bundled.

Plenty quick A13 bionic.

Still got touch id which some prefer ... I have both and prefer touch id.

Solid 64Gb Storage. 256 if you want to pay more.

Non-Laminated screen... but cheap to fix and cheaper AC.

Absolute bargain and a tank for daily "normal" use. If you have a high end use case... or are just rich... then sure spend more ...but Ipad 9 is a great product.

 

[rui no onna]

Either way the sales will only get better after the release of the new iPad Air.

The main point that everyone agrees on though is that it's not worth moving from a 2018 iPad Pro. Keep it as long as it does what you need from it. Neither of those models represent a meaningful upgrade from any 2018 iPad Pro model.

From previous experience, $100-150 off is pretty much best we'll see for mid-range and low end. Higher capacities and cellular may get discounted more but I don't see 64GB wifi going much lower.

 

[Homme]

iPad 9 is not high end. But is fantastic value for money ... sure lightning connector - but modern 20W USB C charger bundled.

Plenty quick A13 bionic.

Still got touch id which some prefer ... I have both and prefer touch id.

Solid 64Gb RAM. 256 if you want to pay more.

Non-Laminated screen... but cheap to fix and cheaper AC.

Absolute bargain and a tank for daily "normal" use. If you have a high end use case... or are just rich... then sure spend more ...but Ipad 9 is a great product.

64GB of storage not RAM

 

[deaglecat]

64GB of storage not RAM

Yeah true. Fixed