All iPads iPad Air 2020 screen is not the same as the Pros

[blurryvision]

Apple advertised the Air as having the same display as the Pro, and that the only caveat was the 120hz and lower brightness. It seems like that’s not the case based on someone’s testing on Reddit - a comparison shows that the Air visibly looks washed out when compared next to the Pros at the same level of brightness.

Along with the backlight issues on the new Air, it makes me think that Apple also cheaped out on the Air displays to save costs. This might help some people make a decision between the 128GB Pro vs 256GB Air.

Top is Air, bottom is Pro.

Thoughts?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/jj54jo

 

[muzzy996]

Apple advertised the Air as having the same display as the Pro, and that the only caveat was the 120hz and lower brightness. It seems like that’s not the case based on someone’s testing on Reddit - a comparison shows that the Air visibly looks washed out when compared next to the Pros at the same level of brightness.

Along with the backlight issues on the new Air, it makes me think that Apple also cheaped out on the Air displays to save costs. This might help some people make a decision between the 128GB Pro vs 256GB Air.

Top is Air, bottom is Pro.

Thoughts?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/jj54jo

Definitely different - which personally I would expect given that as you noted there were caveats on the capabilities of the screen in the Air 4. Perhaps I’ll be in the minority but given the spec differences I never had the impression that the screens would be the same. Nonetheless I do prefer the screenshots from the Pro that you showed.

 

[CE3]

Over the past year I’ve used both the 2020 iPad Pro and the 7th Gen iPad. Obviously there were differences between the two, but both displays were great. In fact, I’ve never had an iPad display I didn’t like (I did have one with a white spot defect that Apple replaced, though). I would not accept that faded low contrast look from the new Air, but I think it’s possible these are more the exception than the rule.

 

[blurryvision]

Over the past year I’ve used both the 2020 iPad Pro and the 7th Gen iPad. Obviously there were differences between the two, but both displays were great. In fact, I’ve never had an iPad display I didn’t like (I did have one with a white spot defect that Apple replaced, though). I would not accept that faded low contrast look from the new Air, but I think it’s possible these are more the exception than the rule.

I’ve tested both the Air and the Pro and I agree that both displays are great, but it is quite a noticeable difference. Plus the Pro didn’t have the backlight bleeding I experienced on the Air, and I know many other people have the same issue. It seems the Pro has better quality control at this point in time since it’s midway through its cycle.

To me it felt like this would be a better way of comparison than using the processor chip as a reference, which I see a lot of people stressing over when making a decision between the two devices.

 

[kazmac]

Not surprised, but I thankfully haven’t noticed any of the screen issues some folks are experiencing.

 

[CE3]

I’ve tested both the Air and the Pro and I agree that both displays are great, but it is quite a noticeable difference. Plus the Pro didn’t have the backlight bleeding I experienced on the Air, and I know many other people have the same issue. It seems the Pro has better quality control at this point in time since it’s midway through its cycle.

To me it felt like this would be a better way of comparison than using the processor chip as a reference, which I see a lot of people stressing over when making a decision between the two devices.

I agree that there’s a noticeable difference between the examples you posted, and QC seems to be an issue for Apple these days ?. I’ll compare the Air I’m getting later today with the Pro display I already own and will post pictures here as well.

 

[snipr125]

They are supposed to both be Liquid Retina displays, but the Pro screenshots images definitely have better contrast. I have to be honest with this, and putting my Air 3 and Air 4 side by side its similar. The Air 3 has better contrast.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Apple advertised the Air as having the same display as the Pro, and that the only caveat was the 120hz and lower brightness. It seems like that’s not the case based on someone’s testing on Reddit - a comparison shows that the Air visibly looks washed out when compared next to the Pros at the same level of brightness.

Along with the backlight issues on the new Air, it makes me think that Apple also cheaped out on the Air displays to save costs. This might help some people make a decision between the 128GB Pro vs 256GB Air.

Top is Air, bottom is Pro.

Thoughts?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/jj54jo
View attachment 975521 View attachment 975524

The iPad Pro looks like it has better brightness.

 

[blurryvision]

The iPad Pro looks like it has better brightness.

Those screenshots were tested at a low 100 nits on both devices

 

[doboy]

Non-Pros don’t need Pro level screen j/k

maybe this is how Foxconn is raising their margins

 

[CE3]

Setting up my new Air right now. I'll take some pictures in a bit.

Mine has a bit of light bleed at the top, but it's pretty minor and nothing I would likely notice unless the screen was 100% black at 100% brightness. If the light bleed becomes a problem, I'll get it replaced. My iPad Pro display has no light bleed that I can see

The Air 4 screen is slightly warmer than my iPad Pro with Tru Tone on or off, but I've found this often varies from model to model on both iPhones & iPads. Some displays are warmer, some are cooler, and I don't take that as an indicator of inferior quality. Everything still looks nice, and I definitely do not see washed out contrast differences like the examples at the top of the page. The blacks may be a little deeper on the Pro, though.

Another observation I've read some users making in another thread was regarding a pink color shift when viewing the Air 4 off-axis. I can confirm that this exists almost identically on both the 2020 iPad Pro & and iPad Air models I own (black screen @ full brightness again), so it's another non-issue for me, because I never noticed it on my iPad Pro until I was looking for it today.

 

[CE3]

Here are some comparison shots. Click or tap to see larger.
Brightness: 55-60% (the same in all the shots)
True Tone: OFF

I just used my iPhone and set the exposure between both devices. No color or contrast editing was done in post. Text added in Photoshop on my iMac.



I'm not going to attempt to photograph the light bleed because it will most certainly come out looking infinitely worse in a photo than it actually looks to the human eye in person. The light bleed is a non-issue for me right now, and so far I'm happy with the display. For photo and video editing my main concern would be color accuracy, and I think the new Air has the same level of consistency and quality I've come to expect from all my Apple displays.

 

[satchmo]

FWIW, no backlight bleeding on my new iPad Air. ?

 

[onfire23]

Here are some comparison shots. Click or tap to see larger.
Brightness: 55-60% (the same in all the shots)
True Tone: OFF

I just used my iPhone and set the exposure between both devices. No color or contrast editing was done in post. Text added in Photoshop on my iMac.

View attachment 975780 View attachment 975777 View attachment 975778 View attachment 975779 View attachment 975781 View attachment 975783 View attachment 975782

I'm not going to attempt to photograph the light bleed because it will most certainly come out looking infinitely worse in a photo than it actually looks to the human eye in person. The light bleed is a non-issue for me right now, and so far I'm happy with the display. For photo and video editing my main concern would be color accuracy, and I think the new Air has the same level of consistency and quality I've come to expect from all my Apple displays.

Fantastic screen. I doubt apple will intentionally ship bad screens on the ipad air 4. That reddit thread examples looked way worse.

 

[blurryvision]

Here are some comparison shots. Click or tap to see larger.
Brightness: 55-60% (the same in all the shots)
True Tone: OFF

I just used my iPhone and set the exposure between both devices. No color or contrast editing was done in post. Text added in Photoshop on my iMac.

View attachment 975780 View attachment 975777 View attachment 975778 View attachment 975779 View attachment 975781 View attachment 975783 View attachment 975782

I'm not going to attempt to photograph the light bleed because it will most certainly come out looking infinitely worse in a photo than it actually looks to the human eye in person. The light bleed is a non-issue for me right now, and so far I'm happy with the display. For photo and video editing my main concern would be color accuracy, and I think the new Air has the same level of consistency and quality I've come to expect from all my Apple displays.

Yup that is a great screen. Thank you for providing clear examples!

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

Here are some comparison shots. Click or tap to see larger.
Brightness: 55-60% (the same in all the shots)
True Tone: OFF

I just used my iPhone and set the exposure between both devices. No color or contrast editing was done in post. Text added in Photoshop on my iMac.

View attachment 975780 View attachment 975777 View attachment 975778 View attachment 975779 View attachment 975781 View attachment 975783 View attachment 975782

I'm not going to attempt to photograph the light bleed because it will most certainly come out looking infinitely worse in a photo than it actually looks to the human eye in person. The light bleed is a non-issue for me right now, and so far I'm happy with the display. For photo and video editing my main concern would be color accuracy, and I think the new Air has the same level of consistency and quality I've come to expect from all my Apple displays.

It looks like the Pro have slightly deeper blacks. Both are great displays though. I think it shouldn’t be a major deciding factor.

 

[CE3]

It looks like the Pro have slightly deeper blacks. Both are great displays though. I think it shouldn’t be a major deciding factor.

Yes, I also think the Pro has slightly deeper blacks and contrast. Nothing major like the reddit photo examples. ProMotion is what gives the Pro the biggest edge over the Air, but they're both nice displays. The quad speakers on the Pro are also more full and balanced sounding to my ears, but the Air's stereo speakers still sound good (and that's another topic).

All in all, I think I'm going to be very happy with the new Air, and as long as I don't have any issues over the next week or so it will replace my iPad Pro. I missed TouchID.

 

[blurryvision]

I got a new Air today with the same backlight issue, so deciding to just keep this until it’s fixed in production as it’s a fantastic device. As CE3 said, it’s not too big of an issue although I do notice it on pillarboxed videos at 50% brightness. I’m assuming backlight bleed is covered for a year with the limited warranty? If it becomes any worse I’ll get a replacement in the future.

I wonder what is causing it, since it’s in the exact same place?

 

[tsanga]

I saw that same reddit thread and took my own photos comparing an iPad Pro 10.5” with the new 2020 Air.

The Pro most definitely has inkier black levels and my Air has a bit of the bleed from the same spot as everyone else. The bleeding doesn’t bother me as much but the lighter black is hard to unsee, and undoubtedly lowers overall contrast.

 

[Prabas]

That light bleed is so noticeable though.

 

[dantay]

I have replaced my first air and the new unit is much more uniform so I think (as usual) there is a lot of panel variability.

I also have a 2018 11” Pro and would say the images on the 2 panels look extremely similar with the air a tiny bit warmer.

My second air does have a tiny bit of bleed on the right hand side in portrait about 1/3 from the bottom of the screen but that’s it, where the first unit had it all over and lots of colour variation visible on solid black an full brightness.

 

[tsanga]

That light bleed is so noticeable though.

On mine it really does depend on ambient light, screen brightness, and viewing angle. The camera makes it more obvious than it is... but watching in a dark room at some angles- probably has to do with the polarizing films - it does become noticeable. But I’m not staring at the spot on the edge while watching a show.

 

[EugW]

Here are some comparison shots. Click or tap to see larger.
Brightness: 55-60% (the same in all the shots)
True Tone: OFF

I just used my iPhone and set the exposure between both devices. No color or contrast editing was done in post. Text added in Photoshop on my iMac.

View attachment 975780 View attachment 975777 View attachment 975778 View attachment 975779 View attachment 975781 View attachment 975783 View attachment 975782

I'm not going to attempt to photograph the light bleed because it will most certainly come out looking infinitely worse in a photo than it actually looks to the human eye in person. The light bleed is a non-issue for me right now, and so far I'm happy with the display. For photo and video editing my main concern would be color accuracy, and I think the new Air has the same level of consistency and quality I've come to expect from all my Apple displays.

From the pix it appears the Pro has better handling of near-black and also has deeper blacks, but brighter scenes are rendered similarly to the iPad Air.

I saw that same reddit thread and took my own photos comparing an iPad Pro 10.5” with the new 2020 Air.

The Pro most definitely has inkier black levels and my Air has a bit of the bleed from the same spot as everyone else. The bleeding doesn’t bother me as much but the lighter black is hard to unsee, and undoubtedly lowers overall contrast. View attachment 976900 View attachment 976901 View attachment 976905 View attachment 976906

Given that my next iPad (Pro) MUST have better blacks than my current iPad Pro 10.5 before I consider buying, it's an easy decision for me to continue to wait for mini-LED.

 

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