iPad Air IPad Air 4 vs iPad 8

[1BadManVan]

So this was an unexpected upgrade but last night I dropped my 6th gen and completely destroyed the screen and cracked the black cellular antenna from top to bottom. Now it has major chassis flex at the crack that connects right to the screen. I travel with this iPad daily so I can trust that to hold up for my usage

But I’m Using this an excuse to fix the screen somewhere for cheap to give to my wife’s grandma and get myself something new.

I mainly use this at work, I’m away from home anywhere from 10-36 hours, so I use this a lot for multimedia usage, gaming and stay connected to family. I like the air 4 but I heard some initial complaints on the screen quality of it, has that been resolved?

Also this seems based on the pro chassis, was there any improvements on frame rigidity? This will be tossed in my front pouch of my lunch bag for work while climbing in and out of locomotives.

So while I would appreciate the bigger and brighter screen, the better processor and ram. Am I going to have to be overly cautious about how it’s handled? Or should I just get the 8th gen and call it a day?

 

[1BadManVan]

dang, was hoping for some responses before I placed an order today

 

[Magoo1979]

Hi, I would go the Air. I think they are much better. My wife has an Air and recommends it over the iPad any day of the week!

 

[1BadManVan]

Hi, I would go the Air. I think they are much better. My wife has an Air and recommends it over the iPad any day of the week!

Good, glad to hear because that’s what I end up ordering lol. I was going to pay the extra to get the 128gb 8th gen anyways so I said screw it and went with the air 64. I haven’t even filled up to 50gb on my 128 6th gen so I figure the 64 is safe. 32 wasn’t going to be enough though

 

[1BadManVan]

My kids have the air 3 and they love them to death. So I figured the air 4 was an even bigger upgrade and I would appreciate the extra features and bigger screen

 

[jeddouglas]

If your budget can stretch to the Air go for it. Got one for Christmas and loving it.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Good, glad to hear because that’s what I end up ordering lol. I was going to pay the extra to get the 128gb 8th gen anyways so I said screw it and went with the air 64. I haven’t even filled up to 50gb on my 128 6th gen so I figure the 64 is safe. 32 wasn’t going to be enough though

Enjoy your purchase!

 

[1BadManVan]

Thanks guys. Should be in next week, poor 6th gen hopefully will hold together until then lol

 

[triangletechie]

I got the new Air and really like it. I also have the latest 11” pro. I can’t tell much difference between the 2 and 4 speaker setup. They made a great decision on the Air by putting a speaker on each side. I also really like having Touch ID built into the power button.

 

[paulie6978]

just traded in my Ipad 6 128 gb for the air 64. Loving it so far! I barely filled the 128 so I think I should be good with 64

I got the pencil also which I recommend along with the paperlike screen protector .

 

[Mac2019]

Go for the air, it’s great. Bought it this week as an upgrade for my air 2 and it’s a great device. Biggest annoyances however are no Face ID and no 128gb. Hey ho, not worth buying the pro so it works for me. Got £250 for my iPad Air 2 which was fantastic.

 

[ericwn]

Good that you picked the Air, seems like a really nice device. Enjoy!

 

[1BadManVan]

What’s everyone using for cases? Having a hard time finding a decent selection.

 

[Mac2019]

What’s everyone using for cases? Having a hard time finding a decent selection.

Shocking selection of cases these days. Gone for the black esr one currently, best of a bad bunch. The silver one looked cheap and tacky, black one palatable but would be keen on a slimline leather one.

 

[1BadManVan]

Shocking selection of cases these days. Gone for the black esr one currently, best of a bad bunch. The silver one looked cheap and tacky, black one palatable but would be keen on a slimline leather one.

There’s a few of the esr, which one did you end up with?

 

[Dualvansmommy]

I got the air while giving one of my kids the 8th for Xmas. After comparing the two, I love my air. I don’t use it heavy user, editing or photography etc so it’s probably bit overkill for me. Still love it.

I got the smart folio case. You may want a stronger protective case considering it’s on the go with you on trains etc.

 

[Mac2019]

There’s a few of the esr, which one did you end up with?

ESR Magnetic Case for iPad Air 4 2020 10.9 inch/iPad Pro 11 2018[Convenient Magnetic Attachment] [Trifold Smart Case] Rebound Series,Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HQCD..._fabc_dlT2_0fP-FbTAYJGQ6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

My wife has the iPad 8th gen and for what I use my iPad for, it’s probably the one I should get too. However I keep my iPads about 4 years as there really is little point upgrading often. I do fancy getting the Air though just to have a slightly bigger screen and a newer look device. I’ve been humming and ha-ing for the last two weeks on this. Not sure if I can justify £550 although it is my sole personal computing device. I spend £20k on a car mid week too so it will be an expensive week if I do get the Air lol.

 

[Mac2019]

My wife has the iPad 8th gen and for what I use my iPad for, it’s probably the one I should get too. However I keep my iPads about 4 years as there really is little point upgrading often. I do fancy getting the Air though just to have a slightly bigger screen and a newer look device. I’ve been humming and ha-ing for the last two weeks on this. Not sure if I can justify £550 although it is my sole personal computing device. I spend £20k on a car mid week too so it will be an expensive week if I do get the Air lol.

I’m the same (not the car!) and always challenge myself as to whether I can afford it or justify it. Use it for quite basic stuff but always end up going for the one slightly better than the one I need. Last time I almost got the air but decided for the air 2, as it wasn’t much more but was better and more future proofed. Kept it just over 5 years and managed to sell for £250, which took the sting out of the air 4! I fancied a bigger screen, better processor and a nicer look so opted for the air 4. The £250 and a £50 amazon gift card helped my decision! I’ll keep it for 5 years so feel it’s worth it.

Long story short, I’d always say go for the next one up to the one you ‘need’ for future proofing and possible change of use. Yes Face ID and smaller bezels (not sure it the pro has smaller bezels but assume so) would be lovely but that step up in price for me was an absolute no.

 

[snipr125]

What’s everyone using for cases? Having a hard time finding a decent selection.

I would highly recommend this case from Moko:

MoKo Case Fit iPad Air Case 5th/4th Generation 2022/2020, Slim Trifold Stand Cover with Soft Frosted Back, Auto Wake/Sleep, Support Touch ID and iPad 2nd Pencil Charging,Black

MoKo Case Fit iPad Air Case 5th/4th Generation 2022/2020, Slim Trifold Stand Cover with Soft Frosted Back, Auto Wake/Sleep, Support Touch ID and iPad 2nd Pencil Charging,Black

www.amazon.co.uk

The front cover is a good quality faux leather material which looks quite professional, but most importantly the back is a soft TPU material which is light and less likely to scratch your ipad air 4, like a hard back can do.

I have since replaced it with the Magic Keyboard case however, which is really good, but £300 of course (got mine for £280 with work discount scheme).

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I’m the same (not the car!) and always challenge myself as to whether I can afford it or justify it. Use it for quite basic stuff but always end up going for the one slightly better than the one I need. Last time I almost got the air but decided for the air 2, as it wasn’t much more but was better and more future proofed. Kept it just over 5 years and managed to sell for £250, which took the sting out of the air 4! I fancied a bigger screen, better processor and a nicer look so opted for the air 4. The £250 and a £50 amazon gift card helped my decision! I’ll keep it for 5 years so feel it’s worth it.

Long story short, I’d always say go for the next one up to the one you ‘need’ for future proofing and possible change of use. Yes Face ID and smaller bezels (not sure it the pro has smaller bezels but assume so) would be lovely but that step up in price for me was an absolute no.

Thanks for your feedback. I think I will go for the Air, just waiting for the space grey to come back in stock on Amazon now. They had one left this morning and I hadn’t completely made up my mind .

Yeah the Pro is a bit overkill for what I do with it too. Can’t really justify £730 on a web server and YouTube viewer really lol.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I ended up buying the Air for £549 on Amazon this evening. There was only one left and I’ve been refreshing on and off all day checking for stock. I wanted the Space Grey which just so happened to be the cheapest along with the green on offer. I should get it Tuesday.

 

[Magoo1979]

There’s a few of the esr, which one did you end up with?

I agree here. I have a ESR case. On pro and my wife a silicone case on her air. Light and clear so the air colour stands out.

 

[1BadManVan]

ESR Magnetic Case for iPad Air 4 2020 10.9 inch/iPad Pro 11 2018[Convenient Magnetic Attachment] [Trifold Smart Case] Rebound Series,Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HQCD..._fabc_dlT2_0fP-FbTAYJGQ6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I looked at that one but didn’t like that it had no side protection and would most likely fly out of the case if it dropped since it’s just magnets holding it on.

I ended up ordering a uag metropolis case to bring it to work in and a Moko case for around the house

Biggest thing was trying to find a decent case that didn’t have a built in pencil holder as I have no use for one

 

[1BadManVan]

I would highly recommend this case from Moko:

MoKo Case Fit iPad Air Case 5th/4th Generation 2022/2020, Slim Trifold Stand Cover with Soft Frosted Back, Auto Wake/Sleep, Support Touch ID and iPad 2nd Pencil Charging,Black

MoKo Case Fit iPad Air Case 5th/4th Generation 2022/2020, Slim Trifold Stand Cover with Soft Frosted Back, Auto Wake/Sleep, Support Touch ID and iPad 2nd Pencil Charging,Black

www.amazon.co.uk

The front cover is a good quality faux leather material which looks quite professional, but most importantly the back is a soft TPU material which is light and less likely to scratch your ipad air 4, like a hard back can do.

I have since replaced it with the Magic Keyboard case however, which is really good, but £300 of course (got mine for £280 with work discount scheme).

I actually ordered that exact model case but in navy blue along with a UAG metropolis case for work