iPad Air Is it worth buying an Air 4 in 2022?

[rui no onna]

Oh yeah, this is a real shame about the otherwise excellent value 9th gen iPad. I’ve never liked the way it plugs into the Lightning port. At least provide a little M-F Lightning dongle so it’s flexible in case of accidents. It’s so vulnerable, especially in the context of its target audience of school students.

Apple does provide an adapter so one can charge with regular Lightning cable. Alas, I think I lost mine within 2 days of buying the AP1.

As for school students, the keynote introducing the iPad 6th gen also showcased the rugged $69 Logitech Crayon. I have one and I find it works just as well as the AP1 for note taking. Best thing for me, it works without pairing and can be used interchangeably on multiple iPads (released 2018 or newer) without skipping a beat.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

The iPad Air 4th generation is a powerful and decent size device, however rumours are floating around regarding an updated model (possibly look identical like with the new iPad Pro 5th generation) but with a more powerful CPU, maybe more RAM and I suspect they will stick to LCD for the display unless they shockingly announce the same screen tech from the current generation iPad Pro but smaller. The Air models also do not currently support up to 120Hz ProMotion either. We can all live in hope.

 

[AppleNooble]

I agree with Adarna. I needed it, so I bought it without waiting for 5. Very happy I didn't wait. It's a very nice device.

 

[snipr125]

The iPad Air 4th generation is a powerful and decent size device, however rumours are floating around regarding an updated model (possibly look identical like with the new iPad Pro 5th generation) but with a more powerful CPU, maybe more RAM and I suspect they will stick to LCD for the display unless they shockingly announce the same screen tech from the current generation iPad Pro but smaller. The Air models also do not currently support up to 120Hz ProMotion either. We can all live in hope.

Well Samsung just introduced their new Tab 8 range, and all 3 of them including the base 11" model (which competes directly with the Ipad Air) have 120 Mhz Variable refresh rate displays which is the exact same as Pro-motion. So Apple need to have either an OLED screen OR a Pro-motion display on the upcoming Air Gen 5, otherwise it will already be out of date on release.

If they don't include either of these features, I suppose Apple could argue that the A15 bionic in the Air 5, will completely outperform the Snapdragon Gen 1 chip in the Tab 8 though as compensation i.e they have chosen performance rather than new features.

 

[rui no onna]

The iPad Air 4th generation is a powerful and decent size device, however rumours are floating around regarding an updated model (possibly look identical like with the new iPad Pro 5th generation) but with a more powerful CPU, maybe more RAM and I suspect they will stick to LCD for the display unless they shockingly announce the same screen tech from the current generation iPad Pro but smaller. The Air models also do not currently support up to 120Hz ProMotion either. We can all live in hope.

Unless Apple jumps to the A16, more powerful CPU just means slightly better than the A14.

Even full fat A15 is just 10% faster than the A14 as far as CPU performance. It's like some of Intel's upgrades where there's barely any performance improvement. The only saving grace is if Apple increases RAM or base storage.

 

[DeepSix]

Rumour has it that the 2022 version of the Pro 11 will have mini LED, probably worth waiting for. But won't Apple likely hike the price of this year's Pro 11?

And what are the chances we see it between March and May of this year?

 

[rui no onna]

Rumour has it that the 2022 version of the Pro 11 will have mini LED, probably worth waiting for. But won't Apple likely hike the price of this year's Pro 11?

And what are the chances we see it between March and May of this year?

March-May seems unlikely at this point. If Mini-LED is the only change from the 2021 models, personally, I'd rather grab a refurb 2021 11" for $300+ less.

 

[DeepSix]

March-May seems unlikely at this point. If Mini-LED is the only change from the 2021 models, personally, I'd rather grab a refurb 2021 11" for $300+ less.

I won't pay hundreds more for mini LED but if it's the same price as the 2021 price, it's worth waiting for IMO. I'm just predicting if Apple is going to hike the price of this year's Pro 11.

2020 Pro 11 was released late March
2021 Pro 11 was released May

Is the shortage worsened now compared to the last 2 years?

 

[sublunar]

Funny thing now is that the 2021 iPad Pros will M1 CPU arrived in April - roughly 6 months after the M1 turned up in Macs.

Would it be strange if Apple then introduced 2022 models with M2 CPUs (based on the current A15 CPU)?

Recent rumours seem to point to M2 powered Macs coming imminently, perhaps we will see M2 being used in iPad Pro later this year? It might make current M1 models very affordable.

 

[Tsepz]

Or wait for Air 5? Will Air 5 have a higher price tag you think? Just seeing how the mini 6 had a price hike.

No, wait for Air 5 , it could come with more RAM. I think an iPad should have at least 6GB RAM given that iPhone flagships have 6GB RAM and may get 8GB soon.

 

[DeepSix]

Got the 11 Pro at my Best Buy today. They got 4 in today and sold within the hour I got there.

Wow no comparison between the two. I loved the mini 6 but certain things bothered me on it. The screen was poor compared to my Samsung Note 10+ and the battery on it isn't as good as some may say. My OLED screen on my phone destroyed the mini 6 screen.

I knew within seconds of opening the Pro that it was worth the switch. The screen on the 11 Pro is just so much better quality and more pleasing to the eye. Now I know what everyone means that 120hz is just so much more smoother and better. Its worth the hype. And no more scaling issues on the Pro! Woohoo.

Having double the ram, 120hz, double the storage, and more screen for note taking was the biggest reasons why I considered the Pro. I wanted to try it out to see which I prefer and it's no contest. I thought touch ID was great but face ID is far superior.

No more interest in Air 6.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

An Air 4 could be totally worth it if it has a nice discount, especially if the Air 5 is about to come out.

I would wait for the March event though. Discounts on the Air 4 are possible, but not guaranteed. If there are huge waiting times for the Air 5, those with Air 4 stock might feel they do not need to discount their Air 4 models. I saw the same thing happen in May/June/July 2021 when iPad Pro 2020 models did not come down in price, some were even being offered at a higher price than the M1 2021. The current chip shortage situation has also caused major distortions in the second-hand market for electronics and cars.

 

[Isengardtom]

I think once you’re used to that 120Hz display responsiveness it’s hard to go back.

 

[AppleNooble]

I think once you’re used to that 120Hz display responsiveness it’s hard to go back.

A good reason to never try it until it becomes mainstream .

 

[*~Kim~*]

Intending to buy one as an Apple Refurb. I wouldn’t pay full price for one at this point, even though I’d have expected to see them by now. Mini 5 was available as a refurb before the 6 hit, and I don’t think they were on the refurb store pre-COVID, as the 5 was less than a year old then.

 

[one more]

An Air 4 could be totally worth it if it has a nice discount, especially if the Air 5 is about to come out.

I would wait for the March event though. Discounts on the Air 4 are possible, but not guaranteed. If there are huge waiting times for the Air 5, those with Air 4 stock might feel they do not need to discount their Air 4 models. I saw the same thing happen in May/June/July 2021 when iPad Pro 2020 models did not come down in price, some were even being offered at a higher price than the M1 2021. The current chip shortage situation has also caused major distortions in the second-hand market for electronics and cars.

The huge waiting times for Air 5, IMO, could only be caused by a chip/component shortages. People who needed/wanted an Air 4 design must have gotten one by now. Air 4 will work just great for another 2-4 years, depending on one’s workflow, so there are very few perks in the rumoured Air 5 to entice Air 4 owners to upgrade. Unless Apple surprise us with an OLED Air 5, of course, but then we can pretty much write iPad Pro 11” off.

 

[one more]

No, wait for Air 5 , it could come with more RAM. I think an iPad should have at least 6GB RAM given that iPhone flagships have 6GB RAM and may get 8GB soon.

They new iPads will get more RAM, yet it won’t make much difference in a daily use as Apple and developers will still need to optimise all of their offerings to run well on the baseline iPad (which outsells all other iPads by far) with its 3GB of RAM.

 

[sublunar]

Intending to buy one as an Apple Refurb. I wouldn’t pay full price for one at this point, even though I’d have expected to see them by now. Mini 5 was available as a refurb before the 6 hit, and I don’t think they were on the refurb store pre-COVID, as the 5 was less than a year old then.

Chip shortage has to have something to do with it I think. Fewer new units sold, fewer to refurb. I don't think there's much incentive to find the usual discounts from third party retailers.

 

[snipr125]

The huge waiting times for Air 5, IMO, could only be caused by a chip/component shortages. People who needed/wanted an Air 4 design must have gotten one by now. Air 4 will work just great for another 2-4 years, depending on one’s workflow, so there are very few perks in the rumoured Air 5 to entice Air 4 owners to upgrade. Unless Apple surprise us with an OLED Air 5, of course, but then we can pretty much write iPad Pro 11” off.

I wonder if Apple will partially match the specs of the Base Galaxy Tab 8 to the Air 5 which are direct competitors. That Tab 8 has a variable refresh rate 120 mhz LCD screen i.e. Pro-motion.

 

[robertjoe]

It actually depends on you. But i think you should wait for Air 5.
Air 5 an OLED display, iPad being released an Upgraded 3nm chipset, also Improvements to iPadOS. iPad Air 5 will bring an A15 Bionic chipset and with 5G.

 

[teerexx52]

I bought mine at BB at the sale price last week. I am using it now while I have coffee at Panera. I really like it. I surf and play games. Got the 64gb model and it’s plenty for my needs. Both my MACBOOK pro and iPhone have the 120 screen. I really don’t notice it when using this iPad. Good deal for me.

 

[rui no onna]

They new iPads will get more RAM, yet it won’t make much difference in a daily use as Apple and developers will still need to optimise all of their offerings to run well on the baseline iPad (which outsells all other iPads by far) with its 3GB of RAM.

Being able to work with less RAM doesn’t equal works well with less RAM.

I have used iPads with 2GB, 3GB, 4GB and 16GB on iOS 14. The 16GB one is far less frustrating. I’ve also used 2-4GB on iOS 15 and that has even worse memory management than 14.

 

[DeepSix]

An Air 4 could be totally worth it if it has a nice discount, especially if the Air 5 is about to come out.

I would wait for the March event though. Discounts on the Air 4 are possible, but not guaranteed. If there are huge waiting times for the Air 5, those with Air 4 stock might feel they do not need to discount their Air 4 models. I saw the same thing happen in May/June/July 2021 when iPad Pro 2020 models did not come down in price, some were even being offered at a higher price than the M1 2021. The current chip shortage situation has also caused major distortions in the second-hand market for electronics and cars.

I would never buy a used ipad, gross. It's like buying used underwear. Most treat their stuff like crap. Their dogs crap on it, cats walk over it and put their paws all over it, kids throw the ipad around like a frisbee, accidentally drop or sit on it, use it while in the washroom, use them as place mats, all their grubby hands (probably feet too) all over it.

Plus I have a process to check for things like dead pixels, backlight bleed, physical damage, sharp corners, dust under screen, so the sellers wouldn't have the patience to wait while i look things over.

There are lots of Air 4's for sale here second hand but they're asking way too much.

 

[snipr125]

I would never buy a used ipad, gross. It's like buying used underwear. Most treat their stuff like crap. Their dogs crap on it, cats walk over it and put their paws all over it, kids throw the ipad around like a frisbee, accidentally drop or sit on it, use it while in the washroom, use them as place mats, all their grubby hands (probably feet too) all over it.

Plus I have a process to check for things like dead pixels, backlight bleed, physical damage, sharp corners, dust under screen, so the sellers wouldn't have the patience to wait while i look things over.

There are lots of Air 4's for sale here second hand but they're asking way too much.

Yes indeed, i'm sure most people just here on Macrumours use their iPads whilst sitting on the throne lol, nothing to be ashamed of, its just convenient. Before it was a magazine or newspaper, but now its iPads.

 

[Pixel26]

In my opinion If the price is close with each other... I would wait and check the reviews and research which is better and which would give you your money's worth