So, iPad (2018) vs iPad Air?

[Two Stacks]

I'd say this. If you're upgrading from an air/air 2 or the 2017 ipad, i'd say get the air 3. because it would likely last you until 2023/2024. I got the air 2 in oct 2014 and kept it until the 2018 pro. I'm not getting rid of it until it breaks.

these days, you pay more for what apple offers with less innovation (which is BS). but there isn't much more innovation available that won't drastically increase the price.

i had my laptop for 5 years and it ended up actually having to get a replaced battery and also had some security holes and didn't perform as fast, but it was definitely something i could've kept for another year or so. the last 2 things for me to upgrade are the watch and my phone (probably next year for both).

 

[Mackinjosh]

I bought my 2017 iPad from the Military Exchange on Black Friday 2017 for 200 dollars. Today I sold that unit for 180. So basically I rented an iPad for a year and a half for 20 dollars. It was/is a great iPad, but I bought it after my wife broke my Air 2, which to this day is my favorite iPad. So today I placed an order for the new Air. I really enjoyed the 2017, but the lack of laminated screen really bothered me.

 

[Woodcrest64]

I'm interested to see if Apple adds external storage support in iOS 13. If they do will it be limited to the 2018 iPad Pros or will the new Air and 2017 iPad Pros also get it. I really want that feature. Hopefully this Monday at WWDC we find out!

 

[EugW]

I'm interested to see if Apple adds external storage support in iOS 13. If they do will it be limited to the 2018 iPad Pros or will the new Air and 2017 iPad Pros also get it. I really want that feature. Hopefully this Monday at WWDC we find out!

I’m not optimistic for this feature in iOS 13 but even if it did happen, my guess it would only be for USB-C models.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I'm interested to see if Apple adds external storage support in iOS 13. If they do will it be limited to the 2018 iPad Pros or will the new Air and 2017 iPad Pros also get it. I really want that feature. Hopefully this Monday at WWDC we find out!

WWDC isn’t until June unfortunately. This Monday’s event is rumored to be focused on new services (TV and News).

 

[strategicthinke]

I wonder when people started to be happy with just the crumbles Apple threw at them...

Apple used to sell its flagship iPad for USD 499. Now it is selling an iPad with legacy parts (reallocated to make most out of the supply chain) for USD 499 and people think it is a bargain. Go figure.

499 USD 8 years ago would be approximately 650 USD nowadays with inflation. Guess what, the iPad Pro 11” is just about that price.

 

[EugW]

I have my first wide colour gamut True Tone iPad, the iPad Pro 10.5". It's awesome. The colours look so much nicer than on my iPad Air 2.

The iPad Air 3 and iPad Pro buyers are gonna love it.

I’m tempted to get the 2017 iPad Pro over the new Air mainly for the Pro Motion and Quad Speakers. I’d notice that more for my use than the A12 processor vs that A10X.

ProMotion is an excellent feature.

60 Hz looks old school in comparison now. Unfortunately, the Air doesn't have ProMotion, but I do think it's a reasonable compromise in this price tier for a non-discounted non-refurb iPad.

The four speakers also great. It's a much fuller sound with proper stereo. The problem with the other two-speaker models is the speakers are on the same side in landscape mode, which is annoying.

I was looking at the reviews of the Smart Keyboard at Apple and it gets terrible reviews, because it self-destructs way too quickly.

Wow didn't even think to check that. Well, I guess that cements my decision to keep the 2018 iPad even further! Thank you!

Because I found it for CAD$150 (US$112) new from a third party seller on Amazon.ca, I ordered the Smart Keyboard on Friday. I'll tell you how it goes. It arrives Monday.

Camelcamelcamel Canada tells me that the price of the Smart Keyboard for the 10.5" iPad Pro at Amazon.ca was always around at least $200 until just a few weeks ago, and then all of a sudden they dropped to $150. Clearance?

I note the device was rebranded to the Smart Keyboard for the iPad Air on March 18, so some may see that as a new product (although it has the same item number at Apple).

499 USD 8 years ago would be approximately 650 USD nowadays with inflation. Guess what, the iPad Pro 11” is just about that price.

Err... Not even close.

US$499 in 2011 is worth US$560.75 in 2019, and the 11" iPad Pro is $799. That represents a 42% increase in real cost.

 

[Mighuel]

Talking from future proof perspective

iPad Air 3 has a way better soc so it’ll probably last a few years longer compared to the ’standard’ iPad.

 

[joeblow7777]

I’m curious, is there anyone who has the 2018 iPad who is upgrading to the new Air? If so, what feature(s) won you over?

I’ve been thinking about it, but I can’t really justify the upgrade to myself because the my iPad still does everything I need it to very well, and I know that next year there will be something even better to upgrade to.

 

[Mainsail]

I’m curious, is there anyone who has the 2018 iPad who is upgrading to the new Air? If so, what feature(s) won you over?

I’ve been thinking about it, but I can’t really justify the upgrade to myself because the my iPad still does everything I need it to very well, and I know that next year there will be something even better to upgrade to.

I would wait to see what iOS 13 brings. As it stands now, iOS limits iPad hardware, so there isn't a big advantage to upgrading. If iOS 13 brings new software features that are important to you which aren't available on the iPad 2018 but are available on the new iPad Air, then that might entice you to upgrade.

 

[Mackinjosh]

I’m curious, is there anyone who has the 2018 iPad who is upgrading to the new Air? If so, what feature(s) won you over?

I’ve been thinking about it, but I can’t really justify the upgrade to myself because the my iPad still does everything I need it to very well, and I know that next year there will be something even better to upgrade to.

I have the 2017 iPad but it's very similar to the 2018. I'm upgrading for a laminated screen. That's really been the only negative about the cheaper iPads to me. I just prefer how text/graphics look on a laminated screen, and I also love how it feels. On the cheaper iPad it feels like I'm pressing hollow plastic. The more vibrant colors are also an added benefit. I dont mind not having 4 speakers because if I'm consuming content on my iPad, I'm doing it with headphones on.

 

[EugW]

I’m curious, is there anyone who has the 2018 iPad who is upgrading to the new Air? If so, what feature(s) won you over?

I’ve been thinking about it, but I can’t really justify the upgrade to myself because the my iPad still does everything I need it to very well, and I know that next year there will be something even better to upgrade to.

This is a bit tangential, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Apple Smart Keyboard for the 10.5" iPad Pro and 10.5" iPad Air is actually a full size keyboard. I posted about it here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-keyboards-key-spacing.2174641/

There is is no equivalent keyboard for the 9.7" iPad non-Pro models, because they don't have the Smart Connector.

I have the 2017 iPad but it's very similar to the 2018. I'm upgrading for a laminated screen. That's really been the only negative about the cheaper iPads to me. I just prefer how text/graphics look on a laminated screen, and I also love how it feels. On the cheaper iPad it feels like I'm pressing hollow plastic. The more vibrant colors are also an added benefit. I dont mind not having 4 speakers because if I'm consuming content on my iPad, I'm doing it with headphones on.

Yes, the laminated True Tone wide colour gamut screen on the iPad Pro 10.5" is amazing. I'm sure it's the same on the iPad Air 10.5" (but without ProMotion 120 Hz on the Air).

 

[rui no onna]

I’m curious, is there anyone who has the 2018 iPad who is upgrading to the new Air? If so, what feature(s) won you over?

I’ve been thinking about it, but I can’t really justify the upgrade to myself because the my iPad still does everything I need it to very well, and I know that next year there will be something even better to upgrade to.

Not getting one immediately but I'll probably grab one for the laminated display when we get $100 off sales.

 

[joeblow7777]

My previous iPad was a Mini 4. The laminated display certainly is nicer, but I don’t find that not having one feels like a great loss to me, but that’s just me.

 

[Richard8655]

In my opinion, the laminated thing is much overblown. As I may have mentioned, I've owned the 10.5 Pro and 5the generation at the same time and never saw the huge visual improvement that seems to generate so much excitement. The regular Retina display is, from my point of view, practically as impressive.

For more than double the price, I'd rather save the money and upgrade more frequently to benefit from processor and performance improvements.

 

[BigMcGuire]

In my opinion, the laminated thing is much overblown. As I may have mentioned, I've owned the 10.5 Pro and 5the generation at the same time and never saw the huge visual improvement that seems to generate so much excitement. The regular Retina display is, from my point of view, practically as impressive.

For more than double the price, I'd rather save the money and upgrade more frequently to benefit from processor and performance improvements.

Always wondered about this. My wife has the pro and I have the 6th gen. Yeah there's a difference but not enough to make me want and spend 2-3x as much as I did for my 6th gen iPad. I'm happy with my 6th gen and am following this Air and Mini 5 thing with interest, but I think I'm going to keep my current iPad like you.

 

[EugW]

In my opinion, the laminated thing is much overblown. As I may have mentioned, I've owned the 10.5 Pro and 5the generation at the same time and never saw the huge visual improvement that seems to generate so much excitement. The regular Retina display is, from my point of view, practically as impressive.

For more than double the price, I'd rather save the money and upgrade more frequently to benefit from processor and performance improvements.

The True Tone and wide colour gamut are great. I noticed a big difference as compared to my iPad Air 2, which is laminated.

So I think the True Tone and wide colour gamut are more important than the lamination per se.

 

[BigMcGuire]

The True Tone and wide colour gamut are great. I noticed a big difference as compared to my iPad Air 2, which is laminated.

So I think the True Tone and wide colour gamut are more important than the lamination per se.

Good point. True Tone on my Xs Max is amazing, especially for reading in various environments.

 

[joeblow7777]

Good point. True Tone on my Xs Max is amazing, especially for reading in various environments.

Don't you find that True Tone gives everything a yellow tint, almost like Night Shift, though not as severe? I've tried using it on my phone, but I can't seem to get used to it.

 

[Mackinjosh]

Don't you find that True Tone gives everything a yellow tint, almost like Night Shift, though not as severe? I've tried using it on my phone, but I can't seem to get used to it.

Yellow is more natural than blue.

And again, yes lamination makes a huge difference in how the screen looks. The air gap on non-laminated screens is by no means terrible, but there's a definite advantage to having it. Especially in a well lit room.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Don't you find that True Tone gives everything a yellow tint, almost like Night Shift, though not as severe? I've tried using it on my phone, but I can't seem to get used to it.

Yeah, but I do most of my reading in very dark rooms at night. So the yellow tone I find a lot more pleasant to read for hours and hours on - probably why I'm a big fan. I love nightshift too. I also prefer a dark office, so may be because of that.

 

[sracer]

Yellow is more natural than blue.

Not when the actual color is more blue than yellow.

 

[EugW]

Not when the actual color is more blue than yellow.

If the ambient lighting is more blue, then True Tone will adjust for that.

However, most indoor incandescent / halogen lighting in the evening is more yellow than blue. In fact, it's preferred, which is why people often try to get LED light bulbs with soft white colour (~3000K) as opposed to daylight colour (6500K).

Daylight is actually decent for reading, but most people are used to and prefer the warm cozy 3000K soft whites in low light indoor environments.

 

[Richard8655]

https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-ipad-vs-ipad-pro-2018-5

 

[joeblow7777]

The only display improvement that I would really like to have that the 2018 iPad lacks is ProMotion, but the new Air doesn't have that either.