All iPads Upgrade from Ipad pro 2017 to Ipad air 2020

[perezr10]

Hmm interesting I always found iPhones to still be pretty smooth I could transition to a iPhone 7 or my current daily 11 Pro no problem (though it also has 120hz touch sampling) I think since the screens are smaller it ends up looking smoother. On 60hz iPads it’s super noticeable though I’m still getting used to my Air 4 coming from a 10.5 but it’s still a nice experience with a ton of upgrades if I look past the refresh rate.

iphone Scrolling used to be the best. But now that Promotion exists on iPads and 120hz on other Android phones, it’s looking choppy by comparison.

Skip to the 2:29 point in this video to see how much nicer 120hz is vs the 12 Pro Max.

The lack of ProMotion on the iPad Air is an absolute deal killer for me.

 

[Gandek]

I like the touch I.D better on my iPad Pro, then the one on the iPad Air. Just muc

iphone Scrolling used to be the best. But now that Promotion exists on iPads and 120hz on other Android phones, it’s looking choppy by comparison.

Skip to the 2:29 point in this video to see how much nicer 120hz is vs the 12 Pro Max.

The lack of ProMotion on the iPad Air is an absolute deal killer for me.

I came from a OnePlus 7 Pro (90hz) and we have a S21 in the house as well. Touch rate is really good on the iPhone though still just won’t look as fast to your eyes when scrolling

 

[Act3]

iphone Scrolling used to be the best. But now that Promotion exists on iPads and 120hz on other Android phones, it’s looking choppy by comparison.

Skip to the 2:29 point in this video to see how much nicer 120hz is vs the 12 Pro Max.

The lack of ProMotion on the iPad Air is an absolute deal killer for me.

I can honestly say when having had the promotion on my 10.5 pro, I've never had an issue or complaint or crappy experience when switching between my iphone and iPad pro..

I've traded in my 10.5 pro this week and moved on to the Air 4. Non issue not having the promotion for me. To each his or her own.

You do realize in the example you provided that it was recorded with high frame rate, in real life the difference isn't as dramatic.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hi All !

Was just wondering if people have done this move and what they're thinking.
I have an Ipad pro 2017, that battery life is starting to be sub-par and was wondering if the new Air would be a good replacement. I don't need all the features of the Pro and find it to be a bit expansive.

I'm gonna break this down a bit. First off, I'm going to assume that you're talking about the 10.5" iPad Pro.

If you value the following features:

ProMotion
Quad-Speakers
LED Flash for your camera

...Then you might not be happy with the 2020 10.9" Air as a replacement.

If you don't value those features, then the 2020 iPad Air will be just fine. I have two of them (a 64GB version used primarily for iPadOS betas and a 256GB version used for having a cache of media for when I'm without internet; both are Wi-Fi only models). They're pretty decent. A little overpriced, but the current 11" Pro would've been overkill for my uses for these particular iPads in my arsenal.

 

[perezr10]

I can honestly say when having had the promotion on my 10.5 pro, I've never had an issue or complaint or crappy experience when switching between my iphone and iPad pro..

If there wasn’t a difference, than why is Apple rumored to be making the effort to bring 120hz to the iPhone 13? Apple never does something just to play the ”spec war”.

Maybe some people have eyes that don’t notice it. Because if I’m going to read something, I can’t wait to drop my iPhone whenever my iPad Pro is nearby. And it’s the smooth ProMotion that is so sweet.

 

[Act3]

If there wasn’t a difference, than why is Apple rumored to be making the effort to bring 120hz to the iPhone 13? Apple never does something just to play the ”spec war”.

Maybe some people have eyes that don’t notice it. Because if I’m going to read something, I can’t wait to drop my iPhone whenever my iPad Pro is nearby. And it’s the smooth ProMotion that is so sweet.

I never said there wasn’t a difference. If you aren’t holding the devices side by side, it’s not as noticeable to me.

 

[ericwn]

While I see a difference it’s not a deal breaker to me but rather a nice to have.

 

[Gandek]

I'm gonna break this down a bit. First off, I'm going to assume that you're talking about the 10.5" iPad Pro.

If you value the following features:

ProMotion
Quad-Speakers
LED Flash for your camera

...Then you might not be happy with the 2020 10.9" Air as a replacement.

If you don't value those features, then the 2020 iPad Air will be just fine. I have two of them (a 64GB version used primarily for iPadOS betas and a 256GB version used for having a cache of media for when I'm without internet; both are Wi-Fi only models). They're pretty decent. A little overpriced, but the current 11" Pro would've been overkill for my uses for these particular iPads in my arsenal.

I agree at the regular $599 starting price the Air 4 seems a tad bit expensive for my own personal tablet spending... thats essentially 600 + tax + accessories at that point for an extra $200 the Pro gets you all the features + 128GB of storage instead of 64GB. I picked mine up on sale at Microcenter for $529 though the price in that case was right.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I agree at the regular $599 starting price the Air 4 seems a tad bit expensive for my own personal tablet spending... thats essentially 600 + tax + accessories at that point for an extra $200 the Pro gets you all the features + 128GB of storage instead of 64GB. I picked mine up on sale at Microcenter for $529 though the price in that case was right.

Right. I had a friend use his Apple employee discount on me for my 256GB model and I bought my 64GB model brand new on eBay for $55 cheaper than retail. For me, it was a matter of the 11" iPad Pro being overkill, but me being adamant that I have speakers on either side of the iPad (in landscape mode) as only having audio on one side of the iPad for watching stuff without headphones is a joke on anything that isn't an iPad mini. I was worried that I'd want the quad-speakers, but in the settings that I'm usually watching video, the Fourth Gen Air is more than adequate.

 

[leperry]

I just upgraded my 10.5 pro for an Air. I use Procreate and Notability heavily and don’t miss the 120 hertz screen. I really wanted to upgrade to a new pro but really couldn’t justify the price. I can tell a slight difference between 60 and 120 but it’s not that apparent to justify the cost.

 

[Royksöpp]

Functionality wise I would say yes. The hardware improvements are the most significant upgrade. Do you want the magic keyboard and usb c connectivity? Or will you be using it for iPad things like games, browsing, and media consumption? Keep in mind that you will have to upgrade your pencil as well if you go with the air. I think it would be worth it. I could live without quad speakers and promotion. Just make sure you shop around for the best deal.

 

[Gandek]

Right. I had a friend use his Apple employee discount on me for my 256GB model and I bought my 64GB model brand new on eBay for $55 cheaper than retail. For me, it was a matter of the 11" iPad Pro being overkill, but me being adamant that I have speakers on either side of the iPad (in landscape mode) as only having audio on one side of the iPad for watching stuff without headphones is a joke on anything that isn't an iPad mini. I was worried that I'd want the quad-speakers, but in the settings that I'm usually watching video, the Fourth Gen Air is more than adequate.

Right I was also thinking about picking up a used Pro 11 (2018) since they go for a similar price on Swappa, but ultimately I wanted something that would guarantee me a fresh battery and to a lesser extent peace of mind with warranty.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Right I was also thinking about picking up a used Pro 11 (2018) since they go for a similar price on Swappa, but ultimately I wanted something that would guarantee me a fresh battery and to a lesser extent peace of mind with warranty.

I kept lurking on Swappa for a brand new one of those and I never really found one. Same for the 4th Gen Airs. I eventually went with eBay for my 64GB Wi-Fi 4th Gen Air. So far, so good. Oddly enough, it seems like Apple is starting AppleCare+ coverage time from the date the iPad is first "activated" rather than any original purchase date.

 

[Act3]

I just upgraded my 10.5 pro for an Air. I use Procreate and Notability heavily and don’t miss the 120 hertz screen. I really wanted to upgrade to a new pro but really couldn’t justify the price. I can tell a slight difference between 60 and 120 but it’s not that apparent to justify the cost.

I did the same last week with both of our ipad pro 10.5... We both like the upgrade and the outstanding battery life. Even the extra .4 inch of screen real estate is noticeable. iPad Air 4 fits our needs just well. Now if I can settle on a nice case. Got a cheap one off of amazon, added a bit of weight. Gonna give the apple folio cover a try, I cringe at the price for that but it is what it is. I'll give a shot.

Update: Tried the apple folio cover , its already in the mail back. Waste of money, 7 dollar case on amazon, just as good if not better.

 

[Gandek]

Another thing I noticed (which might not be a surprise to most of you) is the oleophobic coating is again really weak on the Air 4 as it was on the 10.5. This has been well documented at this point but I just wanted to point it out... the anti reflective coating + whatever they use for the Apple Pencil make these things a smudge magnet. You get used to it though... unfortunately the screen protector I used (sparin tempered) was pretty terrible as well and covered up the anti reflective coating so I took it off.

 

[rdy0329]

I did this upgrade path and it feels more of an upgrade in every sense of the way.

Storage: Given 64GB is enough for me then and even now, I did not have to worry about storage all that much.

Screen: Everyone often forgets that ProMotion is a variable refresh tech and not fixed 120Hz. If you don’t do much with respect to drawing or animation/editing, getting an Air 4 is a good pick. The real wow would come from rounded edges and being able to multi-task better than 10.5”.

Speed: A10X is about the same as A12 if put to its paces. Benchmarks put A14 multi core equaling A12X As it should. What you get more on A14 is its power efficiency In low power tasks.

Battery: Fixed 60Hz is its downfall on this regards (ProMotion can go lower to preserve battery). I know Apple just say 10 hours across all their iPads but we all know there are passable 10 hours and amazing 10 hours. I’d chalk this up to the former. Although its obviously better than my 2017 Pro with aging battery.

Speakers: same loudness, lesser detail. Lateral upgrade.

Biometrics: about the same error rate. Proven useful this maskdemic.

I’ve paired this with a magic keyboard and don’t find a need for MacBook anymore. Looking into iMac for my Mac needs.

 

[Gandek]

I did this upgrade path and it feels more of an upgrade in every sense of the way.

Storage: Given 64GB is enough for me then and even now, I did not have to worry about storage all that much.

Screen: Everyone often forgets that ProMotion is a variable refresh tech and not fixed 120Hz. If you don’t do much with respect to drawing or animation/editing, getting an Air 4 is a good pick.

Speed: A10X is about the same as A12 if put to its paces. Benchmarks put A14 multi core equaling A12X As it should. What you get more on A14 is its power efficiency.

Battery: Fixed 60Hz is its downfall on this regards (ProMotion can go lower to preserve battery). I know Apple just say 10 hours across all their iPads but we all know there are passable 10 hours and amazing 10 hours. I’d chalk this up to the former. Although its obviously better than my 2017 Pro with aging battery.

Speakers: same loudness, lesser detail. Lateral upgrade.

Biometrics: about the same error rate. Proven useful this maskdemic.

Interesting I find the speakers to be a bit more quiet/less bass but with slightly better detail in the tones. So opposite of your experience it seems.

 

[rdy0329]

Interesting I find the speakers to be a bit more quiet/less bass but with slightly better detail in the tones. So opposite of your experience it seems.

Details that came from bass, I suppose. But yes, they have improved their speakers over the years. You can’t beat physics though so 4 speakers is still better than 2, albeit really good ones.

 

[Act3]

After using my air for about 10 days or so and with the apple event on Tuesday, I have appt on Monday at apple store to return it. My wife will keep hers. She loves it. I really like the air 4 too... however after more thinking about it , for about $200 more I can get faster processor, double storage, more RAM, better cameras, 4 speakers, more microphones, face ID and ProMotion. Thats assuming apple don't raise the prices on the upcoming pro model. My only complaint with the Air 4 is the speakers, if using device in portrait, the sound all seems like it is coming from left side of screen.

 

[theapplehead]

How’s the battery life on the Air 4 compared to the 10.5 Pro for you guys? Can you tell a big improvement?

 

[rui no onna]

How’s the battery life on the Air 4 compared to the 10.5 Pro for you guys? Can you tell a big improvement?

My Pro 10.5 drains 25-50% drain per day just on standby so yes, the Air 4 is a major improvement.

 

[theapplehead]

My Pro 10.5 drains 25-50% drain per day just on standby so yes, the Air 4 is a major improvement.

Same! I just bought an iPad Air but I haven’t opened it yet so I’m just trying to be sure I wanna actually keep it rather than take it back and stick with what I’ve got. It’s a shame though cause I really like the quad speakers and promotion.