iPad Which ipad to choose: 6th gen vs air 3?

[mikemanpl]

Dear Ipad users!

I know that the question in the topic seems to be rhetorical, but bear with me for a moment here please.

I was able to buy both of them in good price each. Now, the air 3 (64Gb, wifi) is 1,5x as expensive as ipad 6th (32gb, wifi). I am aware that air 3 has a12 (vs a10) CPU, more memory, is a little bigger and more fresh, can have the keyboard attached, but ... since it will be used mostly at home and for consuming media (internet, movies, simple games that does not involve super graphics), is it worth to pay extra and leave myself the Air 3?

I would like to hear your thoughts on that, as when I compared them head to head in e.g. websites opening, responsiveness in default apps, they are mostly the same. I am wondering if you can point something that will make doubts cleared (any features that leaves that ipad 6th behind or maybe on contrary: there is no reason to overpay for air 3 if I am not using it for professional purposes)?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[ssledoux]

I think the 6th gen is a nice device (actually just sold a 3rd gen pro and went back to using a 6th gen). It will likely do all you need.

That being said, if you want it to last a while, I think the Air 3 might be the better option. The 6th gen is using 2 year old tech for sure (if not 3). The Air 3's processor will carry you through longer with software updates.

Another nice thing about the Air 3 would be the option to add that keyboard if you found other uses for your iPad. You don't have that with the 6th gen.

Only you know if those things are worth the money for you personally, but I think the Air 3 will have more life in it.

 

[scupking]

If your buying now I think the 7th gen is the better option over the 6th (if you get it on sale). You get a larger screen, same amount of ram as the air 3, same speakers as the air 3 (some people say they are an upgrade over the gen 6) pencil and keyboard support.

 

[rui no onna]

The iPad 6th generation is still a very capable device.

In the US, it doesn't make much sense to get it considering you can often find brand new iPad 7th gen close to used 6th gen pricing and often cheaper than refurb pricing. Alas, others parts of the world may not get deals as good.

If there's significant price difference in your country, you want to save some cash and for the usage mentioned, I think the 6th gen is good enough.

We have a couple 6th gens in the household. One user has similar usage to yours (YouTube and Twitch primarily and Candy Crush-type games). I honestly expect it to run just fine for at least the next 3 years. Even the Air 2 and 5th gen are still doing well. The Air 2 is showing its age but it's still far, far nicer to use than an iPad 2 on iOS 4.

 

[urkel]

Ive always wondered if a middle-tier (Air) should even exist. The Air is a great machine but it seems too expensive to be considered “for average users” and its missing too many modern features (120hr, stereo, USBC) to be considered premium. So it feels like a budget ipad for someone who isnt on a budget (aka: The Tim Cook Special).

 

[rui no onna]

Ive always wondered if a middle-tier (Air) should even exist. The Air is a great machine but it seems too expensive to be considered “for average users” and its missing too many modern features (120hr, stereo, USBC) to be considered premium. So it feels like a budget ipad for someone who isnt on a budget (aka: The Tim Cook Special).

A budget iPad for those not on a budget or a premium iPad for those who are. At least with US pricing, I think it makes for a nice middle ground. Particularly for those who need just a little more than 32GB storage but don't need to move all the way up to 128GB. It's also a decent option for those who just want a laminated display but don't want to spend a whole lot more for the Pro.

Plus Air 3 with A12 appears to have better battery life than Pro 10.5 with A10X even when the latter was brand new. From comments I've read from those with both Air 3 and Pro 11, it appears Air 3's got longer battery life compared to Pro 11, as well.

Typical US sale prices:

iPad 7 32GB $229-249 Wi-Fi / $379 LTE
iPad 7 128GB $329 Wi-Fi / $459 LTE

iPad Air 3 64GB $399 Wi-Fi / $529 LTE
iPad Air 3 256GB $549 Wi-Fi / $629 LTE

iPad Pro 11 64GB Wi-Fi $649 Wi-Fi / $799 LTE
iPad Pro 11 256GB Wi-Fi $799 Wi-Fi / $949 LTE

Yes, you can buy used iPads but there are a lot of people who aren't comfortable buying used (no warranty, battery wear and general wear and tear).

 

[mi7chy]

RAM size is the biggest barrier to longevity of a device. I'd prioritize RAM so more is better and between your options 3GB > 2GB.

iPad Air 3 & iPad 7 > iPad 6

 

[oneMadRssn]

I think the screen is the most important thing about an iPad, and that laminated screen with the anti glare coating on the Air3 is key.

 

[AutomaticApple]

just sold a 3rd gen pro and went back to using a 6th gen

Ouch, that was painful to read...

 

[urkel]

It's also a decent option for those who just want a laminated display but don't want to spend a whole lot more for the Pro.

Didn’t know that, Thanks.

I guess my point was that the Air should be the baseline iPad and an a10 chip shouldn’t even be sold in 2020. (Even the iPad Mini 5 runs an A12 and Mini’s have had laminated screens since 2015).

 

[rui no onna]

I guess my point was that the Air should be the baseline iPad and an a10 chip shouldn’t even be sold in 2020. (Even the iPad Mini 5 runs an A12 and Mini’s have had laminated screens since 2015).

The Mini 5 is more mainstream than entry level though. Before the rise of phablets, Apple was selling both iPad Mini 2 ($229-249, non-laminated iirc) and iPad Mini 4 ($399).

The non-laminated display is likely the biggest single line item cost savings for Apple allowing them to sell it at $329. Given the iPad 7's $229-249 on sale pricing and that it's much more flexible/useful than the cheapie $100 Fire HD, I think it's good that the option is available for those who want it or can't afford higher end models.

Besides, in other countries even $250-330 is already a lot of money equal to or sometimes more than one month's salary.

 

[ssledoux]

Ouch, that was painful to read...

yeah - almost as painful as the Daniel Tiger shows on repeat.

Actually, I did it because I just don’t use my iPad enough to warrant having a pro since I bought my iMac last year. For playing a few games, my digital planning/notes, and reading Facebook and forums, the 6th gen is fine, and I already had it.

 

[bobsamm]

Would be nuts to sell a 11" 64gb 4G pro here now to replace with a equivalent new 6th/7th or Air, would be lucky to break even on a 6th gen, the others you would be coughing. Such a backward move unless you already had a old one lying around.

The 6th gen is almost the same as original iPad just lighter/faster lol.

 

[ssledoux]

Would be nuts to sell a 11" 64gb 4G pro here now to replace with a equivalent new 6th/7th or Air, would be lucky to break even on a 6th gen, the others you would be coughing. Such a backward move unless you already had a old one lying around.

The 6th gen is almost the same as original iPad just lighter/faster lol.

Well I just sold one on here - did a lot better than break even, even if I would've had to purchase a 6th gen, but I did happen to have one already.

 

[bobsamm]

Well I just sold one on here - did a lot better than break even, even if I would've had to purchase a 6th gen, but I did happen to have one already.

Well a 6th gen 4g 128gb here is $739AUD, the same in a 10.2 7th gen is $889. And re sale for a 11" 64gb 4g is around $900.
Who's going to do that to make $10 or even $130 lol.

 

[mikemanpl]

Thank you guys for all your Feedback. I am edging to air now, since you pointed out that it will be more futureproof (And I second your remark about 1gb RAM more to be useful). My last ipad mini 2 was slowly killed by apple with updates- each time there was an update, it started to have some freezes, exit-to-home screen extravaganzas and updating the firmware did help, but in exchange it was slower on a new firmware.
To be honest though, they made that air3 a tad too big to be handled comfortably. If it kept 9,7 size with slimer bezels, it would be best.

 

[EugW]

Thank you guys for all your Feedback. I am edging to air now, since you pointed out that it will be more futureproof (And I second your remark about 1gb RAM more to be useful). My last ipad mini 2 was slowly killed by apple with updates- each time there was an update, it started to have some freezes, exit-to-home screen extravaganzas and updating the firmware did help, but in exchange it was slower on a new firmware.
To be honest though, they made that air3 a tad too big to be handled comfortably. If it kept 9,7 size with slimer bezels, it would be best.

I personally think the 10.5-11" size is best. Nicer than the 9.7" models for surfing and side-by-side app usage, and in our case, much more pleasant if you add the Apple Smart Keyboard. The 9.7" Pro has a reduced size key spacing, whereas the 10.5"-11" (and 10.2") has the 18 mm full-sized key spacing. It makes typing more accurate and less fatiguing. Plus, the Air 3 has several other advantages, not the least of which are the nicer screen and the 3 GB RAM.

If the choice is between Air 3 and iPad 6, IMO, it's no contest, the Air 3 wins except for cost. The decision is harder between the 10.2" iPad 7 and 10.5" Air 3 though. In our case I have a 10.5" iPad Pro for myself, and recently bought the 10.2" iPad 7 LTE model for the wife. However, one big reason I got that iPad 7 LTE is because my carrier was offering it for the same price as the WiFi model so it was a no brainer for my wife's usage. I added a refurb Apple Smart Keyboard to it for cheap and my wife is very pleased. The screen isn't as nice as the screen on the iPad Air 3, but the ability to use the Apple Smart Keyboard with 18 mm spacing makes all the difference.

Here is my mini-review of the iPad 7, which has the same SoC as the iPad 6, comparing it to the iPad Pro 10.5":

iPad 7 10.2" + iPad Pro 10.5" with Apple Smart Keyboards side by side (Pic!)

Can you tell which is which? You can tell just from the pic, but even side-by-side they look awfully similar. One is an iPad 10.2" LTE model with 128 GB, and the other is an iPad Pro 10.5" WiFi model with 64 GB. Weight and size: I don't know if the actually notice a weight difference, but the...

forums.macrumors.com

We also have two of the 9.7" iPad Air 2, and I personally won't go back to that size if I can help it.

 

[ssledoux]

Well a 6th gen 4g 128gb here is $739AUD, the same in a 10.2 7th gen is $889. And re sale for a 11" 64gb 4g is around $900.
Who's going to do that to make $10 or even $130 lol.

Well, I was about to come out easily $500 ahead selling mine (after fees/shipping, etc.), and I already had a 6th gen, so that cost me nothing. That, coupled with the fact that I really wasn't using my iPad for anything other than playing a game and checking emails, seemed to make sense to me.

 

[rui no onna]

Well, I was about to come out easily $500 ahead selling mine (after fees/shipping, etc.), and I already had a 6th gen, so that cost me nothing. That, coupled with the fact that I really wasn't using my iPad for anything other than playing a game and checking emails, seemed to make sense to me.

I think that was the point. If one didn’t already own a 6th gen, makes absolutely no sense to downgrade from a Pro 11 considering you’ll be around break even or perhaps even a slight loss after buying a new iPad.

It’s different in your case since you do own the 6th gen already.

 

[Richard8655]

For us frugal types, the 6th gen (as a 9.7" display) gets us free Microsoft Office. Even though I also have an Air 3, I don't feel I'd miss it much if not. My 5th and 6th gens are just fine.

 

[Elitegate]

Dear Ipad users!

I know that the question in the topic seems to be rhetorical, but bear with me for a moment here please.

I was able to buy both of them in good price each. Now, the air 3 (64Gb, wifi) is 1,5x as expensive as ipad 6th (32gb, wifi). I am aware that air 3 has a12 (vs a10) CPU, more memory, is a little bigger and more fresh, can have the keyboard attached, but ... since it will be used mostly at home and for consuming media (internet, movies, simple games that does not involve super graphics), is it worth to pay extra and leave myself the Air 3?

I would like to hear your thoughts on that, as when I compared them head to head in e.g. websites opening, responsiveness in default apps, they are mostly the same. I am wondering if you can point something that will make doubts cleared (any features that leaves that ipad 6th behind or maybe on contrary: there is no reason to overpay for air 3 if I am not using it for professional purposes)?

Many thanks in advance!

If you want it for media consumption - get the 6th gen. The A10 is fine and still pretty powerful for that purpose (media).

 

[max2]

What about the iPad 5th Gen for media consumption. Any good ?

 

[MandiMac]

Just to chime in: Every chip from the A11 onwards can use all its cores altogether which does quite wondrous things for general performance. I personally would not buy another device under A11 chip - and the better (laminated) display of the Air 3 would do the trick.

 

[Elitegate]

What about the iPad 5th Gen for media consumption. Any good ?

Well yes, if you don't mind the A9 chip. It's basically the same device as the 6th gen and 7th gen. 6th gen has the A10 chip + 2 GB of RAM and the 7th gen has a slightly larger 10.2" display and the same A10 chip + 3 GB of RAM.

I would stick to the 6th gen. Check Apple's own refurbished offers. They don't have any right now but i have seen 6th gen iPads with 32 GB Wi-Fi for as low as 249$. Similar pricing you may find at Amazon etc...

Refurbished iPad - iPad

Save up to 15% on a refurbished iPad at Apple Online Store with free delivery. All models are Apple-certified with a 1-year warranty.

www.apple.com

Air 3 has these additional features:

- 10.5" size
- Laminated Display
- Better performance (A12 chip)
- True Tone Display and P3 Wide-Color
- 64/256 GB options

If you don't mind not having these listed features, go with the 6th gen. 5th gen again, is OK too, but the chip is even older.

 

[rui no onna]

I would stick to the 6th gen. Check Apple's own refurbished offers. They don't have any right now but i have seen 6th gen iPads with 32 GB Wi-Fi for as low as 249$. Similar pricing you may find at Amazon etc...

I don’t recommend the 6th gen when you can get a brand new 7th gen at Best Buy for $249 right now.