IPad Air 2020 Vs. IPad Pro 2018: Which IPad Reigns Supreme?

Hey tech enthusiasts! Ever found yourself staring at the Apple Store, your heart set on a new iPad but totally stumped by the options? You're not alone! Today, we're diving headfirst into a classic showdown: the iPad Air 2020 versus the iPad Pro 2018. Both are fantastic tablets, but they cater to slightly different crowds. Choosing the right one can feel like navigating a maze, so let's break it down and see which one deserves a spot on your desk (or lap!). We'll explore their specs, features, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision. Buckle up, because by the end of this, you'll know exactly which iPad is the champion for you.

Design and Build Quality: A Tale of Two Tablets

Let's kick things off with a look at what these tablets look and feel like. The iPad Air 2020 made a splash with its fresh, modern design. It took cues from the iPad Pro lineup, ditching the chunky bezels for a more streamlined look. It's got a sleek, all-screen design with rounded corners and comes in a range of vibrant colors. The build quality is top-notch, with an aluminum unibody that feels premium in your hands. The placement of the Touch ID sensor on the power button is a smart move, making unlocking the device super convenient. Overall, the iPad Air 2020 feels like a refined and stylish piece of tech, perfect for those who want a tablet that looks as good as it performs.

Now, let's turn our attention to the iPad Pro 2018. This tablet also boasts a premium build, but it's got a slightly different aesthetic. It features even thinner bezels than the Air, creating a truly immersive experience. It's available in silver and space gray and exudes a more professional vibe. The iPad Pro 2018 introduced Face ID, which works flawlessly for unlocking the device and authorizing purchases. The flat-edged design might appeal to some, while others might prefer the Air's rounded edges. In terms of build quality, both are exceptional, but the iPad Pro 2018 might edge out the Air in terms of pure, unadulterated luxury. The Pro also came in larger sizes, offering even more screen real estate for creative tasks and multitasking. The choice between the two really boils down to personal preference. Do you prefer the playful colors and integrated Touch ID of the Air, or the sleek, professional aesthetic and Face ID of the Pro? Both are winners in the design department, but they offer distinct experiences. Keep in mind that the iPad Pro 2018 has a slightly older design compared to the Air, but it still feels incredibly modern and well-built. The build materials used on both are high-quality, ensuring longevity and durability for years to come.

Size and Weight Comparison

Another important aspect to consider is the size and weight of each device. The iPad Air 2020 is incredibly portable and easy to carry around. It's thinner and lighter than the iPad Pro 2018, making it a great option for those who prioritize portability. The Air is perfect for students, travelers, or anyone who wants a tablet that won't weigh them down. The iPad Pro 2018, on the other hand, comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch. The larger size is ideal for those who need more screen real estate for creative work, such as drawing, video editing, or multitasking. The 11-inch model is still relatively portable, but it's slightly heavier than the Air. If portability is a major concern, the iPad Air 2020 is the clear winner. However, if you need a larger display for productivity or creative tasks, the iPad Pro 2018's larger size might be worth the trade-off in weight. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. Do you prefer a sleek, lightweight tablet that's easy to take anywhere, or do you need a larger display for more demanding tasks?

Display: Visual Feast or Subtle Differences?

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the displays! This is where you'll be staring at your content all day, so it's a critical factor. The iPad Air 2020 features a stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It has vibrant colors, excellent brightness, and wide viewing angles. The display is sharp and detailed, making it a joy to watch movies, browse the web, or play games. It also supports True Tone technology, which adjusts the display's color temperature to match the ambient lighting, making it easier on your eyes. The screen on the Air is a major selling point, offering a premium viewing experience.

The iPad Pro 2018 boasts a similar Liquid Retina display, but with some extra bells and whistles. It comes in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, giving you more screen real estate. It also features ProMotion technology, which provides a 120Hz refresh rate. This means the display refreshes the image 120 times per second, resulting in smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel. This is especially noticeable when using the Apple Pencil. The iPad Pro 2018's display is simply sublime, offering a level of visual fidelity that's hard to beat. The larger sizes are also a huge advantage for creative professionals who need more space to work. The iPad Pro 2018's display might be the more appealing option if you value smooth visuals and extra screen size. However, the iPad Air 2020's display is still excellent, and most users will be more than satisfied with its performance. It really depends on how much you value those added features. The ProMotion technology is a game-changer for many, but not everyone will notice the difference. The larger screen sizes on the Pro are a must-have for some, but not everyone needs that extra space. Both displays are gorgeous, but the Pro takes it up a notch.

Display Technology Showdown

Beyond the screen size and refresh rate, the core display technology is also worth exploring. Both the iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018 utilize Liquid Retina displays, which is Apple's branding for their LCD technology. This means both tablets offer exceptional picture quality, with vibrant colors, accurate color representation, and impressive brightness levels. True Tone technology is another feature that enhances the viewing experience on both devices. True Tone automatically adjusts the display's color temperature based on the ambient lighting conditions. This makes the screen easier on your eyes and helps to reduce eye strain, especially during extended use. The iPad Pro 2018, however, takes it a step further with ProMotion technology. ProMotion dynamically adjusts the refresh rate of the display, going up to 120Hz. This results in incredibly smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and a more responsive feel. The difference is most noticeable when using the Apple Pencil or playing fast-paced games. The higher refresh rate makes the Pro feel more premium and responsive compared to the Air. If you're a creative professional or a gamer, the ProMotion display is a significant advantage. However, for everyday use, the standard Liquid Retina display on the Air is still excellent and provides a fantastic viewing experience.

Performance: Power Under the Hood

Let's talk about what makes these tablets tick. The iPad Air 2020 is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which was a powerhouse when it launched. This chip provides impressive performance for everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, streaming videos, and running apps. It's also capable of handling more demanding tasks, such as gaming and video editing. The Air offers a smooth and responsive experience, with no noticeable lag or slowdowns. It's a significant upgrade over previous generations of iPads, making it a great choice for those who want a tablet that can keep up with their fast-paced lives.

The iPad Pro 2018 is equipped with the A12X Bionic chip, which is still a very capable processor. It provides excellent performance for a wide range of tasks, including gaming, video editing, and multitasking. The A12X Bionic chip is designed to handle demanding workloads, making the iPad Pro 2018 a great choice for creative professionals and power users. While the A14 Bionic chip in the Air is slightly newer, the difference in real-world performance is not always noticeable. The iPad Pro 2018's chip is still incredibly powerful, and it can handle most tasks with ease. The Pro also often comes with more RAM, which can improve performance when multitasking or running memory-intensive apps. Choosing between the two will depend on your specific needs. The Air offers a newer chip, but the Pro still provides excellent performance. Consider what you'll be using the tablet for and choose the one that best suits your needs. The A12X is still very powerful, and the Pro often has an advantage in terms of RAM, which can improve multitasking capabilities. Keep in mind that both tablets offer smooth and responsive performance, but the Pro might have a slight edge in demanding tasks.

Benchmarks and Real-World Usage

When comparing the performance of the iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018, it's helpful to look at benchmarks and real-world usage scenarios. Benchmarks are standardized tests that measure the performance of a device's processor, graphics chip, and other components. These tests can provide a good indication of the overall performance of a tablet, but they don't always reflect real-world usage. In terms of benchmark scores, the iPad Air 2020 generally scores higher than the iPad Pro 2018, thanks to its newer A14 Bionic chip. However, in real-world usage, the difference in performance is not always noticeable. Both tablets offer excellent performance for everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, streaming videos, and running apps. When it comes to more demanding tasks, such as gaming and video editing, both tablets can handle them with ease. The iPad Pro 2018 often has an advantage in memory capacity, which can improve multitasking performance. This means you can have more apps open in the background without experiencing any slowdowns. Overall, both tablets offer excellent performance, and the best choice depends on your specific needs. If you prioritize raw processing power, the iPad Air 2020 might be the better choice. However, if you need more RAM for multitasking or want a tablet with a larger display, the iPad Pro 2018 is still a great option.

Cameras: Snapping Photos and Video Calls

How about the cameras? Let's be honest, you might not use your iPad all the time for photos, but it's still good to know what you're getting. The iPad Air 2020 has a 12MP rear camera that takes good photos and videos in various lighting conditions. It also has a 7MP front-facing camera for video calls and selfies. The camera quality is decent for a tablet, but it's not the primary focus of this device. The iPad Air 2020's camera is perfectly adequate for taking quick snaps, scanning documents, and participating in video conferences. It's a reliable camera that will get the job done.

The iPad Pro 2018 also features a 12MP rear camera, but it has some additional features that make it stand out. It includes a wider aperture lens, which allows it to capture more light in low-light conditions. It also has features like Smart HDR, which improves the dynamic range of photos. The front-facing camera is also improved. The iPad Pro 2018 can capture 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, offering better video quality. While the camera isn't the primary focus of either device, the iPad Pro 2018 has a slight edge in terms of image quality and video capabilities. If camera quality is a high priority, the Pro is the better choice. However, the iPad Air 2020's camera is still excellent for everyday use. Ultimately, both tablets offer good cameras, but the iPad Pro 2018 provides some extra features that make it a bit more versatile. The Pro also often has more advanced image processing capabilities, which can lead to better photos and videos. The iPad Air 2020 still takes great photos and videos, it's just not quite as advanced as the Pro.

Camera Specifics and Features

Let's delve deeper into the camera specifications and features of each tablet. The iPad Air 2020 features a 12MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, which captures detailed photos and videos. It can record 4K video at up to 30 frames per second and 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second. It also features a 7MP front-facing camera for video calls and selfies. The iPad Air 2020's camera offers good image quality in various lighting conditions. The iPad Pro 2018 also features a 12MP rear camera, but it has an f/1.8 aperture lens with some additional features. It includes Smart HDR for improved dynamic range and better photo quality. It can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and 1080p video at up to 120 frames per second for slow-motion videos. The iPad Pro 2018 also has a 7MP front-facing camera for video calls and selfies. The iPad Pro 2018 has a slight edge in terms of image quality and video capabilities, thanks to features like Smart HDR and 4K video recording at 60fps. If you're a content creator or simply enjoy taking high-quality photos and videos, the iPad Pro 2018 is the better choice. However, the iPad Air 2020's camera is still excellent for everyday use, and it will meet the needs of most users. Both cameras are capable of capturing great memories, but the Pro provides some extra features that make it a bit more versatile.

Features and Extras: Beyond the Basics

Let's explore some of the other features that set these tablets apart. The iPad Air 2020 supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to the side of the tablet for charging and storage. It also has a USB-C port for charging and connecting accessories. The Air's support for the Apple Pencil is a big plus for artists, students, and anyone who enjoys taking notes or sketching. The USB-C port offers versatile connectivity options, making it easy to connect external devices. The Air gives you a great balance of features and performance.

The iPad Pro 2018 also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and features a USB-C port. The Pro models also include four speakers, providing immersive audio. The iPad Pro 2018 also has Face ID, which adds an extra layer of security. The Pro's additional features like four speakers and Face ID make it a more premium device. If audio quality and enhanced security are important to you, the Pro is a great choice. Both tablets offer a great selection of features. The second-generation Apple Pencil is a must-have for anyone who uses their tablet for creative tasks or note-taking. USB-C connectivity is another important feature, allowing you to connect a wide range of accessories. These extra features might tip the scales for some users. The Pro offers a more premium experience, but the Air is still a very capable and feature-rich tablet. The choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. Do you value the immersive audio and enhanced security of the Pro, or are you happy with the Air's excellent feature set and more affordable price?

Key Feature Breakdown

Let's break down some of the key features of both the iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018. Both tablets support the second-generation Apple Pencil. This stylus attaches magnetically to the side of the tablet, allowing for wireless charging and easy storage. Both also have a USB-C port, which offers versatile connectivity for charging, connecting external devices, and transferring data. The iPad Pro 2018 offers a few additional features, like Face ID for secure authentication. It also has four speakers, which deliver immersive audio. The iPad Air 2020 focuses on simplicity and affordability while still providing a great experience. The iPad Pro 2018 adds some premium features that might appeal to certain users, such as Face ID and enhanced audio. If you want the most secure and immersive experience, the iPad Pro 2018 is the better choice. Both offer great features for their respective price points.

Battery Life: Keeping the Juice Flowing

Battery life is crucial, right? Nobody wants a tablet that dies on them halfway through the day. Both the iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018 offer excellent battery life. You can expect to get around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge. This is enough to get you through a full day of work or entertainment. The actual battery life may vary depending on your usage, but both tablets offer good performance in this area. You shouldn't have any concerns about running out of juice during a typical day. Both tablets are built to last, providing ample power for all your needs.

Battery Performance Details

Let's get into the specifics of battery performance. The iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018 both have batteries that are designed to provide all-day battery life. Apple claims that both tablets can deliver up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or video playback. In real-world testing, both tablets generally meet or exceed this claim. The actual battery life may vary depending on how you use your tablet. For example, playing graphics-intensive games or using the tablet at maximum brightness can drain the battery more quickly. However, the battery life on both tablets is still excellent. You can easily get through a full day of work or entertainment on a single charge. If you need a tablet that can last for extended periods, both the iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018 are excellent choices. Battery life is typically not a major deciding factor when choosing between these two tablets. However, the Air has a slight advantage in terms of power efficiency, and may last just a little longer in specific usage scenarios.

Price and Value: Making the Right Choice

Finally, let's talk about the money! This is where things get interesting. The iPad Air 2020 is generally more affordable than the iPad Pro 2018. It's a great value for the features and performance you get. It gives you a premium experience without breaking the bank. The iPad Air 2020 offers a sweet spot between price and performance. It's an excellent choice for most users. The Air is the perfect pick if you're looking for a great tablet at a reasonable price.

The iPad Pro 2018 is more expensive, but it offers a more premium experience. It has a higher-end display, more powerful processor, and more features. The Pro is the best choice if you need a tablet for creative tasks or demanding workloads. If you want the absolute best performance and features, the iPad Pro 2018 is worth the investment. It provides exceptional value for power users and creative professionals. The price difference reflects the additional features and performance of the Pro. Consider your budget and your needs when deciding between the two. The Pro costs more, but you are getting a lot more features for that extra cost. Think about what you need in a tablet, and the decision will become clear. The iPad Air 2020 is a fantastic value, while the iPad Pro 2018 caters to a more specialized audience.

Price vs. Performance Breakdown

When considering the price and value of the iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018, it's important to look at the overall package. The iPad Air 2020 is a great value, offering excellent performance and features for its price point. It has a beautiful display, a powerful processor, and supports the second-generation Apple Pencil. It's a great choice for students, professionals, and anyone who wants a premium tablet experience without breaking the bank. The iPad Pro 2018 is more expensive, but it also offers more features and higher performance. It has a ProMotion display, a more powerful processor, and advanced features like Face ID and four speakers. It's the best choice for creative professionals, gamers, and anyone who needs the absolute best performance and features. If you're on a budget, the iPad Air 2020 is the better value. If you're willing to spend more for the best possible experience, the iPad Pro 2018 is worth the investment. Choosing between the two comes down to your priorities and what you plan to use the tablet for. The Air will fit most users' needs, while the Pro provides that extra performance and features for those who require them.

Conclusion: Which iPad Should You Choose?

So, which iPad is right for you? It depends on your needs and budget. If you want the best value and a great all-around tablet, the iPad Air 2020 is an excellent choice. It offers a premium experience at a more affordable price. If you're a creative professional, gamer, or power user, the iPad Pro 2018 is the better option. It offers a more powerful processor, a stunning display with ProMotion technology, and more features. Both are excellent tablets, and you really can't go wrong with either one. Take your time, weigh the pros and cons, and choose the one that best suits your needs. Happy tablet hunting!