What is the difference between iPad Air and 2. What to choose: iPad Air (2019) or iPad (2018)? Battery life

A new budget iPad tablet with support for Apple Pencil costs 25,000 rubles (in the basic configuration) - almost two times less (47,000 rubles) compared to the cheapest model of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro (excluding Apple Pencil) and more less than half the price of the 12.9-inch version (RUB 59,000).

The situation in the case of models with support for cellular modules (Cellular) is similar, the difference is 22,000 rubles and 34,000 rubles for the 10.5- and 12.9-inch versions of the iPad Pro, respectively. This may seem like a good deal to some, but it’s worth considering other factors before choosing the cheapest device.

iPad 2018 and iPad Pro displays

The difference between the iPad and iPad Pro screen is obvious. The new iPad model received the usual Retina display with a diagonal of 9.7 inches and a resolution of 2048 × 1536 pixels. The 10.5- and 12.9-inch versions of the iPad Pro have larger screens and higher resolutions. The display resolution of the 10.5-inch version is 2224 × 1668 pixels, the 12.9-inch version is 2732 × 2048 pixels. Despite the difference in resolution and size, the pixel density in the screens of all three models is the same - 264 ppi.

Unlike the 2018 iPad, the iPad Pro line offers a number of additional features, such as ProMotion, which doubles the screen refresh rate from 60 to 120 frames per second, or which makes the display colors adjust to ambient lighting. In addition, the iPad Pro display boasts a wider color gamut for brighter, richer images, as well as an anti-glare coating.

iPad 2018 and iPad Pro performance

Using the 2.2 GHz A10 Fusion chip, the 2018 iPad's performance is a significant improvement over previous models, but it still doesn't match the power of the iPad Pro, which features a 6-core 2.39 GHz A10X Fusion chip. The difference in performance is also due to different amounts of RAM. The 2018 iPad comes with 2GB of RAM, while both iPad Pro models use 4GB of RAM. This difference is clearly demonstrated in the Geekbench 4 benchmark results: in the single-core test, the 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro scored 3908 and 3903 points, respectively, while the iPad scored 3254 points. According to these numbers, the Pro line's single-core performance is 20% faster than the iPad, although some don't consider this a significant improvement.

In multi-core tests, the iPad Pro's performance is rated at 9287 points (12.9-inch version) and 9304 (10.5-inch model). In the same time new iPad scored 5857 points - a good result compared to other models in the series. Overall, the iPad Pro performed about 58% better in the multi-core test.

Judging by the results of multi-core and single-core tests, the difference in performance during everyday use of the iPad will not be so noticeable, but if we're talking about When it comes to multitasking or apps that require as much processing power as possible, the iPad Pro continues to be the best option.

iPad 2018 and iPad Pro Cameras and Imaging

Since the debut of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the line has offered improved shooting and imaging capabilities over the iPad. With the release of the iPad 6 (2018), the situation has not changed - the tablet received the same cameras as its predecessors. The gadget is equipped with an 8-megapixel main camera without a flash, capable of shooting video in 1080p resolution. For comparison, the 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are equipped with a 12-megapixel camera with support for optical image stabilization, 4K video recording and True Tone Quad-LED flash. The camera also boasts a wider color gamut for photos and Live Photos, a six-element lens, HDR support, and Focus Pixels technology. In addition, the iPad Pro can record slow-motion video at 1080p resolution and 120 fps. or with a resolution of 720p and a frequency of 240 fps. The iPad is capable of shooting video in Slo-Mo mode at 720p resolution and 120 fps.

The iPad is equipped with a 1.2-megapixel front camera with the ability to record video in 720p resolution. The iPad Pro version has more impressive characteristics: a 7-megapixel front camera capable of recording video in 1080p resolution, and support automatic switching on HDR for photography.

Speakers, battery, interfaces and colors of iPad 2018 and iPad Pro

The 2018 iPad has two stereo speakers located at the bottom of the tablet. In turn, the iPad Pro has 4 stereo speakers located at the top and bottom of the device, which automatically adjust the sound output.

Oddly enough, according to the indicators battery life the new iPad and iPad Pro aren't too different. The iPad uses a 32.4 Wh battery, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a 41 Wh battery, and the 10.5-inch model has a 30.4 Wh battery. Despite the differences in battery size and display power consumption, Apple claims that all three models can last up to 10 hours while surfing the Internet over Wi-Fi.

Among other things, iPad Pro is equipped with a Smart Connector, which provides two-way data communication/power and allows you to connect external accessories to the tablet computer. In a world where Bluetooth keyboards come with their own batteries, this functionality is less useful than you might expect.

For those who care appearance devices, Apple has provided several color options: “Grey”, “Space Grey”, “Gold”. Available for 10.5" version color scheme"Pink gold".

IN last years Apple has stopped numbering and giving any additions to the name of its tablets. As a result, the new iPad 2018, officially announced yesterday, is called... iPad. Simple user This can definitely be confusing, so in this text we will explain the differences between the iPad 2017 and iPad 2018, clarify their characteristics, and at the same time clarify some other points.

Let’s clarify one of them right away: Apple is now applying all its innovations in tablet hardware to the iPad Pro. But ordinary iPads, including the new product in question, are unremarkable in terms of hardware. They always get older and weaker hardware than the current iPad Pros have at the same time, but simple iPads are much cheaper.

Differences between iPad 2018 and iPad 2017

As you can understand from the previous paragraph: you shouldn’t expect any innovations from a regular iPad, even a 2018 model. If you want cutting-edge hardware, look no further than the current iPad Pros, or wait for the new iPad Pros this summer or fall. But what is remarkable about the iPad 2018 then and what are its characteristics?

Fundamental iPad differences 2018 from iPad 2017 consist of only two points:

1. A10 processor (debut in iPhone 7 in 2016) instead of A9 (from iPhone 6S);
2. Support for the Apple Pencil stylus, which was previously only supported by the iPad Pro.

All. There are no other major differences. They do not differ the following characteristics:

• Design;
• Display and its resolution (9.7 inches, 2048*1536 pixels, 264 PPI);
• Steodynamics;
• Dimensions (240*169.5*7.5 mm) and weight 469 g;
• Cameras. The main module with a resolution of 8 MPx and the front one with 1.2 MPx. Other camera specifications also remain the same;
• Set of sensors;
• Amount of RAM and permanent memory (2 GB and 32/128, respectively);
• Battery and stated battery life (10 hours).

New live

Since the list of innovations turned out to be so meager, and all other characteristics do not differ at all, then let's pay a little more attention to the Apple A10 Fusion processor.

Differences between iPad 2018 and iPad Air 2

The most interesting thing is that the newest iPad 2018 does not look particularly advantageous even against the background of the old iPad Air 2, released in 2014. The differences between them are not that significant. By the way, just a year after Air 2 in 2015, there was a division into “budget” iPad and premium iPads Pro.

By the way, in some sources, including official ones, you can find the phrase “sixth generation iPad” in relation to the iPad 2018. This can be misleading, since the report here is based on the first four numbered iPads, which were released in 2010-2012, then both Airs are skipped, and the report resumes from last year, when the iPad 2017 came out.

Released in 2014, Air 2 is equipped with the most powerful A8X processor at that time, which in terms of performance is not very far behind the younger version A10, which was used in the iPad 2018.

Moreover, the Air 2 even retains some advantages over the iPad 2017 and 2018. In particular:

• Its thickness is only 6.1 mm versus 7.5 mm for current iPads;
• Air 2 is lighter (437 g versus 469);
• Air 2 is equipped with an additional anti-glare screen coating, which Apple has abandoned in modern “budget” iPads.

In terms of software, Air 2 is also still relevant. The future iOS 12, which has not yet been announced at the time of this writing, should be compatible with the 2014 tablet.

Thus, the only serious advantages of the presented iPad 2018 over the model, which is already in its fifth year, is support for the Apple Pencil stylus and fast data transfer on LTE networks for versions of the tablet that support them.

Differences between iPad Pro and iPad 2018

Despite the fact that the new generation of iPad Pro 2018 has not even been presented yet, last year's iPad Pro is also quite confidently ahead of the iPad 2018 in terms of characteristics and capabilities. The main differences between the iPad Pro and the iPad 2018 are as follows (and all of them are not in favor of the simple iPad):

• A10X processor with six main cores;
• Twice more RAM (4 GB instead of 2);
• Built-in storage capacities of up to 256 and 512 GB (in a regular iPad the limit is 128 GB);
• Larger displays with 120Hz refresh rate (60Hz on the plain iPad);
• TrueTone technology, which adjusts the screen tint to the environment;
• Smart Connector, providing Smart Keyboard connection;
• Supports LTE speed 450 MB/s;
• Main camera 12 MPx with f/1.8 aperture instead of 8 MPx f/2.4;
• Front camera 7 MPx versus 1.2 MPx in iPad 2018;
• 4 speakers instead of two.

iPad Pro 10.5’’ (left) and iPad 2017/2018

However, some of these points can hardly be considered too compelling, and the price difference between a simple iPad and the most affordable Pro is almost twofold (25 and 47 thousand rubles, respectively).

What types and generations of iPad are relevant today?

So, Apple’s assortment currently includes an affordable iPad with a 9.7’’ display diagonal, which is what the company updated yesterday. There are also two iPad Pros with diagonals 10.5’’ and 12.9’’. The company uses the most advanced hardware in the Pro models, so their prices are significantly higher than the regular iPad. Apple's new iPad Pros should be expected in the summer or even fall.

Current line Apple iPad

Finally, there is also the iPad Mini with a diagonal of 7.9''. But if the company now updates other tablets annually, the Mini has not been updated since 2015, when its fourth version was shown (at that time Apple still numbered releases).

Moreover, according to rumors, there is no need to wait for an update for it, and the Mini itself will soon completely disappear from sale. The reason is that it is coming out with a huge screen at the end of this year and Cupertino doesn’t want the relatively cheap Mini to compete with it in any way.

Unboxing the new iPad 2018

Designed to replace the iPad Air 2 in the existing line of tablets. The company didn’t think too long about the name and simply called the new product “iPad.” What are the differences between the new iPad and iPad Air 2?

Display

Speaking about the quality of the screen of the new product, it is worth highlighting several points. Firstly, the 2017 iPad did not have a fully laminated display with a special anti-glare coating, which was one of the features of the iPad Air 2, but, Apple claims, the screen has become significantly brighter compared to its predecessor. However, the company does not go into detail about the technical specifications. Apparently, the screen brightness of the iPad 2017 will be similar to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

The company did not explain the reason for abandoning the laminated screen with anti-glare coating in the iPad 2017, but, apparently, this decision is related to the desire to reduce the cost of the device.

Specifications

In terms of performance, the new iPad is ahead of the iPad Air 2, which debuted in 2014. The new product is equipped with a dual-core Apple A9 processor with a clock frequency of 1.85 GHz (the iPhone SE, iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are equipped with a similar chip) and an M9 coprocessor.

In turn, the iPad Air 2 received a triple-core Apple A8X chip with a clock frequency of 1.5 GHz, an M8 coprocessor, and 2 GB of RAM. The 2017 iPad has a similar amount of RAM.

Battery and runtime

Another difference between new model iPad and iPad Air 2 lies in the size of the battery, which has become larger in the 2017 iPad. However, despite the increased battery size, the battery life of the device is stated by the manufacturer at 10 hours, the same as the iPad Air 2.

The iPad 2017 battery capacity is 32.4 Wh, while the iPad Air 2 has a battery capacity of 27.62 Wh. Apple notes that the improvements are unlikely to be noticeable, since a brighter screen and a powerful processor require more resources, and increasing the battery size will have little impact on the battery life of the device.

Design

Unlike the iPad Air 2 (6.1 mm \ 437 g), the new tablet has become thicker and heavier (7.5 mm \ 469 g). The thickness of the new product has increased by 20%, and although this is not a serious drawback in general, the cases and accessories available for the iPad Air 2 will not fit the iPad 2017.

Price

The price of the new 9.7-inch iPad is one of its main advantages. The cost of the tablet is 24,990 rubles for the version (Wi-Fi only) equipped with 32 GB of internal memory and 34,990 rubles (Wi-Fi + Cellular). Versions with a 128 GB drive will cost users more - 31,990 rubles (Wi-Fi only) and 41,990 rubles (Wi-Fi + Cellular).

1. The display is a rectangle with rounded corners. The diagonal of this rectangle, excluding roundings, is 12.9 inches (for iPad Pro 12.9 inches) and 11 inches (for iPad Pro 11 inches).
2. The amount of available space is less than stated and depends on various factors. The standard configuration (including iOS 12 and pre-installed apps) takes approximately 10 to 12 GB depending on the device model and settings. Pre-installed applications take up about 4 GB; they can be deleted and downloaded again. The amount of available space may vary depending on the device and software version.
3. Size and weight vary depending on device configuration and manufacturing process.
4. Battery life varies depending on device settings and usage. More details on the page.
5. To use FaceTime, all users must have a FaceTime-enabled device and a Wi-Fi connection. Availability of FaceTime over cellular networks varies by carrier; Data charges may apply.
6. Data plan required. Gigabit Class LTE, 4G LTE Advanced, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi calling are not available in all regions or with all carriers. Speed ​​calculated based on theoretical bandwidth and depends on local conditions. For more information about LTE support, contact your carrier or visit.
7. Cellular plan must be purchased separately. The model you purchase is configured to work with a specific cellular network technology. For information about your device support and availability tariff plan cellular service, please contact your service provider.
8. Not all carriers support Apple SIM and eSIM cards. Check with your carrier for details. Not available in mainland China. eSIM is supported on the 11-inch iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (7th generation), and iPad mini(5th generation). Apple SIM technology is supported on iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad (5th and 6th generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 4.

The iPad Pro 9.7 is quite easy to confuse with the iPad Air 2. It has the same dimensions and similar design elements. And yet, there is a big difference between the iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Air. And you can find some things without even turning on the screen, but if you turn it on...

First look at Apple iPad Pro 9.7 and differences from iPad Air 2

First look at the appearance

Yes, the iPad Pro 9.7 is almost like the iPad Air. Almost, but not quite. The differences are visible not on the front side, but on the left side and on the back surface.

On the left side you can see three prominent circles - this is a connector for a docking station with a keyboard. Previously, keyboard cases for iPad were produced by third-party manufacturers (for example, Logitech), but now Apple itself has decided to take care of this.

Dock connector for iPad Pro 9.7

And, I must say, their keyboard turned out amazing. We have never seen such a thin keyboard for the iPad, despite the fact that the buttons are very convenient to work with, they feel like regular mechanical buttons.

On the left - iPad Pro 9.7 in a branded case and with a keyboard cover, on the right - iPad Air 2 in a keyboard case from Logitech

However, there is a fly in the ointment here too. The keyboard is only in English for now. There is not yet only a Russian-speaking one, but even a Spanish-speaking or German-speaking one, for example.

Keyboard for iPad Pro 9.7

Other changes affected the back side. The 3G/LTE antenna is designed differently - instead of a black plastic covering, there is a metal frame highlighted, the same as on the rest of the cover. It’s too early to say how this affected the quality of reception - we’ll talk about it after testing, in the review.

Top - iPad Air 2, bottom - iPad Pro 9.7

Another design change is the iSight camera. For the first time, the iPad has the same camera module as the iPhone, and it is the top camera module - like the iPhone 6s or iPhone SE (there is no optical stabilization, so we don’t say “like the iPhone 6s Plus”).

Resolution - 12 megapixels, good quality- everything is in place. Here, however, there are also some drawbacks - the camera module protrudes above the body, as in the iPhone 6/6s (including Plus).

Top-right - iPad Air 2, bottom-left - iPad Pro 9.7

iPad Pro 9.7 12MP camera

That is, the “naked” iPad Pro 9.7 lying on the table does not lie completely flat. True, it does not “jump” at the same time, even if you press on different parts of the surface - it is not entirely clear how Apple achieved this, but it is a fact. However, you can completely correct the unevenness, as before, with a cover.

Speaking of covers. Previously, Cover “covers” and full-fledged Case covers were produced separately. The cases covered the iPad on all sides, also acting as a stand.

Now Apple has decided to separate cases and covers into two complementary accessories. The back part of the case remains - it protects the iPad from the sides and back. From the lid - the front part and the stand. These accessories can be used both together and separately - for this purpose, the case has a special cutout for attaching the lid.

However, many will probably see this as evil rather than good. First of all, because the cutout in the case is not suitable for old covers - they had a larger attachment area to the iPad. In addition, if previously you could get by with one case, now you will have to buy an additional cover if you want to have a stand and screen protection.

iPad Pro 9.7 with case and keyboard cover

Well, the main thing is that the cover is now only magnetic. When using a full-fledged case, previously the cover was rigidly tied to it, and the magnet was somehow less trusted. Although, using the example of the keyboard cover, we could not help but notice that the magnetic fastening in the iPad Pro 9.7 is much stronger than in the iPad Air 2.

However, all these disadvantages apply only to official Apple accessories; third-party manufacturers can (and will) still produce both regular covers and full-fledged cases. And for Apple accessories, this division is not a minus, but a plus - after all, the case can be easily combined with a keyboard cover or with a regular cover - without having to change the case or buy a second one.

Bottom - iPad Air 2, top - iPad Pro 9.7

The last external difference between the iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Air that can be noted is the speakers. Like the “large” iPad Pro, the iPad Pro 9.7 has four speakers located on the bottom and top ends.

First look at performance

Both iPad Pros are the most powerful iPads to date. This is both understandable and logical. But let's see what the difference is between the iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Air 2 in parrots.

Source: ZOOM.CNews

Now let's take a look at the characteristics.

Source: ZOOM.CNews

As you can see, the TX of the 12-inch iPad Pro is still higher. However, there is a logic to this.

First of all - half the amount of RAM. What RAM somehow affects the execution speed of applications - a myth. This is true for desktop computers where the page file on the hard drive is used to expand memory. Everything is logical there - the smaller the RAM, the more the page file is used, and the access time to the hard disk is noticeably longer than the access time to RAM, which generally tends to zero.

On mobile devices paging files are not used, so the amount of RAM affects only multitasking capabilities, and in general the ability to run heavy applications. RAM can only indirectly affect the speed of operation - if due to its lack operating system you had to close some application, and when you return to it, it starts again - this, of course, will take longer than if the application simply becomes active, being already in RAM.

However, the reduced amount of RAM in the iPad Pro 9.7 may be due to the reduced screen resolution: 2048x1536 pixels versus 2732x2048 pixels. In total, the total number of pixels on the iPad Pro 9.7 screen is 1.8 times less than that of the 12-inch iPad Pro. Those. almost twice. We think there is no need to explain that, due to the lack of a video chip of its own memory, the general RAM of the device is used as a video buffer (besides this, of course, it is used for many other things).

As for the processor, both iPad Pros use the same processor, but the iPad Pro 9.7 has a slightly lower core frequency: from 2260 MHz to 2170 MHz. By the way, we saw something similar in the iPad mini. This is done, among other things, to ensure the same autonomy with a smaller physical battery size. However, given the difference in screen resolution mentioned above, the overall performance of the iPad Pro 9.7 should be even better than the 12-inch iPad Pro. We will definitely check this during testing.

Apple Pencil

What the iPad Pro 9.7 has in common with the 12-inch iPad Pro, and distinguishes it from the iPad Air, is support for Apple Pencil. This electronic pen has unique capabilities, surpassing similar priced devices from Wacom. For example, Wacom pens do not have tilt recognition - only the Apple Pencil has this. However, Wacom pens can be used with any iPad, while Apple Pencil can only be used with the iPad Pro (we tested).

iPad Pro 9.7 and Apple Pencil, on the screen - the standard Notes application

The pen is the ideal tool for creating graphic images And handwritten notes, but, unfortunately, no one in our editorial office has the gift of an artist. But we will definitely try to find some opportunity to test the Apple Pencil as thoroughly as possible.

General impressions

It is inappropriate to write summaries during the “first look,” but at first glance, the iPad Pro 9.7 will displace the iPad Air from the market. So far, we don't see any reason to keep both devices, other than the price difference. However, there is a feeling that Apple is still testing various device formats (we mean screen diagonal), having moved away from the “3.5-4 inch smartphone, 9.7 inch tablet” paradigm a few years ago.

Today, buyers have a choice - and three screen diagonal options for current iPhone models, and three screen diagonals for tablets (let’s not forget about the iPad mini), and two options for tablet functionality. Surely Apple is looking at what will be most in demand by users and in the near future the variability will be reduced.

In any case, for us, despite the seemingly small difference between the iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Air, after even a short use of the iPad Pro 9.7 there is no desire to return to the younger model.

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