iPad Air 3 (2019) Review: The mid-range tablet from Apple with 10.5-inch display

Samuel Tan10-inch Tablets, 11-inch Tablets, Tablets 0

After the iPad Air 2, new iPads with 9.7 inch screen launched in 2017 were simply known as the iPad. iPads with bigger screens however, such as the 10.5 inch and the 12.9 inch with Apple Pencil support were introduced as iPad Pro’s.

At the end of 2018, a new 3rd generation of iPad Pros was launched. These have a totally different design to the original iPads with smaller bezels and squared edges and comes with 11-inch or 12.9-inch display. Fast forward to 2019, Apple has revived the iPad Air line bringing it back with a 10.5 inch display and Apple Pencil support.

We see this as a way for Apple to rebrand and sell the second generation iPad Pro with 10.5 inch display first released in 2017. In fact both products are very similar in terms of specs and identical in design. This was launched alongside the iPad mini 4 also with Apple Pencil support.

This slots the iPad Air 3 with 10.5-inch display between the small iPad 9.7 and the more expensive and new iPad Pro 11 in terms of price. But, given that the iPad Pro 10.5 has been discontinued, you may find this in the Apple refurbished store for cheaper. Here are the differences between the two iPads:

Table of Contents

Differences Between the new iPad Air 3 10.5 (2019) vs iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)

iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)	iPad Air 3 (2019)
A10X Fusion chip	A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
4GB RAM	3GB RAM
64, 256, 512GB storage	64, 256GB storage
heavier 469/477 grams	lighter 456/464 grams
Rear 12MP camera	Rear 8MP camera
4K video capture at 30fps	1080p Full HD video capture
video optical image stabilisation	auto image stabilisation
Four Speakers (2 on either sides)	Two Speakers (both on one side)
Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 5.0
Display with ProMotion technology variable refresh rate up to 120Hz	Display with 500 nits brightness, fixed refresh rate at 60Hz

iPad Air 3 (2019) Review

Being the mid-range device meant the iPad Air 3, while based on earlier design is bound to be a favourite. It offers a choice for those looking for something more than the entry level iPad 9.7 and those who can’t justify buying the new iPad Pro. Here are where the iPad Air 3 excels in and how it compares to the other iPads.

1. Price

The cheapest iPad is still the entry level iPad with 9.7-inch display. However, if you want a bigger device and don’t have the money for an 11-inch iPad Pro let alone the 12.9-inch then the new third generation iPad Air 10.5-inch is your best bet. The new iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch launched in 2018 are priced significantly higher.

At the risk of pricing themselves out of the market just like in the case of iPhone XS and XS Max for the mobile phone market, Apple re-introduce the iPad Air as a mid-range option. Starting from $499 it is more expensive than the entry level iPad (starting at $399) but considerably cheaper than the iPad Pro 11 which starts at $799. The iPad Pro 12.9 has an eye watering price tag that starts from $999.

2. Performance

The iPad Air has one of the latest processors, the Apple A12 Bionic chip with 64‑bit architecture and Neural Engine. It is second only to the fastest chip from Apple for mobile devices, the A12X Bionic chip found in the iPad Pros and iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. The chip is also significantly faster than the A10 Fusion Chip in the iPad 9.7.

3. Storage Options

There are only two storage options, the 64GB and 256GB compared to four on the iPad Pro with 64GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB being the choices. This is not at all a disadvantage for iPad Air as 256GB or even 64GB would be sufficient for most users. The entry level iPad 9.7 also has two storage options albeit only half that of the iPad Air at 32GB of 128GB storage.

4. Memory

The iPad Air has 3GB RAM memory, 1GB smaller than iPad Pros with 64GB, 256GB or 512GB storage where it comes with 4GB RAM memory. When compared to iPad Pros with 1TB of storage, it only has half that as the most expensive iPads with 1TB storage comes with 6GB of memory. On the other hand, when compared to the 2GB memory on the entry level iPad 9.7 it is 50% more.

5. Size and Weight

While the iPad Air is only marginally bigger in length and width, it is slimmer and lighter compared to that the entry level iPad. It achieves this even when it has a bigger 10.5-inch display compared to 9.7-inch. It is at least 13 grams lighter and 1.4mm thinner.

iPad 9.7 2018 (6th gen) : 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm (9.45 x 6.67 x 0.30 in) 469/478 grams
iPad Air 10.5 2019 (3rd gen): 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.24 in) 456/464 grams
iPad Pro 11: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in) 468 grams
iPad Pro 12.9: 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.23 in) 631/633 grams

When compared to iPad Pro 11, the iPad Air is actually 3mm taller (in portrait mode) given its bigger top and bottom bezels. The new iPad Pro 11 has even bezels all around. However, when comparing the width (in portrait mode) it is 4.4 mm wider. When holding both devices, you can’t really tell which is thicker as the iPad Air 10.5 is only 0.2mm thinner. Weight wise, the iPad Pro 11 is up to 12 grams heavier.

6. Support for Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil

The 3rd generation iPad Air will support Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard but uses the same as those used on 10.5-inch iPad Pro back in 2017. This means no wireless charging and magnetic docking for Apple Pencil and Smart Connector on the chassis for smart keyboard.

7. Display

The iPad Air 10.5-inch display only falls behind the iPad Pro display due to the lack of ProMotion technology. This fixes the refresh rate of the display at 60Hz while iPad Pro displays can vary depending on the application for optimum viewing experience with a maximum of 120Hz.

Still, it is much better than the display on the iPad which lacks DCI-P3 colour gamut and True Tone support. This makes the iPad Air 2019 display more advance and brighter. Sharpness wise, there are more or less equal at 265PPI but a bigger 10.5-inch display means higher resolution to match.

iPad 9.7 (2018): 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density)
iPad Air 10.5 (2019): 1668 x 2224 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density)
iPad Pro 11 (2018): 1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density)
iPad Pro 12 (2019): 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density)

8. Battery

With a newer more efficient processor as well as slightly bigger chassis, the iPad Air last longer than the entry level iPad. From a full charge, tests have shown that it can outlast the small iPad with up to 35.5% longer usage time. The battery also lasts 8% longer compared to iPad Pro 11 and 6.9% longer compared to iPad Pro 12.9. This is due to the A12 having fewer cores, 2 instead of 4 in the A12X and fewer GPU cores 4 instead of 7 in the A12X.

9. Camera

Apple had to cut some corners here with the iPad Pro. To differentiate it from the iPad Pro, the iPad Air does not come with TrueDepth sensor for the front facing camera leaving out support for Face ID and Animoji. The main rear facing camera is also an 8MP sensor compared to the higher 12MP sensor on the iPad Pro. iPad Air lacks 4K video recording capability and Optical Image Stabilisation. Users will just have to make do with Full HD 1080p recording. Personally, I don’t see this as a show stopper. Given that most people use their smartphone to capture stills and videos and not the tablet, the lack of 4K video capture in the iPad Air is not a deal breaker.

PROS

A much needed mid-range option between the entry level iPad and the high-end iPad Pro
Great performance from A12 processor with Neural Engine
Cheaper than the iPad Pro
Supports Smart Keyboard

CONS

Still with first generation Apple Pencil, no wireless charging or magnetic docking
Display lacks ProMotion but super bright
Old and dated design, basically a rebadged iPad Pro 10.5 with faster processor
Speakers on one side only
No TrueDepth sensor so no support for Face ID or Animoji

Article originally published on Colour My Learning and adapted for our audience here.