iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air: How the lineup compares – do phone
Whereas the tenth-gen iPad comes with a slew of nice updates, the ninth-gen iPad stays in the lineup and there’s additionally the 2022 iPad Air to contemplate. Nevertheless, the iPad 10 could supply a candy spot for contemporary options at an reasonably priced worth. Beneath we’ll break down all the similarities and variations between the iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air that will help you resolve which is the most suitable option.
The 2022 iPad Air blurred the line between the extra reasonably priced iPads and the Professional fashions, giving many individuals the incentive to skip the 11-inch iPad Professional. However the entry-stage iPad 9 carried on the outdated design with massive bezels and House button.
Nevertheless, the iPad 10 with Apple’s fashionable slim-bezel design and a worth under the iPad Air with a lot of the similar options, it’s prone to pull clients away from each the iPad Professional and Air.
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Let’s dig into what you get with the iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air. For all the charts under, the iPad 10 is in the center row with iPad 9 on the left and iPad Air on the proper.
iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air
Efficiency

In its announcement, Apple targeted on the enchancment from the iPad 9 to 10. With the improve from the A13 to A14 Bionic, the firm touts 20% quicker CPU velocity and an 80% quicker neural engine.
iPad 9 | iPad 10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
Chip | A13 Bionic | A14 Bionic | M1 |
CPU cores | 6 | 6 | 8 |
GPU cores | 4 | 4 | 8 |
Neural engine cores | 8 | 16 | 16 |
Storage | 64 or 256GB | 64 or 256GB | 64 or 256GB |
RAM | 3GB | 4GB | 8GB |
USB-C | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Mobile | 4G | 5G | 5G |
In the meantime, the 2022 iPad Air is powered by the M1 chip. That features a extra highly effective eight-core CPU and eight-core GPU. However, until you’re operating your iPad onerous with professional-stage workflows like video modifying, graphic design, and so forth., you most likely don’t want or won’t even discover the M1 chip improve.
Show

iPad 10 will get virtually the similar show as the costlier iPad Air. That’s a 10.9″ Liquid Retina panel with a 2360 x 1640 decision. Different specs embrace 500 nits brightness, True Tone, and slim bezels.
The three important options you don’t get with iPad 10 discovered on iPad Air are P3 extensive colour, anti-reflective coating, and a laminated show.
However for most individuals, the iPad 10’s upgraded show will probably be nice 😁.
iPad 9 | iPad 10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
Show | 10.2″ | 10.9″ | 10.9″ |
Decision | 2160 x 1620 | 2360 x 1640 | 2360 x 1640 |
PPI (pixels per inch) | 264 | 264 | 264 |
Show brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits | 500 nits |
True Tone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
P3 extensive colour | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
ProMotion (120Hz) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Anti-reflective coating | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Absolutely laminated show | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Normal Retina show | ✅ | – | – |
Liquid Retina show | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Connectivity and equipment

The iPad 10 will get an all-new (*10*) that has some neat options past the costlier Magic Keyboard for iPad Professional/Air.
Nevertheless, a draw back is the iPad 10 continues to be restricted to the first-gen Apple Pencil. And meaning a USB-C to Lightning adapter comes in the box for a clunky charging expertise.
iPad Air works with all the similar Apple equipment as the iPad Professional. That features the second-gen Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio.
The iPad 10 and iPad Air proceed to make use of Contact ID however as an alternative of it being situated in the House button, it’s discovered inside the prime button.
iPad 9 | iPad 10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
Apple Pencil help | 1st-gen | 1st-gen | 2nd-gen |
Magic Keyboard help | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Magic Keyboard Folio help | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
5G | ❌ | ✅ (however no mmWave) | ✅ (however no mmWave) |
WiFi 6 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Lightning | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
USB-C | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ 3.1 Gen 2 |
Thunderbolt | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Contact ID | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Face ID | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
One other improve with iPad 10 is the change to USB-C. Apple hasn’t detailed in its tech specs whether or not it’s USB 3.1 Gen 2 for the iPad 10 like iPad Air makes use of, we’ll have to attend and see.
Like the iPhone SE 3, the iPad 10 and iPad Air don’t have mmWave 5G help with the mobile fashions. However as mmWave is the rarest model of 5G protection to seek out, that’s most likely not a difficulty for most individuals.
Splash of colour

If the colour of your subsequent iPad is essential, you’ve obtained extra selections with the iPad 10 and iPad Air.
iPad 10 is available in silver, pink, blue, and yellow. iPad Air is available in house grey, starlight, pink, purple, and blue.
The iPad 9 solely is available in house grey and silver.
iPad 10 vs 9 vs Air battery life
The iPad 10 has the similar battery life as the iPad 9 and iPad Air:
- 10 hours of net or video use on WiFi
- 9 hours of net use with mobile
Storage and worth
Right here’s a breakdown of the worth variations (MSRP) between these three iPads. Nevertheless, with the iPad Air being on the marketplace for some time, it will possibly generally be found at a discount.
iPad 9 | iPad 10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
64GB WiFi | $329 | $449 | $599 |
64GB + cell | $459 | $599 | $749 |
256GB WiFi | $479 | $599 | $749 |
256GB + cell | $609 | $749 | $899 |
Cameras

You get the similar rear digital camera with iPad 10 that’s on the Air which makes use of a 12MP extensive lens. With the iPad 9, you get an 8MP rear extensive digital camera that’s a bit much less succesful.
One other neat change coming for the first time in an iPad – the tenth gen mannequin will get a panorama entrance digital camera that makes it extra handy for video calls.
iPad 9 | iPad 10 | 2022 iPad Air | |
8MP extensive rear lens | ✅ | – | – |
12MP extensive rear lens | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Good HDR 3 for images | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Rear digital camera flash | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
4K video | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Prolonged dynamic vary | ✅ | ✅ | |
Slo-mo video | 720p at 120 fps | 1080p at as much as 240 fps | 1080p at as much as 240 fps |
Extremely extensive 12MP entrance digital camera | ✅ | – | ✅ |
Panorama extremely extensive 12MP digital camera | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
2x optical zoom out | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Middle Stage auto-monitoring | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Panorama two-speaker audio | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
And in the case of audio system, you’re getting the similar panorama two-speaker system on the iPad 10 and Air whereas the iPad 9 has a extra fundamental two-speaker system.
iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air conclusion

Why purchase iPad 10?
When you think about all the similarities and variations, the iPad 10 is probably going going to be an excellent alternative for most individuals. At common pricing, it’s $150 lower than the iPad Air whereas together with virtually all of the finest options.
The iPad 10 is offered from Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and extra.
Why purchase iPad 9 or iPad Air?
If you wish to choose up the most affordable iPad with a 10″ screen for fundamental use and don’t thoughts the older design, the iPad 9 is an efficient match.
If you understand you’ll be pushing your pill to the restrict frequently, the iPad Air could also be extra tempting with the M1 chip. However actually, in case you are – or could turn out to be an influence consumer, an iPad Professional could also be higher with as much as 16GB RAM, as much as 2TB storage, 120Hz ProMotion show, and Thunderbolt help.
Nevertheless, if yow will discover iPad Air on sale, that might make it extra compelling. Likewise, generally you might be able to discover a 2018 or 2020 iPad Professional on sale or refurbished. This can be compelling for some, however bear in mind for those who’re shopping for a 3-5 yr outdated iPad, you’ll see fewer years of software program updates.
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