Apple’s 64-bit iPad Air vs. iPad 4 head to head review

13 years ago

“Apple’s iPad Air is here, complete with a stylish moniker, a fresh design and a 64-bit processor, the same A7 chip that debuted in the iPhone 5S,” Carly Page reports for The Inquirer. “Apple clearly is hoping that this refreshed design along with the promise of more processing power will both lure new customers and entice existing iPad users to upgrade. We take a look at whether the iPad Air is worth upgrading from the iPad 4, or whether you should save that £399.”

“Given its slimmed down chassis and weight reduction, it’s obvious that the design of iPad Air trumps that of the iPad 4,” Page reports. “The iPad Air measures just 7.5mm thick, hence its name, and weighs 478g, making it the thinnest and lightest full-sized tablet on the market. We’ve been using the iPad Air for over a week now, and have been shocked at how different it feels compared with Apple’s previous generation tablets. It’s comfortable to hold over long periods of time, sits nicely in a bag without weighing down your shoulder, and perhaps most importantly, won’t leave any nasty bruises if you drop it on your face while reading in bed.”

“The latest iOS 7 release runs much better on the iPad Air than on the Ipad 4, which is perhaps to be expected. We noticed no major issues when using iOS 7 on our iPad 4, but apps opened quicker and games performed smoother on the iPad Air,” Page reports. “Apple will offer new iPad Air buyers its iWork Suite – consisting of Pages, Number and Keynote – for free, a saving of around £20.”

Page reports, “It perhaps will come as little surprise that the iPad Air has won in a head to head review over its predecessor, the iPad 4, but is it worth the upgrade? We think so.”

Read more in the full review here.