iPad 6 (2018, A10 series) vs iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series)

The iPad 2018 (6th generation) and the iPad Air 2020 (4th generation) represent different tiers within Apple's tablet lineup, released two years apart. While both run on Apple's iPadOS, the iPad Air 2020 introduces a more modern design, a significantly more powerful internal processor, and updated connectivity options. These differences cater to varying user needs, from casual use to more demanding creative and productivity tasks.

The longevity of a tablet is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and repairability. The iPad Air 2020, being a newer device, generally offers a longer expected lifespan for software updates and overall usability.

• Software Support: The iPad 2018, released in March 2018, launched with iOS 11.3 and is upgradeable to iPadOS 17. It is likely to receive iPadOS 18, but its support will end sooner than the iPad Air 2020. The iPad Air 2020, released in October 2020, launched with iPadOS 14 and is expected to receive major iPadOS updates for several more years, potentially through iPadOS 21, offering a longer period of new features and security patches.
• Repairability: Both devices generally score low on repairability due to the extensive use of adhesive in their construction. The iPad 2018 received a repairability score of 2 out of 10 from iFixit, with strong glues making repairs difficult, though its non-laminated display can make screen replacement cheaper. The iPad Air 2020 also scores low, with adhesive holding most components in place, including the battery, making internal repairs challenging.
• Practical Lifespan: Users can expect the iPad Air 2020 to remain fully functional and supported for a longer duration, especially for demanding applications, due to its newer and more powerful processor. The iPad 2018, while still capable for basic tasks, will show its age sooner in terms of performance and software compatibility.

Performance is a key differentiator between these two iPad models, largely due to the advancements in their internal processing capabilities and available memory configurations.

• Processing Power: The iPad Air 2020 features a significantly more advanced processor, which translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and more efficient handling of graphics-intensive applications and games. This allows for a more fluid user experience, especially with demanding creative software or complex workflows. The iPad 2018, while capable for everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and light gaming, may exhibit slower performance and longer loading times with more intensive applications.
• Storage Options: The iPad Air 2020 offers base storage starting at 64GB, with a higher option of 256GB, providing more room for apps, media, and documents. The iPad 2018 comes with 32GB or 128GB storage options, which might be limiting for users with extensive digital libraries or large application needs.
• Battery Behavior: Both devices are rated for up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback on Wi-Fi. The iPad Air 2020, despite having a slightly smaller battery capacity in watt-hours, benefits from a more power-efficient processor, often resulting in comparable or slightly better real-world battery endurance for typical usage.

The display experience varies between these two iPads, with the iPad Air 2020 offering a more modern and visually enhanced screen.

• Display Technology and Size: The iPad Air 2020 features a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, offering a more expansive viewing area and a modern edge-to-edge design. The iPad 2018 has a 9.7-inch Retina IPS LCD with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. Both maintain a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi), ensuring sharp text and images.
• Visual Enhancements: The iPad Air 2020 includes True Tone technology, which adjusts the display's color and intensity to match the ambient light, and supports a wider P3 color gamut for more vibrant and accurate colors. Its display is also fully laminated and has an anti-reflective coating, improving outdoor visibility and reducing glare. The iPad 2018 lacks True Tone and wide color support, and its display is not fully laminated, which can result in a slight air gap between the glass and the LCD.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both models typically offer a brightness of around 500 nits, providing adequate visibility in most indoor and outdoor conditions. Both also feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is suitable for general use, though the iPad Air 2020's more powerful processor contributes to overall smoother animations and scrolling.

The camera systems on these two iPads cater to different levels of photography and video needs, with the iPad Air 2020 offering more advanced capabilities.

• Rear Camera Performance: The iPad Air 2020 is equipped with a 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. This allows for more detailed photos and higher-resolution video capture, performing well in various lighting conditions. The iPad 2018 features an 8-megapixel rear camera with an f/2.4 aperture, supporting 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second. It is suitable for casual photography and document scanning.
• Front Camera and Video Calls: For video conferencing and selfies, the iPad Air 2020 has a 7-megapixel front-facing camera that records 1080p video at 60 frames per second, providing clearer and more detailed video calls. The iPad 2018 includes a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, which records 720p video, sufficient for basic video calls but with less detail.
• Audio Experience: The iPad Air 2020 features stereo speakers that provide a more immersive audio experience, especially when held in landscape orientation, making it better for media consumption. The iPad 2018 has dual stereo speakers, offering clear audio for general use.