iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2020, A12 series)

The iPad Air 2020 (4th generation) and the iPad Pro 2020 (2nd generation 11-inch or 4th generation 12.9-inch) are both powerful tablets from Apple, released in the same year, offering distinct features for different user needs. While the iPad Air 2020, launched in October 2020, brought a refreshed design and a newer processor, the iPad Pro 2020, released in March 2020, maintained its professional-grade capabilities with a more advanced display and camera system. Both devices run on iPadOS, providing a consistent software experience, but their underlying hardware differences cater to varying demands for performance, display quality, and specialized functionalities.

When considering the longevity of these tablets, several factors come into play, including their release dates, operating system support, and potential for repairs.

• Release Timeline: The iPad Pro 2020 was released in March 2020, while the iPad Air 2020 followed in October 2020. This seven-month difference means the iPad Air 2020 may receive software updates for a slightly longer period, potentially extending its usable life by an additional year compared to the iPad Pro 2020.
• Software Support: Both devices are expected to receive iPadOS updates for several years, ensuring access to new features and security enhancements. The iPad Air 2020, with its newer A14 Bionic chip, might have a marginal advantage in terms of sustained performance with future software versions.
• Repairability: Both iPad models are designed with a focus on internal component integration, which can make repairs complex. However, the availability of quality-assured refurbished options for both devices provides a sustainable choice for users looking to extend the life of their electronics.

The performance of these two tablets is driven by different processors, leading to varied capabilities for demanding tasks and everyday use.

• Processing Power: The iPad Air 2020 features the A14 Bionic chip, which offers a new 6-core CPU design for a significant boost in processing performance and a 4-core graphics architecture for improved graphics. The iPad Pro 2020 is equipped with the A12Z Bionic chip, which includes an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, providing robust performance, particularly for graphics-intensive applications and multitasking. While the A14 is a newer generation chip, the A12Z in the Pro model was designed with an emphasis on professional workloads, offering more GPU cores.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPad Pro 2020 comes with 6GB of RAM across all storage configurations, which can be beneficial for heavy multitasking and running multiple demanding applications simultaneously. The iPad Air 2020 typically features 4GB of RAM. Both devices offer smooth app loading and general system responsiveness for typical usage.
• Storage Options: The iPad Air 2020 is available with 64GB or 256GB of internal storage. The iPad Pro 2020 offers more extensive storage configurations, starting from 128GB and going up to 1TB, catering to users with larger storage needs for files, projects, and media.

The visual experience on these tablets differs primarily in display technology and refresh rate, impacting smoothness and color reproduction.

• Display Technology and Size: Both the iPad Air 2020 and iPad Pro 2020 feature Liquid Retina IPS LCD displays. The iPad Air 2020 has a 10.9-inch display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels. The iPad Pro 2020 is available in 11-inch (2388 x 1668 pixels) and 12.9-inch (2732 x 2048 pixels) models, offering larger screen real estate for immersive viewing and productivity.
• Refresh Rate: A key differentiator is the refresh rate. The iPad Pro 2020 features ProMotion technology, providing an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, which results in smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and a more responsive feel, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. The iPad Air 2020 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Brightness and Color: Both displays support Wide Color (P3) and True Tone technology for accurate color representation and automatic white balance adjustment. The iPad Pro 2020 generally offers higher peak brightness, which can improve visibility in bright environments.

The camera systems on these iPads cater to different levels of photographic and augmented reality needs, with the Pro model offering more advanced capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The iPad Air 2020 is equipped with a single 12MP wide rear camera, capable of recording 4K video. The iPad Pro 2020 features a more versatile dual-camera system, including a 12MP wide lens and a 10MP ultrawide lens, along with a LiDAR scanner. The ultrawide camera allows for broader shots, while the LiDAR scanner enhances augmented reality (AR) experiences by accurately measuring depth.
• Front Camera and Video: Both tablets include a 7MP front-facing camera suitable for video calls and selfies. The iPad Pro's TrueDepth camera system also enables Face ID for secure authentication. Both can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second.
• Audio Experience: The iPad Pro 2020 features a four-speaker audio system, providing a richer and more immersive sound experience, especially for media consumption. The iPad Air 2020 has stereo speakers, which offer a good audio experience for general use.