Apple iPad Air 2020 WiFi (4GB + 64GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The iPad Air 4 (2020) brings high-end iPad Pro features to a more accessible price, featuring a modern flat-edge design, compatibility with the Magic Keyboard/Apple Pencil 2, and the high-performance A14 Bionic chip. Its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display offers great brightness, though it lacks 120Hz ProMotion, and the integration of Touch ID into the power button works efficiently for security. While the device benefits from a switch to USB-C, it faces drawbacks including a 64GB base storage limit, lack of a headphone jack, and a battery life that falls slightly short of some competitors.

The T3 review of the 2020 iPad Air labels it the "tablet to beat," successfully closing the performance and design gap between budget models and the Pro lineup. It features a comprehensive design overhaul, including a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with slim bezels, five color options, and the integration of Touch ID into the power button. Performance is driven by the A14 Bionic chip, providing substantial speed for creative applications and general use, supported by USB-C connectivity and compatibility with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil. Key pros highlighted by T3 include the modern, flat-edged aesthetic, superior performance, and versatile accessory support. Conversely, identified cons include a higher starting price compared to its predecessor and the lack of a 120Hz ProMotion screen, which means scrolling is not as smooth as on the Pro models. The review also notes that the camera capabilities are mediocre, featuring washed-out colors and an inconvenient, off-center placement for landscape video calls.

The iPad Air 4 (2020) features a modern, squared-edge design, adopting an all-screen front and moving the Touch ID sensor to the power button, alongside support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, the device delivers high-end performance on a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. However, key limitations include a standard 60Hz screen rather than 120Hz ProMotion, and a 64GB base storage option that may feel restricted. Additional considerations include a higher price point than its predecessor, an average 7MP front camera, and stereo, rather than quad, speakers.

The 4th-generation iPad Air (2020) adopts a modern, flat-edged design with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and integrates Touch ID into the power button. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, it offers performance rivaling Pro models and supports the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard for increased versatility. While featuring a USB-C port, the device lacks a 120Hz ProMotion display and suffers from poor audio separation in portrait mode.

The Apple iPad Air 4 (2020) is lauded by Expert Reviews as a highly capable, "Pro-lite" productivity tablet featuring a modern, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and a powerful A14 Bionic chip. Key strengths include its USB-C connectivity, compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, and a bright, color-accurate screen (420cd/m², Delta E of 1.16). While offering an experience similar to the iPad Pro, it lacks a 120Hz ProMotion display and FaceID, relying instead on a TouchID sensor embedded in the power button. The review highlights that the 60Hz screen, while excellent, lacks the extreme fluidity of higher-end models, and the 64GB starting storage is considered modest. Ultimately deemed better value than the 11-inch iPad Pro, the Air 4's primary downsides are the high cost of essential accessories, which can significantly increase the total price. It is recommended for users seeking top-tier performance and accessory support without the premium price tag of the iPad Pro.

The Trusted Reviews iPad Air 4 review highlights the tablet as a significant, high-performance upgrade adopting a modern, all-screen design with Touch ID in the power button and a USB-C port. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, the device features a sharp 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and supports premium accessories like the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple Pencil. Key drawbacks noted include the lack of a 120Hz ProMotion screen, limited 64GB/256GB storage options, and the absence of a headphone jack.

The 2020 Apple iPad Air is positioned as a top choice for most users, offering near-Pro performance with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, USB-C connectivity, and a Touch ID sensor embedded in the power button. Driven by the powerful A14 Bionic chip, the device supports premium accessories like the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, enhancing its versatility as a laptop replacement. However, the review highlights shortcomings in battery longevity and a lack of 120Hz ProMotion display technology.

The 2020 Apple iPad Air features a significant redesign with a 10.9-inch display, offering high-end performance via the A14 Bionic chip at a lower price point than the Pro model. While USB-C support and good battery life are major positives, the device lacks a 120Hz refresh rate and uses Touch ID rather than Face ID. Despite having excellent video call capabilities, it faces criticism for its restrictive base 64GB storage and potentially high cost when combined with premium accessories.

The 4th Generation iPad Air adopts a "spartan industrial design" similar to the iPad Pro, featuring a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, USB-C connectivity, and a, responsive Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button, replacing the physical home button. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, the device delivers high-end performance suitable for professional tasks like 4K video editing, while supporting the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Pros include the impressive A14 performance, faster USB-C charging/peripheral support, and a premium, colorful design, with the, reviewer noting it acts as a "Pro-lite" workstation. However, cons highlighted include the lack of a 120Hz ProMotion display, no Face ID, and the absence of 5G, along with a slightly bezel-heavy design. Concluding the review, the iPad Air 4 is described as the "sweet spot" of price and performance, offering premium features at a lower cost than the Pro models. GadgetGuy

The Tech Advisor review highlights the 2020 iPad Air as a high-performance "Pro in Air’s clothing," featuring a modern 11-inch design, USB-C support, and the powerful A14 Bionic chip, which excels at demanding tasks. While the 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display offers excellent color and brightness, the device lacks 120Hz ProMotion technology, and the power-button Touch ID is less seamless than Face ID. Downsides include a restrictive 64GB base storage, a higher price point nearing the iPad Pro, and limited camera features.

The 2020 iPad Air is a "bundle of powerful joy" featuring a major redesign with flat edges and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, adopting the Pro aesthetic while introducing Touch ID into the power button. It delivers immense performance via the A14 Bionic chip, supporting professional accessories like the second-gen Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, alongside a shift to USB-C for better connectivity. While it lacks the 120Hz ProMotion display and Face ID found on Pro models, and starts at a limiting 64GB, it is hailed as a high-performance, portable, and versatile "Goldilocks" tablet. Computerworld

The 2020 iPad Air is a high-performance, 10.9-inch tablet that adapts the premium design, slim bezels, and USB-C connectivity of the iPad Pro, featuring Touch ID integrated into the power button. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, it offers exceptional speed and supports the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) and Magic Keyboard, bridging the gap between standard and pro models. However, it lacks the 120Hz ProMotion screen, LiDAR sensor, and dual-camera setup of the Pro, while the base 64GB storage is limited and costs can rise quickly with accessories.

The 2020 iPad Air features a modern, iPad Pro-style design with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, Touch ID in the power button, and a USB-C port, marking a significant, bezel-less upgrade. Driven by the A14 Bionic chip, the device delivers high-end performance for creative apps and gaming, while supporting the second-gen Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. However, the review notes disappointing battery life, a lack of 120Hz ProMotion technology, and continued limitations with iPadOS multitasking.

Engadget's review of the 2020 iPad Air highlights it as a "cheaper iPad Pro," adopting a modern flat-edge design, USB-C, and robust performance via the A14 Bionic chip. Pros include a vibrant 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, compatibility with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) and Magic Keyboard, and a capable 7MP front camera, although the display lacks 120Hz ProMotion. Cons focus on the 64GB starting storage, the high cost of accessories, and the omission of Face ID in favor of Touch ID. While offering excellent battery life, the device still faces iPadOS limitations as a full laptop replacement.

The Hardware Canucks review positions the 2020 iPad Air as a significant, Pro-like upgrade, highlighting its thin design, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and the powerful A14 Bionic chip that handles 4K editing with ease. Key pros include the shift to USB-C for broader accessory support and the adoption of the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, turning it into a viable laptop alternative. Additionally, integrating Touch ID into the top button offers secure, efficient biometric authentication without needing Face ID. However, the tablet lacks the 120Hz ProMotion display found on the Pro models, which may be missed by some users. While performance is stellar, the base 64GB storage is deemed limiting for power users, and it lacks the U1 chip for precise location tracking.

The iPad Air 2020 is a "Pro-lite" device featuring a modern, thin-bezel design, USB-C connectivity, and the powerful A14 Bionic chip, making it a high-performance, versatile option for most users. Key strengths include an bright, color-accurate Liquid Retina display and highly responsive performance, although it lacks the 120Hz ProMotion technology found in pro models, leading to less fluid scrolling. While compatible with premium accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, the device is held back by a 64GB base storage option and high accessory costs, positioning it as a powerful, yet expensive, all-rounder that fits between the budget iPad and the Pro series.

The 2020 iPad Air is considered the best all-around tablet for most users, adopting a modern, thin-bezel design and USB-C charging that bridges the gap between the base model and the Pro series. Key advantages include the powerful A14 Bionic chipset for high performance and support for premium accessories like the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, turning the device into a versatile tool. However, the tablet lacks the 120Hz ProMotion display found on the Pro series and features a 64GB base storage option, which may be limiting. Other drawbacks mentioned include the use of Touch ID in the power button rather than Face ID and a dual-speaker system compared to the quad-speaker setup on higher-end models.

The Wired review describes the 2020 Apple iPad Air as a near-perfect, versatile tablet featuring a modern, thin-bezel design, the fast A14 Bionic chip, and compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Notable pros include the 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and the Touch ID sensor integrated into the top power button. However, the review cites cons such as the 60Hz display, which lacks the ProMotion fluidity found on the iPad Pro, alongside the lack of Face ID and awkward FaceTime camera placement for landscape use. Other drawbacks include limited storage options (64GB or 256GB), a lack of a rear ultrawide camera, and potential backlight bleed. Ultimately, the 2020 iPad Air is considered the best tablet for most users, delivering essential Pro features at a lower price point, despite a higher cost than its predecessor. It is highly rated for creative work, media consumption, and light productivity, making it a strong long-term investment.

Engadget describes the 2020 iPad Air as an ideal mid-range tablet, adopting a modern, flat-edged design with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and shifting to a versatile USB-C port. Key pros include the high-performance A14 Bionic chip, support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, and robust battery life. Despite these strengths, the review notes cons such as a higher $599 starting price, the lack of 120Hz ProMotion or Face ID, and iPadOS limitations that prevent it from fully replacing a laptop.

The Verge review identifies the 2020 iPad Air as the best tablet for most users, highlighting its adoption of a modern, thin-bezel design, the powerful A14 Bionic processor, and USB-C connectivity at a $599 starting price. Key pros include compatibility with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, offering a high-end experience without the Pro model's cost. Conversely, the review notes cons including the absence of a 120Hz ProMotion display, replacing Face ID with a, at times, finicky power-button Touch ID, and the lack of a 128GB storage option. The device also lacks the Pro’s ultrawide camera, LiDAR scanner, and quad-speaker setup. Ultimately, while noting frustration with the base 64GB storage and the cost of upgrading, the review concludes the device offers an enjoyable, high-end experience.