iPad Air (2020)

The fourth-generation iPad Air is a tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on September 15, 2020. Pre-orders began on October 16, 2020, and shipping started on October 23, 2020. The device features a design similar to the third-generation iPad Pro.

iPad Air (4th Generation)

Also known as	iPad Air 4
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Product family	iPad Air
Type	Tablet computer
Generation	4th
Release date	October 23, 2020
Introductory price	$599 USD £579 GBP €669 EUR $779 CAD $879 SGD $899 AUD
Operating system	Original: iPadOS 14 Current: iPadOS 14.3, released December 14, 2020
System on a chip	Apple A14 Bionic with 64-bit architecture and Apple M14 motion co-processor
Memory	4 GB[1]
Storage	64 or 256 GB flash memory
Display	10.9 inches (280 mm) (2,360 x 1,640) px (264 ppi), 500-nits Max Brightness, Wide-Color Display (P3), True Tone Display, Fully Laminated Display, 1.8% Reflectivity and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support
Graphics	Apple-Designed 4-Core
Sound	Stereo
Input	Multi-touch screen, headset controls, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, digital compass, dual microphone, Touch ID fingerprint reader, barometer
Camera	Front: 7 MP, ƒ/2.0 aperture, burst mode, timer mode, exposure control, face detection, Smart HDR, wide-color capture, auto image stabilization, Retina flash, 1080p HD video recording Rear: 12 MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture, five-element lens, burst mode, timer mode, exposure control, noise reduction, face detection, Hybrid IR filter, Live Photos with stabilization, Autofocus with Focus Pixels, face detection, Smart HDR, panorama, wide-color capture, auto image stabilization, 1080p HD 30fps video recording, video stabilization, slo-mo, time-lapse
Connectivity	Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular: 802.11 Wi-Fi 6 dual-band (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) and MIMO Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi + Cellular: GPS & GLONASS GSM UMTS / HSDPA 850, 1700, 1800, 1900 MHz LTE Multiple bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
Online services	App Store, iTunes Store, iBookstore, iCloud, Game Center
Dimensions	9.74 inches (247.6 mm);"(h) 7 inches (178.5 mm);(w) 0.24 inch (6.1 mm);(d)
Mass	Wi-Fi: 1.0 pound (458 grams) Wi-Fi + Cellular: 1.01 pounds (460 grams)
Predecessor	iPad Air (2019)
Website	https://www.apple.com/ipad-air/

Features

Hardware

The fourth-generation iPad Air features an updated design, similar to that of the third-generation iPad Pro. It features a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, USB-C, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and Smart Keyboard Folio.[2] However, there is no ProMotion display and no camera flash. The home button is removed, and Touch ID has been relocated to the Sleep/Wake button on the top right edge of the device.[3] In addition, in contrast to the third-generation iPad Air, the fourth-generation iPad Air lacks a headphone jack.

In terms of performance, it features the new Apple A14 Bionic chip making it 40% faster than its predecessor.

Colors available are Space Grey, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue.

Color	Name
	Space Grey
	Silver
	Rose Gold
	Green
	Sky Blue

Reception

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple was praised for the lack of inclusion of Face ID in favor of Touch ID integrated into the power button, as wearing masks makes Face ID useless.[4][5]

Timeline of iPad models

Source: Apple Newsroom Archive.[6]

References

1. https://9to5mac.com/2020/10/04/ipad-air-4-benchmark-results-emerge-on-the-web-as-apple-reportedly-prepares-a14-apple-tv/
2. "New iPad Air 4 (2020) release date, price, and everything you need to know | TechRadar". www.techradar.com. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
3. Warren, Tom (2020-09-15). "Apple announces new iPad Air that looks more like an iPad Pro, starting at $599". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
4. Tibken, Shara (October 13, 2020). "iPhone 12 and the Touch ID button: Why Apple probably won't give it to us this year". CNET. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
5. Collins, Katie (October 20, 2020). "Our masks make Face ID useless. iPhone 12 did nothing to fix it". CNET. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
6. Apple Inc. (2010–2011). iPad News - Newsroom Archive. Retrieved June 7, 2018.