The new fourth-generation iPad Air stands out when compared to the new eighth-generation iPad. It has a new look, a substantially newer processor, has compatibility with the latest iPad technologies, has a better display, and of course, costs substantially more.

I love how it comes in five colours, can go as large as 256GB, weighs less than 460g, is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, uses USB-C, and has a 10.9in Liquid Retina display with True Tone display (read as looks really good).

It also has Touch-ID (fingerprint reader) right on the top button. To be fair, the tech is not new, but more devices should have it as facial recognition on phones are troublesome as masks are ubiquitous.

The 7MP front-facing camera and the stereo speakers in landscape mode is a nice touch too.

In short, choosing between the eighth-generation iPad and the fourth-generation iPad Air is easy. When compared to the iPhone 11 series, the iPad Air is like the iPhone 11 while the iPad is the iPhone SE. The two iPad Pro is like the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

However, when comparing the new iPad Air and the current iPad Pro offerings, things get messy.

The 64GB version of the new iPad Air is RM2,599. The 256GB version is RM3,249 which is only RM250 less than the 128GB version of the 11in iPad Pro (second-generation).

Comparing the two is made more difficult as most of the specifications that matter is the same. They differ when it comes to little things like the chips they use, the number of cameras, camera features, number of speakers, and Face ID versus Touch ID.

Personally, I’d go with the iPad Air because cameras on a tablet are not important to me, but that is a subjective opinion. I don’t think one is objectively better than the other which can make the decision making it difficult for some people.

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