The new iPad Air borrows several features from the 10.5-inch iPad Pro released in 2017, but has a better processor and a 25% lower price.
The new 3rd-generation iPad Air was announced by Apple on March 18, 2019, together with the smaller iPad mini 5, and it was available for preorder the same day.
iPad Air 3 is the perfect middle range model, combining reasonable price of the basic Apple iPad product line with advanced features of iPad Pro models.
iPad Air 2019 is basically the 10.5-inch iPad Pro model that was released in June 2017 – but with a smaller RAM (3 instead of 4 GB) and a less impressive main camera. It has the same 2224 × 1668 px diagonal LED-backit Retina display with 264 ppi pixel density.
What iPad Air 3 also borrows from iPad Pro 2017 is the integration with both the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. However, after the launch of iPad 10.2 (2019), it’s not the most affordable way to enhance the working environment with the original Apple stylus and keyboard.
Compared to iPad Pro 10.5 2017, the newest Air is equipped with the better processor unit: A12 Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture combined with M12 coprocessor and Neural Engine. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 module, compared to 4.2 version in iPad Pro 10.5.
iPad Air 3 costs $499 for the version with Wi-Fi and 64 GB of internal memory. For the most powerful 256 GB + Wi-Fi + Cellular model, you will have to pay $779.
The newest 3rd-generation Air is packed into the iPad Pro shell, so the dimensions of these two models are the same. Therefore, you don’t have to wait for new third-party cases to arrive – most iPad Pro 10.5 designs will fit perfectly.
The only difference is that iPad Pro has four speakers, while iPad Air 3 features two of them. This, however, doesn’t affect the performance of your newest iPad Air tablet.
We’ve got the best ones put together in our updated overview of the best iPad Air 3 cases and sleeves.
iPad Pro 10.5 vs. iPad Air 3
| Feature | iPad Pro 10.5 (2017) | iPad Air 3 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 10.5-inch | 10.5-inch |
| Display resolution | 2224 × 1668 px | 2224 × 1668 px |
| HDR support | Yes | Yes |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Processor | A10X Fusion chip + M10 coprocessor | A12 Bionic chip + M12 coprocessor |
| Internal memory | 64 GB 256 GB 512 GB |
64 GB 256 GB |
| RAM memory | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Apple Pencil support | Yes (sold separately) |
Yes (sold separately) |
| Smart Keyboard support | Yes (sold separately) |
Yes (sold separately) |
| Cameras | Front: 7 MP Rear: 12 MP |
Front: 7 MP Rear: 8 MP |
| Speakers | 4 | 2 |
| Weight | 16.54 oz 469 g |
16.08 oz 456 g |
| Dimensions | 9.8 × 6.8 × 0.24 in 250.6 × 174.1 × 6.1 mm |
9.8 × 6.8 × 0.24 in 250.6 × 174.1 × 6.1 mm |
| Colors | Silver Space Gray Gold Rose Gold |
Silver Space Gray Gold |
| Release date | June 12, 2017 | March 18, 2019 |
| Launch prices | from $649 | from $499 |
| Current prices (Amazon) | from |
from |
Apple iPad Air 3 (2019) – full tech specs
Check out the list of tech specifications that we have put together from Apple site and other online sources:
| Screen | 10.5-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch display |
|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 2224 × 1668 px |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi |
| Storage capacity | 64 GB 256 GB |
| microSD card | No |
| RAM memory | 3 GB |
| Processor | A12 Bionic chip with 64‑bit architecture Neural Engine Embedded M12 coprocessor |
| Body colors | Silver Space Gray Gold |
| Battery | Built‐in 30.2‐watt‐hour rechargeable lithium‑polymer battery |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi, watching video, or listening to music |
| Charging | Via power adapter or USB to computer system |
| Weight | 16.08 oz / 456 g (Wi-Fi models) 16.37 oz / 464 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular models) |
| Dimensions | 9.8 × 6.8 × 0.24 in / 250.6 × 174.1 × 6.1 mm |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 technology |
| Ports | Lightning Smart Connector 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Operating System | iPadOS |
| Sound | Two built‑in stereo speakers |
| Sensors | Touch ID Three-axis gyro Accelerometer Barometer Ambient light sensor |
| Main camera | 8 MP, f/2.4 aperture, five-element lens, Hybrid IR filter, HDR, burst mode, 1080p HD video recording |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 aperture, burst mode, 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps |
| In the box | iPad Air 3rd generation (2019 release) Lightning to USB cable USB power adapter |
| Apple Pencil | Compatible with 1st-generation Apple Pencil, sold separately |
| Smart Keyboard | Compatible with 1st-generation Smart Keyboard, sold separately |
| Launch date | March 18, 2019 |
| Prices | 64 GB / WiFi – $499 64 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $629 256 GB / WiFi – $649 256 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $779 |
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