Buy ipad air
There are two SIM options for connecting your WiFi Cellular iPad model to a data plan: a physical SIM card or eSIM technology.† (Note: Wi-Fi iPad models cannot connect to cellular networks.)
Physical SIM card: All Wi-Fi Cellular iPad models have a physical nano-SIM tray that will hold a carrier nano-SIM card (also called 4FF SIM card). Your iPad may have a carrier SIM card already installed if you purchased it from a carrier. If not, you can contact your carrier to obtain an appropriate card for your iPad. Some iPad models also support an Apple SIM card. For more information, go to https://support.ipad-mobile.ru/en-us/HT203089.
eSIM technology: Newer Wifi Cellular iPad models include built-in eSIM technology that essentially acts as a digital SIM card. There are a few ways to activate an eSIM on your iPad, including downloading it right on the iPad itself, scanning a QR code, or using an app from a carrier. With eSIM, you can choose cellular data plans from select carriers in the U.S. and in more than 180 countries and regions around the world. For more information on setting up eSIM, go to https://support.ipad-mobile.ru/en-us/HT203089.
More information on iPad support for LTE networks by carrier and country or region
All iPad Wi-Fi Cellular models include a nano-SIM tray that supports a carrier SIM card.
Wi-Fi Cellular iPad models with embedded eSIM technology include: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generation), 11-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation), iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation), iPad (7th and 8th generation), and iPad mini (5th generation).
Wi-Fi Cellular iPad models with a physical Apple SIM card include: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation), iPad Air (2nd generation), iPad (5th and 6th generation), and iPad mini (3rd and 4th generation).
Wi-Fi Cellular iPad models with an embedded Apple SIM include: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation), 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and 9.7-inch iPad Pro.
†Not all carriers support Apple SIM and eSIM. See your carrier for more details. Not available in China mainland. The eSIM technology works with iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation), iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation), iPad (7th and 8th generation), and iPad mini (5th generation). Apple SIM works with iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad (5th and 6th generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 4.
Comparing the 2020 ipad air to the 11-inch ipad pro
| iPad Air (4th Gen, 2020) | 11-inch iPad Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2020 | 2020 |
| Base price | $599 | $799 |
| Screen Size (inches) | 10.9 | 11 |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2388 x 1668 |
| Pixel Density (dpi) | 264 | 264 |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 600 |
| Display Type | Retina, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), Fully Laminated | Liquid Retina, ProMotion, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), Fully Laminated |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | A12Z Bionic |
| Apple Pencil | Second Generation | Second Generation |
| Smart Connector | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (inches) | 9.74 x 7 x 0.24 | 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 |
| Weight (lbs) | 1 | 1.04 |
| Capacities | 64GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear camera (megapixels) | 12 | 12 wide, 10 ultra wide |
| Front camera (megapixels) | 7 | 7 |
| Video recording | 4K 24/30/60fps | 4K at 24/30/60fps (wide) and 60fps (ultra wide) |
| Biometric | Touch ID | Face ID |
| Speakers | 2 | 4 |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Ipad air battery life
The battery life on the iPad is the same as it has always been, around 10 hours. This is more than enough, I find. I have literally never had an iPad of any stripe run out of power when I’ve been using it. Or noticed it low unless I haven’t charged it for days.
The new iPad Air.
David Phelan
Ipad air camera
Look, I’ve said it before, you really shouldn’t be using your iPad as your go-to camera. The ergonomics of a flat piece of glass and aluminum are not as harmonious as a proper camera or a smaller device such as a phone.
True, it’s unbeatable for framing your shot on the luxurious big display, but even so.
There’s only one rear camera here, a 12MP sensor. Mind you, every iPad ever has only had one camera (or none at all in the case of the very first one) until the latest range of Pro tablets which have two cameras and a LiDAR scanner.
This wide camera is one of the Pro’s two and it works well, if you really must take photos.
There’s a front-facing camera, a 7MP model, for self-portraits and the like.
Ipad air display
No, I can’t say the screen on the iPad Air is as good as the iPad Pro. The Pro models have something called ProMotion, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate as needed. The iPad Air doesn’t have that – though it does have True Tone, Apple’s subtle technology that ensures that what you see onscreen looks natural, by adjusting the color to match ambient light.
It’s also not as bright as the Pro screen, but it matches it for pixel density (264 pixels per inch), wide color gamut and anti-reflective coating. The short answer is it looks great.
The 12MP rear camera on the iPad Air.
David Phelan
Noticeable physical differences
Given that the new iPad Air now has the same kind of flat-edged design as the iPad Pro, there’s no practical difference in the hardware. You’d think twice before swapping cases between them, but for putting in a bag or carrying around, they’re effectively the same.
That extends to how, for the first time, a non-Pro iPad is able to use Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
The one really visibly exception to these devices having the same design is when you see the rear cameras. The new iPad Air 4 has a greatly improved camera, but it’s still only one.
For comparison, the 11-inch iPad Pro camera bump on the rear houses a 12 megapixel wide lens, a 10 megapixel ultra wide one — and a LiDAR sensor. While there may not exactly be mainstream uses for that just yet, LiDAR is going to help with Apple AR.
There are already key differences in use between the two devices today, though. Although the screens are so close in size as to be indistinguishable — at 10.9 inches versus 11 inches — the iPad Pro’s one is significantly brighter. Its maximum brightness is 600 nits compared to the 500 of the iPad Air.
Then there is ProMotion. This is the feature, introduced with the 2021 iPad Pro, which is arguably what makes these devices feel more responsive than any other iPad.
With ProMotion, the iPad Pro intelligently changes the refresh rate of the screen, the speed at which the display is updated. These iPad Pro models can drive the screen at 120Hz, but it drains the battery.
So rather than driving the entire display at top speed, the iPad Pro assesses where that speed will give you the most benefit. If you’re drawing on it with the Apple Pencil, then the area right under your fingers will refresh at 120Hz, but the app’s unchanging tool palette will not.
That’s going to be more apparent as you use the new iPad Air, but beyond the performance, there is one more speed difference to consider. The 11-inch iPad Pro has Face ID, which is certainly more convenient and arguably faster than the Touch ID that the new iPad Air has.
