Design and display
The first thing that jumps out at you without a doubt is the design, since it is completely different from one another. The iPad Air 3 was the last in its range to feature the traditional apple design in which the frames of the device became very important, and above all, the home button that housed the fingerprint sensor to bring Touch ID to life.
Secondly, the iPad Air 5 inherits the design that the iPad Air 4 already releasedthat is, a all screen where the protagonist is her, the screen. In addition, if we look at the sides, those of the Air 3 are completely rounded, while in the Air 5 they are much more square, following the design line that began with the iPad Pro of 2018, and that most equipment already has. from Apple.
This change in design not only implies an aesthetic change, since this is something subjective, but also means that by having a much more used front in terms of screen, in two teams that have really similar dimensions, the iPad Air 5 can take advantage of it much better, having a 10.9-inch screenwhile the iPad Air 3 stays at 10.5. And if we talk about the screen, we have to mention, how could it be otherwise, its technology, since it improves slightly in the Air 5, with a Liquid Retina True Toneby retina display that the Air 3 has.
For the rest, there are no big differences in the experience that users are going to have with both panels, simply the resolution of the iPad Air 5 is somewhat higher than that of the Air 3, but it really is not something that affects too much how they are going to feel the users using these devices in their day to day. Both offer very well balanced colors, and although far from being a really professional screen in this sense, it is more than enough for those people who want to use it for office automation work, consume content and even be able to edit the occasional photograph with the in order to use it in social networks.
Power
Time to talk about another of the most significant changes that you can find between these two iPad models and that is that the Air 5 is the first in its range to have a famous and highly acclaimed apple m1 chip. This movement could be completely focused on marketing, but the reality is that as iPadOS evolves, this iPad model will have all the power and performance necessary to give users the opportunity to do any task they set out to do with hardly any effort. disheveled
However, the iPad Air 3 in that sense is much more limited, since it has the A12 Bionic chipAlthough it is still completely suitable for very basic tasks, for those users who do want to use their iPad in a more intense way and, above all, for somewhat more demanding tasks, it will surely fall short and the experience cannot be so positive Even so, as we have mentioned, for a basic use of the device, the A12 Bionic will continue to offer good performance.
Compatible Connectors and Accessories
We come to one of the most significant points for the iPad, because despite the fact that visually it has practically no impact, it is something that makes a complete difference on a functional level, we are talking about the connection port of both devices. On the one hand we have the iPad Air 5, which has the USB-C portwhile the Air 3 maintains the Lightning who is so loved and hated in equal parts.
When it comes to charging both iPads, it really isn’t something that matters much, although considering that there are more and more devices with a USB-C port, it is something that can be more comfortable. However, where it really affects users is in the accessories that are compatible with both models. The presence of the port USB-C has given a new life to all iPads that they have, since it has allowed them to work with many more accessories than those that have a Lightning port. Since microphones, hard drives and, above all, the famous Hub that raise even more the compatibility of the iPad with any other equipment.
Obviously, if we talk about accessories to connect to the iPad and increase its potential, we have to mention the difference within Apple itself in terms of its accessories. The iPad Air 5 is compatible with the company’s best peripherals such as the Magic Keyboard and the 2nd generation Apple Pencilwhile the iPad Air 3 uses the Smart Keyboard and the 1st generation Apple Pencil, which although they are still high-quality devices, do not offer the same experience as their corresponding evolutions. In the case of the Magic Keyboard, not only is the experience of the keyboard itself to be highlighted, but the differential point is found in the trackpad that it incorporates, allowing you to navigate through iPadOS as if you were inside a computer. With the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, what stands out the most is the convenience of being able to always magnetize it to the side of the iPad, both to charge it and simply to have it “stored” next to your iPad.
cameras
Surely, many users have been surprised by the fact that the cameras section is included among the most differential elements between these two iPads. Well, the reality is that yes, there is a specific point that makes the difference very much in favor of the iPad Air 5. On the back of both devices there is a wide angle lens, 12 Mpx with f/1.8 for the Air 5 and 8 Mpx with f/2.4 for the Air 3, allowing users to take good pictures when required. To be honest, it is not something that you have to take into account, since it will be on rare occasions when you really need to use them.
Where there is a substantial difference is in the front lens, that is, the one commonly known as the selfie camera. The iPad Air 3 has a 7 Mpx lens, while the Air 5 has a 12 Mpx ultra wide angle lens, which allows you to enjoy a very useful function for all those users who are going to use the iPad for university or work. Its about framing focused on video calls, which allows the subject in the image to always be in the center of the image. In addition, given the quality of the lens, it also allows the image provided to be much sharper, with better colors and more detail.
How do they look alike?
We have already told you about the most important differences that you can find between the iPar Air 5 and the iPad Air 3. However, there are also similarities between the two, which will also affect the user experience with both devices, so it is very important that you know them and take them into account.
Drums
In terms of battery, the reality is that you will not notice a substantial difference between them because there really isn’t even one on paper. According to the Cupertino company, both models offer up to 10 hours Internet browsing via Wi-Fi, or video playback and even 9 hours Internet browsing through mobile networks.
Usually iPads always offer very good autonomysince they are designed so that users can use them for long hours, whether at university or at work, as well as during leisure or travel where you may need to distract yourself and have fun watching a series or playing a video game.
unlock method
Lastly, we need to talk about how to unlock both devices. Apparently it may seem that it has changed, because the design seems to indicate it, especially considering that the iPad Pro has Face ID and the iPad Air 5 inherits just that same design. However, the reality is completely different, and that is both the iPad Air 3 and iPad Air 5 unlock via a fingerprint sensor.
The iPad Air 3, having the traditional design, has the fingerprint sensor inside the Home button, but in the case of the iPad Air 5 it is located on the device’s on and off button, which is located on the top. of the team.
Is it worth the jump from one to the other?
We have reached the final point of the comparison, and that is that whenever we make this type of post we like to finish giving you our most sincere and honest opinionon whether, in this case, it is worth changing the iPad Air 3 for the iPad Air 5, since for all those who want to buy one or the other, our recommendation is that they go directly to the iPad Air 5.
Now yes, if you have an Air 3 and you are considering exchanging it for the 5 You have to keep in mind what are the reasons that really make you consider this change, since everything depends on the use that you are going to make of it. For all users who simply use the iPad to consume multimedia content, it is not worth the jump at all, because with the Air 3 they have more than enough. Now, if you really want to use the iPad to work with it, the possibility of enjoying it together with other accessories makes the difference in favor of the Air 5so in this case it would be worth it.
