If you’re an Australian on the hunt for a powerful yet sleek tablet that meets your needs, the Apple iPad Air 4 2020 is a standout option. Blending performance, portability, and an elegant design, the iPad Air 4 is suitable for various tasks, including work, entertainment, and creative endeavors. This detailed guide covers everything you need to know about the iPad Air 4—from specifications and features to practical usage tips and where to buy it in Australia.
1. Apple iPad Air 4 2020: Overview and Key Specifications
The Apple iPad Air 4 2020 sits comfortably between the entry-level iPad and the high-end iPad Pro. It brings advanced features to a wider audience, making it an attractive option for students, professionals, and tech enthusiasts. With its powerful A14 Bionic chip, Liquid Retina display, and support for the latest accessories, the iPad Air 4 is built for versatility and productivity.
iPad Air 4 Specifications
Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, True Tone, and P3 wide colour gamut
Processor: A14 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
Storage Options: 64GB and 256GB
Rear Camera: 12MP camera with ƒ/1.8 aperture, Smart HDR, 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
Front Camera: 7MP FaceTime HD camera with ƒ/2.0 aperture, Smart HDR, 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback on Wi-Fi
Security: Touch ID integrated into the top button
Audio: Stereo speakers
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), optional cellular models with 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0
Operating System: iPadOS 14, upgradable to the latest version of iPadOS
Colour Options: Space Grey, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue
Dimensions: 247.6 mm x 178.5 mm x 6.1 mm (height x width x depth)
Weight: 458 grams (Wi-Fi model), 460 grams (Wi-Fi + Cellular model)
Design and Build
The iPad Air 4 features a sleek design that borrows elements from the iPad Pro series, such as flat edges and slim bezels, which make the device both modern and comfortable to hold. The iPad Air 4 has an aluminium enclosure, which feels premium and sturdy, enhancing its durability while maintaining a lightweight form factor.
2. iPad Air 4 Features
Display Quality
The iPad Air 4’s 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is one of its standout features. With a high resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, the display offers sharp, vibrant visuals that make it ideal for watching movies, editing photos, or reading e-books. The display supports True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the screen’s colour temperature based on the lighting environment, reducing eye strain and making viewing more comfortable.
The wide P3 colour gamut ensures that colours are accurate and vibrant, which is especially beneficial for photographers, video editors, and artists who rely on precise colour representation. The display also features an anti-reflective coating, making it easier to use outdoors or in bright environments.
Performance with the A14 Bionic Chip
The A14 Bionic chip is a powerhouse, offering industry-leading performance that handles intensive tasks with ease. It features a 6-core CPU, a 4-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling fast app launches, smooth multitasking, and exceptional gaming experiences. The A14 is capable of handling complex machine-learning tasks, making the iPad Air 4 suitable for advanced applications like augmented reality (AR) and 3D modeling.
Camera Capabilities
The iPad Air 4’s 12MP rear camera is capable of capturing detailed photos and 4K videos, making it useful for content creators and those who enjoy photography. The camera features Smart HDR, which improves photo quality by combining multiple exposures into a single image with balanced highlights and shadows. The 7MP FaceTime HD front camera is perfect for video calls, selfies, and recording high-quality video content, supporting 1080p HD video recording.
Touch ID Security
Unlike the iPad Pro models that use Face ID, the iPad Air 4 integrates Touch ID into the top button. This provides a fast and secure way to unlock the device, authenticate payments, and sign in to apps. Touch ID is a reliable biometric security feature that offers a convenient user experience.
Battery Life
With up to 10 hours of battery life, the iPad Air 4 is designed to last through a full day of usage, whether you’re browsing the web, watching videos, or working on documents. This long-lasting battery performance ensures that you can use the iPad Air 4 without constantly needing to recharge it, making it a reliable companion for both work and play.
Connectivity
The iPad Air 4 supports Wi-Fi 6, which offers faster internet speeds and improved performance in crowded areas, making it perfect for streaming, gaming, and downloading large files. The optional cellular model provides 4G LTE connectivity, allowing you to stay connected on the go. Bluetooth 5.0 support enables seamless connections with wireless headphones, keyboards, and other accessories.
Colour Options
The iPad Air 4 offers five colour choices: Space Grey, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue. These colour options allow users to personalize their device, making it not only a functional tool but also a stylish accessory that complements their personality.
3. iPad Air 4 vs. Other iPads: How Does It Compare?
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad 8th Generation
The iPad 8th generation is a more budget-friendly option, featuring the A12 Bionic chip and a 10.2-inch Retina display. While it’s suitable for basic tasks and media consumption, the iPad Air 4’s A14 Bionic chip provides significantly better performance, making it suitable for more demanding tasks like video editing and multitasking. The iPad Air 4 also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard, offering greater versatility.
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Mini
The iPad Mini is known for its compact size, making it ideal for users who prioritize portability. It features a smaller 7.9-inch display and the A12 Bionic chip. While the iPad Mini is perfect for reading and light usage, the iPad Air 4 offers a larger screen, more powerful A14 Bionic chip, and better accessory compatibility, making it a more suitable choice for users who need a more capable device.
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Pro
The iPad Pro is Apple’s high-end tablet offering, available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch models. It features the M1 chip, a 120Hz ProMotion display, Face ID, and up to 2TB of storage. While the iPad Pro is the most powerful and feature-rich option, the iPad Air 4 offers a similar design and strong performance at a lower price point. For most users, the iPad Air 4 provides ample power and features, making it a more cost-effective choice.
iPad Air 4 vs. iPad 9th Generation
The iPad 9th generation is Apple’s latest entry-level iPad, featuring the A13 Bionic chip and a 10.2-inch Retina display. While it offers solid performance for everyday tasks, the iPad Air 4’s A14 Bionic chip, larger Liquid Retina display, and advanced accessory support make it a more capable device for creative work and multitasking. The iPad Air 4’s design is also more modern, with thinner bezels and no home button, providing a more immersive user experience.
Best iPad for Australians
For Australians seeking a versatile and powerful tablet, the iPad Air 4 is an excellent choice. It offers a perfect balance of performance, portability, and price, making it suitable for various use cases, from education to professional work. Its advanced features, compatibility with the latest Apple accessories, and modern design make it a standout option in the current iPad lineup.
iPad Air Alternatives
If you’re considering alternatives to the iPad Air 4, several other tablets may suit your needs. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 offers similar performance with an Android operating system, featuring an 11-inch display, Snapdragon 865+ processor, and S Pen support. The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is another alternative, providing a full Windows 10 experience in a compact tablet form factor. However, the iPad Air 4’s seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, extensive app support, and overall performance make it a top choice for many users.
4. User Experience: How to Make the Most of Your iPad Air 4
Getting Started with iPad Air 4
Setting up your iPad Air 4 is straightforward, thanks to Apple’s intuitive setup process. Upon powering on the device, you will be guided through setting up Touch ID, connecting to Wi-Fi, and signing in with your Apple ID. If you’re upgrading from an older iPad, you can use the Quick Start feature to transfer your data and settings seamlessly.
Productivity Tips
To maximize productivity on your iPad Air 4, consider utilizing the Split View and Slide Over features for multitasking. Split View allows you to run two apps side by side, making it easy to take notes while browsing the web or editing documents while checking your email. Slide Over lets you temporarily access another app without leaving your current task, ideal for quickly replying to messages or checking notifications.
The iPad Air 4’s compatibility with the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard further enhances its productivity capabilities. These keyboards provide a laptop-like typing experience, complete with a trackpad for precise navigation. The Magic Keyboard also features a floating design and backlit keys, making it a versatile accessory for both work and entertainment.
Creative Possibilities
The iPad Air 4 is an excellent tool for creative professionals, thanks to its compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil and apps like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and Affinity Designer. Whether you’re a digital artist, graphic designer, or illustrator, the iPad Air 4’s pressure-sensitive screen and low-latency performance provide a natural and intuitive canvas for your creations. The Apple Pencil’s precision and responsiveness make it ideal for sketching, painting, and designing.
For video editing, the iPad Air 4 supports powerful apps like iMovie, LumaFusion, and Adobe Premiere Rush, enabling you to edit 4K video footage with ease. The A14 Bionic chip’s processing power ensures smooth playback and fast rendering times, making the iPad Air 4 a capable tool for content creators on the go.
Entertainment Hub
With its high-resolution display and powerful stereo speakers, the iPad Air 4 is perfect for streaming movies and TV shows. Whether you’re watching content from Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+, the iPad Air 4 delivers an immersive viewing experience. The True Tone and P3 wide colour gamut enhance the visuals, while the stereo speakers provide clear, rich audio.
Gaming is another area where the iPad Air 4 shines. The A14 Bionic chip ensures smooth gameplay even with graphically demanding titles, and the wide selection of games available on the App Store and Apple Arcade offers something for everyone. From casual games to action-packed adventures, the iPad Air 4 handles it all with ease.
Reading and Learning
The iPad Air 4 is a fantastic device for reading e-books, thanks to its large display and True Tone technology, which makes reading comfortable even in different lighting conditions. With apps like Apple Books, Kindle, and Audible, you have access to a vast library of books and audiobooks.
For students and lifelong learners, the iPad Air 4 provides access to educational resources through apps like Khan Academy, Coursera, and Duolingo. The device’s portability and versatility make it an ideal companion for studying, note-taking, and research.
5. Buying the iPad Air 4 in Australia
Where to Buy
The Apple iPad Air 4 is widely available in Australia, with options to purchase online or in-store. Authorized Apple resellers such as JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, and WiseMarket Au offer the iPad Air 4. Purchasing from an authorized reseller ensures you receive genuine products, access to warranties, and support.
Shopping online through the Apple Store or other retailers can provide additional benefits, such as exclusive offers, discounts, and flexible payment options. It’s advisable to check multiple retailers to compare prices and find the best deal, as well as to look out for bundle offers that may include accessories like the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard.
6. Conclusion: Is the iPad Air 4 Right for You?
The Apple iPad Air 4 2020 is a versatile and powerful tablet that caters to a wide range of users, from students and professionals to artists and casual users. Its sleek design, robust performance, and compatibility with the latest accessories make it a compelling choice in the iPad lineup. Whether you need a reliable device for work, creative projects, or entertainment, the iPad Air 4 delivers a premium experience backed by Apple’s reputation for quality and innovation.
With its impressive specifications, user-friendly interface, and access to a vast ecosystem of apps and services, the iPad Air 4 stands out as a top choice for Australians looking for a high-quality tablet. Its balance of performance, features, and affordability makes it a versatile option that can adapt to your needs, whether you’re studying, working, or simply enjoying your favorite content.
This ultimate guide to the iPad Air 4 should provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the device, helping you make an informed decision about your next tablet purchase. Whether you’re new to the Apple ecosystem or upgrading from an older model, the iPad Air 4 offers a premium experience that’s sure to impress.
