Buyer's Guide: Is the Rs 25,000 Difference Between the iPad 10 and iPad Air Worth It?

The entry-level iPad, priced at ₹34,900 less than the iPad Air, is a strong contender with similar design, display size, camera systems, and functionality. Which of these two iPad lines should you buy, given the ₹25,000 difference between them?

Apple lowered the price of the 10th generation iPad from ₹44,900 to ₹34,900 when the ninth generation iPad was discontinued. Because of this, the starting price of the 10th generation iPad is now ₹25,000 less than the ₹59,900 iPad Air, which was just released.

The transition to a flat design with squared-off sides, no home button, and an all-screen layout with curved corners is completed with the tenth generation iPad product line. Many potential customers might now be considering buying the normal iPad rather than the iPad Air because they both have the exact same display size and have similar features like a Touch ID top button, USB-C port, and 5G connectivity. However, there are more differences between the two models than what first meets the eye.

The M2 chip and double the RAM make the 10th-generation iPad slightly less powerful than the iPad Air. Many customers still have strong reasons to favor the iPad Air, but it also has a more advanced display with two size options, support for the Apple Pencil Pro and hover, a thinner and lighter design, and even a different variety of color options.

So, in order to save money, should you get the 10th generation iPad or do you need the iPad Air instead? This comparison makes it simple to identify each distinction between the two devices.

The CPUs and memory capacities of the two iPads are a major differentiator, so if you intend to use your iPad for more labor-intensive tasks like 3D graphic creation, sophisticated photo editing, and gaming, the iPad Air will be a considerably better option. The M2 chip's specialised media engine is ideal for video editing and supports Stage Manager, Apple's iPad multitasking system.

The 10th edition iPad's display lacks full lamination, anti-reflective coating, and P3 broad colour. Consider these factors while justifying the ₹25,000 upgrade to the more expensive iPad Air, even if they are unlikely to be convincing arguments in favour of the former. The new 13-inch iPad Air variant, designed for multitasking and replacing laptops, is priced at ₹45,000, pricier than the 10th generation iPad itself.

The iPad Air has slightly less thickness and weight, but these are distinctions that are so little that most buyers won't notice them. However, depending on your taste, the more subdued color selections may or may not appeal to you.

Support for Apple Pencils is another important factor. Although the first-generation Apple Pencil is compatible with the 10th generation iPad, the USB-C Apple Pencil is a better alternative due to its simpler charging process. But without the compatibility for the Apple Pencil Pro, you can't access advanced capabilities like pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback, and barrel roll on the iPad Air. The iPad Air, which supports both the Apple Pencil with USB-C and the Apple Pencil Pro, will definitely provide a far better experience for those who intend to use the Apple Pencil extensively for tasks like note-taking and illustration.

Although they both work with external keyboards, the devices' advantages differ. While the Magic Keyboard on the 10th generation iPad is better for lap-typers and those who want backlighting, the Magic Keyboard on the iPad Air is better for those who prefer function keys, want to easily detach the keyboard, and want to keep the iPad propped up on a surface.

The iPad Air is theoretically a more alluring package with the M2 chip, 4GB of additional memory, a dedicated media engine, Stage Manager for multitasking, a better display, and a considerably better experience with the Apple Pencil. Users with simple needs, however, are unlikely to find much of a difference between the devices in actual use. If you don't specifically require the extra capabilities or the larger display size option of the iPad Air, it might be worth saving the ₹25,000 and purchasing the 10th generation iPad instead.