iPad Air 2019: complete technical sheet, price and reviews

On March 18, 2019, Apple presented itsthird generation iPad Air. Always more efficient, it stands out from other models such asthe latest iPad Pro, released about a year later, by its technical sheet and its mid-range positioning. But iPad Air 2019 can also be very similar to its cousins ​​dedicated to professionals or tighter budgets: let's look at its official characteristics to find out more.

Nothing new on the design side

Remember: when launching the first version of theiPad AirIn October 2013, Apple touted its new tablet as the thinnest ever created by its teams. And for good reason: with its 7.5 mm thickness at the time, it was indeed a remarkable feat. The name of the product, too, is ambiguous, and recallsthe line of MacBook Airs which have also just been renewed. But in reality, make no mistake, because the iPad Pro (4th gen.) is now thinner, by 0.2mm.

This does not prevent the iPad Air 2019 from remaining a particularly successful object, and for good reason: once again, we find the touch of designer Jony Ive who has restored its letters of nobility to the apple brand, making a globally recognized reference in the field. It is thus aboutthe lightest iPad, with 456 grams on the clock (compared to 437 g for the iPad Air 2). Its case, for its part, has dimensions of 250.6 x 174.1 mm, which allows it to be easily stored in any backpack. Which is ideal both for nomads and for watching a movie in bed, moreover.

Despite everything, we will regretfairly wide borders(the format/diagonal ratio here is only 78.3%), in particular because of the fingerprint sensor located on the front. Yes; with the iPad Air 2019 there is no facial recognition in the program but only Touch ID. Regarding the materials used: it is a glass window on the front, surrounded by an aluminum frame, a metal also used for the back of the tablet. To finish with the exterior appearance, finally note that the iPad Air 2019 is available in three colors in France: space gray, gold or silver. Your choice.

iPadOS: the best tablet software?

The iPad Air 2019 is powered by the proprietary iPadOS operating system. Eligible for updating to iPadOS 14, it therefore benefits from a large number of features more than the iPhone equivalent, such as handwriting recognition calledScribbleor even improved support for keyboards, controllers and mice (we will come back to this later). The interface is particularly fluid and bug-free, and the different menu icons make it easy to navigate among all the available options. But that's without counting onSiri, the famous voice assistant which offers you the possibility of easily controlling everything by voice.

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Several applications come free with the iPad Air 2019, such as Mail, Safari or Reminders, but above all it isApp Storewhich will allow you to download even more. The selection of developers is substantial and there are services for almost everything: work, health, management of your connected home or online data storage. Furthermore, the synchronization of the iPad Air 2019 with other devices of the same brand such as Macs allows it to stand out from its competitors under Android: it is even essential if you want to invest in a touchscreen tablet in already being equipped with a computer.

Last advantage of iPadOS, and not the least: iPad Airs receiveupdatesregularly from their manufacturer, often up to five to six years after their release. You therefore do not risk ending up with an obsolete iPad Air 2019 in a short time by purchasing this model: a good long-term investment!

iPad Air 2019 performance

Let's now move on to a selection criterion: power. What is the iPad Air 2019 capable of? With its hexacore processorApple A12 Bionic(proprietary 64-bit architecture) engraved in 7 nm and its3 GB of RAM, it's simple: it copes with multiple requests without any problem and can launch numerous applications at the same time without blinking. Since the arrival of the Apple Arcade cloud gaming service, we can even enjoy dozens of games for 4.99 euros per month, supported by a GPU also made in Cupertino. So, of course, it will be better to turn to an iPad Pro for intensive use, however these components are already of very good quality and will be more than sufficient for entertainment or office use.

In terms of autonomy, the iPad Air 2019 has a non-removable Li-Po battery of8 134 mAhwhich allows it, according to Apple, to hold “up to 10 hours […] to browse the Internet over Wi‑Fi, watch videos or listen to music“, which is as much as a small laptop. Via mobile data, energy consumption is however a little more intensive since the iPad Air 2019 would “only” last nine hours in a row, which remains respectable and allows for example to take it with you on the train or by plane to binge-watch your favorite series, with 64 or 256 GB of internal storage.

The 2019 iPad Air is also equipped with several control buttons: the main home button, orTouch ID, but also an on/off button and volume control. Finally, let's talk about the sound: the iPad Air 2019 has two stereo outputs supported by two microphones. Obviously, no powerful bass in sight, but it's enough to spend a few hours on YouTube or Netflix and calls from FaceTime generally go very well. You can also pair AirPods Pro if necessary.

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Connectivity and network

The iPad Air 2019 is not like everyone else and is recharged via aport Lightningowner: no USB-C on the horizon unfortunately. Note that Apple provides the charger (Lightning to USB cable) as well as the power adapter. Added to this is a 3.5 mm jack socket to which most headset models are connected, while a final plug, the Smart Connector, is dedicated to connecting keyboards. The proposed network is available here in two options: either Wi-Fi or4G, all compatible with eSIM or activated via a nano SIM card port installed on the edge of the iPad Air 2019. Obviously Bluetooth is also one of the guests here in Low Energy, alongside which we find a GPS to easily locate or find the iPad if it is lost.

Let's return toSmart Connector: this small socket also installed on the side of the iPad Air 2019 allows you to connect multiple accessories such as the Logi BASE Charging Stand or the Smart Keyboard, a keyboard without a numeric keypad sold by Apple for 179 euros. Rumors even suggest that a variation of the Magic Keyboard, which incorporates a trackpad, is in development: to be continued.

Take photos with the iPad Air 2019

Can we take quality photos with the iPad Air 2019? It's hard to say. Indeed, even if its photo sensor is of the same ilk as that which can be found on certain iPhones, it remains no less complicated to use such a large format to capture a simple memory. Let's start with the back camera. This has a definition of8 megapixels, an ƒ/2.4 aperture and comes with a hybrid infrared filter and a light sensor. The focus is automatic, and the panoramic mode allows you to capture large stabilized images of 43 MPx, all in HDR for photos. From the Camera application, you can even take advantage of burst mode, exposure adjustment and a self-timer.

The iPad Air 2019 can also shootvideos, thanks to HD (1080p) recording and a slow motion mode of up to 120 frames per second. There is also a time-lapse mode with stabilization, as well as a 3x zoom. Finally, for the FaceTime HD front lens, it is a lens of7 MPx(aperture ƒ/2.2) capable of capturing 30 frames per second also in 1080p and HDR.

Screen

The Multi-Touch Retina screen of the iPad Air 2019 benefits from a diagonal of10.5 inchesand is LED backlit. This touchscreen panel has a 2K definition: 2,224 x 1,668 pixels, or 264 pixels per inch. The display also has the True Tone option, which adjusts its settings depending on the ambient brightness and colors. Everything is protected by an oleophobic coating which guarantees the absence of fingerprints, as well as anti-glare technology to improve the experience when it is sunny and protection against scratches. Additionally, the luminance reaches 500 nits.

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This screen is also compatible with the connected stylusApple Pencil, allowing you to easily annotate documents or unlock more practical options in certain applications. You have to pay 99 euros more to afford your first generation. Another essential accessory: a case with flap, or a tempered glass film to protect the ice from any risk of impact. Its replacement costs 421 euros, so taking this precaution is not a small investment.

iPad Air 2019: price and availability

Here are the prices of the iPad Air 2019 when it is released:

• 569 eurosfor the version with 64 GB of storage + Wi-Fi modem
• 709 euros for 64 GB of storage + Wi-Fi and 4G
• 739 euros for 256 GB + Wi-Fi
• 879 euros for 256 GB + Wi-Fi and 4G

The price of the iPad Air 2019 is therefore in the rangeaverageof what Apple usually offers, and this is what its technical sheet demonstrates: more interesting than the more affordable iPad models (like the iPad mini), it is however less efficient than the best iPad Pros. It is therefore difficult to see which audience is looking for this touchscreen tablet. Nevertheless, the iPad Air 2019 remains a very reliable product on a daily basis,performantfor a long time, and has already enjoyed success in its previous editions. It's difficult to find fault with it, even if you're demanding!

Its software,iPadOS 14, allows the iPad Air 2019 to compete even with some players in the laptop market, and the hundreds of thousands of applications available on the App Store are an open door to endless possibilities. In addition, at a time when Apple specializes in services (Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple TV+), having amedia centerat home to collect your subscriptions becomes almost natural: this is where the iPad Air 2019 is actually positioned. With a wider diagonal than an iPhone 11 Pro Max, the comfort of videos is also improved without the manufacturer having overlooked other key advantages such as design or compact format.

If you want to buy the iPad Air 2019, we advise you to consult our table ofbest pricesupdated in real time at the various resellers. You can find interesting promotions there: