Along with the new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air, the iPad 10 remains part of Apple's lower-priced entry-level tablet lineup . Here's a look at what's similar and different between the iPad Air M2 and iPad 10.
The iPad M1 Air blurs the line between the more affordable iPads and the Pro models . Now there's the M2 iPad Air, with upgrades that were previously considered exclusive to the M2 iPad Pro.
However, the iPad 10, with Apple's modern slim-bezel design and priced below the iPad Air with many of the same features that remain in the lineup, and the price for them has decreased.
We've got a detailed comparison of all the new iPads. Here's a closer look at what you get with the iPad Air M2 versus the iPad 10.
Related:
- M4 iPad Pro vs M2 iPad Air: is it worth overpaying?
- M2 iPad Air vs M1 iPad Air: what's updated?
- Apple Pencil Pro vs USB-C, 2 and 1: What's the difference?
Contents
- M2 iPad Air and iPad 10
- Performance
- Display
- Splash of color
- Battery life of iPad Air and iPad 10
- Storage and price
- Cameras
- Conclusion iPad Air M2 vs iPad Air 10
- Why buy iPad Air?
- Why buy iPad 10?
iPad Air M2 and iPad 10
Performance
Image from Apple
The 2024 iPad Air uses the M2 chip. This includes a more powerful 8-core processor and 10-core GPU. In contrast, the iPad 10 uses the A14 Bionic with a 6-core processor and 4-core GPU. Apple claims the M2 is 3 times faster than the A14 chip.
But unless you use an iPad at a professional level (or are aiming for professional workflows) like video editing, graphic design, etc., you probably won't need or even need to pay attention to update the M2 chip.
| iPad M2 | iPad 10 | |
| Chip | M2 | A14 Bionic |
| CPU cores | 8 | 6 |
| GPU cores | 10 | 4 |
| Neural Engine kernel | 16 | 16 |
| Storage | 128 GB – 1 TB | 64 or 256 GB |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| USB-C > | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular communications | 5G (without mmWave | 5G (without mmWave |
Display
iPad 10 has many of the same display features as the more expensive iPad 11″ iPad Air. This is 10.9″ Liquid Retina panel with 2360 x 1640 resolution and 264 PPI pixel density. Other specs include 500 nits of brightness, True Tone technology and thin bezels.
Image of Apple's M2 iPad Air
Funny how Apple uses the name 11″ in iPad Air and 10.9″ for the iPad 10, the iPad Air's panel is technically 10.86″.
However, a tempting new option for the M2 iPad Air is 13″ model – meaning you can get Apple's largest tablet size without upgrading to an iPad Pro.
Four features the iPad 10 doesn't have on the iPad Air M2 – P3 wide color, anti-glare coating , laminated display and Apple Pencil pointing. But overall, the iPad 10 provides an excellent display.
| 13″ iPad Air | 11″ iPad Air | iPad 10 | |
| Display | 12.9″ | 10.86″ | 10.9&# 8243; |
| Resolution | 2732 x 2048 | 2360 x 1640 | 2360 x 1640 |
| PPI (pixels per inch) | 264 | 264 | 264 |
| Display brightness | 600 nits | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| True Tone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| P3 wide color | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| ProMotion (120 Hz) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Anti-reflective coating | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fully laminated display | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Liquid Retina display | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hover your mouse over Apple Pencil | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Connectivity and accessories
image via Apple
iPad 10 is compatible with Magic Keyboard Folio. Meanwhile, the iPad Air works with all the same Apple accessories as the iPad Pro. This includes Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.
iPad 10 and iPad Air M2 continue to use Touch ID located inside the top button.
| M2 iPad Air | iPad 10 | |
| Supports Apple Pencil | Pro and USB-C | USB-C and 1st generation |
| Magic Keyboard support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Magic Keyboard Folio support | USB-C and 1st generation | ✅ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| 5G | ✅ (without mmWave) | ✅ (without mmWave) |
| WiFi 6 | – | ✅ |
| WiFi 6E | ✅ | ❌ |
| USB-C | ✅ | ✅ |
| Thunderbolt | ❌ | ❌ |
| Touch ID | ✅ | ✅ |
| Face ID | ❌ | ❌ |
Like the iPhone SE 3, the iPad 10 and iPad Air do not have mmWave 5G support on cellular models. But since mmWave is the rarest version of 5G coverage, it's probably not an issue for most people.
Two other small updates for the M2 iPad Air are support for Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6E.
Splash of color
iPad 10 colors from Apple
You have four color choices for both the iPad Air M2 and the iPad 10.
The iPad 10 comes in silver, pink, blue and yellow. iPad Air comes in Space Gray, Starry, Purple and Blue.
iPad Air and iPad 10 Battery Life
You get the same battery life with any iPad:
- 10 hours of web or video browsing over Wi-Fi.
- 9 hours of Internet use over a cellular network.
Storage and price
Here's a breakdown of the price difference (MSRP) between these three iPads.
There are only two storage tiers available for iPad 10, but 256GB should be enough for most users.
| 13″ iPad Air | 11″ iPad Air | iPad 10 | |
| Wi-Fi with 64 GB | – | – | $349 |
| 64 GB + cell | – | – | $499 |
| 128 GB Wi-Fi | $799 | $599 | – |
| 128 GB + cell | $949 | $749 | – |
| 256GB Wi-Fi | $899 | $699 | $499 |
| 256 GB + cell | $1049 | $849 | $649 |
| 512 GB Wi-Fi | $1,099 | $899 | – |
| 512 GB + cell | 1249 US dollars | $1,049 | – |
| 1 TB Wi-Fi | $1299 | 1099 US dollars | – |
| 1 TB + cell | $1449 | $1249 | – |
Cameras
image via Apple
You get the same rear camera from the iPad 10 that's on air, with a 12 wide-angle lens MP.
After the iPad 10 was the first to have a horizontal front-facing camera in 2022, the iPad Air M2 (and Pro) has the same, making video calls more convenient.
| iPad M2 | iPad 10 | |
| 12 MP wide-angle rear lens | ✅ | ✅ |
| Smart HDR 3 for photos | – | ✅ |
| Smart HDR 4 for photos | ✅ | ❌ |
| 4K Video | ✅ | ✅ |
| Extended dynamic range | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slow-motion video | 1080p at up to 240 fps | 1080p at up to 240 fps |
| 12 MP ultra-wide camera | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2x optical reduction | ✅ | ✅ |
| Center Automatic scene tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Stereo speakers for horizontal orientation | ✅ (2 times older bass guitar only for model 13″) | ✅ |
In terms of speakers, you get the same horizontal dual-speaker system found on the iPad 10 and Air. However, larger 13″ Air delivers twice the bass.
M2 iPad Air vs iPad Air 10 conclusion
image via Apple
Why buy an iPad Air?
If you’ If you push performance to the limit, the iPad Air may be more attractive with the M2 chip. But if you're a power user or have the potential to become a power user, the iPad Pro M4 may be a better fit with up to 16GB of RAM, up to 2TB of storage, a 120Hz ProMotion display, and Thunderbolt support.
However, if you're you You may find an iPad Air on sale, which may make it more attractive. Likewise, you can sometimes find the 2022 iPad Pro M2 for sale or refurbished.
Why buy an iPad 10 ?
When you consider all the similarities and differences, iPad 10 is a great choice for everyday use, as well as light-to-medium work, school, and creative workflows.
At its regular price, it's $150 to $200 less than the iPad Air, but still includes many of the best features, making it a better choice for most users.
iPad 10 available at Apple, Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers.
More 9to5Mac comparison:
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