iPad 5 (2017, A9 series) Vs iPad Air 3 (2019, A12 series)

The iPad 2017, also known as the 5th generation iPad, was released in March 2017 as an accessible tablet option. Two years later, in March 2019, Apple introduced the iPad Air 2019, the 3rd generation of the Air series, positioning it as a more capable device. While both tablets run on Apple's iPadOS, the iPad Air 2019 features a more advanced processor and a refined display, offering a different user experience compared to its predecessor.

When considering the longevity of a tablet, factors such as release date, software support, and physical design play a significant role.

• Release Timeline: The iPad 2017 was released in March 2017, making it an older device compared to the iPad Air 2019, which launched in March 2019. This two-year difference in release directly impacts their remaining software support lifespan.
• Software Longevity: The iPad 2017 supports up to iPadOS 16 and does not receive iPadOS 17 or later updates, with security updates expected to cease around September 2025. In contrast, the iPad Air 2019, with its newer processor, supports current iPadOS versions and is expected to receive major software updates for a longer period, extending its functional life.
• Repairability: The iPad 2017's display is not fully laminated, which can sometimes make screen repairs less complex. The iPad Air 2019 features a fully laminated display, which, while offering a better visual experience, can make display repairs more intricate.

The performance of these tablets is largely determined by their internal components, influencing how smoothly they handle various tasks.

• Processor Capabilities: The iPad 2017 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday tasks like web browsing, media consumption, and light gaming smoothly. The iPad Air 2019, however, features a more advanced processor, providing a noticeable boost in speed and efficiency. This allows it to manage demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphic-intensive games with greater ease and responsiveness.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPad Air 2019 offers enhanced multitasking capabilities due to its more powerful processor and increased RAM, making it better suited for users who frequently switch between multiple applications or use split-screen features. The iPad 2017 provides a solid experience for single-app use and basic multitasking, but may show limitations with more intensive workloads.
• Storage Options: Both models offer different storage configurations. The iPad 2017 is available with 32GB or 128GB of internal storage. The iPad Air 2019 provides 64GB or 256GB options, offering a higher base storage and a larger maximum capacity for users with extensive digital libraries or numerous applications.
• Battery Behavior: Both tablets are designed to offer up to 10 hours of battery life for web surfing or video playback on Wi-Fi. User experiences suggest that the iPad 2017 can sometimes exceed these claims in practical use. The iPad Air 2019 also supports faster charging, which can be beneficial for users needing to quickly power up their device.

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with both tablets offering distinct display characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature IPS LCD Retina displays with a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi), ensuring sharp text and images. However, the iPad Air 2019's display is fully laminated and includes an anti-reflective coating, which reduces glare and makes the content appear closer to the surface. The iPad 2017 lacks these features, resulting in a visible air gap between the glass and the LCD, and more noticeable reflections.
• Brightness and Color: The iPad 2017 offers a bright display, reaching up to 500-520 nits, which is suitable for various lighting conditions. The iPad Air 2019 also provides excellent brightness, typically around 425-500 nits, and further enhances the viewing experience with True Tone technology, which adjusts the display's white balance to match ambient light, and support for the P3 wide color gamut, resulting in more vibrant and accurate colors.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The iPad 2017 features a 9.7-inch display. The iPad Air 2019 offers a slightly larger 10.5-inch display, providing more screen real estate for content consumption and multitasking.

While tablets are not typically primary photography devices, their camera systems are important for video calls and occasional captures.

• Camera System Capabilities: The iPad 2017 features an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera. The iPad Air 2019 also has an 8-megapixel rear camera, but significantly upgrades the front-facing camera to 7-megapixels.
• Photography Performance: Both devices' 8-megapixel rear cameras are capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions and recording 1080p HD video. The iPad Air 2019's improved front camera delivers clearer and more detailed images for video calls and selfies. Low-light performance is not a strong suit for either tablet's camera.
• Audio Experience: Both tablets feature stereo speakers, which provide a satisfactory audio experience for media consumption. The iPad Air 2019 maintains a traditional headphone jack, a feature also present on the iPad 2017.