I’ve been using the new iPad Air (2020) for the past few weeks, throwing everything from writing and emailing to media editing at Apple’s midrange tablet, and I’m struggling to figure out why most people should step up to the iPad Pro.

iPad Pro design but far more affordable; Screen is excellent; Apple A14 Bionic processor is fast and future-proofed; Touch ID is slickly integrated

Cellular and higher storage upgrades are expensive; iPadOS still has some multi-tasking foibles

The fourth-generation iPad Air gives you the power of an iPad Pro for less money, making it the best Apple tablet to buy in 2020.

Super-fast processor and internet speeds; Excellent cameras; Fantastic build quality

Unimpressive battery life; iPadOS still doesn't multitask as well as Mac/Windows

The new iPad Air might feel like a minor update from last year’s model, but it’s improved enough that its features and specs are now mostly on par with the pricier iPad Pro. It’s not just the best iPad for most people -- it’s arguably even Apple’s best tablet for the money.

Fast performance and WiFi speeds; Healthy battery life; Fun new color options; Supports Apple’s second-gen Apple Pencil; Very similar to the pricier iPad Pro

Still no Face ID; Only two speakers; The cost adds up with accessories meant to make it a laptop replacement

The iPad Air is a versatile, capable tablet that'll tempt many away from the iPad Pro 11, but it's not as cheap as it once was.

Great design; Large display; Compatible with Pro accessories;

Touch ID can be hard to locate; £100/$100 price hike; Thicker bezels than Pro range;

In 2020, the iPad Air will continue to position itself between the iPad 8 and the iPad Pro 11 , but it is now looking more to the Pro model. This is not only visible in the new design but also in the optional accessories such as Magic Keyboard and Pencil 2, which can be used with both products.

great design and processing; modern SoC; good battery life; good IPS display; versatile expandability; very good loudspeakers

WLAN is a bit slow; no 5G option; sparse scope of delivery

The iPad Air (2020) offers a great screen, supremely powerful processor, premium design and great Apple Pencil support… it's simply excellent. It's a shame the price has crept up, but it's still the tablet to beat.

Sleek design in great colours; Detailed screen; So fast and slick; Apple Pencil 2 support; Impressive spatial audio

Mediocre cameras; No 120Hz or OLED screen; Screen only medium brightness; Notable price jump from previous version

If you’re looking to get an iPad right now and can afford it, the new $599 iPad Air is the best tablet for most people. Apple has taken the design from the more expensive iPad Pro and brought it down to a more reasonable price point.

Excellent screen; Compatible with iPad Pro accessories; Very fast processor

Price increase; Only step-up storage option is a big jump; $749 for 256GB; Touch ID on the power button takes some getting used to

The ipad is probably fine but the over the top security is annoying. I set up finger print recognition. 2 weeks later cannot recall the access code and cant get in even though I have finger print identification. Only solution is reset the ipad and loose all data.

The iPad Air finally has a solid identity with its fourth-generation model—this time as an affordable alternative to the iPad Pro. While you miss out on features like the 120hz ProMotion display, quad speakers, FaceID, Ultra-wide-angle camera, and LIDAR, the 4th-generation iPad Air comes with...

TouchID finally makes a comeback; USB-C connectivity; Great display upgrade

TouchID location takes a little getting used to; More expensive than the previous-generation iPad Air

The iPad Air is essentially an 11in iPad Pro but with a few high-end features removed for a £190 price cut. That means it has Apple’s attractive, modern tablet design, slim bezels, top performance, long and reliable battery life and a robust software ecosystem that will be kept updated for five-plus...

modern design; great performance; good battery life; great screen; USB-C; iPadOS; plenty of apps; great speakers; great mics; great video-call camera; long support; recycled aluminium.

no Fortnite or cloud game streaming; no multiuser support; relatively small storage on the starting model with no way to add more; comparatively expensive.