iPad & iPhone User - USA (2020-02)

The iPad Air is a lot faster

The 10.2in iPad contains the same A10 Fusion chip

we found in 2018’s 9.7in model, while the iPad Air

has an A12 Bionic chip that includes Apple’s second-

generation Neural Engine for optimized machine

learning. It’s quite the jump.

Mind you, the A10 is a fine chip. Until recently, I

used the 9.7in iPad every day and I never thought it

let me down. But as you can see from our benchmarks

above, the A12 in the Air thumped the A10 soundly on

iOS 12. If you’re looking for a relatively future-proof

device that’s less likely to slow down with heavier-duty

It doesn’t come close to the Pros, though

TheiPadAirisa lotfaster

The10.2iniPadcontainsthesameA10Fusionchip

wefoundin2018’s9.7inmodel,whiletheiPadAir

hasanA12BionicchipthatincludesApple’ssecond-

generationNeuralEngineforoptimizedmachine

learning.It’squitethejump.

Mindyou,theA10isafinechip.Untilrecently,I

usedthe9.7iniPadeverydayandIneverthoughtit

letmedown.Butasyoucanseefromourbenchmarks

above,theA12intheAirthumpedtheA10soundlyon

iOS12.Ifyou’relookingforarelativelyfuture-proof

device that’slesslikelytoslowdownwithheavier-duty

It doesn’t come close to the Pros, though