The fact that it’s a laminated display and has incredibly low reflectivity means that even in direct sun, you can still use it easily. It’s technically not as bright, but I never had trouble seeing the screen indoors or outdoors. It has the same pixel density, super-low reflectivity, wide color gamut, and True Tone color adjustment. It isn’t the same display as the iPad Pro, but to most people’s eyes, it looks like it could be. There’s just enough bezel around it to easily get a grip with your thumb when needed, but it’s not so big that it feels clunky. The 10.9-inch display is simply wonderful. While it may not be as seamless as Face ID, it’s a perfectly usable authentication method - and it no longer requires a large screen bezel to be embedded in the home button. Following that quick tutorial, the sensor was fast and accurate. And the initial setup process makes it clear that you need to teach it both directions. It’s positioned well to use with your right index finger when holding it vertically, and your left index finger when horizontal. And with its extremely light 1-pound weight, which is evenly distributed, it definitely earns its “Air” moniker.īecause it’s missing Face ID from the Pro, you’ll find a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. The transitions from back to side are nice and smooth, and the corners have a wide radius, so it’s quite comfortable whether you’re just propping it up with one hand or holding it in landscape mode with two.
It’s reasonable to think that the design would be tough on your hand, but it isn’t.
(The iPad Pro is stuck with gray and silver, for now.) Andrew Martonik/Digital Trends Even though most people will go for a boring color like my Space Gray model, you can go bright if you want to express your personality a bit. It’s also available in a wider variety of colors, which are much more playful than any prior iPad. It just feels fresh and modern compared to the old curvy style - particularly now that it fits with the iPhone 12’s design. The metal body is perfectly flat across the back - save for the camera bump - and runs into flat sides. Hardware, design, and displayĪpple did an exceptional job with the design of the latest iPad Pros, so I’m not upset in the slightest that the iPad Air is a carbon copy. So for $599, is the new iPad Air the tablet to get? Actually, it just may be the best value you can get in an iPad today.