Apple iPad (3G 16GB) vs Apple iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)

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Side by side comparison between Apple iPad vs Apple iPad Air tablets, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

1/16/2014 9:46 AM, updated: 9/27/2024 5:02 AM

Compare Apple iPad Air X Apple iPad (3G 16GB) 03Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

9.7"
IPS

768x1024

N/A

256MB
RAM

Single-core

6800
mAh

(Non removable)

16Points Apple iPad Air (WiFi 32GB) Compare Apple iPad X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

9.7"
IPS

1536x2048

5
MP

1.2mp

1GB
RAM

Dual-core

8820
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better tablet? Apple iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

3 Advantages Apple iPad (3G 16GB)	vs	16 Advantages Apple iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
+3G HSDPAAdvantage The 3G HSDPA network is newer and faster	vs	Not supported
+(3G HSDPA) 7.2 MbpsAdvantage Faster for surfing the internet and download files	vs	(Not supported)
+A-GPSAdvantage It's harder to lose yourself in the city with GPS on your device	vs	Not supported
1GHz 32bit Single-core (45nm)	vs	+1.4GHz 64bit Dual-core (28nm)131% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
256MB LPDDR	vs	+1GB LPDDR33 times More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
16GB (12GB available)	vs	+32GB (23GB available)92% More internal storage for applications and files
730 grams (25.55 ounces)	vs	+469 grams (16.42 ounces)56% Lighter
13.4 millimeters (0.53 inches)	vs	+7.5 millimeters (0.3 inches)79% Thinner
768x1024 pixels	vs	+1536x2048 pixels3 times Higher resolution screen
132 PPI	vs	+264 PPI100% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
Not supported	vs	+(back) 5MPAdvantage With a camera you can take pictures anywhere
Not supported	vs	+Full HD (1920x1080)Advantage More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
iOS 5.1.1	vs	+iOS 12Advantage iOS 12 is newer and safer
Not supported	vs	+GyroscopeAdvantage Sensors help you use the device
6800 mAh	vs	+8820 mAh30% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
Not supported	vs	+Active noise cancellationAdvantage More noise-canceling microphones allow for better quality in calls and audio for recorded videos
Not supported	vs	+DLNAAdvantage With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.
2.1 + A2DP	vs	+4.0 + A2DPAdvantage Bluetooth 4.0 + A2DP is newer and faster
HTML, XHTML	vs	+HTML, XHTML, HTML5Advantage Better sites viewing on the internet

18 Common items in both devices

Aluminum body, glass front

TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD

60Hz

16 million

9.7"

Capacitive

Multitouch

+11 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Other model names	iPad A1337 (WiFi + 3G)	iPad Air A1474 (WiFi), iPad 5 Air, iPad Air 1
Country or region available	(Europe), Canada, USA	(Global, International)
Brand	Apple	Apple
Release date	4/30/2010, Announced: 1/27/2010	11/1/2013, Announced: 10/22/2013
Depth	13.4 millimeters (0.53 inches)	7.5 millimeters (0.3 inches)
Size (width x height)	189.7 x 242.8 millimeters (7.47 x 9.56 in)	169.5 x 240 millimeters (6.67 x 9.45 in)
Weight	730 grams (25.55 ounces)	469 grams (16.42 ounces)
Build, materials	Aluminum body, glass front	Aluminum body, glass front
Protection against water and others	Not supported	Not supported
📲 Display
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Display type	TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD	TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD
Screen size	9.7" inches	9.7" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~63.3% (screen-to-body ratio)	~71.6% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	768x1024 pixels (4:3)	1536x2048 pixels (4:3)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch	Capacitive Multitouch
Pixel density (dot pitch)	132 PPI	264 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	Oleophobic coating	Not supported
🤖 Operating System
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
System version	iOS 4.0	iOS 7.0
Firmware update	iOS 5.1.1	iOS 12
User Interface	feature not registered	feature not registered
⚙️ Processor
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Chipset	32bit: Apple A4 (45nm)	64bit: Apple A7 (APL5698) (28nm)
CPU	Single-core, 1 processor: 1x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 (Single-core)	Dual-core, 1 processor: 2x 1.4GHz Cyclone (Dual-core)
GPU graphical controller	PowerVR SGX535	PowerVR G6430 (4-core, 450MHz)
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	Basemark X: 13597
💽 Memory and storage
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
RAM memory	256MB LPDDR	1GB LPDDR3
Internal storage	16GB (12GB available)	32GB (23GB available) eMMC
External storage	Not supported	Not supported
📶 Mobile networks
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)	Not supported
Maximum Download / Upload	7.2 Mbps	feature not registered
Network technology	2G, 3G	feature not registered
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Not supported
Primary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	Not supported
Primary 3G network	UMTS 850/1900/2100	Not supported
Primary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA	Not supported
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
📷 Camera
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Back camera (main camera)	Not supported	5 megapixels
Main camera resolution	Not supported	2592x1944 pixels
Video recording (primary)	Not supported	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps
Flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	f/2.4 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	33mm (lens)
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Autofocus	Not supported	Autofocus
Touch focus	Not supported	Supported
Image stabilization	Not supported	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Not supported	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Not supported	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Not supported	Supported
HDR	Not supported	HDR photo only main camera
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Front camera (secondary)	Not supported	1.2 megapixels
Front camera resolution	Not supported	1280x960 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	Not supported	HD (1280x720)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Loudspeaker	Mono sound (not stereo)	Supported
Active noise cancellation	1 microphone	2 microphones or more
Radio	Not supported	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MPEG4, H.264, MOV	MP4, H.264, MOV
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, AAC	MP3, WAV, eAAC+
🔌 Connectivity
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
USB	USB 2.0 proprietary connector	USB 2.0 proprietary connector
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	Proprietary TV-out	Proprietary TV-out
Bluetooth	2.1 + A2DP	4.0 + A2DP
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz, 5GHz)	802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz, 5GHz)
DLNA	Not supported	Supported
GPS	A-GPS	Not supported
NFC	Not supported	Not supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Gyroscope
Vibrating alert	Not supported	Not supported
🔋 Battery
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Battery type	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)
Battery capacity	6800 mAh	8820 mAh
Charger, watts	Wired charging	Wired charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	10 hours	10 hours
Standby	feature not registered	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
Call control	Not supported	Not supported
Messaging	SMS, MMS, E-mail, Push mail	E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	feature not registered
Web browser	HTML, XHTML	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Silver • iCloud	• Colors: Space Gray, Silver • Retina display • Oleophobic coating • AirDrop file sharing • iCloud service • iCloud Keychain • FaceTime HD
☢️ Radiation rate
	iPad (3G 16GB)	iPad Air (WiFi 32GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered