When comparing the base A16 and the base M1 Air, the specifications appear quite similar, leading to the question of whether there are substantial differences beyond the processor and the extra storage capacity of the A16, which I don’t find particularly significant. One notable difference is in RAM; the M1 Air offers 8GB, while the A16 has 6GB. This extra RAM can help ensure the M1 Air remains relevant for a longer time as software demands grow.
I faced a similar issue with my previous 32GB 7th generation iPad, which I eventually had to retire as my main device due to storage limitations. Even after removing various apps and files, I struggled to free up enough space for updates. This experience reinforces the importance of having additional storage, as updates and system data can quickly consume available space.
For instance, my 64GB iPad 9th generation currently uses around 26GB for the operating system and system data. Having both devices, I find my Air 5 running on iPadOS 15 to be a solid choice for its longevity, battery life, and storage capacity favoring the A16. I typically don’t use much local storage for PDFs and eBooks, so I initially overlooked this aspect.
On a related note, the A16 is expected to receive longer software support compared to the M1 Air, which makes it a more future-proof option. However, some skeptics argue that the A16, with its less powerful chip and lower RAM, may not be as capable of lengthy update support. That said, history has shown that Apple tends to base software support more on release dates than pure hardware specs, making the longevity of newer devices a crucial factor to consider in your decision.
Leave a Reply