The fifth-generation iPad Air replaces a deservedly popular, utterly excellent product — its predecessor was our favorite for most consumers since its launch in September 2020. The new iteration has the same design, 10.9-inch Retina display, and starting price tag as the previous model.
Apple unveiled the slate alongside an updated iPhone SE, a Mac Studio desktop, and an all-new Studio Display. The new iPad packs the industry-altering Apple M1 chip and optional 5G connectivity, to name a couple of significant upgrades.
Key Specs
• Apple M1 chip with a Neural Engine
• 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display
• Up to 256GB of storage
• Touch ID fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, dual microphones
• FaceTime HD camera, 8MP rear-facing camera
• USB-C and Smart Connectors
• Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, optional 5G
• Compatible with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (second-generation)
I put the latest iPad Air to the test for a week, and it surpassed my heavy expectations. Here's why it's the best tablet in its price range by a considerable margin — and a better, more compact alternative to countless ultrabooks.
The M1 Chip Rules Again
Since it arrived in late 2020, the M1 chip has wholly altered my performance expectations of the products it powers, so having access to it in an iPad that starts below $600 is extraordinary. Also found in the MacBook Air, the entry-level MacBook Pro, and the iPad Pro, the hardware is worthy of the hype surrounding it, and the primary reason why you should buy the iPad Air.
Thanks to the M1 chip, the iPad Air excelled as my go-to computer for days. It aced my desktop workflow of toggling between 10-plus open browser tabs, cranking out emails and Slack messages, editing text in Apple Pages, modifying images in Affinity Photo, and checking on Twitter while streaming Apple Music. This performance is nothing short of spectacular, especially considering how impossibly compact the product is.
Compared to the stellar previous generation, the new iPad brings significant processing and graphics power bumps — up to 60% and 100%, respectively. On the other hand, similarly priced PC and Android rivals like the Microsoft Surface Go 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, while plenty capable, have some catching up to do.
Optional onboard 5G connectivity ensures that the iPad Air can deliver on-the-go network speeds that are a perfect match for its M1 chip’s prowess — and so is its up-to-date Wi-Fi 6. While testing it, I constantly enjoyed lag-free work sessions and virtual meetings.
With up to 10 hours of screen-on time between charges, the slate offers stellar battery life for its factor. Using it as a legit laptop replacement definitely impacts the battery performance, though I could still make it through a workday without having to look for a USB-C charging cable.
More Noteworthy Upgrades
The new Air is the latest iPad to get a FaceTime camera with Center Stage, so it’s even better for videoconferencing than the 2020 version. Already available on the entry-level iPad and the iPad mini, this feature imitates a professional camera operator, ensuring that you are always in the frame by seamlessly panning and zooming the camera as you move. The device’s rear-facing camera is capable enough to give many phones a run for their money.
Apple also treated the product to a more capable USB-C connector with faster data speeds that support higher-resolution displays. The compatibility includes Apple’s latest 5K Studio Display, allowing the iPad Air to transform into a powerful desktop workstation. The previous-generation external display capabilities topped out at a lower 4K resolution.
Other Good Bits
The new iPad Air also has a sharp Retina display with True Tone tech, which is capable of adjusting its color balance and temperature based on the ambient lighting. The screen is also an ideal workspace for the second-generation Apple Pencil, which recharges by magnetically snapping onto the device.
The Air also has stereo speakers whose audio quality belies its thin and elegant housing. Its integrated microphones perform well both during video calls and while capturing video.
Unsurprisingly, iPadOS gives the iPad Air an edge over its rivals, too, offering millions of big-screen ready apps and countless customization options. Plus, the platform will get best-in-class support with timely updates for years.
Wrap-Up
The iPad Air is worth every penny of its hefty price tag. Unless you can spend more on an iPad Pro with a smoother ProMotion display with a higher refresh rate (the pricier 12.9-inch model packs a brighter and more vibrant panel), a more capable dual rear camera, and more storage, this is the iPad to get. In addition to great design and build quality, choosing it will get you years’ worth of fantastic performance and overall user experience — better than any alternative running on a different platform.
The pricing of the iPad Air starts at $599 for a device with 64GB of storage. Adding 5G connectivity costs $130 extra for all variants. Quadrupling the memory is worth dropping $150 more, but be mindful that such a sticker will get you very close to an 11-inch iPad Pro with 128GB of storage. The recycled aluminum housing of the iPad Air is available in several colors: blue, pink, purple, starlight, and space gray.
I meant it literally when I said that the 2022 iPad Air has the same design as the 2020 version it replaces. The slate is compatible with the same protective cases, and there are tons to choose from.
