Apple today finally announced the iPad Air (5th generation) at its Peek performance virtual event. Coming alongside the iPhone SE (2022), this iPad represents Apple’s first upgrade to the mid-range iPad since the first part of 2020.
It’s not just expected to be a small update with new color choices, Apple is also likely adding in some substantial improvements that’ll see users gaining a better day-to-day experience.
The iPad Air 4 was near perfect for what it offered, so Apple didn’t have to change much. The Liquid Retina display remains, for better or worse. It’s still an 11-inch display with no OLED, Mini-LED or ProMotion. You’ll still find Touch ID at the side, and so on. Let’s talk more about what is different.
It’s a lot more powerful inside. The company is equipping this device with the same M1 chip you’ll find in the iPad Pro. This means that you’ll find little in the App Store that the iPad can’t handle with aplomb.
Apple’s also powering up the front-facing camera with a 12MP ultra-wide camera (the same from the newest iPad Mini). If you’re using your iPad to take Zoom, Teams, or Facetime calls, it’s going to get so much better.
Finally, Apple is bringing 5G to the iPad Air-line. It came to the iPad Pro with the 2021 models, and the company’s now making its most portable iPad even more portable for those who want it for work on the go. You’ll need to pay the cellular premium of course, but that’s usually been the case.
This is a developing story as Apple’s event is still ongoing and the company has yet to share all it plans to about the new tablet. As more information comes out, we’ll be adding detail.
The iPad Air is Apple’s iPad Pro for everyone, offering an experience that falls between the expensive iPad Pro and the cheap and basic iPad. Without being updated for around two years now, there’s certainly going to appetite for a more modern Air sporting new technology like 5G and a more powerful processor.
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