iPad Air : Updated in 2022, Order Now

Apple in March 2022 updated the iPad Air with a fifth-generation model that features an M1 chip that brings it closer in design to the iPad Pro. Priced at $599, the iPad Air is a middle-tier option between the low-cost $329 ninth-generation iPad, the $499 iPad mini, and the more expensive iPad Pro, priced starting at $799.

The iPad Air features a 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display with a 2360×1640 resolution, 3.8 million pixels, and a design that’s similar to the iPad Pro with an aluminum chassis that has flat, rounded edges that wrap around the fully laminated display. True Tone support is included for adjusting the display to match the ambient lighting, as is P3 wide color, 500 nits brightness, and 1.8 percent reflectivity. It does not feature mini-LED technology or ProMotion support.

Apple’s iPad Air was the first iPad to offer unique color options similar to iPhone colors, and the 2022 iPad Air comes in space gray, pink, purple, blue, and starlight. The iPad Air features a Touch ID sensor integrated into the top button rather than Face ID like the iPad Pro. Other than being built into the top button instead of a Home button, the Touch ID functionality is the same as other devices that feature Touch ID.

Apple’s iPad Air includes the same M1 chip that’s in the 2021 iPad Pro models. The M1 chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, along with 8GB RAM and a 16-core Neural Engine. The M1 chip’s CPU is up to 60 percent faster than the A14 chip in the prior-generation iPad Air, and it provides up to 2x faster graphics.

Cellular iPad Air models are now compatible with 5G networks, but Apple did not add support for the fastest mmWave 5G networks. Instead, the iPad Air is limited to the slower but more widespread Sub-6GHz 5G networks.

Though there’s no Face ID, the iPad Air includes a 12-megapixel front-facing FaceTime camera with Center Stage support along with a 12-megapixel f/1.8 rear camera which is the same wide-angle camera used in the iPad Pro. The iPad Air includes stereo speakers in landscape mode for wider stereo sound when watching video.

Instead of a Lightning port, the iPad Air has a USB-C port for up to 10Gbps data transfer along with support for connecting cameras for downloading images, hard drives, and 4K external monitors. The iPad Air ships with a 20W USB-C adapter for charging purposes.

Like the iPad Pro, the iPad Air supports the $129 second-generation Apple Pencil and it works with the $299 Magic Keyboard with trackpad that Apple offers. It is also compatible with the Smart Keyboard Folio and Smart Folio covers.

The iPad Air became available for pre-order on Friday, March 11, with a launch following on March 18. Pricing starts at $599 for 64 GB of storage. 256GB of storage is available for $749. Base prices are for WiFi models, with Cellular models available for an additional cost.

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