The new iPad Air may not be as thrilling as the M4 iPad Pro. It has not been significantly changed, nor does it have an OLED display. Aside from being updated with an M2 processor, this may be mistaken for the iPad Air M1. Almost, since the iPad Air now comes in two sizes and features a landscape-oriented front camera.
But, after some brief hands-on time with the Air, I’m certain that it will be the better-selling of the two tablets, offering a terrific combination of features and pricing. The new purple and blue color options are extremely lovely, and the 13-inch model is an excellent choice if you like a bigger display. Faster Wi-Fi 6E is also a welcome addition.
We’ll have a complete review of the iPad Air 2024 shortly. For now, have a look at my early views.
IPAD AIR 2024 HANDS-ON REVIEW
Specs:
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | 11-inch iPad Air | 13-inch iPad Air |
| Price | from $599 | from $799 |
| Display | 11-inch LED (2360 x 1640 pixels) | 13-inch LED (2732 x 2048 pixels) |
| Colors | Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray | Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray |
| Chip | M2 | M2 |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Cameras | 12MP front landscape, 12MP rear | 12MP front landscape, 12MP rear |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, 5G | Wi-Fi 6E, 5G |
| Size | 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches | 11.04 x 8.5 x 0.24 inches |
| Weight | 1.02 pounds | 1.36 pounds |
Price & Availability:
On Apple’s website, the new iPad Air is currently available for pre-order. It will be on sale for $599 next week. Wi-Fi, 128GB of storage, and an 11-inch display are included in this entry-level setup. The price increases to $1,299 when 1TB of storage and Wi-Fi + Cellular are added.
The 13-inch iPad Air with 128GB of storage and Wi-Fi connection is available for $799. If 1TB of storage and Wi-Fi + Cellular are added, the cost rises to $1,499 as well. The bigger tablet is available in blue, purple, space gray, and starlight, much like the 11-inch model.
And lastly, accessories. You may add the brand-new Apple Pencil Pro for $129. The price of the Apple Magic Keyboard is $299 for the 11-inch model and $349 for the 13-inch variant.
Design & Display:
Although the iPad Air doesn’t have a drastically redesigned look, the small improvements make using the slate more enjoyable.
The primary distinction is Apple’s choice to relocate the front camera to the edge of the landscape mode. Using the iPad Air as a laptop will now be simpler while making video chats.
In addition, there are Touch ID buttons for logging in and landscape stereo speakers. I, along with many other fans of face identification, would have dearly wanted to see Face ID make the move to the Air for the money you’ll spend on it.
The 13-inch iPad Air startled me when I took it up. balanced while it weighs more than the 11-inch model, its balanced weight distribution makes it feel manageable to wield. Nevertheless, weighing 1.36 pounds, it is little heavier than the 12.8-pound 13-inch iPad Pro. I saw this difference when comparing the two devices. Having saying that, holding the bigger Air feels quite light.
I think purple, starlight, space gray, and blue are the finest of the four hues that are offered.
The Liquid Retina display on the new iPad Air is identical to that on the previous generation. That’s OK in a vacuum since the display produces vivid, brilliant visuals. But the iPad Air’s display isn’t as good as the bright OLED panel on the new iPad Pro 2024. An OLED option would have been nice, even if it had cost more.
Performance:
Like the iPad Pro M2, Apple’s M2 processor is included in this latest slab. According to the Cupertino team, this results in a 50% quicker iPad Air compared to the M1 predecessor and up to a 3x faster iPad Air overall over the previous iPad Air with an A12 Bionic CPU.
The iPad Pro M2 was the most powerful iPad (and tablet) I had tested back in 2022 when I wrote my evaluation of it. It handled many open programs and a game like Genshin Impact without any issues. I anticipate comparable outcomes because the new iPad Air has an M2 processor as well; nonetheless, our lab test will ascertain the tablet’s actual capabilities.
AI functions like Visual Lookup and Subject Lift in iPadOS may also be performed by the iPad Air M2. With programs like Photomator, you can automatically improve your images in less time. Although there has always been a neural engine in this chip, it’s great that Apple and developers are focusing more on the processor’s AI capabilities.
Pre Conclusion:
One of Apple’s most well-liked tablets, if not the most, is the iPad Air, which combines remarkable performance and energy efficiency in a high-end, stylish design. The business probably didn’t want to make any significant adjustments as a result.
On a tablet that is perhaps almost flawlessly constructed, updating is difficult. Nevertheless, the addition of the powerful M2 CPU, a 13-inch model, and a front camera oriented toward the landscape may make this the greatest iPad Air to date.
Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis of the iPad Air 2024!
