The iPad Air 5 is official, after being announced on stage during the Apple March Event.
Apple's launch event is happening right now, and we'll update this page with all the latest information on the new iPad Air as it's revealed.
Tim Cook says "we're taking its performance to the next level" in regards to the iPad Air 5.
Unsurprisingly, one of the big updates for the iPad Air 5 is in performance. Apple claims it takes a massive leap, with the introduction of the M1 chip. That's a 60% uptick in performance versus the iPad Air 4, and graphics which are as twice as fast. Apparently it's the fastest laptop in its market.
5G is another new feature in the iPad Air 5. The performance of the USB-C port has also been upgraded, with transfer speeds doubled.
Running the show on the new iPad Air is iPadOS 15, which is already available on the previous Air 4.
Developing...
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The fifth generation in Apple's mid-range tablet line
- How much will it cost? TBC - launch event happening right now
- When will it be out? TBC - launch event happening right now
iPad Air 5 release date and price
- iPad Air 5 pre-orders: March 11
- iPad Air 5 release date: March 18
- iPad Air 5 price: from $599
New iPad Air pre-orders open on Friday, March 11, and the iPad Air 5 release date is confirmed as March 18.
You'll be able to pick up the new iPad Air in five different colors; Space Grey, Starlight, Pink, Purple and Blue.
The iPad Air 5 price starts at $599 for the 64GB, Wi-Fi only model. There is also a 256GB configuration, plus both storage sizes will be available as Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + cellular models.
As a bit of background, the iPad Air 4 cost $599 / £579 / AU$899 for the entry-level, Wi-Fi only, 64GB of storage model, with prices going up for more storage and cellular connection.
- Browse all the latest cheap iPad deals
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Air 4
| iPad Air 5 | iPad Air 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | TBC | 10.9-inch |
| Screen resolution | TBC | 2360 x 1640 |
| Chipset | M1 | A14 Bionic |
| Storage | 64GB / 256GB | 64GB / 256GB |
| Rear Camera | TBC | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP ultra-wide | 7MP wide |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi / 5G | Wi-Fi / 4G |
| Weight | TBC | From 458g (Wi-Fi only) |
| Dimensions | TBC | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm |
| Biometrics | Touch ID | Touch ID |
iPad Air 5 performance
Apple is being bold with its claims when it comes to iPad Air 5 performance. The fifth generation Air tablet gets Apple's M1 chip, which you find in its MacBook and iPad Pro lines.
The new chipset provides the new iPad Air with 60% better performance versus the iPad Air 4, which came with the iPhone-focused A14 Bionic chipset.
GPU performance has also improved by 2x versus the Air 4 according to Apple, all of which makes the iPad Air 5 the fastest tablet in its segment.
iPad Air 5 camera
The front camera has been upgraded in the new iPad Air, with a 12MP ultra-wide camera (vs a 7MP wide cam in the previous gen slate) which supports Center Stage, which allows the camera to keep people in frame as they move around.
The Apple March Event is happening live right now, and while we update this page with all the latest information on the iPad Air 5, you can read the rumors and leaks we saw in the build up to today's announcement.
iPad Air 5 rumors
We're hearing more and more about the iPad Air 5 now: one source claims that an iPad Air model launching probably in early 2022 will have a 10.9-inch OLED screen.
That size is the same as the iPad Air 4, but the technology is different, as current models use LCD. A move to OLED could lead to better contrast and colors, among other upgrades.
However, more recent whispers about this Apple tablet suggest that OLED isn't working out as Apple wanted, so the iPad Air 5 is going to stick with LCD instead. That's come from not one but two reports now.
One other source meanwhile didn't mention OLED but did say the iPad Air 5 will have a 10.9-inch screen, along with an A15 Bionic chipset (also found in the iPhone 13 range), plus 5G, a dual-lens camera (with an ultra-wide joining the main one), four stereo speakers, and a design that's similar to the iPad Pro 11 (2021) - though still without Face ID.
Some of those claims have been reiterated in a more recent leak, saying that the iPad Air 5 will have an A15 Bionic chipset and 5G, along with a similar design to its predecessor (complete with squared edges), a 10.9-inch screen, a single-lens rear camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide front-facing camera.
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