Apple has introduced the new iPad Air alongside the iPad Pro. Serving as the successor to the iPad Air (5th generation) released in March 2022, it boasts an upgraded chip, hardware enhancements, and new features. Whether you’re considering upgrading to the latest iPad Air 2024 or sticking with the previous generation iPad Air 2022, this post will outline the differences between them to assist you in making an informed decision.
iPad Air 2024 vs 2022: Specs
Below, you can find the comprehensive technical specifications for both the 2024 iPad Air and the 2022 iPad Air.
iPad Air 2024 vs 2022: Display
Apple’s earlier iPad Air was available in a single size, featuring a 10.9-inch display. However, the iPad Air 6th generation is offered in two sizes: a standard 11-inch version and a larger 13-inch version. Both models continue to utilize the Liquid Retina Display found in their predecessor, with the new panel providing a brightness of up to 600 nits.
The 11-inch model maintains the same resolution as the 5th gen version, at 2360 x 1640 pixels. On the other hand, the 13-inch iPad Air model boasts a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels. Unlike the Pro models, these iPads do not feature advanced displays like a Liquid Retina mini-LED display or ProMotion variable refresh rates.
Dimensions and Design
The latest iPad Air from Apple retains the same boxy design, featuring a 100% recycled aluminum enclosure with flat edges and rounded corners. The design closely resembles the previous model, with volume buttons and Touch ID located at the top in portrait orientation.
In terms of dimensions, the 11-inch version of the 2024 iPad Air matches those of its predecessor, measuring 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches) and weighing approximately 461 grams. On the other hand, the larger 13-inch model comes in at 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches), placing it in a similar size range as the 12.9-inch 2022 iPad Pro.
iPad Air 2024 vs 2022: Hardware
With a gap of over two years, the 2024 iPad Air delivers significant performance improvements over its 2022 predecessor. The latest model is powered by Apple’s M2 chipset, which boasts an 18% increase in multithreaded performance (CPU) compared to the M1 chip. Additionally, the M2 chip features two additional GPU cores, providing up to 25% better graphics performance. Apple claims that the new iPad Air with the M2 chip is 50% faster than the iPad Air with the M1 chip.
The upgrade to the M2 chip also brings enhancements to the Neural Engine, which can now process 40% more operations than the M1, offering a total of 15.8 trillion operations per second.
The newer models offer the same RAM as the previous version but come with a variety of storage options. The 11-inch and 13-inch 2024 iPad Air are available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB versions.
Another notable change in hardware is the connectivity options. The new models feature Bluetooth 5.3, which consumes less power and offers a longer range compared to Bluetooth 5.0 on the 5th generation iPad Air. Additionally, Apple has upgraded the Wi-Fi module to support Wi-Fi 6E. This allows users to connect to 6GHz Wi-Fi networks, a feature not available with the Wi-Fi 6 module on the previous model.
Main and Front-Facing Camera
The new iPad Air models feature what Apple calls a Landscape Front-Facing Camera. Unlike the previous model where the front camera was located at the top in portrait view, the 2024 version places the front selfie camera along the landscape edge. This positioning makes it more convenient for video calls in landscape orientation. The front camera is a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture, identical to the camera unit on the iPad Air 5th gen.
On the back, the 2024 iPad Air maintains the same main camera module as the 2022 model. It includes a 12 MP wide-angle camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12 MP ultrawide f/2.4 camera on the front. The camera setup supports 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, Slow‑motion video support at up to 240 fps, and Cinematic video stabilization.
iPad Air 2024 vs 2022: Battery
Apple states that the 11-inch 2024 iPad is equipped with a 28.93‐watt‐hour battery, which can last up to 10 hours when surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching videos. This is comparable to the battery life of the 28.6‐watt‐hour unit found in the 2022 iPad Air. As for the larger model, the new 13-inch iPad Air features a bigger 36.59‐watt‐hour battery, but it offers the same battery life as its smaller counterpart.
Software Support
The 2022 iPad Air was launched with iPadOS 15.4 but is currently running on iPadOS 17.4. In contrast, the 2024 iPad Air models are released with iPadOS 17.4 out of the box and are promised to receive at least 6 years of iPadOS updates. This is two years more than the 2022 model, which has 4 years of remaining support.
iPad Air 2024 vs 2022: Pricing
When Apple introduced the 2022 iPad Air, it debuted at the same launch price as the 4th gen iPad Air. Similarly, the new 11-inch 2024 iPad Air also starts at $599, mirroring its predecessor’s pricing. However, the 13-inch iPad Air is priced at $799. The introduction of a larger version provides users with options at different price points, positioning it in direct competition with the 11-inch iPad Pro.
Is the 2024 iPad Air Worth Buying?
With the Apple M2 chip, the new iPad Air is undoubtedly the most powerful yet affordable iPad available. It boasts a 50% increase in performance compared to the 2022 iPad Air with the M1 chip, making it a significant upgrade for those with demanding workflows, consistent content creation, or a penchant for graphics-intensive games.
However, for current owners of the iPad Air 5th gen, the upgrade may not be compelling as the rest of the hardware, including the display, camera, and battery, remains unchanged. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to upgrade from a much older iPad, the 2024 iPad Air is definitely worth considering.
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