We do expect Apple to launch a slew of new tablets in the first half of 2024. Among them — a new iPad Air 6th gen and new base model iPad 11th gen!
Intro
With 2023 out the door with no new iPads announced at all, it seems that a big launch might be in the works for the first half of 2024. Rumors say new iPads from all categories — from mini to Pro. So, we will very probably get refreshes for the very popular iPad Air and base iPad models.
Since 2022, the base iPad has moved to that new all-screen design with no home button and even frame around the edge, bringing it in line with the rest of the cast. So, if you’ve already decided it’s not worth spending the money on an iPad Pro for its 120 Hz screen, maybe now you are wondering if the iPad Air 6 is going to be that much better than the iPad 11th gen.
So, it’s time to start speculating and planning, which iPad will be worth a purchase in 2024!
iPad Air 6 (2024) vs iPad 11 (2024) expectations:
Very similar shape and size
iPad Air works with Magic Keyboard, base iPad works with Magic Keyboard Folio
iPad Air works with Apple Pencil gen 2, base iPad only supports gen 1, or Apple Pencil (USB C)
USB C with USB 3 transfer speeds on iPad Air, USB 2 on base iPad
Both have two speakers in landscape stereo positioning
Stage Manager (desktop multitasking on external monitor) on iPad Air
It’s possible that we will see a 12.9-inch iPad Air (2024)
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Display Differences
Performance
Camera
Audio Quality
Battery and Charging
Specs
Summary
Read more:
iPad Air 6 Preview: new chip, new size option, and…?
Apple iPad 11th Gen Preview: Our expectations
Design and SizeiPad Pro killer vs iPad Air killer
Since the iPad 10th gen (2022) was redesigned, it now resembles the iPad Air very closely, which in turn looks very much like an iPad Pro. Unlike before, when we had iPads with home buttons and ones without, Apple has now made them all to look more or less the same.
This has the obvious benefit of interchangeable accessories — a Magic Keyboard will fit both an iPad Air and an iPad Pro, which is great, because if you choose to upgrade from one to the other, you don’t need to plan for a full accessory revamp as well. This does not include the base iPad and its own Magic Keyboard Folio, though. That accessory is made for and compatible only with the base iPad. And the Magic Keyboard will not work for it. So, it’s important to consider this when planning an iPad and accessories purchase.
OK, let’s reel it in talking about the tablets again. We expect the iPad 11th gen and iPad Air 6 will not veer away from the established design. Meaning, 10.9-inch LCD screens, even bezels all around, and Touch ID embedded in the power button for both tablets. The iPads generally look the same, it’s all about the internals.
Even the camera bump on the back consists of a single lens for the base iPad and the iPad Air. And there’s a USB C port for charging on the bottom. The iPad Air will give you 10 Gbps transfer speeds here (USB 3), whereas the base iPad will probably remain limited to USB 2 (480 Mbps).
Display Differences
The display size may be identical, but the tech isn’t exactly so.
