The new generation of Apple’s mid-range tablet(s), the iPad Air, is here. This is what they offer.
iPad Air 6 (2024) Intro
Apple just announced the sixth generation of the iPad Air, but it would be more correct to say “iPad Airs”, as in plural. This year the tech giant is expanding its tablet portfolio by including another, larger iPad Air which serves similar purposes as the iPhone Plus in the iPhone lineup.
The iPad Air is that perfect middle ground where price, performance, and size come into an almost perfect goldilock, at least as far as tablets go. One of the main problems with it was that it came only in 11-inch display size, but now buyers can get a larger screen without going Pro.
What other upgrades and changes does the 2024 iPad Air bring along? Well, here’s a quick list of the ones Apple shared during the announcement:
Apple M2 chip replaces the M1
A new, 13-inch model
Front-facing camera changes position
New colors
Apple Pencil Hover
AI features
Table of Contents:
Specs
Design and Colors
Display
Camera
Performance
Software
Battery and Charging
Audio Quality
SummaryiPad Air 6 (2024) Specs
If you are familiar with the 2022 iPad Air, you might see an uncanny level of resemblance here. Truth be told, there isn’t much to look at in terms of hardware upgrades besides the M2 chip that replaces the M1 from the previous generation.
Specs11″ iPad Air 6 (2024)13″ iPad Air
Size and Weight 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm, 462 g 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.6mm, 677g
Display 11-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD
1640 x 2360 pixels
60Hz display refresh rate 13-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD
2048 x 2732 pixels
60Hz display refresh rate
Processor Apple M2 Apple M2
RAM, Storage and Price 8/128GB $599
8/256GB $699
8/512GB $899
8/1TB $1099 8/128GB $799
8/256GB $899
8/512GB $1099
8/1TB $1299
Software iPadOS 17 iPadOS 17
Cameras Main camera: 12MP
Selfie camera: 12MP Main camera: 12MP
Selfie camera: 12MP
Battery Size 7,607 mAh* 10,758 mAh*
8Charging Speeds USB-C
20W USB-C
20W»*» = not confirmed
iPad Air 6 (2024) Design & Colors
iPad Air 6 (2024) colors. (Image cred
Apple)
Apple hasn’t done anything groundbreaking with the iPad Air’s design. Usually, the company sticks to the same design language for at least three generations, so the lack of any alterations here is normal. Maybe we will see a new design for the iPad Air whenever the 6th or 7th generation comes along.
One crucial change, however, is the placement of the front-facing camera. Until now, Apple always placed it on the vertical side of the screen, but now it has moved to the right horizontal side of the iPad Air, making it much more convenient for facetime calls with multiple people. After all, this is the way most users tend to hold their tablets anyway.
Size-wise, the 13-inch iPad Air measures 280.
