Apple’s mid-range tablet now offers a larger screen and enhanced power, making it suitable for most users’ ‘pro’ needs
Apple now offers more tablet options than ever, with varying sizes, prices, screens, and power. However, the iPad Air stands out for its simplicity—it’s the premium, large-screen iPad for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on an iPad Pro.
Starting at £599 (€699/$599/A$999), the iPad Air is now available in two sizes: the original 11-inch and a larger 13-inch model for those who prefer a bigger screen. This places it in the middle of Apple’s lineup, with the 10th-gen iPad starting at £349 at the lower end and the new iPad Pro M4 starting at £999 at the top.
The 11-inch Air serves as a direct replacement for the excellent M1 model from 2022, featuring the same attractive iPad Pro-like design, crisp screen, and stereo speakers. The 13-inch version, reviewed here, is enlarged by about 1.2 times on the diagonal, making it roughly the same size as previous-generation iPad Pros.
The iPad Air’s screen represents a significant improvement over the base-model iPad, offering greater brightness and higher quality that rivals good laptop screens like those on the MacBook Air or Surface Laptop. However, it lacks the more advanced 120Hz miniLED or OLED technology found in the iPad Pro line, meaning it’s not as bright, contrasty, or smooth as Apple’s top tablets. When compared side by side, the difference is significant, but so is the price.
The stereo speakers are excellent for watching TV, and the aluminum body and glass front feel sturdy, with a thickness of only 1mm more than the super-slim 5.1mm iPad Pro. The webcam has been relocated to the top edge in landscape mode, resulting in a significantly improved video call experience compared to previous iPads.
Specifications
Screen: 10.9-inch or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display (264ppi)
Processor: Apple M2
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
Operating system: iPadOS 17.5
Camera: 12MP rear, 12MP selfie
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E (5G optional eSIM-only), Bluetooth 5, USB-C, Touch ID, Smart Connector
Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm or 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1mm
Weight: 462g or 617g
Power and accessories powered by M2
The M1 chip found in the previous Air has been upgraded to an M2 chip, which has proven to be highly effective in the 2022 iPad Pros, as well as Apple’s MacBook Air and other devices. The M2 chip is approximately 15% faster than its predecessor, significantly outpacing any competing tablet and offering more power than most users will ever require on an iPad.
The iPad Air with M2 effortlessly manages various tasks, such as browsing, note-taking, chatting, photo editing, and word processing. It also handles games and more demanding applications with ease. Additionally, the base model Air now starts with 128GB of storage, twice the capacity of its predecessor, which is a welcomed enhancement.
The tablet operates on iPadOS 17.5, like the rest of Apple’s tablet lineup. This provides access to a vast library of apps and allows for connections to an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard. However, compared to an equivalent macOS laptop, the iPad Air is limited in several ways when used as a regular computer.
The battery life of the 13-inch version is impressive, lasting a solid 10 hours during work, browsing, or movie watching—certainly sufficient for most tasks. The 11-inch model offers a similar battery life, lasting approximately nine to 10 hours.
The M2 Air is compatible with the impressive £129 (€149/$129/A$219) Apple Pencil Pro, which is also used with the iPad Pro M4, replacing the second-gen Pencil from earlier iPads. The pencil magnetically attaches to the side of the tablet for charging and pairing.
While the tablet supports the older Magic Keyboard from previous iPads, it does not support the new Magic Keyboard from the iPad Pro. The keyboard transforms the iPad Air into a viable laptop alternative, but it is priced from £299 (€399/$299/A$499) when purchased separately.
Sustainability
Apple does not specify the expected lifespan of the battery, but it should endure over 500 full charge cycles while maintaining at least 80% of its original capacity. Replacement batteries are available starting at £175. The tablet is generally repairable, with out-of-warranty repairs for damage starting at £819.
The tablet includes a minimum of 20% recycled content, incorporating materials such as aluminium, copper, gold, tin, plastic, and rare earth elements. Apple provides a detailed breakdown of the tablet’s environmental impact in its report and offers trade-in and free recycling programs, including for non-Apple products.
Price
The 11-inch iPad Air M2 is priced from £599 (€699/$599/A$999), while the 13-inch iPad Air M2 starts at £799 (€949/$799/A$1,299). The 5G versions are £150 (€170/$150/A$250) more expensive.
In comparison, the 10th-gen iPad starts at £349, the iPad Pro M4 starts at £999, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 starts at £799. The M3 MacBook Air is priced starting at £1,099.
Verdict
The iPad Air occupies a challenging position within Apple’s product lineup. It is a highly capable device that can fulfill nearly all tasks typically associated with an iPad. However, it is not as affordable as the £350 10th-gen iPad, which is perfectly suitable for tasks like watching TV and browsing, nor is it as exceptionally impressive as the iPad Pro M4, which boasts a stunning screen but comes with a hefty price tag.
Instead, the iPad Air offers plenty of power, a quality LCD screen, good speakers, and a solid selection of accessories for a premium user experience. The 13-inch version, in particular, provides a significantly larger screen, making it ideal for watching TV or using it as a computer replacement.
Therefore, the iPad Air is the optimal choice for individuals seeking a premium mid-size tablet that can serve as a full computer when necessary, or for those desiring the largest screen Apple offers without the exorbitant price tag of £1,300 or more.
