Apple today released the fifth-generation iPad Air. Like the new iPhone SE, iPad Air 5 comes with the same chassis and display as the previous model. Primary changes in iPad Air 5 include the M1 chip, 5G support, and a front-facing camera with a wide lens and Center Stage.
The updated iPad Air offers a massive performance boost compared to the previous model with the A14 CPU. According to Apple, the M1 chip is 60% faster in CPU and 100% in GPU-related tasks. iPad Air 5 also has a two times faster USB-C port with 10 Gbps transfer speeds.
Another quality-of-life improvement in iPad Air 5 is a new front-facing camera. The latest mid-range iPad now comes with the same 12-megapixel wide front camera with Center Stage. It can automatically pan and smoothly change the field of view to keep everyone in the frame.
Finally, the last upgrade in iPad Air 5 is 5G support. Apple claims the tablet can reach up to 3.5Gbps speeds in ideal conditions.
Apart from new color options, everything else in iPad Air 5 remains the same as in iPad Air 4. That means the newest model remains compatible with existing accessories, such as Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2.
iPad Air 5 will be available for preorder on March 11, 2022, in 29 countries, starting at $599 (Wi-Fi only) and $749 (Wi-FI + Cellular). Unlike iPad Pro, you can choose between only two storage options: 64 GB or 256 GB. Sales begin on March 18, 2022.