The iPad Air 5 was just announced during Apple’s ‘Peek Performance’ event and this new tablet is certainly a powerful machine that brings several big upgrades. The fifth-generation iPad shows the refinement one would expect from an upper mid-range Apple device with fine touches applied throughout, as well as some bigger improvements that will be appreciated.
The iPad Air is a bit unusual for a tablet, going far beyond the capabilities of the entry-level iPad, while still not quite matching the top-of-the-line iPad Pro. Whereas most tablet manufacturers have one or two tiers, Apple’s iPad sales are strong enough to support five different models. However, the iPad Air was skipped last year while every other iPad saw a new model released. This year, the middle tablet got some attention again and caught up to recent advances in technology.
Apple’s fifth-generation iPad Air features an updated M1 processor, the same chip used in the iPad Pro. This brings a huge performance boost over the previous generation and even challenges the iPad Pro once again. Not only that, the iPad Air 5 also features 5G connectivity. The USB-C port also received a significant speed increase and is now able to transfer information twice as fast as before. With five colors to choose from and optional engraving, it’s easy to personalize the iPad Air 5.
Apple iPad Air 5 Price & Availability
The starting price of Apple’s fifth-generation iPad Air is $599 with the 5G model beginning at $749, so no price increases came as a result of the big performance leaps. With a processor that’s 60-percent faster and offers twice the graphics performance of the previous generation, the iPad Air 5 once again challenges Apple’s own iPad Pro 11-inch model that starts at $1,099. Even with 5G, it’s still $500 less than the 5G iPad Pro 11-inch.
This is such an exciting update that there is a good chance of shipping delays if an order is placed too late. The good news is that preorders start on Friday, March 11, 2022, with shipping starting on March 18. The iPad Air was due for an update and Apple’s latest changes make the two-year wait worthwhile. Anyone in need of a powerful tablet that doesn’t break the bank should definitely have a close look at the new iPad Air 5.
