With a transportable really feel and elevated base storage, the versatile iPad Air (2024) balances efficiency and worth. It is highly effective sufficient for many tablet-based use circumstances like multi-app searching, watching films and TV exhibits, and taking video calls whereas costing tons of of {dollars} lower than the Professional mannequin and different flagship Android tablets.

Additionally: iPad Pro (2024) review: Apple’s most advanced tablet is no MacBook, and I’m okay with that

That mentioned, whereas this iPad Air definitely would not outperform the iPad Professional — it should not — it would not considerably outshine the earlier Air mannequin or different cheaper iPads. However in order for you a light-weight, big-screen iPad with a lot of the Apple fix-ins, this yr’s mannequin could be the most affordable choice for customers.

Specs

	iPad Air 11-inch	iPad Air 13-inch
Beginning worth	$599	$799
Show	Liquid retina show	Liquid retina show
Weight	462 grams (16.3 oz)	617 grams (21.8 oz)
Processor	Apple M2 chip	Apple M2 chip
RAM	8GB	8GB
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery	As much as 10 hrs, Li-Po 28.93Wh	As much as 10 hrs, Li-Po 36.59Wh
Digital camera	Essential 12MP \| Entrance 12MP	Essential 12MP \| Entrance 12MP

How I examined the iPad Air (2024)

I examined the iPad Air every day for just a few weeks, utilizing varied productiveness apps to jot down and work, browse, play video games, and extra. Benchmark testing included efficiency comparisons with an older iPad (eighth technology) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely. My assessment unit is the 11-inch mannequin, although Apple additionally sells a bigger 13-inch dimension this yr. It helps that Apple stored the specs throughout each configurations largely the identical, together with the processor, RAM and storage, rated battery life, and cameras.

What are the iPad Air’s (2024) finest options?

Double the storage for a similar worth because the final mannequin: The iPad Air (2024) has 4 storage capacities, beginning at 128GB and going as much as 1TB for the 11-inch and 13-inch fashions. The 11-inch iPad Air with 128GB of storage prices $599, the identical worth because the earlier technology’s 10.9-inch mannequin with half the storage, at 64GB.

iPad Air (2024, 6th generation) — Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Doubling the storage for the bottom mannequin is sufficient to make some consumers add the brand new iPad Air to their purchasing carts. Add to that each one the additional options that include the newest mannequin, together with a front-facing digital camera that is now centered on the longer aspect (panorama) of the pill, an M2 processor, and extra, and you’ve got one of many higher, if not the most effective, worth tablets available on the market.

A quicker M2 chip is a win for each person sort: The brand new iPad Air has an M2 chip, an improve from the M1 on the fifth technology mannequin. How a lot better is it? Apple says the M2 chip offers the brand new iPad Air a 50% quicker efficiency than the earlier M1 mannequin and thrice quicker than the A13 Bionic mannequin.

Additionally: Apple iPad Air (2024) vs. iPad Air (2022): Which model should you buy?

Whereas I haven’t got an M1 mannequin to check these claims, I’ve two older eighth-generation iPads in my dwelling. Each felt noticeably much less snappy and responsive after I transitioned to the iPad Air. Clearly, the 2024 iPad outperforms the older A12 Bionic chip in benchmark checks, however discover the way it compares to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra pill.

Geekbench 6 scores	SC CPU Benchmark	MC CPU Benchmark	GPU benchmark
iPad Air (2024)	2622	10007	41771
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely	2081	5601	9481
iPad eighth technology	1330	2788	8998

For reference, the Samsung is a 14-inch, $1,200 pill powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. In addition to outperforming the Extremely pill in benchmarks, I discovered on a regular basis use on the iPad Air way more dependable and constant than the Samsung.

Whereas I like the flexibility of the Tab S9 Extremely as a piece machine and leisure pill, the iPad Air is far snappier and fewer susceptible to random bugs (i.e., apps crashing, connectivity points, and total efficiency), particularly when utilizing apps like CapCut for fast video edits and Photoshop for images.

Massive display screen choice for the primary time: Apple is promoting a 13-inch iPad Air for the primary time ever. It is naturally heavier than the 11-inch mannequin — by about 5 ounces — nevertheless it affords extra display screen actual property for improved productiveness and content material consumption.

Additionally: One of the best tablets for entertainment I’ve tested is not an iPad Air or Samsung Galaxy Tab

Contemplating the 13-inch iPad Air begins at $799, it is an efficient and comparatively reasonably priced choice for faculty college students and dealing professionals. Nonetheless, I choose the 11-inch mannequin for its portability. That is the entire level of an “Air” machine, proper?

What I would prefer to see within the subsequent mannequin

A real iPad “Air”: Apple missed the mark on the “Air” moniker for this yr’s iPad, with the newest iPad Air being heavier and thicker than the most recent iPad Professional.

It is not that the corporate did not keep true to the iPad Air’s dimension and weight relative to previous variations, nevertheless it’s how Apple spent most, if not all, of its efforts on making the dearer iPad Professional lighter and thinner this yr, leaving the iPad Air within the mud.

Additionally: If Intel can’t come up with a Qualcomm-killer soon, it’s game over for x86 PCs

The newest 11-inch iPad Air weighs 462 grams, which is about the identical as its predecessor, which weighed 461 grams at 10.9 inches. The 2022 and 2024 fashions are additionally each 0.24 inches (6.1 mm) thick. Apple did not make the iPad Air thinner or lighter this time round, which is disappointing contemplating how slimmer the Professional mannequin has grow to be. Maybe “Air” solely represents having the naked important options now, similar to that applies to the MacBook line.

Face ID unlock: I sound like a damaged report, however fact be instructed, many iPad Air customers need this characteristic, however Apple has but so as to add it to the mannequin. Whereas it is a minor situation, particularly with the very correct fingerprint reader embedded into the aspect energy button, it is handy.

You’ll be able to arrange Contact ID with each fingers in order that you do not have to succeed in over with the identical hand each time it’s essential unlock it, however I would choose to raise my pill and have it acknowledge my face to unlock in a seamless method.

Ultimate thought

After testing the newest iPad Air, the largest purpose to improve from an older mannequin, is the bigger 13-inch dimension choice. What was as soon as an iPad Professional profit has now come downmarket to a worth tier that is way more accessible.

I additionally suggest that present customers, together with those that personal the 2022 mannequin, maintain off on upgrading. In addition to the bigger display screen configuration, there isn’t any generational distinction between this yr’s iPad and the one from two years in the past.