The previous iPad Air (2020) launched in October of 2020 and with sales and rumors of its replacement picking up steam, most assume it will arrive at the Apple March 8 event this week. Following the release of the two new iPad Pro models with M1 chips last spring, the more mid-tier Air is due for a similar makeover.
The iPad Air 4 represented a significant upgrade from the previous model, so we aren’t expecting anything drastic, but a move to 5G, a processor upgrade and new display tech top the charts for likely additions. We shouldn’t have much longer to wait, but here’s what we expect to be the last look at what’s coming with the iPad Air 5.
iPad Air 5 price and release date rumors
The iPad Air 4 launched in October 2020, but Apple has proven pretty definitively at this point that it isn’t concerned with a regular update schedule for its tablets. Understandable given the degree to which Apple dominates the tablet market and the continuing lack of meaningful competition.
With that said, there is ample evidence that Apple’s new iPad Air is finally ready for prime time with Korean tech site The Elec reporting on a 10.9-inch OLED iPad using Samsung panels that was slated to arrive in early 2020.
None of the current rumors suggest that pricing is likely to change for the iPad Air 5, which would mean a $599 starting point for the base wi-fi only model, jumping up to $729 if you want the cellular option. It is possible that we see Apple raise the base storage tier to 128GB, up from 64GB, which would be a welcome consumer-friendly switch.
iPad Air 5 display
One of the most persistent rumors regarding the iPad Air 5 claims it will have a 10.9-inch OLED display. If true, the iPad Air would keep the same screen size as the current model but move from an IPS panel to OLED technology. If you’ve visited your local electronics store recently then you should be acquainted with OLED — a revolutionary screen technology made popular by LG TVs.
The benefits of OLED over LCD are wide-ranging and include punchier colors, better contrast and perfect black levels. It’s a mouth-watering projection, but one you should take with a grain of salt. Apple opted for mini LED display technology on the iPad Pro instead of going with OLED, so we doubt the company would outfit the less expensive tablet with an arguably better screen. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo supports this idea, indicating that it was ruled out by Apple over cost and performance concerns.
That likely means that the iPad Air 5 will once again feature an LCD display, so we’ll just have to wait and see if Apple’s found other methods for improving performance over the previous generation’s display.
iPad Air 5 design and specs
The overall design of the iPad Air 5 is unlikely to change considerably given the drastic redesign in 2020. Much like the iPhone 12 to iPhone 13, we may see subtle updates, but the squared-off look it adopted mirrors the rest of Apple’s lineup and is likely here to say for at least another generation or two.
The processor upgrade is always of great interest as Apple’s Bionic and M-series processors remain a significant differentiator in the mobile space. Rumors suggest that the iPad Air 5 will get the A15 Bionic processor from the iPhone 13, rather than make the leap to M1. This again makes sense as Apple doesn’t want to cannibalize iPad Pro sales and remains far more processing power than is needed for any reasonable use case with an iPad.
A dual-camera system is another rumored upgrade for the iPad Air 5, first reported on by Macotakara, citing supplier sources. It’s unclear if the wide-angle and ultra-wide lens would also be accompanied by a LiDAR scanner, but support for Apple’s new Center Stage software would be present.
Audio may also get the Pro upgrade treatment according to the same source with quad speakers, up from the dual stereo speakers on the iPad Air (2020). Finally the upgrade to 5G support from LTE is a given.
What we want from the iPad Air 5
- Longer battery life: Apple’s tablets have always done a decent job on our battery tests, but have never lit up the scoreboard. The iPad Air 4’s 10 hour and 29-minute runtime is very good, but not much of an improvement from the past few releases. We’re hoping Apple can work some magic by either using a larger battery, optimizing software, or opting for a more efficient SoC to add a few extra hours of use for those long nights of streaming Netflix or cramming a project that’s due the next morning.
- Kill the 64GB option: This one is simple and long overdue. Boost the base iPad Air 5 to 128GB of storage because it’s 2021 and 64GB isn’t enough. As it stands, Apple forces people to either make do with 64GB or spend a lot more on the 256GB model. Come on, Apple, cut it out!
- New display technology: There isn’t anything wrong with the 10.9-inch display on the iPad Air 4 but, as I wrote in my review, “It’s a nice screen, but not the most colorful and it lacks the silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate found on the iPad Pro.” Apple doesn’t need to go with an OLED or mini LED panel on its mid-tier slate; a 120Hz refresh rate would be enough of an upgrade for me.
- 5G support: Apple’s newest iPad Pro models were the first to receive 5G support, and there is reason to believe the connectivity will trickle down the iPad Air. For all of its unfilled promises, 5G has become a standard feature across modern phones and tablets. Samsung’s sub-premium Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE costs $669 and comes with 5G support, so skipping this feature on the iPad Air 5 would put Apple at a disadvantage against one of its biggest rivals.
