Apple iPad Air 2024: In-Depth Review and Performance Analysis
Apple iPad Air 2024: Specs
- Display: 11-inch, 13-inch
- Colors: Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray, Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray
- Chip: M2
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Cameras: 12MP front landscape, 12MP rear, 12MP front landscape, 12MP rear
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, 5G Wi-Fi 6E, 5G
- Size: 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches 11.04 x 8.5 x 0.24 inches
- Weight: 1.02 pounds 1.36 pounds
- Price Range in UAE for 11-inch model: AED 2,499 to AED 3,099
- Price Range in UAE for 13-inch model: AED 3,299 to AED 3,899
The new iPad Air might not be as exciting as the M4 iPad Pro. It hasn’t been drastically changed, and it doesn't have a special type of screen called OLED. Except for being made faster with a new chip called M2, it could seem almost the same as the previous iPad Air M1. But there are some small differences, like now it comes in two sizes and the front camera is placed sideways. It offers a good mix of features and price and if you prefer a bigger screen, there's a 13-inch model available. Plus, it has faster Wi-Fi, which is good. Here is the detailed review.
Apple iPad Air 2024: Design and Display
The iPad Air doesn't look very different, but there are some new things that make using it nicer. The main change is that Apple moved the front camera to the side when you hold it horizontally. This makes it easier to do video calls when you use the iPad Air like a laptop.
There are also speakers on the side and a button for logging in called Touch ID. Some people wish it had Face ID instead of Touch ID.
It's a bit heavier than the 11-inch one, but it's balanced well, so it doesn't feel too heavy. It's a bit heavier than the 13-inch iPad Pro, but it still feels okay to hold.
The new iPad Air has the same kind of screen as the old one. It's good, but not as good as the iPad Pro's screen, especially the new one with OLED. It would have been nice if the iPad Air had an OLED option too, even if it meant it cost more.
Like the iPad Pro, the new iPad Air has Apple's M2 chip. Apple says it's 50% faster than the old iPad Air with the A12 chip.
The M2 chip in the iPad Air can do cool things with AI, like improving your photos faster. It's neat that Apple and app developers are focusing more on the chip's AI abilities.
Apple iPad Air 2024: Performance
The iPad Air can handle tasks like drawing, painting and editing photos very well because of the powerful Apple M2 chip inside. This chip is really fast and can handle a lot without slowing down. This chip gives a ton of power. It's probably the same with the iPad Air, whether you get the 11-inch or 13-inch model.
The Apple M2 chip also supports advanced features in iPadOS like Stage Manager, and it will work great with new features in apps like Logic Pro 2 and Final Cut Pro 2 for iPad. So, whether you're working or playing on the 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Air, you shouldn't worry about it being slow.
Apple iPad Air 2024: Selfie Camera
The front-facing camera on both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air is placed in the edges of the screen, but it's sideways, like on the 10th Gen iPad. This means when you make video calls on FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet, you'll be facing the camera directly, which looks more natural.
It'll be much easier to use when the iPad is connected to a Magic Keyboard, a Smart Folio, or when it's in landscape mode.
This change was long overdue, as the 10th Gen iPad already had it, and many other tablets from companies like Amazon, Samsung, and even Google have had this setup for a while now.
Apple iPad Air 2024: Accessories
Another big reason people like the iPad Air is because it works with the Apple Pencil Pro. This fancy pencil can do cool things like hovering over the screen to show you what your drawing will look like before you actually draw it. It also vibrates to let you know if you've done something, like pressing a button. You can even squeeze it to bring up a menu for changing pen thickness, color, or undoing something. It's really useful, even though it doesn't have a physical eraser.
Both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air can also work with the Magic Keyboard, which turns your iPad into a laptop with a keyboard and a trackpad. It's the same keyboard as before, with one USB-C port, backlit keys, but no special function keys.
However, the fancier Magic Keyboard with a better trackpad is only available for the new ultra-thin iPad Pro (2024).
Final Thoughts
Even though Apple didn't completely change how the iPad Air looks or add any crazy new features, it still seems like the iPad Pro for regular people. It now comes in a bigger size and has a powerful M2 chip for doing lots of different tasks, and has a new place for the front camera.
The smaller 11-inch version is pretty much the same as the older one with the M1 chip, so you might not need to upgrade right away.
But if you have an older iPad and like the 11-inch size, or if you want a bigger 13-inch iPad for a lower price, the iPad Air is a good choice. It's faster than the 10th Gen iPad or iPad Mini, and it works with the Apple Pencil Pro.