Like the iPad Pro, the iPad Air is now equipped with the M1 chip. This is the most complete Apple tablet for those who don’t want to spend a fortune (699 euros) but want a tablet with a modern design.
The introduction new mauve and blue colors is not the only novelty of the new generation of iPad Air. Presented at the first Apple conference of 2022, the new tablet from the Californian brand improves slightly, while trying to maintain enough differences with the iPad Pro not to compete with it too much. Numerama offers you an update on its new features.
The surprise arrival of the M1 chip
The 2022 iPad Air takes up the design of the 2020 iPad Air. We find the same 10.9-inch LCD screen as on the previous generation, still with thinner screen borders than those found on the entry-level iPad.
Its main novelty is surprising: Apple has decided to equip its iPad Air, supposed to be less good than the iPad Pro, with the same processor, at the risk of creating confusion among its users. Pending the renewal of the iPad Pro (end of the year according to rumours), there will be no difference in power between the two high-end tablets from Apple. The iPad Air is now entitled to the incredible M1 chip, which is also found in the latest MacBooks. The M1 chip allows Apple to launch a 5G version of the iPad Air for the first time.
The rest of the novelties are extremely light. Among them is the arrival of a new front camera dedicated to video calls. This is an ultra-wide-angle module with the function Centered frame iPad Pros and iPad minis. If you move during a call, the front camera will follow your face. Pretty cool for telecommuting or distance learning.
What are the differences between iPad Air and iPad Pro?
Luckily for Apple, there are still enough differences between the iPad Air and iPad Pro not to put the more expensive tablet at a disadvantage. If power is no longer the differentiating element, the iPad Pro still has a better screen, a Thunderbolt port, Face ID facial recognition or better cameras. It also offers up to 2 TB of storage.
| iPad Air (2022) | iPad Pro (2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen technology | LCD | LCD or mini LED |
| Screen refresh | 60Hz | Between 24 and 120Hz |
| Cameras | 12 Mpix wide-angle | 10 Mpix ultra-wide angle + 12 Mpix wide-angle + LiDAR |
| Connector | USB Type-C | Thunderbolt |
| Unlock | Touch ID in the unlock button | Face ID |
| Storage | Between 128 GB and 2 TB | Between 64 GB and 256 GB |
Marketed from 699 euros, the new iPad Air will be available on March 18. For most users, this should be the most attractive option in the Apple tablet family. We’ll update our guide to the best iPads once we’ve tested it.