Apple iPad Air (2022)
Verdict
The Apple iPad Air for 2022 is an excellent device, and it can be ideal for casual and professional users. However, the baseline storage is not enough even for the lower price.
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The 2022 iPad Air offers many of the benefits of the iPad Pro for hundreds of dollars less, making it the ideal tablet for creators.”
“By integrating the M1 SoC into the iPad Air Apple managed to close the gap between the Air and the Pro. Overall performance is superb and should last for many years to come. At the time of writing there were practically no apps that pushed the M1 to its limits. Paired with the Magic Keyboard and Pencil 2 the iPad Air can be used for so much more than just media consumption. However, the limitations of iPadOS and the small display still apply.”
“We already liked the iPad Air, and it's the best tablet for most people who can afford it. Yes, you can get cheaper Android tablets or the entry-level iPad, but you sacrifice a lot of performance and features to save a few hundred dollars. And yes, you can upgrade to the iPad Pro, but the benefits that alternative offers are niche, especially now that the iPad Air performs at parity in just about any situation. There's probably not enough here to drive you to upgrade if you have the 2020 iPad, but if you're buying your first tablet or you're coming from a much older device, this is currently the easiest tablet to recommend.”
“Improvements haven’t been made in the areas I’d hoped for. Nevertheless, the iPad Air 2022 remains a superb tablet in a number of ways: it looks great, supports class-leading accessories, and comes packing top-notch performance.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
The iPad Air for 2022 is a collection of many features from other Apple products, with no significant upgrades. Most of the specs are carried over from the 2020 line, so what’s new?
Design
There’s almost no difference between the iPad Air 2022 and the iPad Pro of last year. Aside from the new colors offered, the dual camera of the iPad Pro versus the one lens on the back of the iPad Air is all the differences reviewers could spot. The colors for the iPad Air 2022 are Space Gray, Starlight, Pin, Purple, and Blue.
Display
It’s a negligible difference between the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 10.9-inches of iPad Air 2022. The one thing reviewers did say was unfortunate was the lack of a 120Hz refresh rate, and they also said it seemed to have less brightness than the iPad Pro.
Performance
The main upgrade for this model has to be the upgrade to the M1 chip that exists in most Apple devices now. As such, the performance of the tablet is fast and reliable. Reviewers felt the price of this tablet was excellent considering the power on offer.
Software & Storage
The iPad Air 2022 comes with iOS iPadOS 15 installed, which is standard. The storage, however, disappointed reviewers. 64GB at the cheapest seems small. You can get 256GB, but it’s going to cost you.
Cameras
It’s likely that unless people are still working remotely or contacting families with video calls, anyone will truly notice the cameras, especially the front-facing ones. However, reviewers said that the 12+MP camera did well with taking clear, crisp photos. It also comes with the Center Stage mode, which made reviewers happy.
Battery Life
The iPad Air 2022 didn’t wow reviewers with its battery life, but it depends on what you are doing with your tablet. Intensive gaming and video editing will drain it quickly, but it lasts quite some time if you’re browsing the web or reading a book. USB-C charging offers speedy top-ups for a battery so large.
Audio
Reviewers stated that the tablet got loud enough to fill a mid-sized room even if it didn’t quite have the bass to do it well. It’s best to use the outward audio for podcasts and media mostly centred around talking. For immersing yourself in a movie or show, it’s best to use a Bluetooth device.
Accessories
There aren’t any new accessories being released for this tablet specifically, but it is compatible with existing ones, like the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil second-gen.
Specs at a Glance
- Aluminum design
- 10.9-inch LED-backlit display
- Apple M1 Octa-core processor
- 8GB of RAM
- iOS iPadOS 15
- 64/256GB of storage
- 12+MP cameras
- Less than a full day of battery
- Dolby
- Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2nd-gen support
The Bottom Line
To call the iPad Air 2022 an upgrade would not exactly be accurate. Some things are an improvement, but other features are missing. The 120Hz refresh rate, for instance, does not exist on this tablet. However, it does have the updated M1 chip. However, unless you’re upgrading from a much older model or looking for your first iPad, it’s debatable whether or not it’s worth the price, especially once you pay the premium to upgrade to 256GB of storage.
Tom’s Guide says, “The new iPad Air outshines its predecessor thanks to its powerful M1 chip, 12MP front camera with Center Stage, and 5G connectivity. It sets a new standard for ultra-thin tablets and is one of the best tablets of 2022.”
PC Magazine states, “The 2022 iPad Air offers many of the benefits of the iPad Pro for hundreds of dollars less, making it the ideal tablet for creators.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Apple iPad Air (2022) released?
The Apple iPad Air (2022) was released on March 18, 2022.
How long does the battery last on the Apple iPad Air (2022)?
The Apple iPad Air (2022) has a 28 mAh battery.
Does the Apple iPad Air (2022) have a headphone jack?
No, the Apple iPad Air (2022) does not have a headphone jack. You'll need wireless headphones or a USB-C adapter.
Does the Apple iPad Air (2022) support 5G?
Yes, cellular models of the Apple iPad Air (2022) support 5G. Wi-Fi-only configurations do not include cellular connectivity or 5G.
Does the Apple iPad Air (2022) have NFC?
No, the Apple iPad Air (2022) does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I get support for the Apple iPad Air (2022)?
Visit Apple's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Questions & answers
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