The last iPad Air launched almost 2 years ago now and, those looking for an upgrade, have been waiting an awful long time for something new. With rumors of new machines and perhaps a big event, the iPad Air 6 is expected to finally launch this year and, if reports come true, it could be set to be one of Apple's best iPads.
Though we haven't received an official launch date just yet for Apple's smaller powerhouse tablet, we do know that both a brand new iPad Air line and iPad Pro line are expecting to shake up Apple's lineup in the next few weeks.
The iPad Air 5, one of Apple's best tablets right now, is about to be replaced with something much more interesting, and perhaps even bigger this time around.
With a recent leak showing off the exact dimensions of both the iPad Air 6 and 2024 iPad Pro, we know they are fast approaching. Here's everything we know about the next iPad Air right now.
Apple iPad Air 6: The headlines
- What is it? Apple's next iPad Air tablet to sit between the iPad and iPad Pro lineups.
- When can we expect it? Rumors hint at a late March / early April 2024 launch.
- Are there any surprises? A 12.9-inch model could be released alongside the current size — perfect for those who want a big iPad without the Pro pricetag.
iPad Air 6: Release date rumors
The most recent information we have regarding the new iPad Air indicates that Apple is planning new iPads and MacBook models for a release in March 2024. That includes an OLED iPad Pro, M3 MacBook Air, and the fabled sixth-generation iPad Air. Apple often holds March events to release new products, so this seems very plausible.
iPad Air 6: Features and specifications
The current iPad Air is powered by the M1 chip which means that it now lags behind the iPad Pro by a full generation. That's likely to change when the next iPad Air refresh rolls around. If that happens relatively soon, we should expect the M2 chip to be used although with M3 chips now here, there's a possibility we will see that chip inside the next iPad Air.
iPad Air6, powered by M2March 14, 2023
Previous leaks have suggested that the iPad Air 6 would use the M2 chips, but we do know that Apple can change its plans and nothing is guaranteed until it's announced.
Another huge potential change would be the addition of a new, larger display to the lineup. Recent leaks of the CAD renders of a 12.9-inch iPad Air show a similar design to the iPad Air 5 in a larger form factor. There has never been a two-tier display iPad Air lineup with that being something exclusive to the iPad Pro. Does the iPad Air really need two different display sizes? We're not convinced, but time will tell on that front.
iPad Air 6: What we want to see
The iPad Air has always been in a strange place, offering some of what the iPad Pro has and in a similar package. The 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.9-inch iPad Air are very similar with the latter holding the advantage in two key areas — the M2 chip, and a better display. But there are plenty of other areas where the new iPad Air could improve, too.
A new display
The next iPad Air is sure to get an M2 chip or better next time out, so our big wish is for an improvement to the display. A faster refresh rate would be welcome and ProMotion is the most obvious addition here. We'd also like to see Face ID move to the iPad Air lineup, too.
It could be argued that this would further close the gap between the iPad Air and iPad Pro but, with the iPad Pro expected to get new OLED displays and other improvements in 2024, that gap would once again be increased.
More storage
We'd also like to see Apple push the boat out in terms of storage, too. The fact the base model iPad Air comes with 64GB in 2024 is just not good enough, and we'd like that to start at double to 128GB. It's just the right thing to do at this point.
Better battery
Finally, we'd like a bigger battery. It's never easy to do something like that and Apple is no doubt keen to make sure that a tablet called the iPad Air doesn't get too big and heavy. But battery is so important in a device like this, especially when games are involved. The battery life in the current model isn't bad. But it could always be improved.
iPad Air 6: Price
The current iPad Air 5 starts at $599 for that 64GB of storage but goes up from there when you add more. There's the cellular 64GB modem for $749 as well.
We wouldn't expect that price to change all that much the next time out, although there are yet to be any credible rumors either way. A lot might depend on Apple's pricing strategy for the 2024 OLED iPad Pro refresh, too. If those tablets get more expensive due to their new displays, an increase in price might come to the mid-range iPad Air models as well — if only to make the iPad Pro seem less expensive by comparison.
