Apple Launches New 10.5-Inch iPad Air With A12 Bionic Chip and Apple Pencil Support, Starts at $499

[iHack13]

It’s basically the 10.5 inch iPad Pro with a new processor and a new name. Why change the name?

Because it doesnt have that fast fluid Display as the 10.5 Pro. That ProMotion Thing which gives a better experience when writing with the Apple pencil.

They basically tried to cook with old ingredients in a way, that the new Pros are still their best iPads and at the same time justify a higher price than the cheapo iPad. (Throw in True Tone Display that nobody needs, Stereo sound, use the 10.5 form factor from the old 10.5 Pro as an "upgrade" to the 9.7)..

It's basically Apple in Tryhard mode. Besides they earn more money from this than the cheapo iPads. Apple doesnt want to make Peanuts.

 

[AgentAnonymous]

I mean... step in right direction, but to not change the price of 2017 10.5" from $649 MSRP all this time after launching 2018 iPad pro seemed really terrible to me.

I feel bad for anyone who got a 'sale' 2017 for $499, etc. recently.

Such is the life of tech, but Apple didnt even drop the price on their previous gen hardware. Insanity/greed!

AND they've rebranded it Air, again?!? Why?

edit- bc it has no proMotion or quad speakers. Shifty... you have to have a PhD in Apple specs to not get hosed or have your purchase come with some short sighted surprises.

It doesn't take a PhD to read the spec cheat of some of the most dumbed down and simplistic products in the world.

 

[McTool]

And it includes a laminated display, True-Tone display, stereo speakers and the A12 Bionic processor from the XR/XS. Nice.

Say what? Stereo spekers? Really?

 

[Loke2112]

Come on Apple give me a reason to upgrade from my iPad Air 2. The Pro is too expensive could you at least get rid of the bezels for around $500?

 

[Jacoblee23]

So when should I be able to walk into a Best Buy and purchase a mini 5? Trying to decide if I want to order one from apple or just wait until they are in stores.

 

[QCassidy352]

I’m surprised by the amount of hate for these new iPads (that I’m still surprised after 16 years on macrumors probably means I’m not that bright, but what can you do). The mini got pencil support and a 4 (!!) generation newer processor. The air is a very good bridge between the A10 iPad (a 2016 processor) and the very pricy pro, which most people don’t need.

And the low end ($329 ipad) and high end (FaceID pros) both remain available. How is this a bad thing?

I guess my first choice would have been the base iPad to go to an A11 and 10.5” at $329 and kill the 2017 Pro and the 2018 base iPad, but this is still good.

 

[Tozovac]

The iPad Product Lineup is getting more confusing by the minute...

iPad Air
iPad Air 2
iPad Air

Makes PERFECT sense. It just works.

 

[Cape Dave]

The iPad Product Lineup is getting more confusing by the minute...

I was thinking the same exact thing.

 

[QCassidy352]

Come on Apple give me a reason to upgrade from my iPad Air 2. The Pro is too expensive could you at least get rid of the bezels for around $500?

I have an air 2 also, and I think this is the worthy upgrade. Bigger screen, True Tone, much faster processor, pencil support, keyboard support, all for the price the air 2 was when it was released.

The 9.7” A10 model isn’t really an upgrade and the 11” Pro is crazy expensive unless it’s replacing your Mac. This new one is the best upgrade for an air 2 owner like me.

 

[Heelpir8]

iPad Air
iPad Air 2
iPad Air

Makes PERFECT sense. It just works.

Good thing the iPad Air (2019) is the only one of those models that’ll be available for retail purchase, eh?

 

[Cape Dave]

iPad Air
iPad Air 2
iPad Air

Makes PERFECT sense. It just works.

LOL, my thoughts precisely

 

[Tozovac]

Good thing the iPad Air (2019) is the only one of those models that’ll be available for retail purchase, eh?

Yeah, and good thing people never look back to compare the hardware they have (or once owned) to the new or preowned hardware they may want to buy.

 

[joeblow7777]

iPad Air
iPad Air 2
iPad Air

Makes PERFECT sense. It just works.

It's just to keep things simple. The iPad line is now:

- iPad Pro (in 2 sizes)
- iPad Air
- iPad
- iPad Mini

What's the point of having numbers attached? people can simply walk into an Apple Store and say, "I want an iPad Air" and there's no confusion or over complication because this is the iPad Air.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I think a better description for the Macbook line would be

Macbook: A middle of the pack, overpriced for what it is (it should not be lightest, since that is why they name the other "Air")
Macbook Air: 20% more expensive with no innovation. So "Air" that features actually vanished.
Macbook Pro: Fastest - It was design so fast that it is the worst ever design Macbook.

1) There are things lighter than Air lol. Why does Air have to be the lightest model? Your thinking is too rigid/literal.

The Air came out in 2008 at 3 lbs; it took 7 years of innovation and a new class of Intel CPU to get to 2 lbs. Customers seem to understand a 12” 2 lb. laptop is smaller and lighter than a 13” 3 lb. laptop, but I’m sure it could be confusing to some. However, changing which model is called Air every time Apple releases a lighter laptop would be confusing to all.

2) 20% more expensive for Retina screen, TouchID, T2 controller, ForceTouch trackpad and two 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 ports. Other improvements over the previous model include 16GB RAM and 1.5TB SSD options, for those who need the higher spec

3) Those who want the highest performance MacBook with the best display buy the MacBook Pro, but it is too expensive for some. It certainly is a magnet for Apple hate though. No matter, Apple sells 10+ million MBP per year.

So it really isn’t that complicated is it?

Lightest: MacBook
Cheapest: MacBook Air
Fastest: MacBook Pro

 

[Cape Dave]

Yeah if you use the Pencil a lot it’s not even funny how much better the Pencil experience is with the 2nd gen.

Does anyone else see the disingenuousness of pencil 1, not pencil 2? Sheesh Apple! Various varieties of pencil is not really necessary at all.

 

[Jgreg00]

The Apple product line continues to be a mess. Why would you get rid of the headphone jack on the iPhone but not on the iPad? It makes no sense.

One reason is that there is a fairly large education market for non-Pro iPads where all the kids in classes use regular plug-in headphones...

 

[geekonthepc]

I have an air 2 also, and I think this is the worthy upgrade. Bigger screen, True Tone, much faster processor, pencil support, keyboard support, all for the price the air 2 was when it was released.

The 9.7” A10 model isn’t really an upgrade and the 11” Pro is crazy expensive unless it’s replacing your Mac. This new one is the best upgrade for an air 2 owner like me.

Amen to that.

 

[Tozovac]

It's just to keep things simple. The iPad line is now:

- iPad Pro (in 2 sizes)
- iPad Air
- iPad
- iPad Mini

What's the point of having numbers attached? people can simply walk into an Apple Store and say, "I want an iPad Air" and there's no confusion or over complication because this is the iPad Air.

Like I said, good thing people never compare past models against each other.

“I like my iPad Air but not as much as I liked my iPad Air.”

 

[ilifecomputer]

Going to wait for the breakdown to see how much RAM is in the Air and new Mini before buying it!

Same. Like I legit will order if >= 4gb will pass otherwise.

 

[SidricTheViking]

But why bring back the Air branding? What’s the difference between iPad and iPad Air that they need different names?

It would be worth your while going to the compare section of Apple’s website - https://www.apple.com/ie/ipad/compare/ - a really handy way to see the differences and similarities. One reason to bring back the Air moniker is the thinness: 6.1mm compared to 7.5mm, and lightness, too: 456 grams compared to 469 grams, even though the case and screen are bigger. Front-facing camera, screen, chips & Bluetooth are all improvements. It’s really worth taking the time to scroll through the side-by-side comparison. In essence it’s a device sitting halfway between between the iPad and the iPad Pros, with specs that suit that position.

 

[Rychiar]

air a meaningless word. they're all thin now....

 

[geekonthepc]

https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_air_(2019)-9638.php

GSMArena are claiming 2GB RAM, but I doubt they’ve got legit evidence of that as yet. Disappointing if true.

 

[joeblow7777]

Like I said, good thing people never compare past models against each other.

“I like my iPad Air but not as much as I liked my iPad Air.”

“I like my iPad Air, but not as much as I like my 2019 iPad Air.”

Or even just “new iPad Air”.

iPads are not the only products that get regular updates without being numbered like a sequel each time. People manage to compare cars of different years or even laptops including MacBooks. It’s not that difficult.

 

[SidricTheViking]

Is there any particular reason for the 27% Apple tax on this item for buying in the UK?

Still about €20 cheaper than the current Irish price! But it matches the German price. Our VAT rates and import taxes really take their toll, don’t they? Also, Apple’s US site never shows any added tax, as there are so many different state and city taxes. So, the US prices (mostly) end up higher than advertised.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Sooo, no new iMac then?

Still waiting for AMD to release Navi and Intel to release mid-tier 9th gen CPUs. Both are not expected until the second half of the year. Until you hear those components are available, iMac will be similarly unavailable. iMac is on a two year update cycle: 2015, 2017, 2019, so it would seem they’ll be released at some point this year.

Unfortunately for all, posting “where is iMac?” every time Apple releases something other than iMac does not actually accelerate the release schedule