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Everything We Know About the 2022 iPad Air Coming in March

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Update: 📢 New iPad Air has been announced.📢

👀 Read the details. We will update this guide to reflect the release information shortly.


Apple is working on an updated version of the iPad Air, and the new tablet is set to launch this spring at an event that's going to be held on March 8.

iPad-Air-Feature-2-teal.jpg

We're not expecting too many changes to the iPad Air, but there are a few updates, with everything we know outlined in this guide.

Design

The iPad Air is expected to look identical to the current model, with no outward-facing design changes planned. It's possible that Apple will introduce new color options to set the updated models apart from the existing iPad Air, which comes in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue.

ipad-air-colors.jpg

Like the iPad Pro, the iPad Air features an all-display design, but it does not include Face ID. Apple instead uses a Touch ID Power button for authentication purposes. The tablet will continue to feature Touch ID, and it will have a 10.9-inch display and a USB-C port.

While there are no physical changes expected, the iPad Air will adopt features that were first introduced in the iPad mini 6, its sister tablet.

5G Connectivity

Like the latest iPad mini, the updated iPad Air will adopt a 5G chip that will allow it to connect to 5G networks. The chip in the iPad mini is limited to sub-6GHz 5G networks rather than the fastest mmWave 5G networks, so it's possible we could see this same limitation in the iPad Air, but not guaranteed.

Apple-5G-Modem-Feature-16x9.jpg

Sub-6GHz 5G is the more widely available version of 5G that can be found in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the United States and other countries, while mmWave 5G is more limited in availability and in range.

AT&T and Verizon have recently expanded their 5G networks with C-band spectrum that improves the availability of mmWave networks in the U.S., so it's possible Apple will take this into account when updating the iPad Air.

Updated Processor

Most rumors have suggested the iPad Air will get the same 6-core A15 chip that's in the iPad mini 6 and the iPhone 13 lineup. Apple downclocked the A15 chip in the iPad mini, so it runs at 2.9GHz instead of 3.2GHz as it does in the iPhone, but it's not clear if the same clock speed will be used for the iPad Air.

a15-chip.jpg

With the downclocked A15, the iPad mini is around two to eight percent slower than the iPhone 13 when it comes to CPU performance, but either way, it will be an improvement over the A14 chip in the current model.

There's also a chance Apple will instead add an M1 chip to the iPad Air, effectively putting performance on par with the iPad Pro.

Center Stage and FaceTime Camera

Rumors suggest the iPad Air will adopt an updated 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera that will work with Center Stage, a feature first introduced in the iPad Pro and the iPad mini 6.

ipad-mini-center-stage.jpg

Center Stage is a FaceTime feature designed to keep you in focus and perfectly framed when you're on a FaceTime video call. The wide-angle front-facing camera shows more of the room that you're in, while the processor inside the iPad works to keep you front and center even as you move around.

If more than one person is participating in the call, the camera will zoom out to attempt to keep everyone in view and make sure they're part of the conversation. Though designed with FaceTime in mind, Center Stage also works with other third-party video apps like Zoom.

As for the rear camera, it is expected to continue to feature a single-lens setup, though Apple could add a quad-LED True Tone flash, which would be a new addition as the current iPad Air does not include a flash option.

Other Features

We are not expecting any other notable changes in the iPad Air. Because the body design is staying the same, it's unlikely that we'll see any significant updates to the battery life.

applepencilipadair.jpg

USB-C support will continue to be included, and it will be compatible with Apple accessories that include the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil 2.

Pricing

iPad Air pricing is not expected to change, and it will likely be priced the same as the current iPad Air. Existing models start at $599 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB available for $749. We haven't heard rumors about storage changes, and the iPad mini 6 also starts at 64GB storage.

Release Date

Rumors suggest the refreshed iPad Air is going to be released alongside an updated version of the iPhone SE at an event that's set to be held on Tuesday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the 2022 iPad Air, notice a mistake, see something we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Article Link: Everything We Know About the 2022 iPad Air Coming in March
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/2022-ipad-air/
Last edited:
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Basically, unless someone leaks the info, check back on March 8th.

The discounts on current iPad Air models pretty much foreshadowed this.
 
turbineseaplane said:
So 5G that's mostly "meh", a CPU bump nobody really needs (particularly on an Air) and a wide angle lens that crops and follows you around with software (sorry -- "Center Stage")

Talk about a nothing burger
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I actually used it, its a bit slow to follow you around, but it does work to place you in the video another party sees. Can be useful if you get up and move around or other people step in front go the camera. The rear Camera should have a improved flash and it can be used as a light source. But gear at these prices won't have better display at all.

One could say there is not that much more to add.
 
749 seems like it’s set there to entice you into the 799 Pro, albeit at smaller storage. Then to match the storage it’s only 150. At 699 and a 100/200 dollar gap, it becomes a much easier choice.
 
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Was hoping they'd bring a 120 Hz/promotion display to the Air, since it's becoming a standard even on budget devices from the competition. Oh well.
 
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dabi said:
Was hoping they'd bring a 120 Hz/promotion display to the Air, since it's becoming a standard even on budget devices from the competition. Oh well.
Click to expand...
Apple clearly doesn't care. Very recently the M2 MBA successor was being discussed as with same LCD/LED screen as the current model. So Apple will only provide it for the more capable iPad models only.
 
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Reactions: lbmdk1
It's good that there'll be more color options. I think they should offer 20 or so colors just to confuse everyone.
 
Realityck said:
Just a updated iPad Air for the same price. Still that center stage and improved FaceTime camera should be nice.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the current is capable, but I figure if I'm looking to buy an air around this time I may as well wait for the processor bump and camera update.
 
turbineseaplane said:
I hated it...but I used to at least "kind of" buy the reasoning on iPhones (where space is truly at a premium), but nixing it on iPads is just wrong.
Click to expand...
I thought it was due to water resistant IPX rating. I guess the iPads without the headphone jack is water resistant, hold on wait a minute, it’s not…….what’s going on here?
 
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