This makes no sense. It would effectively kill the iPad Pro 11” as there is even less difference.
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iPad Air 5 Rumored to Feature M1 Chip, 8GB RAM, and 128GB Base Storage
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Not recently, but it has been done before:
- A4 debuted in the first iPad on April 3rd 2010.
- A5 debuted in iPad 2 on March 11 2011.
They have, but it's been a while. The A4 was first shown in January 2010 in the iPad, then in June 2010 in the iPhone 4.
The A5 was first shown in March 2011 in the iPad 2, then in October 2011 in the iPhone 4s.
If true, it reduces the gap between Air and Pro iPad. ProMotion on iPad Pro will be the main differentiator.
I'm trying to find the logic in it myself. I'm guessing this is to boost iPad sales regardless of cannibalizing the 11" iPad Pro. This is right around the corner of releasing the newest iPad Mini... having an enticing iPad Air to go along with it will definitely help in the quarterly report of iPad sales.
I am happy for the people that was expecting a new Air. I am too used to FaceID on the Pro… but Touch ID has its benefits for sure.
However this will drop even further the resell value of my 64GB 11” iPad Pro. This Christmas I was thinking about selling it, and I didn’t because I wanted to wait a bit more… and now, even the Air lineup will be fairly superior. I guess I will have to lower the price… by a lot.
I guess I made a bad decision. However, I’m still satisfied with my machine, the only limitation is the 64GB to be honest.
However this will drop even further the resell value of my 64GB 11” iPad Pro. This Christmas I was thinking about selling it, and I didn’t because I wanted to wait a bit more… and now, even the Air lineup will be fairly superior. I guess I will have to lower the price… by a lot.
I guess I made a bad decision. However, I’m still satisfied with my machine, the only limitation is the 64GB to be honest.
Soon for Apple is more likely going to be October. Apple has never had a problem with cannabilizing sales from devices that end up being as powerful and cheaper than a previously flagship device.
Exactly!
I’m still wondering why we need another article on this literally two after mentioned this before when the other one could’ve just been updated?
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I guess giving it M1 makes sense from a supply chain perspective. The Macs will be getting the M2, and probably the next gen iPad Pro as well, you need someone to give your older stock of M1 chips to, and the iPad Air seems like the most obvious choice.
I wonder if this means the next gen iPad Pro will be getting a redesign, to set it apart from the air.
Maybe they are going to discontinue the 11" Pro and force those who want Pro features to get the 12.9" (or a new larger version).
I think if they shove an M1 and 8GB of RAM in it, they’ll most certainly charge more for it and the Air at 256GB already is overpriced. Unless Apple has some major hardware plans for the iPad Pro this year (which is definitely does NOT need), the iPad Air with an M1 and 8GB of RAM is just an 11” iPad Pro for all intents and purposes. What the iPad lineup needs is a revamped iPadOS with many of the Pro apps on macOS, better floating window support, true external monitor support, and full Thunderbolt port capability.
Would I say something weird if for the iPhone 14 also a MAX version is expected/rumored… could it make sense for the iPad Air to have a larger model as well? An iPad Air 12,9 ich which would also perfectly fit the Magic Keyboard? I wouldn’t be surprised!
Other than that, if the specs for the iPad Air come close to the iPad Pro, then Apple needs to seriously upgrade the iPad Pro in such a way that there has to be a really good reason to want an iPad Pro instead of an iPad Air.
Other than that, if the specs for the iPad Air come close to the iPad Pro, then Apple needs to seriously upgrade the iPad Pro in such a way that there has to be a really good reason to want an iPad Pro instead of an iPad Air.
We all know Apple needs to address iPadOS first and foremost, but I think Apple cares more about selling hardware than keeping existing users happy.
Those who have recently purchased a base model M1 11” iPad Pro should be disappointed if this turns out to be true.
Can kinda see this happening if the new iPad Pros then take the M2 — at least they can use their existing M1 chips for the Air for now. Will probably always lag behind the Pro
I wonder if that is the plan, to be honest.
The 11" iPad Pro did not get a mini-LED display with the last update and there have been rumors of Apple releasing an even larger model than the 12.9" (perhaps 14.6" like the Galaxy Tab 8+).
So I could see Apple dropping the iPad Pro 11 and replacing it with the iPad Air with an M1 to give it most of the benefits of the iPad Pro 11, but omitting features like ProMotion and mini-LED to keep the price down.
If they put the M1 in the Air and bump it to 128, i'm in. I really like my iPad Air 4 but could really use the storage boost. I wonder what the trade in value will be though. Could be an expensive afternoon for me. 
That’s what I reckon. The current iPad Pro 11 will be replaced by a slightly larger sized Pro model, and then also the 12.9 version will also be enlarged. Basically like the current Tab S8 tablets Line.
Since the Sept 2021 update, the base ipad is the best bang for the buck -- and with the Air update, looks like that wont change.
Yes I’m in a similar position to you. I might keep my Air 4, but trade in my Air 3 for the new M1 Air (if the rumours are true of course).If they put the M1 in the Air and bump it to 128, i'm in. I really like my iPad Air 4 but could really use the storage boost. I wonder what the trade in value will be though. Could be an expensive afternoon for me.