New 13-Inch iPad Air Specs Lack Audio Feature From Last-Gen Model [Update]

[MacRumors]

Update: While Apple has not publicly commented on any changes to the speaker system in the new 13-inch iPad Air with M3, a representative with knowledge of the matter has indicated that the model retains the same landscape audio speakers with Spatial Audio as the M2 iPad Air.



Apple on Tuesday announced new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models with the M3 chip, and while the processor upgrade and updated Magic Keyboard are the biggest changes, there's another apparent difference in the larger model compared to its predecessor that may have gone unnoticed.

In the specifications guide for the new 13-inch iPad Air, Apple has omitted the "2x bass" feature mention from the device's landscape stereo speakers.

Double bass was introduced in the previous-generation 13-inch iPad Air with M2 chip in May 2024. Apple said at the time that the 13-inch model delivers "even better sound quality" with double the bass, which is "great for enjoying music and videos." However, there is no mention of the feature in Apple's device specifications for the new M3 variant. The 13-inch iPad Air with M2 chip is the only iPad that has ever included a mention of "2x bass," and it's not clear if the capability has been removed, if both iPad Air model sizes now have equivalent bass, or if its omission is just an error. We've reached out to Apple for comment.

Apple has never provided specific technical details about the enhanced bass effect in the 13-inch M2 iPad Air, so we don't know if it is tied to a hardware change or something else. If we don't hear back from Apple, perhaps a future device teardown will provide some clues.

Apple's iPad Air device specification comparison tool​

With the M3 chip, the new iPad Air should offer up to 20% faster performance compared to the previous-generation model. The M3 chip also brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the iPad Air for the first time, providing improved graphics rendering in games. The new iPad Air is available to pre-order, and it will launch on March 12. In the U.S., the 11-inch model continues to start at $599, and the 13-inch model continues to start at $799.

Article Link: New 13-Inch iPad Air Specs Lack Audio Feature From Last-Gen Model [Update]

 

[MrChurchyard]

Isn’t that just in comparison to the previous generation?

 

[Etc_]

At least you guys can still use the comparison tool. On the German website, it’s gone completely and only shows the newest lineup of all iPads.

 

[jameswilby]

Including points like “2x bass” in specs has always been strange to me though. It’s a statement of improvement and doesn’t really help when talking factual specifications. So I think not having here should be effectively the same as saying “same improved bass as the last gen had on the last last gen”

 

[I7guy]

Sounds like Apple. Gain a feature, remove a feature.

 

[Rexogamer]

still no flashlight??? why is this still considered a Pro feature in 2025 when even the iPod Touch had one

 

[brofkand]

still no flashlight??? why is this still considered a Pro feature in 2025 when even the iPod Touch had one

The iPod touch didn't have a flash either

 

[Unami]

They’re doing slim and light again. Double Bass is probably too heavy metal for that.

 

[Rexogamer]

> The iPod Touch didn't have one either

...it does? the Apple website even has a help page for the ability to flash it when you get a notification and it is clearly visible next to the camera

 

[Squozen]

Isn’t that just in comparison to the previous generation?

Yes, of course it is. Somebody wasn’t thinking very critically.

 

[tomtad]

Along with the removal of the keyboard backlight this is a complete disaster of product launch.

It seems an exercise in increasing iPad revenue not by offering a more compelling product, but by rather deceitfully removing features while maintaining the same price. The result being an increased profit margin on the Airs, or pushing more people to the more expensive Pros. Basically the opposite of innovation.

I hope people vote with their feet on this and Apple wake up.

 

[Fluffyk]

The feature is listed on website in my country. It’s probably a mistake.

 

[brofkand]

> The iPod Touch didn't have one either

...it does? the Apple website even has a help page for the ability to flash it when you get a notification and it is clearly visible next to the camera

Oh gotcha, the last design based on the iPhone 5 style had one.

 

[wbeasley]

does the list price include Tariffs?

or is that added on like Sales Tax?

 

[Superhai]

Including points like “2x bass” in specs has always been strange to me though. It’s a statement of improvement and doesn’t really help when talking factual specifications. So I think not having here should be effectively the same as saying “same improved bass as the last gen had on the last last gen”

Yes, it depends on if it is considered a marketing term, or product term, or just a indication of comparison. For Apple it is often the former, but if they said 2x bass over the previous version it would be 4x. I guess a listening test will sort the "landscape".

 

[TechWhisperer]

It’s called “courage”.

 

[m1mini]

what if they also added it to the 11 inch and its a standart feature now?

 

[pksv]

Reminds me M1 Macbook Air that had great speakers on the sides. It was to good and to close to MBP so... on M2 MBA Apple decided to move them below the screen. They sounds way worse, not even close to the ones in the wedge design chassis.

 

[brofkand]

Apple does seem to be in a removing features cycle lately. The company needs new leadership desperately.

 

[tonmischa]

it was probably removed, because "2x Bass" doesn't even make sense from a technical standpoint. It is pure "marketing speech".

 

[neuropsychguy]

It’s called “courage”.

Real courage would require moving on from making 'courage' comments.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Sounds like Apple. Gain a feature, remove a feature.

I doubt the speakers are different than the previous generation ones. It's most likely they are the same as before and so there was nothing that improved on relative to the previous generation.

 

[adamlbiscuit]

still no flashlight??? why is this still considered a Pro feature in 2025 when even the iPod Touch had one

Confusingly, the iPad mini has a flash too…

 

[TechWhisperer]

Real courage would require moving on from making 'courage' comments.

No. Real courage would require moving on from making comments about people who make comments about 'courage'.

 

[Kay_Ess]

“We've reached out to Apple for comment.
[…] If we don't hear back from Apple, perhaps a future device teardown will provide some clues.”

What does MR consider an appropriate time to wait before publishing an article like this? Is there a journalistic standard to which MR holds itself which you have available somewhere? Might want to consider that if it doesn’t exist yet. Now you’re not actually giving people any information and you sound like you’re not giving the company any time at all before ramming the publish button…