Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What to Expect From the iPad Air 6 in Early 2024

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
67,490
37,776


Over 600 days have passed since Apple last updated the iPad Air, as outlined in the MacRumors Buyer's Guide. Below, we outline rumored features and launch timing for the next iPad Air, which would be the sixth-generation model.

iPad-Air-12.9-Inch-Feature.jpg

Apple released the current iPad Air in March 2022, with then-new features including the M1 chip, 5G connectivity on cellular models, an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for Center Stage, up to a 2x faster USB-C port for wired data transfer, and new color options like purple and blue. The device is equipped with a 10.9-inch display, and Touch ID fingerprint authentication built into the power button.

Apple is rumored to be planning two new iPad Air models for release in the first half of 2024, with more details about the devices outlined below.

Expected Features

12.9" Model

Apple is planning new 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Air models, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, meaning the device would be available in multiple display sizes for the first time. Kuo said the devices will still have a traditional LCD panel without mini-LED backlighting, but he expects the 12.9-inch model to be equipped with an "oxide" backplane for improved display performance compared to the current iPad Air.

Beyond the larger display option, there have not been any rumors about major external design changes for the next iPad Air models.

M2 Chip

The next iPad Air models are likely to be equipped with Apple's M2 chip for additional performance and power efficiency improvements over the M1 chip in the current model. Apple already updated the iPad Pro with the M2 chip in October 2022.

Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3

It is very likely that the next iPad Air models will support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, enabling faster Wi-Fi speeds with a supported router, and improved Bluetooth connectivity. Apple has already added Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support to the latest iPad Pro, iPhone 15 Pro models, and most new Macs.

Read our iPad Air roundup for more details.

Launch Timing

Kuo said the new 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Air models are scheduled for mass production in the first quarter of 2024, meaning that the devices should launch at some point in the first half of the year. March is a common month for Apple to announce new products, as is June during Apple's annual developers conference WWDC.

Article Link: What to Expect From the iPad Air 6 in Early 2024
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/23/what-to-expect-from-2024-ipad-air/
Last edited:
These improvements mean nothing for most people.. I can only see improved battery life via efficiency improvements to be the only feature that would be universally appreciated by all users.

M2, but the same old iPad OS. Faster WiFi, but the same old iPad OS. Larger screen, but the same old iPad OS.

Even the larger screen would not be appreciated by most... just more iPad to bend when you put it in your bag. Better buy that 300 dollar Magic Keyboard to strengthen that thing.

I actually returned the iPad Air 5 because of the quality of the device.. I had one that creaked when you picked it up. My iPad Air 4 was solid, so Ive kept that and forgot about upgrading it. As it still does 100% of what I need tablet to do, within its limitations of being a tablet you can attach to Magic Keyboard.

I also have the iPad mini 6, and for the most part... I pick that up to do tablet things more than the Air. Never once, have I had an issue with performance.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: KillerCandles, ijbond, DesertN0mad and 3 others
Over at the verge recently there was a summary of the best iPad to buy for various use cases. When it came to buying a full price Air now .. the guidance seemed to be to consider a refurbished iPad Pro M1 Gen 3 instead. You will get more for your money, and a superior screen as well. Even if they were released in 2021.
Seems like good advice.

These new 2024 Airs sound .. ok. Nothing amazing though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robertpetry, Thisismattwade, schneeland and 1 other person
lewchenko said:
Over at the verge recently there was a summary of the best iPad to buy for various use cases. When it came to buying a full price Air now .. the guidance seemed to be to consider a refurbished iPad Pro M1 Gen 3 instead. You will get more for your money, and a superior screen as well. Even if they were released in 2021.
Seems like good advice.

These new 2024 Airs sound .. ok. Nothing amazing though.
Click to expand...
If you have any iPad Pro from around 2018 or later, iPad Air from 2020 refresh or later, and regular iPad from same time (including the mini) or later... chances are the upgrade wouldn't be worth it in any way at all.

Of course, Apple wouldn't like this at all... so I bet the iPad OS cut off will be working its magic in the coming year or so to make sure you buy another iPad. Using AI as the criteria for that cut off point.
 
vegetassj4 said:
The most Air we've ever put in an iPad?
Click to expand...
The next time they introduce the iPad Air... it won't be in envelope like the MacBook Air was... it will float across the stage into Tims hands via balloon. A single balloon.

But that won't be the thing that stuns people... it will be when Tim passes it through the eye of a needle and tells everyone its as thin as a human hair.. and just as durable 😂
 
  • Haha
  • Wow
Reactions: TVreporter, iLuddite and jimmy_uk
I just bought an M1 iPad Air as a gift. I don't see how M2, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 are anything other than an incremental improvements. I'm still using my 4th gen Air and it's perfect for what I need.

Larger size is interesting but the current size is pretty big so I can't see much demand for an even larger model. It makes sense with the Pro but not too sure about the Air.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr Todhunter and Fuzzball84
I kind of wonder if Apple's intent with the latest naming scheme wouldn't have been that the iPad and iPad mini get the A? chip, the iPad Air line gets the A? Pro line, and the M series is reserved for the Pro. Now that the A-series chips have 8GB of RAM I'm not sure what other factor would be holding back Stage Manager.
 
russell_314 said:
I just bought an M1 iPad Air as a gift. I don't see how M2, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 are anything other than an incremental improvements. I'm still using my 4th gen Air and it's perfect for what I need.

Larger size is interesting but the current size is pretty big so I can't see much demand for an even larger model. It makes sense with the Pro but not too sure about the Air.
Click to expand...
They always go bigger and bigger... they will get to 15 inch or so and then re-release an iPad with the original screen size of 9.7 inches and say...

"we had it right in the beginning... but you guys wanted bigger and bigger iPads and iPhones... so when our flagship iPhone reached 10 inch, and iPad reached 15 inch.. our customer feedback was that, they have got too big"
 
Maybe the iPad Air 6 will have a projector on it... to project onto the users forehead that the device in said persons hands is M2.
 
Traverse said:
I kind of wonder if Apple's intent with the latest naming scheme wouldn't have been that the iPad and iPad mini get the A? chip, the iPad Air line gets the A? Pro line, and the M series is reserved for the Pro. Now that the A-series chips have 8GB of RAM I'm not sure what other factor would be holding back Stage Manager.
Click to expand...
They can hold back whatever feature they want... there is no legal requirement.. its just a feature and if Apple put that or other features on certain devices... thats the way it is.

You take it or leave it, basically.
 
Fuzzball84 said:
But 4 GB is like 8, and 8 is like 16... did you not get the memo :)
Click to expand...

Afraid I did. "1984" math from the folks who said it wouldn't be like that. :rolleyes:

Pretty likely the next iPad Air would get a good spec bump. And sad if we get base tablets with better specs than laptops.
 
Fuzzball84 said:
They can hold back whatever feature they want... there is no legal requirement.. its just a feature and if Apple put that or other features on certain devices... thats the way it is.

You take it or leave it, basically.
Click to expand...
I don't see Apple removing Stage Manager from the iPad Air line now that it has been introduced. I'm just curious if they'll switch the line to the A pro-series chip. Originally I believe Apple tried to claim the M-series was needed, but the only real-world difference I can think of is that the M-series had more RAM.
 
Fuzzball84 said:
They always go bigger and bigger... they will get to 15 inch or so and then re-release an iPad with the original screen size of 9.7 inches and say...

"we had it right in the beginning... but you guys wanted bigger and bigger iPads and iPhones... so when our flagship iPhone reached 10 inch, and iPad reached 15 inch.. our customer feedback was that, they have got too big"
Click to expand...
I’m not so sure about that. I think there is a point where it’s too big. I don’t know if it’s true, but there are rumors of lukewarm sales with the 15” MacBook Air
 
russell_314 said:
I’m not so sure about that. I think there is a point where it’s too big. I don’t know if it’s true, but there are rumors of lukewarm sales with the 15” MacBook Air
Click to expand...
I was joking about getting to 15 inch :)

But I’d not be shocked if they did
 
I went 3-4 years, roughly, between iPads for a while (original, iPad 4, 2016 pro, now 2020 pro). Before, every time I updated they had some pretty impressive improvements. But 3.5 years into me 2020 pro, there’s absolutely nothing in the latest models that makes me the least bit interested in updating anytime soon. I mean, it’s plenty fast, what is the M2 going to do? Or M3 in the next one, inevitably. There are a handful of apps that can’t run at full capacity, I guess, but I don’t really care about rendering 4K footage in Resolve on an iPad since it’s much easier working with files on my MacBook anyway.

TL;DR - I foresee my current iPad lasting another 4-6 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tim Apple’s Glasses and Stormshadow
Traverse said:
I don't see Apple removing Stage Manager from the iPad Air line now that it has been introduced. I'm just curious if they'll switch the line to the A pro-series chip. Originally I believe Apple tried to claim the M-series was needed, but the only real-world difference I can think of is that the M-series had more RAM.
Click to expand...
I was talking about features in general. Not stage manager, but other features. For example if they provided a Samsung DeX like environment, they could feasibly restrict it to the pros. Even if Air could run it.
 
Umacga said:
I went 3-4 years, roughly, between iPads for a while (original, iPad 4, 2016 pro, now 2020 pro). Before, every time I updated they had some pretty impressive improvements. But 3.5 years into me 2020 pro, there’s absolutely nothing in the latest models that makes me the least bit interested in updating anytime soon. I mean, it’s plenty fast, what is the M2 going to do? Or M3 in the next one, inevitably. There are a handful of apps that can’t run at full capacity, I guess, but I don’t really care about rendering 4K footage in Resolve on an iPad since it’s much easier working with files on my MacBook anyway.

TL;DR - I foresee my current iPad lasting another 4-6 years.
Click to expand...
Tablets in general have plateaued. The same could be said for phones except for their cameras and AI hardware.

The devices from 4 years back do almost everything that anyone needs them to do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AppleTO, Stormshadow and Bow Commander
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back