iPad Air (5th generation)

iPad Air (5th generation)
Name	iPad Air (5th generation)
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Family	iPad Air
Type	Tablet computer
Generation	5th
Releasedate	March 18, 2022
Os	iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 18
Cpu	Apple M1
Memory	8 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
Storage	64 or 256 GB Flash memory
Power	28.6 W·h
Display	10.9 in (280 mm) Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 2360 × 1640 px (264 PPI)
Graphics	8-core GPU
Camera	Front: 12 MP Ultra Wide, Center Stage Rear: 12 MP Wide
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C
Predecessor	iPad Air (4th generation)
Successor	iPad Air (6th generation)
Website	https://www.apple.com/ipad-air/

iPad Air (5th generation). The fifth-generation iPad Air is a tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on March 8, 2022, and became available for purchase on March 18, 2022. This model represents a significant performance leap for the iPad Air line, integrating the same powerful Apple silicon chipset found in higher-end Apple products, while retaining the popular design language of its predecessor.

Design and display

The device maintains the sleek, flat-edged design language introduced with the iPad Pro (3rd generation) and the iPad Air (4th generation), featuring an aluminum unibody construction. It is available in five finishes: Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and a new Blue. The front is dominated by a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, which is a Liquid Retina IPS LCD with a resolution of 2360 by 1640 pixels and support for the P3 color space. The display features full lamination, an anti-reflective coating, and support for Apple Pencil (2nd generation) via magnetic attachment and charging on the device's side rail.

Hardware and performance

The most notable upgrade is the inclusion of the Apple M1 system on a chip, the same processor used in the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and the iPad Pro (5th generation). This 64-bit ARM-based chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, delivering a substantial performance increase over the Apple A14 Bionic in the prior model. It is paired with 8 GB of LPDDR4X SDRAM. Storage options are 64 GB or 256 GB of NAND flash memory. The tablet includes a landscape-oriented stereo speaker system and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the top button, a feature also found on the iPad mini (6th generation).

Software and features

The iPad Air (5th generation) launched with iPadOS 15.4 and is capable of running all subsequent updates, including iPadOS 18. It supports major Apple software frameworks like ARKit for augmented reality and Core ML for on-device machine learning. A key feature is Center Stage, which uses the front-facing 12 MP Ultra Wide camera and machine learning to automatically keep users centered in the frame during FaceTime calls or other video conferencing apps like Zoom. The rear camera is a 12 MP Wide sensor capable of recording 4K resolution video.

Accessories and connectivity

Connectivity is centered on a USB-C port, which supports data transfer, charging, and video output to external displays like the Pro Display XDR. For wireless connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The device is compatible with the Magic Keyboard and the Smart Keyboard Folio, transforming it into a laptop-like experience. It also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil for note-taking and creative work in applications like Procreate. Cellular models, available in select markets, add support for 5G NR networks from carriers such as Verizon and AT&T.

Reception and reviews

Upon release, the device received widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers from The Verge, CNET, and TechRadar praised the dramatic performance gains offered by the Apple M1 chip, calling it a "pro-level tablet" at a more accessible price point than the iPad Pro. The inclusion of Center Stage and 5G in cellular models were also highlighted as significant upgrades. Some criticism was directed at the continued base storage of 64 GB and the lack of a ProMotion display with a high refresh rate, features reserved for the iPad Pro.

Model comparison and variants

Positioned between the entry-level iPad (9th generation) and the high-end iPad Pro, the fifth-generation iPad Air shares its core Apple M1 silicon with the iPad Pro (5th generation), but differs by lacking features like a LiDAR scanner, Face ID, and a ProMotion display. Compared to its direct predecessor, the iPad Air (4th generation), the new model offers a faster chip, double the RAM, an upgraded front camera with Center Stage, and 5G connectivity. It was succeeded by the iPad Air (6th generation) in 2024.

Category:iPad Air Category:Tablet computers Category:Products introduced in 2022 Category:Apple Inc. hardware