New iPad Air Rumored to Launch This Spring With A15 Chip, 5G, Center Stage Camera, and More - MacRumors
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New iPad Air Rumored to Launch This Spring With A15 Chip, 5G, Center Stage Camera, and More

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Apple is planning to release a fifth-generation iPad Air with similar features as the sixth-generation iPad mini, including an A15 Bionic chip, 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage support, 5G for cellular models, and Quad-LED True Tone flash, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

ipad air 4 video
Citing reliables sources in China, the report claims that the new iPad Air could be announced alongside the third-generation iPhone SE in spring 2022.

The new iPad Air will have the same overall design as the current model, including a single-lens rear camera, the report adds. Released in October 2020, the current iPad Air features a 10.9-inch display with slim bezels, a Touch ID power button, and a USB-C port, with color options including Space Gray, Silver, Green, Rose Gold, and Sky Blue.

Apple's first product event of the year will likely take place in March or April as usual, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, so it's possible that the new iPad Air and iPhone SE models could be announced at that event.

Mac Otakara accurately reported that the fourth-generation iPad Air would be equipped with a USB-C port, and that the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro would be 0.5mm thicker to accommodate for a mini-LED display. On the other hand, the website has made some inaccurate claims, including that new AirPods Pro would launch in April 2021.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Tags: 2022 iPad Air, Mac Otakara
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

Mr. Dee Avatar
Mr. Dee
56 months ago
Are you all noticing the trend here? Apple includes features exclusive to the Pro models a year later on the cheaper models. The best way to play this game is to always wait. There is just too much diminishing value on the Pro models of many Apple products. My friend bought a iPhone 12 (non-Pro) 6.1 and he is more than happy with it. I am even thinking of upgrading to the 12 later this year from my X. I guess you could say its a great time to be alive.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
_Spinn_
56 months ago
This makes sense. It will bring the iPad Air more in line with what was added to the Mini last year. At this point the Mini feels more like an iPad Air Mini instead of just an iPad Mini.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rui no onna Avatar
rui no onna
56 months ago

If Apple adds these features, they will surely increase the price by $100+. Tired of non ground breaking features being added purely for the sake of skyrocketing the price to capture more of consumers hard earned revenue. I’d rather have the cheaper iPad Air but they will likely no longer sell it to force people to hand over even more money.
I doubt it’ll increase by $100+. Maybe $50 at most.

The Air already got a $100 price bump in 2020 when Apple changed the chassis. The new rumored changes are fairly minor and pretty much just catching up with the mini 6. Heck, even the $329 iPad got Center Stage.

$399 mini 5 A12, 3GB
$499 Air 3 A12, 3GB

$599 Air 4 A14, 4GB

$499 mini 6 A15, 4GB
$599-649? Air 5

Heck, even at $649, the Air 5 doesn’t make much sense when compared to the $799 iPad Pro 11 (frequently on sale for $699-749). Until Apple releases a Mini-LED iPP 11 for $899, I reckon it’s more likely they will keep the $200 price gap between Air and Pro 11.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rui no onna Avatar
rui no onna
56 months ago

Are you all noticing the trend here? Apple includes features exclusive to the Pro models a year later on the cheaper models. The best way to play this game is to always wait. There is just too much diminishing value on the Pro models of many Apple products. My friend bought a iPhone 12 (non-Pro) 6.1 and he is more than happy with it. I am even thinking of upgrading to the 12 later this year from my X. I guess you could say its a great time to be alive.
It’s not always a year. Some of the features being added to the Air now have been available since the 1st gen Pro (2015/16). Even then, there are still features like quad speakers and ProMotion that still haven’t made their way downmarket. 512GB+ storage options are still strictly the domain of iPad Pros despite 512GB making its way to mid-range iPhones.

I’m quite happy sticking with my iPhone SE. I don’t use my phone much to justify the high cost plus OLED iPhones give me migraines. On the iPad though, I’m willing to (grudgingly) spend more to get the features I want (mainly high storage and RAM).
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
Bandaman
56 months ago

If Apple adds these features, they will surely increase the price by $100+. Tired of non ground breaking features being added purely for the sake of skyrocketing the price to capture more of consumers hard earned revenue. I’d rather have the cheaper iPad Air but they will likely no longer sell it to force people to hand over even more money.
That would be unfortunate. Don't like price hikes. Hopefully it doesn't happen.



Oh boy! Mini bumped to 499 was already a hard pill to swallow. Wonder how much Air would be hiked.
The Mini did have quite an overhaul though.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
MayaUser
56 months ago

If Apple adds these features, they will surely increase the price by $100+. Tired of non ground breaking features being added purely for the sake of skyrocketing the price to capture more of consumers hard earned revenue. I’d rather have the cheaper iPad Air but they will likely no longer sell it to force people to hand over even more money.
wanna bet? ipad air was already increase by $100 with the redesign
So, no, no price increase, stop miss-leading users
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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