In the fall of 2020, Apple provided the iPad Air with a major update with a new 11-inch design, thinner screen edges and Touch ID in the power button. In 2022, the Air was equipped with an M1 processor and the specifications will also be improved this year.
The 6th generation iPad Air is the ‘cheaper’ brother of the 11-inch iPad Pro and has a similar design, but in brighter colors and a single camera. The iPad supports the new Apple Pencil Pro and is compatible with the Magic Keyboard for iPad. The new iPad Air is equipped with an M2 chip, available in a larger version from next week.
Small and large, old and new
The iPad Air was always only available in one size, but that will change with the sixth generation. The design for the iPad has remained the same, but in addition to an 11-inch version, there is also a larger variant available with a 13-inch display. So you no longer have to rely on the iPad Pro if you want a larger model.
Both models have a Liquid Retina display with the same screen edges. The brightness of the LCD display is 500 nits for the 11-inch model and 600 nits for the 13-inch iPad Air. On the back there is a single 12-MP wide-angle camera with an aperture of ƒ/1.8 and a Smart Connector. The iPad Air 6th generation is available in five stylish colors.
New place for the FaceTime camera
This iPad has upgraded its ultra-wide (122º) selfie camera from eight to twelve megapixels with center point support. But that’s not the big news, that’s the placement of the camera.
Now the front FaceTime camera is along the landscape edge instead of the top of the screen in portrait orientation. This is a wish of many users because the iPad is used in landscape view in most cases.
Optimally secured thanks to Touch ID
A fingerprint scanner is used to secure the iPad. Just like in the previous version, Apple has equipped the on/off button with Touch ID. By placing your finger on the button, your fingerprint is scanned and you can unlock the iPad Air or make payments.
Fast processor, 5G and USB-C
The iPad Air is equipped with the super-fast M2 processor and promises sky-high performance. This is thanks to the 8-core CPU, 10-core graphics and 16-core Neural Engine. This not only makes the Air faster, but it can also perform more complex tasks.
As with all iPad models, you can choose an iPad Air 6th generation with WiFi only or a version with WiFi and cellular including 5G support.
You can use a faster USB-C connection to charge the iPad. In addition to charging, you can also use external screens, hard drives and peripherals on the iPad with this port. At the back we find a smart connector so that you can also use cases and accessories with the mini.
Apple Pencil hover
Apple Pencil hover shows you in advance exactly where your Apple Pencil will end up on the display. You can write, sketch and illustrate with even more precision. Apps and widgets on the home screen expand when you hover over them. You can see how thick your line will be, or how colors will mix before you start painting. With Apple Pencil hover it’s all even easier.
If you hold the Apple Pencil Pro above the display, the electromagnetic signals from the tip are captured up to 12 mm above the screen. M2 immediately registers these signals and recognizes the position of the Apple Pencil in three dimensions. Please note, the Apple Pencil with USB-C does not support this feature.
Other innovations
- Support for WiFi 6E
- Choose between 128 GB, 259, 512 or 1 TB of storage space
- Cellular models with 5G support
Buy iPad Air 6th generation
The iPad Air 6th generation can from today can be pre-ordered with a starting price of € 719 (was 789) (11-inch display) and € 969 (13-inch display). If you want 5G support, you pay €170 extra. The first copies are sold out 15 May delivered. The iPad will soon also be available at other web shops such as Bol.com, Coolblue, YourMacStore, MediaMarkt, Amazon, Paradigit and Yorcom.