The iPad Air series has maintained the right balance between the entry-level iPads and higher-end Pro models. They looked like the Pro models but priced only slightly higher than the regular iPads. The Apple Pencil support and fluid display made them a preferred choice among students and aspiring creators. However, this year Apple has given serious attention to the performance. It has now equipped the new iPad Air 5 with the M1 CPU, the same chipset that powers its MacBook lineup. There are also significant camera improvements for better voice calling.
Apple surprised everyone with the iPad Air 5 running the M1 chipset. Apple says the M1 CPU offers 60 per cent more performance than the iPad Air 4, which had an iPhone-class A14 Bionic chip. Apple says the GPU performance is also twice more than the last generation model. This means you can now run creative apps like Adobe Illustrator, Lightroom, Photoshop Mix, and Procreate smoothly. The upgraded performance is also a plus point for gamers as they can play high-end games likes Fortnite, Battlegrounds India, Minecraft and Call of Duty: Mobile in the best graphics settings.
The iPad Air 5 runs 8 GB of RAM and it ships in 64 and 128 GB storage configurations. The USB-C port is now also up to twice as faster, with data transfers up to 10 Gbps, enabling it to support a range of USB-C accessories like cameras, external storage, and displays with up to 6K resolution. The cellular model now supports 5G networks, so you can access the internet when travelling. The device features Wi-Fi 6 for seamless wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting peripherals. The new iPad Air 5 has a 28.6 Wh battery that Apple says can deliver up to 10 hours of video watching or web surfing. Luckily, it ships with a 20 W charger that reduces the charging times significantly.
The iPad Air 5 comes with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display with P3 wide colour. Apple Retina Display is known for its precise colour accuracy, making it perfect for professional photo and video editing. The screen bezels are also minimal like the Pro line-up. The iPad Air 5 also has a True Tone display, a feature that automatically adjusts the white balance to the ambient lighting. You can spend hours watching Netflix videos and playing games without stressing your eyes. Apple says the device can produce up to 500 nits of brightness and comes with an anti-reflective coating to make texts and content viewable outdoors. The display supports the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), so you can take notes, sketch and use video and photo editing tools professionally.
The iPad Air 5 comes with an upgraded 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, a large improvement over last year’s 7 MP camera. It now supports the Center Stage feature that tracks and keep you in the frame, even if you move about during a FaceTime call. The feature also automatically zooms out the camera if more people enter the frame. The rear also has a 12MP camera, offering /1.8 aperture along with a 5x digital zoom and Smart HDR 3 for photos. It is the same camera used in the iPad Pros Pro for higher resolution photos and 4K video recording. The new design of iPad Air features stereo speakers in landscape mode, elevating the audio experience while watching videos.
The iPad Air 5 has a very similar design to its predecessor. The device is slim and has rounded edges, so you can comfortably hold the device in your hands. The new Air 5 is also slightly lighter than before, so you can carry it around easily. The device is available in Space Grey, Pink, Purple, Green, Blue and Starlight colours. It carries the same metallic matte finish from past models that give the iPad its premium look and feel. Apple says the iPad Air uses a 100 per cent recycled aluminium enclosure. Even the motherboard components and speakers are made of recycled materials, making the new iPad Air 5 more environmentally friendly than any other iPads.
The Touch ID is built into the top button, so you can use your fingerprint to unlock your iPad and sign in to apps. The new iPad Air is now compatible with the Magic Keyboard that magnetically attaches to the device. It offers more flexibility while typing and viewing the screen. This keyboard comes with backlit keys and even has a built-in trackpad.
The iPad Air 5 runs on the latest iPad OS 15 that has been designed to offer a more computer-like experience. The updated OS comes with tons of multitasking features like the Slide Over and Split View that allows you to use apps side-by-side. There is also a new Centre Window feature that can be used to bring an email, message or note to the centre of the screen, without closing the running apps. Apple has also introduced new larger widgets that can take full advantage of the iPad canvas.
The inclusion of the Apple M1 has sky-rocketed the iPad Air 5’s performance. It is now more perfect for those who want a tablet for serious gaming or 3D design and creative work, but without paying the Pro line-up’s premium price. Prices for the 64 GB Wi-Fi variant starts at Rs. 54,900*. To know about pre-ordering details, head over to www.reliancedigital.in, or your nearest Reliance Digital store.
Note – Prices are subject to change. Please refer to the product catalogue for more details, pricing, and availability.
