The iPad Air has established itself as a popular tablet choice, offering a blend of power, portability, and affordability. With Apple’s reputation for innovation, the upcoming 7th generation iPad Air is eagerly awaited.
While the iPad Air 6 (2024) may not bring major changes, its successor could introduce significant enhancements. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what to expect in terms of release date, price, and specifications.
When will the new iPad Air be released?
According to reports, the next-generation iPad Air is anticipated to debut this year, alongside new entry-level iPads. Recent leaks have hinted at the development of 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models, suggesting an imminent release.
Apple typically unveils new iPads early in the year, and it’s speculated that the new iPad Air could be announced around April 2025. This aligns with Apple’s strategy of spacing out product launches for better focus and attention.
Recent iPad Air release dates include:
- 6th generation: May 2024
- 5th generation: March 2022
- 4th generation: September 2020
- 3rd generation: March 2019
How much will the new iPad Air cost?
While official pricing details for the iPad Air 7th generation are yet to be confirmed, it’s expected to remain competitive within the current price range. Starting at £599/$599 for the 6th gen, the iPad Air 7 could be priced similarly, ranging from £599/$599 to £649/$649 depending on storage options and potential upgrades.
Additional accessories like an updated Magic Keyboard could increase the overall cost for users seeking a more laptop-like experience.
What specs and features will the new iPad Air have?
Design
The design of the 7th-gen iPad Air is expected to maintain the current form factor with 11-inch and 13-inch size options. Features like the Touch ID power button and USB-C port are likely to be retained for authentication and connectivity.
Potential new colour options could be introduced to refresh the lineup, building on existing choices like Space Gray, Purple, Blue, and Starlight.
Display
The iPad Air is expected to stick with LCD technology, distinguishing it from the iPad Pro’s OLED displays and ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates. The Liquid Retina display may continue without ProMotion, ensuring a more affordable price point.
Rumors suggest Apple is working on a 90Hz display for the next iPad Air, offering a new “liquid motion” panel that could debut on this model before being integrated into other Apple products.
Performance
Reports hint at the inclusion of an M4 chip in the next iPad Air, skipping the M3 generation. This move would align the iPad Air more closely with the iPad Pro lineup, reducing the performance gap between the two models.
However, conflicting reports suggest that the iPad Air may actually feature the M3 chip, maintaining a tradition of shared chip families between the iPad Pro and iPad Air.
Cameras
The iPad Air 7 is expected to retain the 12MP rear camera and 12MP ultrawide front camera for video conferencing and casual photography. Features like Center Stage for video calls are likely to remain, enhancing the user experience during virtual meetings.
Battery & Charging
The M3 chip’s improved energy efficiency could result in extended battery life for the iPad Air 7, offering around 10 hours of usage. USB-C charging will continue, with the possibility of faster charging speeds due to advancements in battery technology.
Software
The iPad Air 7 is expected to ship with iPadOS 19 or iPadOS 18.2, incorporating features like Apple Intelligence for enhanced AI-driven capabilities. These features will enhance user experiences with improved Siri functionality and automated tasks.
Stay tuned for more updates on the new iPad Air, and check out the latest iPad and tablet offerings in the market.
