Apple iPad Air M2 (2024) release date, pricing, features and specs
Don't get fooled by the lack of a 'Pro' stamp in its name – the Apple's iPad Air M2 (2024) is an amazing and powerful tool, period.
This year's Air slate from the Cupertino giant is the sixth generation in the lineup. Apple unveiled it in two variant at the May 7th Let Loose event. First, there's an all-new 13-inch iPad Air M2 that joins the more compact 11-inch version.
That's not the only positive development. As the name suggests, both devices have been refreshed in one very important way. The iPad Air M2 (2024) gets more powerful silicon – the M2 chip.
The iPad Air lineup has received another major and long-awaited upgrade, specifically in terms of base storage. The 64GB models are now a thing of the past, as both the 13-inch and 11-inch iPad Air versions now start with 128GB of storage, extending up to a maximum of 1TB.
Now, let's dive deeper!
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iPad Air М2 (2024) release date
Apple announced its new iPad Air М2 (2024) on May 7 during the Let Loose event.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad Air М2 (6th Gen) | May 7, 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
| Apple iPad Air 5th Gen | March 8, 2022 | March 18, 2022 |
| Apple iPad Air 4th Gen | September 15, 2020 | October 23, 2020 |
| Apple iPad Air 3rd Gen | March 18, 2019 | March 18, 2019 |
iPad Air M2 (2024) price
The 11-inch model maintains the same starting price as its predecessor, even with increased base storage. The 128GB version is available for $599, while the brand-new 13-inch model starts at $799 for the same storage capacity. Below is a detailed table listing all models and prices based on their storage options.
This is great news: you're getting the M2 chip and an insanely capable performance for the same price!
| iPad Model/Storage | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Air М2 (2024) 11-inch | $599 | $699 | $899 | $1099 |
| iPad Air М2 (2024) 13-inch | $799 | $899 | $1099 | $1299 |
iPad Air M2 (2024) name, models, and variants
The iPad Air 6th generation, now referred to by Apple as the iPad Air M2 to highlight its powerful new M2 chip, comes in two versions: a 10.9-inch standard Air and a larger 12.9-inch model, matching the screen real estate of the iPad Pro. Apple rounds these sizes up to 11 and 13 inches, respectively.
There are two options when it comes to connectivity, the first one relies on Wi-Fi only (Wi-Fi 6E, to be precise), and the second one adds a Cellular option to the mix.
Both the 11-inch and the 13-inch iPad Air M2 are available with those two options on every memory configuration.
iPad Air M2 (2024) camera specs and features
There's no hardware changes to the camera system on the new iPad Air models, compared to the previous generation. The only change is in the position of the front facing camera, it's now located on the longer bezel and it's called Landscape front camera.
This comes particularly handy when you're using the tablet for online meetings in horizontal. Honestly, I don't know how come Apple didn't reposition it way sooner, instead of waiting until 2024.
The iPad Air M2 features a single 12MP wide camera on its back, with ƒ/1.8 aperture, up to 5x digital zoom, image stabilization, and Smart HDR 4. The iPad Air M2 supports video recording at 4K with up to 60fps on the main camera. The front camera is also 12MP, sporting ƒ/2.4 aperture, 1080p video recording, Smart HDR 4, and Retina Flash with True Tone.
iPad Air М2 (2024) storage versions
Since the iPad Air 3rd Gen, the series has consistently offered just two storage options: 64GB and 256GB. However, the new iPad Air M2 breaks this trend by starting with 128GB of base storage and offering options up to 1TB. These expanded storage choices are available for both the 11-inch and 13-inch models.
iPad Air М2 storage versions:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
- 1TB
iPad Air М2 (2024) design features
Apple has kept the iPad Air's design largely unchanged, which is typical for the company across several generations. However, there's one significant improvement to the design – the aforementioned reposition of the front-facing camera.
The new 13-inch iPad Air's size matches closely with the 2022 iPad Pro, while the 11-inch model follows in the footsteps of its predecessor. There are new colors added to the mix to further fresh up the series, you can find all iPad Air М2 available colors below.
iPad Air М2 (2024) colors:
- Starlight
- Space Gray
- Blue (new)
- Purple (new)
iPad Air М2 (2024) display specs and features
The iPad Air M2 (2024) boasts a Liquid Retina Display with a 60Hz refresh rate, as ProMotion technology remains exclusive to the iPad Pro series. The two models have different resolutions: the 11-inch iPad Air features a 2360 x 1640 resolution, resulting in a pixel density of about 264 PPI, while the larger 13-inch model has a resolution of 2732 x 2048, also maintaining a pixel density of 264 PPI.
There is a minor difference in brightness between the two models. The 13-inch iPad Air can achieve 600 nits of brightness, whereas the 11-inch version reaches 500 nits. Both models support the P3 color gamut and are compatible with the Apple Pencil, including the Pencil Hover feature.
There is a minor difference in brightness between the two models. The 13-inch iPad Air can achieve 600 nits of brightness, whereas the 11-inch version reaches 500 nits. Both models support the P3 color gamut and are compatible with the Apple Pencil, including the Pencil Hover feature.
iPad Air М2 (2024) battery and charging features
The iPad Air M2 11-inch model comes with a built-in 28.93 Wh battery (~8,300 mAh), while the bigger sibling, the 13-inch iPad Air M2 comes with a bigger, 36.59 Wh battery (~10,340 mAh). Apple cites up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching video on both tablets, and up to 9 hours while using Wi-Fi + Cellular connectivity.
Both models charge through USB-C via a power adapter (20W) or a connected PC system.
iPad Air М2 (2024) software specs
The iPad Air M2 (2024) devices come with iPadOS 17 out of the box, and unsurprisingly, both models come packed with features, including lock screen customization, alongside the Health app, adapted for iPads. There are new interactive widgets as well, and some iOS 17 features are also onboard, such as the AirDrop over the internet, offline maps, and more.
In a few months time, iPadOS 18 will arrive with a dedicated Calculator app – finally!
Apart from that, iPadOS 18 will include new Home Screen customization options akin to iOS 18, and the integration of the iOS 18 Photos app for improved photo management.
iPadOS 18 features a new floating tab bar for better app organization, adapting dynamically to horizontal or vertical orientations based on app activity. The operating system also promises smoother animations accessible to developers through a new API.
SharePlay enhancements will facilitate easier iPad-to-iPad connectivity, allowing users to control and interact with another iPad's screen. The new Calculator app includes Math Notes for solving math problems with Apple Pencil input. Additionally, Smart Script leverages machine learning to enhance handwriting, create personalized fonts, and improve writing consistency.
What's more, Apple is adding two new features to its Weather app with iPadOS 18. The first feature displays both the actual temperature and the "Feels Like" temperature at the top of the app. The "Feels Like" temperature, considering factors like humidity, wind speed, and sunshine, will only appear if it significantly differs from the actual temperature. The second feature integrates home and work addresses from the Contacts app into the Weather app, making it easier to automatically track weather conditions for these locations.
Additional new accessibility features include Music Haptics, which provides tactile feedback to audio in Apple Music, and Vocal Shortcuts, which expands voice commands for people with speech difficulties.
Until that happens, though, the iPad Air M2 comes along with the following iPadOS 17 features:
- Lock Screen customization: Users can customize the Lock Screen to make it more personal, taking advantage of the 11-inch or new, larger 13-inch display on iPad Air. This includes stunning wallpapers, fun ways to showcase users’ favorite photos, and expressive fonts and colors to personalize the look of the date and time.
- Interactive widgets: Interactive widgets take glanceable information further with the ability to get tasks done right at the moment with just a tap.
- Video and audio messages in FaceTime: users can leave an audio or video message when someone doesn’t pick up a call.
- New drawing tools in Freeform: support for hover, tilt, and snap to shape; the ability to add connection lines and new shapes to any object; and Follow Along to guide collaborators around the board.
- Notes: this app gives users new ways to organize, read, annotate, and collaborate on PDFs.
- Stage manager: multitask like a pro with multiple overlapping windows in a single view, resize windows, tap to switch between apps, and more.
- AI capabilities: Visual Look Up, Subject Lift, and Live Text, Live Captions, and Personal Voice.
Besides, Apple has revamped Final Cut Pro for iPad, adding a range of new features and improvements. Additionally, a new Live Multicam feature enables users to connect and preview up to four cameras at once, with manual controls available through the Final Cut Camera app.
Addressing storage limitations, the app now allows for external project support, facilitating work on large files without relying on internal storage. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro, utilizing its barrel roll and squeeze functionalities for precise control over Live Drawing tools and easy access to brushes and settings.
Current users can download this update for free, while new users can subscribe to Final Cut Pro for iPad for $4.99 per month or $49 per year via the App Store.
Another novel feature on the iPad is the arrival of Battery Health, which will keep tabs on your battery's condition. This feature has been a staple on iPhones for many years now, but only now graces the iPad range.
iPad Air М2 (2024) hardware specs
The crown jewel in the series is without a shadow of a doubt the M2 chip, offering a ton of power and efficiency. The base memory has been upgraded as well, and both the 11-inch and the 13-inch models start at 128GB. You can find the detailed specs below:
| Specs | 11" iPad Air М2 (2024) | 13" iPad Air М2 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Size and Weight | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm, 462 g | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.6mm, 677g |
| Display | 11-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD 1640 x 2360 pixels 60Hz display refresh rate | 13-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD 2048 x 2732 pixels 60Hz display refresh rate |
| Processor | Apple M2 | Apple M2 |
| RAM, Storage and Price | 8/128GB $599 8/256GB $699 8/512GB $899 8/1TB $1099 | 8/128GB $799 8/256GB $899 8/512GB $1099 8/1TB $1299 |
| Software | iPadOS 17 | iPadOS 17 |
| Cameras | Main camera: 12MP Selfie camera: 12MP | Main camera: 12MP Selfie camera: 12MP |
| Battery Size | 8,300 | 10,340 |
| Charging Speeds | USB-C 20W | USB-C 20W |
Should I buy the iPad Air M2?
- You should buy the iPad Air M2 if you're coming from an older iPad Air or a regular iPad that's getting a bit long in the tooth, or you need a larger tablet without breaking the bank. The iPad Air 5th Gen is already an excellent tablet that has mostly everything a regular user might need, but if you've abstained from upgrading up until now, you might as well buy the iPad M2 and get all the M2 power available, alongside a bigger 13-inch screen option.
- You should not buy the iPad Air M2 if you've recently upgraded to the iPad Air 5th Gen, or you're coming from an iPad Pro upbringing. If you already own an M2-powered tablet, or you just don't need all that power, you should stick with the device you already have.
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