Apple Updated your iPad Air in 2022 With a significant charm in its internal configuration. Now, the proprietary M1 chip, famous for powering the recent MacBooks, has come to the brand’s mid-range tablet with the promise of big strides in performance and graphics.
After all, what can we find on the device in its latest version? Is the tablet the only new novelty component? You’ll check out all the details in this hands-on, in partnership with our Italian brethren at HDBlog.
Design
Starting with the design, if you put the iPad Air 5 side by side with its predecessor, you won’t be able to tell the difference between them. and no less. They have a similar look, especially when we consider their more sober lines and their metallic construction.
One of the highlights is the new blue color. Depending on the viewing angle, this produces an effect that alternates colors along the cover. The dimensions also do not change with respect to the previous model, that is, we have a thickness of just over 6 millimeters.
The weight has now increased to three grams in its version which has antenna for 5G. It is like two iPhone 13 Pro Max at once. Nevertheless, we still get a very solid and premium experience when the product is in our hands.
Too bad we don’t have water resistance certification yet, but don’t use your iPad near the pool or in the shower and it shouldn’t be a problem.
Since the predecessor, Apple had already adopted USB-C as the standard connector for its line of tablets. It has now been updated to support faster transfer rates, which can reach up to 10Gbps. It lacked compatibility with Thunderbolt technology to make even more difference.
“Apple” also inserted a biometric reader integrated into the power button. The situation may not be so pleasant at first, so think you have to get used to looking for the most comfortable way to unlock the screen.
screen and sound
On the screen, we also find the same 2020 IPS LCD display with Liquid Retina technology, with 3.8 million pixels to deliver a more immersive experience. The panel still has True Tone certification for contrast and anti-reflective coating, which doesn’t leave the view as a mirror.
The size remains the same at 10.9 inches, as well as the resolution that can be considered 2K. We have protection against possible scratches on the glass. It is a pity that Apple did not dare to increase the refresh rate of the device, to give more fluidity to animations and games.
As for sound, the four-hole design of the frame might fool you into thinking that there are four speakers. However, there are only two on this device. Still, the stereo system is of great quality and it won’t let you down.
It’s important to always remember that there is no connector in the P2 standard for headphones, so you already know that the best solution is a wireless accessory, really.
hardware and software
One of the biggest highlights of the iPad Air 5 is the presence of an M1 chip to replace the previous generation A14 Bionic. And what will it change in practice? Well, the presence of a total of two performance cores in the four of the new “Apple” platform increases the operating frequency per core, which generates more performance in tasks in general and even in heavy apps.
When it comes to the GPU, Apple Component’s graphics have doubled the performance compared to the previous model. In other words, advanced editing programs or even compatible games shouldn’t be a problem here.
Memory has also evolved from 4GB to 8GB of RAM, which should improve the multitasking experience, especially in dual-window mode. Storage options range from 64GB to 256GB.
The battery hasn’t changed and remains the same 28 Wh lithium polymer, which promises a maximum of 10 hours for surfing the Internet via Wi-Fi or watching videos. Unlike what Apple implements in its line of smartphones, the iPad comes with the plug adapter 20W charging support in the box.
The fifth generation of the iPad Air already comes with iPadOS 15 factory built in. Compatibility with external accessories are the highlight if you want to increase your productivity. Here we can refer to Apple Pencil, Pen to write on the screen; and Magic Keyboard, the brand’s keyboard that allows you to have an experience close to that of a notebook.
In terms of connectivity, the main inclusion was 5G, which now improves mobile connections with lower latency and higher speeds. In cellular models, you can choose between using a regular SIM card or even setting up an eSIM. In this you will still get fifth generation Bluetooth and sixth generation Wi-Fi.
cameras
No changes have been made to the rear camera, so this time around we will have a 12MP wide-angle sensor, which will be compatible with autofocus. It also has optical stabilization and HDR to improve the capture. However, you won’t have the same level of presence on a cell phone, for example. Consider this use only for emergencies.
Moving on, there was an advance in the front camera, which jumped from 7MP to 12MP. But it was not the definition that led to the improvement. The lens is now an ultrawide one, with center stage technology. This allows you to fix placement problems by always keeping the foreground object in the center of the image.
Unfortunately, this feature does not apply to all applications of video chatting, only the most famous ones should know how to use this feature well. Another important point is the support for video recording in 4K, which is capable of filming in a good resolution to reproduce on current modern TVs.
first impressions
The iPad Air 5 may already have a familiar appearance outside of the aluminum, as its look is practically identical to the predecessor, but what will show the evolution of the device is in the interiors.
And in this regard, we can place the Apple M1 chip as the main inclusion. This allows you to level up the performance of the brand’s tablet, be it in processing or in graphics. The increase in RAM memory was also welcomed and would improve the user’s multitasking experience.
As for the cameras, we feel a small advance, especially when we talk about the rear sensor. It stands on the same level as the previous generation and breaks away from everything that can be captured by a smartphone. This means that there will still be a preference for out-of-pocket cell phones for high-quality on-demand capture. At least the front now has a wider angle of view and new technologies are better suited to today’s needs for videoconferencing.
There were not many improvements in the multimedia part, such as the screen with the same features as before. The design hasn’t changed either, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, as the predecessor had a pleasing look.
The new iPad Air 5 along with the M1 can be ordered in Brazil through Apple’s own official online store. Prices start at R$6,800 for the 64GB model without 5G, but can reach up to R$8,400 for the most expensive version, with maximum storage and mobile network support.
So, what do you think about the device? Are you thinking of buying a fifth generation iPad Air unit? Do you believe that the M1 chip will bring many developments to the device? Let us know by commenting in the space.
