iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): Is upgrading worthwhile?

      Apple occasionally delivers surprises, as evidenced by the introduction of the new iPad Air, which follows closely behind the release of the iPad Air (2024). So, what motivates an upgrade, if any? Let's delve deeper into the details.

      **iPad Air (2025) vs iPad Air (2024): Specs**

      - **Size**

       - 11-inch: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches

       - 13-inch: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches

      - **Weight**

       - 11-inch: 1.01 pounds for both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular

       - 13-inch: 1.36 pounds for both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular

      - **Screen Size and Resolution**

       - 11-inch: Liquid Retina Display with 2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 ppi

       - 13-inch: Liquid Retina Display with 2732 x 2048 resolution at 264 ppi

      - **SDR Brightness**

       - 11-inch: 500 nits max

       - 13-inch: 600 nits max

      - **Operating System**

       - iPadOS 18

       - Apple will provide a minimum of five years of software updates (up to iPadOS 23)

      - **Processor**

       - Apple M3

       - 8-core CPU

       - 9-core GPU

       - 16-core Neural Engine

       - Hardware-accelerated ray tracing

       - 100GB/s memory bandwidth

       - 8GB RAM

       - Enhanced media engine

       - Apple M2

       - 8-core CPU

       - 9-core GPU

       - 16-core Neural Engine

       - 100GB/s memory bandwidth

       - 8GB RAM

      - **Storage**

       - Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options

      - **Cameras**

       - 12MP Wide camera (rear)

       - 12MP Landscape Center Stage camera (front)

      - **Battery Life**

       - Up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or video playback

       - Up to 9 hours of web surfing using a cellular data network

      - **Apple Pencil Support**

       - Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil USB-C

      - **Colors**

       - Space Gray, Blue, Purple, Starlight

      - **Price (at launch)**

       - 11-inch: Starting at $599 (Wi-Fi only), $749 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

       - 13-inch: Starting at $799 (Wi-Fi only), $949 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

      - **Review**

       - To be released

       - iPad Air (2024) review

      **iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): Design and Display**

      Upon examining this comparison, it becomes evident that the iPad Air (2025) and iPad Air (2024) share remarkable similarities. In fact, there is only one major difference, which may not even persuade iPad Air (2024) owners to upgrade. A more relevant comparison could be made between the iPad Air (2022) and iPad Air (2024), which had several modifications, albeit minimal.

      The iPad Air (2025) comes in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. Both versions feature Liquid Retina displays equipped with True Tone technology, P3 wide color support, and an anti-reflective coating. The resolution for both sizes is 264 pixels per inch (ppi). The 11-inch model achieves a maximum brightness of 500 nits for standard dynamic range (SDR), while the 13-inch variant reaches 600 nits. These specifications have not changed from the previous iteration.

      The only variation in size and weight between the past and current iPad Air is that the 11-inch model for 2024 weighs 1.01 pounds, slightly lighter than the previous year's model at 1.02 pounds. Both 13-inch models weigh consistently at 1.36 pounds. The dimensions remain unchanged across the board.

      **iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): Performance**

      A notable distinction exists between the iPad Air (2025) and the iPad Air (2024). The 2025 version is powered by an M3 chipset, unlike the M2 chipset found in the 2024 model.

      Interestingly, the M3 chip is not completely new; there are speculations that future iterations of the iPad Air could utilize the M4 chips, which are currently in use in the iPad Pro (2024). The M3