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The iPad Air has a good rep here at Mark Ellis Reviews. In general, the Airs are affordable and effective for everyday users.
But now the latest model, the 2024 iPad Air, is here, you may be wondering whether it’s worth the upgrade from its predecessor. You might even be debating whether you should buy the M2 Air over a MacBook (but that’s an article for another day).
Before the actual release of the iPad Air 6, we wrote an article comparing it to the 2022 model, but now we’ve got all the info, here’s a much better guide that will help you make your decision between the two models.
In this article, we will help you decide whether you should buy the iPad Air 2022 or the 2024. So let’s get started.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: Expanded Display Options
One of the most significant changes in the 2024 iPad Air is the introduction of a larger display option, making it more similar to the iPad Pro. The M2 is the first iPad Air to offer a larger display choice.
While the 2022 model was limited to a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina screen, the new generation offers a choice between the familiar 11-inch size and a larger 13-inch variant.
This expanded screen real estate is ideal for gamers and artists. Or just those who love a big screen.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: M1 or M2 Chip
The iPad Air 5 is a model used frequently by artists and was a huge leap from its predecessors, powered by the M1 chip.
It has an Apple Silicon processor and 8 GB RAM, which has brought it closer to some iPad Pro models. It can even be future-proofed by upgrading the storage to 256 GB (essential for an artist).
But 2024 is a significant upgrade for those serious about digital design and gaming.
Under the hood, the 2024 iPad Air has received a significant performance boost courtesy of Apple’s latest M2 chip.
Replacing the M1 found in the Air 5, the M2 is meant to enable up to 50% faster processing power and a 25% increase in graphics performance.
This is meant to translate to snappier multitasking, smoother animations, and the ability to tackle more demanding tasks.
Digital artists like Samantha Wilkins have said very positive things about the M2 Air, claiming that ‘the difference in responsiveness and rendering speed is immediately noticeable’ when it comes to her illustration work.
So if you’re buying the Air to perform heavy visual related tasks, the 2024 is for you.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: Apple Pencil
Another notable difference in the 2024 iPad Air is its compatibility with the new Apple Pencil Pro, along with the older models.
This means users can take advantage of the Pencil Pro’s advanced features, such as haptic feedback and pressure sensitivity, which is great for artists using Procreate Dreams.
If you’re interested in a 2022 Air iPad you won’t be able to use the new Pro, despite it being the same price as the Apple Pencil 2. So that might factor into your decision making.
We’ve written about the different Apple Pencils here if you want to learn more about them specifically.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: Camera and Audio
The 2024 iPad Air has repositioned the front-facing camera. Instead of being located at the top bezel, as in the 2022 model, the new tablet features a 12MP ultra-wide camera situated on the side bezel. This is the same for the Pro model.
This landscape-oriented placement aims to create a more natural and flattering angle, as the camera will now be aligned with your line of sight when holding the iPad in a horizontal position.
However, the actual camera on the iPad 2022 is exactly the same as the 2024 model: 4k and a 12MP wide camera. Furthermore, both devices have the same two microphones and landscape stereo speakers.
So, apart from the centred camera, the 2024 iPad Air is pretty much the same as the 2022 model in terms of camera and audio.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: Storage
The 2024 iPad Air also offers a significant storage upgrade, with the base model now starting at 128GB – double the 64GB of the 2022 version.
Additionally, users have the option to configure their tablets with up to 1TB of storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, videos, and other media.
This is one of the more compelling enhancements between the two Air models, more so for creative professionals and serious gamers. For general users, it shouldn’t make much of a difference in your purchase/ upgrade decisions.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: Connectivity
The 2024 iPad Air has improved connectivity features compared to its 2022 alternate, including support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. These upgrades translate to faster wireless speeds, more stable connections, and lower power consumption – which is ideal for when you’re on the go.
This should create a noticeable difference in download speeds also.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: Pricing
When it comes to pricing, the 2024 iPad Air starts at $599/ £599 for the 11-inch model and $799/ £799 for the 13-inch variant, on the Apple website.
The 2022 model starts at around £519 on Amazon or $599 at BestBuy.
So in terms of price, if you are interested in the 11’ screen, you should buy the 2024 iPad Air over the 2022.
iPad Air 2022 vs 2024: Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision to choose between the 2022 and 2024 iPad Air models will come down to your individual needs and preferences.
If you’re content with the 10.9-inch display and don’t require the latest processing power, the 2022 iPad Air is fine, but you might as well buy the 2024 smaller display version.
For the everyday user, if you already have the 2022 Air and are reading this article to decide whether to upgrade, the differences between the Air 5 and Air 6 aren’t all that significant unless you want a larger display.
If you’re looking to future-proof your tablet experience, the 2024 model’s larger display, M2 chip, and enhanced accessory support could be well worth the additional investment. Also, the 2024 is meant to be a more environmentally friendly option because it’s made of recycled material (if that sways you).
Whichever you choose, the iPad Air in general is a good choice for users, especially those on a budget. So you can’t really go wrong.
(However, digital artists should definitely opt for a storage upgrade).
What do you think?
Let us know your thoughts down below!
