Not every tablet needs to be a full blown Pro. But it also shouldn’t feel slow, outdated, or compromised after a year or two. That’s exactly where the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) fits in.
Launched in early 2022, the iPad Air 5 shook things up by bringing Apple’s M1 chip into a slim, lightweight, and relatively affordable tablet. At the time, that felt wild. Fast forward to today, and the question is simple: does it still hold up?
Pros – Cons and Verdict
Pros
- M1-level performance with excellent longevity
- Premium design and lightweight build
- Excellent display and speakers
- Strong accessory and app ecosystem
Cons
- No 120Hz refresh rate
- Base storage is limited
- Accessories are expensive
Verdict
If you’re looking for a lightweight tablet that doesn’t feel compromised and will stay fast for years, the iPad Air 5 still earns a strong recommendation.
Design & Build Quality
The iPad Air 5 uses the same flat edge design language as the iPad Pro lineup. Clean lines, symmetrical bezels, and a solid aluminum unibody that feels premium the moment you pick it up. No creaks. No flex. Just classic Apple build quality.
Touch ID lives in the power button at the top, and it works fast and reliably. Honestly, for a tablet, this setup makes more sense than Face ID. You unlock it naturally when you grab the device, no awkward angles required.
It’s thin, light, and easy to carry around all day. Toss it in a backpack, hold it one handed while reading, or use it on a desk with a keyboard. The form factor just works.
Apple also offered it in multiple colors, which helps the Air stand out a bit from the more serious looking Pro models.
Display Quality & Viewing Experience
Up front, you get a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It’s sharp, bright, and color accurate.
This isn’t an OLED panel, and it doesn’t have a 120Hz refresh rate. On paper, that sounds like a compromise. In real use, it rarely feels like one.
Text looks crisp. Photos and videos look vibrant. Apple’s color tuning is excellent, and True Tone makes long reading sessions easier on the eyes. Whether you’re watching YouTube, browsing the web, editing photos, or reading PDFs, the display holds up beautifully.
Yes, scrolling isn’t as buttery smooth as on an iPad Pro. But unless you’re switching between them constantly, you’ll adapt within minutes. For most users, 60Hz here is perfectly fine.
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Performance – Apple M1 in a Tablet
The iPad Air 5 runs on Apple’s M1 chip, the same silicon that powered MacBooks and iPad Pros. That means serious performance headroom.
Apps launch instantly. Multitasking is smooth. Heavy photo editing, 4K video playback, graphic design apps, and even demanding games run without breaking a sweat. There’s no lag, no stutter, and no feeling that the tablet is struggling.
What really stands out is consistency. Even after long sessions, performance stays stable. The tablet doesn’t get uncomfortably warm, and battery drain remains predictable.
Is the M1 overkill for a tablet? For casual users, yes. But that’s also the point. This device is built to last. Years down the line, when iPadOS gets heavier and apps demand more power, the iPad Air 5 will still feel fast.
Software Experience – iPadOS
iPadOS brings features like Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager, especially useful on an M1-powered device. Multitasking feels more natural here than on older iPads, and switching between apps is smooth and intuitive.
The App Store ecosystem remains a big strength. From note taking apps to professional creative tools, there’s a massive library optimized for the iPad’s screen and performance.
That said, iPadOS still has limits. File management isn’t macOS level, and some desktop class workflows feel restricted. This isn’t a laptop replacement for everyone. But for students, creators, and everyday productivity, it’s more than capable.
Camera Performance (Front & Rear)
The 12MP rear camera is reliable in good lighting. It’s great for scanning documents, quick photos, and recording video when needed. You won’t replace your phone with it, but it gets the job done.
The real star is the front camera. It’s a 12MP ultra wide sensor with Center Stage. During video calls, the camera automatically keeps you in frame as you move around. For Zoom meetings, online classes, and FaceTime calls, this feature is genuinely useful.
The image quality is clear, sharp, and far better than most laptop webcams.
Battery Life & Charging
Apple rates the iPad Air 5 for all-day battery life, and that holds true.
You can expect around a full day of mixed use. Browsing, streaming, note-taking, and video calls won’t drain it too quickly. Even with heavier tasks, it comfortably lasts through a work or school day.
Charging happens via USB-C, which is convenient and future friendly. You can use the same charger for multiple devices, and accessory compatibility is better than ever.
Charging speed isn’t blazing fast, but it’s consistent and reliable.
Audio Quality & Multimedia
The iPad Air 5 has dual stereo speakers in landscape orientation, and they sound good.
Audio is loud, clear, and balanced. Dialogue is easy to understand, and music doesn’t feel flat. Watching movies, playing games, or attending video calls feels immersive enough without headphones.
For a tablet this thin, the sound quality is impressive.
Accessories & Ecosystem
It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which magnetically attaches and charges on the side. For students, artists, and note-takers, this is a huge plus. Writing feels natural, drawing is precise, and latency is practically nonexistent.
Keyboard support is also excellent. You can pair it with Apple’s Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard, turning it into a mini laptop. Typing feels comfortable, and the trackpad support in iPadOS is well implemented.
The downside? Accessories are expensive. Once you factor in a keyboard and Pencil, the total cost jumps significantly.
Connectivity & Storage Options
You get Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable wireless performance, plus an optional 5G cellular model for users who need connectivity on the go.
Storage options are limited to 64GB or 256GB. This is one of the iPad Air 5’s biggest weaknesses. The base 64GB fills up quickly if you install large apps, download media, or work with files.
If your budget allows, the 256GB model is the smarter long term choice.
Comparison With Other iPads
Compared to the standard iPad, the Air feels more premium, faster, and better suited for multitasking.
Against the iPad Pro, the Air lacks ProMotion and some advanced camera features, but performance is surprisingly close for most tasks.
Compared to the older iPad Air 4, the jump to M1 alone makes the Air 5 a meaningful upgrade.
It sits in a sweet spot between price and performance.
Who Should Buy the iPad Air 5?
This tablet makes sense for:
- Students who want power and portability
- Professionals who need a reliable secondary device
- Creators who draw, edit, or design on the go
- Anyone upgrading from an older iPad
If you want Pro level power without Pro level pricing, this is a strong option.
Final Verdict – Is the iPad Air 5 Still Worth It?
The iPad Air 5th Gen remains one of Apple’s best-balanced tablets. The M1 chip ensures long-term performance, the design feels modern, and the overall experience is polished and reliable.
It’s not the cheapest iPad, and it’s not the most powerful. But for most people, it’s the smartest choice in the lineup.