New iPad Air 5: what we want to see
With launch Fourth generation iPad Air in 2020So, we expect the next tablet in Apple’s mid-range iPad lineup to be the iPad Air 5, and it may appear in 2021.
The first three generations of iPad Air have a somewhat similar appearance, but the iPad Air 4 has introduced a comprehensive design overhaul to the series, effectively moving it from a larger entry-level iPad to an iPad Pro Lite effectively. The iPad Air 2020 was shelved with a modern design, generous processing power and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, but without some of the premium features that make iPad Pro the best tablet device.
So what can the iPad Air 5 bring? Another design update? Screen improvements? Extra camera? With no rumors surrounding the tablet, we don’t yet know what shape it will take. However, we can at least make a wishlist for what we would like the next generation of Apple tablets to look like.
This includes fixes for some iPad Air 4 vibrations, some new features missing from the current version, and a lot more.
Cut to hunt
- What is that? The next generation in the line of mid-range tablets from Apple
- How much will it cost? It’s likely around $ 599 / £ 579 / AU $ 899
- When will that be? Maybe late 2021 or 2022
IPad Air 5 release date and price
Apple generally doesn’t stick to an annual release schedule for its iPad Air line, but we can at least assume that a new model release won’t happen before October 2021, at least, a year after the iPad Air 4 launched.
However, the next iPad Air could be launched after this, so if you’re considering buying a new tablet now, the iPad Air 4 will be the latest model in this line for some time to come.
Price-wise, the iPad Air 4 costs $ 599 / £ 579 / AU $ 899 for a 64GB model, with prices higher for more storage or cellular. We can see the iPad Air 5 pricing in the same pitch.
What we want to see
Here’s what we want to see on the next iPad Air model.
Generous storage options
IPad Air 4 is available in two storage options: 64GB, which is unlikely to be enough for most users; And 256GB, which is a slightly higher price.
Most tablets come in 128GB, as they meet the needs of the majority well, and will work well with iCloud (or the cloud storage tool of choice) for those who need additional storage space.
We’d love to see the iPad Air 5 arrive at 128GB, with Apple dropping the 64GB option entirely. The latter may be a decent entry-level iPad Air supply, but it is unlikely to be sufficient for the types of power users who will invest in iPad Air.
Improved selfie camera
We had a problem with the iPad Air 4’s selfie camera – the 7MP unit, not great for video calls, taking selfies, or recording videos of yourself.
Bringing those numbers up to a 10 or 12MP unit will make the selfie camera even more useful. Even better is the inclusion of iPhone selfie technology.
More color options
We are excited to see Apple introduce the iPad Air 4 in a range of color options. In particular, we liked adding pastel shades.
We’d love to see more of the same with the iPad Air 5, with maybe some new color options as well. The iPhone XR And the IPhone 12 Available in some cool and vibrant colors, so let’s see it used more!
Battery that lasts longer
The iPad Air 4’s battery lasted about 10 hours of use. This is similar to what most iPads offer; 9-12 hours is the figure quoted for general use. If you use an iPad to watch movies in bed, or work in cafes from time to time, that’s perfectly acceptable.
However, if you are a creative iPad to shoot a movie, a businessman trying to work on a long drive, or a parent looking to entertain your kids on a long car ride, you might struggle to afford that amount.
We’d love to see the iPad Air 5 boost battery life, or at least include software enhancements that keep the device running for longer.
This is the most problem with iPadOS 14 And Apple’s software, not iPads, but it’s a welcome change.
One of the main features of IOS 14 Is the ability to create widgets based on your apps, and leave them on the Home screen for ease of use. On iPadOS, you can only add these widgets to a circle on the Home page, which makes them difficult to find if you have a lot of apps, and thus much less useful.
We’d love to see iPadOS 14 optimized so you can add widgets to your main menu wherever you want, not just in the same position.
The edges are thinner
The iPad Air 4 and iPad Pro designs don’t have the bulky bezels of the entry-level iPad and iPad Mini, but there are still chunky borders separating the screen from the edge of the tablet.
The thin bezel around the iPad Air 5 will provide an improvement over the design, making the tablet body size more appropriate to the screen size. This isn’t a deal-breaker order which is why it keeps it going, but subtle edges always look better – and that’s a wish list, after all.
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