Apple on occasion surprises , and that ’s the case with the announcement of thenew iPad Air 2025 , whichcomes less than a year after the release of theiPad Air ( 2024 ) . So , what are the reasons to consider an acclivity ? Are there any ? Let ’s take a tightlipped look .
iPad Air (2025) vs iPad Air (2024): specs
Liquid Retina Display with 2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 ppi
13 - column inch :
Liquid Retina Display with a 2732 x 2048 resoluteness at 264 ppi
Liquid Retina Display with a 2360 x 1640 declaration at 264 ppi
Apple should supply at least five years of computer software update ( to iPadOS 23 )
8 - core CPU9 - essence GPU16 - core Neural Engine
ironware - speed beam tracing16 - pith Neural Engine100GB / s storage bandwidth8 GB RAM
Improved medium engine
8 - magnetic core CPU9 - heart and soul GPU
16 - core Neural Engine100GB / s memory bandwidth8 GB Aries
12MP Landscape Center Stage television camera ( front )
Up to nine hours of surfing the web using a cellular data web
iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): design and display
As you say this comparison , it will become clear that the iPad Air ( 2025 ) and iPad Air ( 2024 ) are remarkably alike . In fact , there is only one significant departure between them , and even that might not oblige iPad Air ( 2024 ) owners to swop . A more worthwhile equivalence might be between theiPad Air ( 2022 ) and iPad Air ( 2024 ) , where a few changes have been made , but not many .
The iPad Air ( 2025 ) is available in two sizes : 11 inches and 13 inch . Both model sport Liquid Retina displays with on-key Tone technology , P3 extensive colour support , and an anti - pensive coating . The solution is 264 pixels per inch ( ppi ) for both sizes . The 11 - inch model has a maximal brightness of 500 nit for standard dynamic range ( SDR ) , while the 13 - inch simulation offer a maximum brightness of 600 nits . These specifications remain unchanged from the late model .
There is only one difference in terms of sizing and weight between last class ’s and this year ’s iPad Air . The 11 - column inch fashion model in 2024 weighs 1.01 pound , while the premature class ’s example weigh 1.02 pound . The 13 - inch model , both this class and last , weigh the same at 1.36 pounds . Height , width , and profoundness remain the same throughout .
Winner : Tie
iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): performance
There is a significant dispute between the iPad Air ( 2025 ) and the iPad Air ( 2024 ) . The 2025 model include an M3 chipset , while the 2024 modeling has an M2 chipset .
Interestingly , the M3 chip is not only new ; rumors suggest that the 2025 iPad Air may eventually boast M4 microchip currently used in the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) . The M3 chip is also found in the MacBook Air ( 2024 ) . However , it has been follow by the M4 in the newer iMac and MacBook Pro models .
When comparing the iPad Air ( 2025 ) with the iPad Air ( 2024 ) , which features the M2 chip , there is n’t much of a difference in performance between the M3 Saratoga chip and the M2 cow chip when it comes to even workday undertaking . However , the M3 Saratoga chip works its trick with video editing and graphic invention , give up creatives to export clips and process design changes in the blink of an heart .
The Apple M3 silicon chip represent a notable advancement over the M2 , primarily due to its transition to a 3 - nanometer manufacturing outgrowth . This shift results in a higher transistor compactness , enhancing performance and improving power efficiency . Both chips feature 8 - core CPUs , but the M3 include architectural enhancement that leave to faster processing stop number . Specifically , the M3 shows advance in both single - burden and multi - core carrying into action .
Regarding art , specially for video games , the M3 also boasts upgrades with a fresh GPU architecture that bear out ironware - speed up ray trace , connection shading , and dynamic caching , resulting in higher-ranking graphical capabilities , take in gameplay more immersive and smoother for gamers .
With the transition to the M3 chip , the iPad Air ( 2025 ) sport ProRes encode and decode engine missing from the older model . It also include an AV1 decode .
ProRes is a eminent - quality video codec developed by Apple that ’s wide used in professional picture output . It ’s designed to balance image quality and single file size , realise it ideal for redaction and post - production workflows . ProRes is conceive a “ visually lossless ” codec , mean that while it compact video , the loss of mental image detail is generally imperceptible to the human eye .
Having a consecrate ProRes encode engine significantly speeds up the appendage of creating ProRes files , which is crucial in professional workflows where metre is of the essence .
Conversely , ProRes decode engines play back ProRes video file . They expeditiously decompress the ProRes data , allowing for smooth , real - sentence playback , even high - solving footage .
AV1 decode touch to converting TV data that has been compact using the AV1 ( AOMedia Video 1 ) codec back into a viewable telecasting current . AV1 is a New , royalty - liberal video coding formatting plan to deliver high - timber television at lower bitrates than older codecs . Thus , it can provide better picture quality while using less bandwidth . Efficient AV1 decoding is essential for smooth playback of AV1 videos , especially at high resolutions like 4 K and 8K.
achiever : iPad Air ( 2025 )
iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): cameras and battery
The iPad Air ( 2025 ) and the iPad Air ( 2024 ) both have a 12 - megapixel rearward camera and a 12 - megapixel Center - Stage front camera . to boot , they sport a landscape - oriented front camera . Similar camera specs will in all probability go to similar photo - taking experiences between the old and new tablets .
There has been no variety in stamp battery life and charging between last year ’s iPad Air and this year ’s model . The iPad Air ( 2025 ) delivers up to 10 60 minutes of web surfing on Wi - Fi or watch picture and up to 9 hours when using cellular data point , regardless of the tablet ’s size . you’re able to charge your equipment via USB‑C.
iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): software
The iPad Air ( 2024 ) was bring out in May 2024 and ab initio shipped with iPadOS 17 . WheniPadOS 18was free in September 2024 , the iPad Air ( 2024 ) began shipping with the updated version . The belated iPad Air will get along with the most recent translation of iPadOS 18 . user can expect at least five years of iPadOS updates for this gadget just like you would with the older model . In terms of software program , both pose supportApple Intelligence .
iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): availability and price
Apple elect not to raise the Mary Leontyne Price of the iPad Air this year . Like the previous example , this one get going at $ 599 for the 11 - inch Wi - Fi - only model and $ 799 for the 13 - inch model . Both sizes are available with 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB , or 1 TB of storage and 8 GB of RAM . The Modern pill is available now .
In time , you’re able to expect Price to neglect on the iPad Air ( 2024 ) as retailers begin clear their stock list . catch for nice discounts in the coming weeks and perhaps months .
iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2024): is it time to upgrade?
Apple last released two different multiplication of the same iPad in less than a year in 2012 . In March of that year , Apple announced the iPad 3 , which was retired following the launch of the iPad 4 in October . This fast conversion was primarily due to Apple ’s electric switch from 30 - pin to Lightning connecter .
A similar scenario has of late fall out with the transition between the iPad Air ( 2024 ) and the iPad Air ( 2025 ) , which features a newer chip .
Is upgrading from the iPad Air ( 2024 ) to the iPad Air ( 2025 ) just for a better crisp ? Probably not , unless you ’re an artist or video editor looking to advance from an previous example iPad Air so you could get your study done quicker than you are now . If you could find an iPad Air ( 2024 ) at a significant discount , it might be more economic to deposit with that role model rather than raise to the iPad Air ( 2025 ) .
Our conclusion : Apple likely had a surplus of M3 chips in store and chose to apply them in the newer iPad Air . However , there were no significant changes beyond the scrap upgrade .
For those go for for an M4 iPad Air this year , your best bet now is to seek to find an iPad Pro ( 2024 ) on sales agreement .
