In case you didn't hear, Apple has released a brand new iPad Air model (finally) with an upgraded M2 chip, and the even better news is that it's actually pretty affordable, at least we think so, compared with the 2022 iPad Air 5 series. You can get the iPad Air (M2, 2024) model directly from Apple, and there are now two sizes to choose from this time around.
Let's talk prices. The usual 11-inch iPad Air model with 128GB of storage has a starting price of $599 / £599, and the larger 13-inch model can be had for $799 / £749. In comparison, the original retail price for the previous iPad Air 5th generation (11-inch) model started at $599 / £569. We think this is an excellent upgrade for near-to-no extra cost than its predecessor.
But what makes these latest iPad Air models any different from previous iterations? We'll go into more detail on this below, but the biggest selling point of the latest 6th gen iPad Air is the M2 chip, a powerful upgrade from the M1 chip offered with the iPad Air 5. If you're wanting to compare specs between other models, we have a handy guide to all of the iPad generations.
We think the 13-inch iPad Air would make for a superb iPad for drawing given the larger surface area, although it's worth noting that Apple's new iPad Pro (M4, 2024) has an Ultra Retina XDR display, which should certainly not be ignored if you require a top-spec iPad for design work. Don't forget to take a look at our Apple student discount guide too, for worthy savings on older models.
The best iPad Air (M2, 2024) prices
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
The redesigned iPad Air is available in 13-inches for the first time.
Stylus support: Apple Pencil Pro | Screen size: 11 and 13-inches | Resolution: 2360x1640 (11-inch) 2732x2048 (13-inch) at 264 ppi | Weight: 462g or 617g | Dimensions: 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm (11-inch) 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm (13-inch) | CPU: Apple M2 chip | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | Rear camera: 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 / 5X digital zoom | Front camera: 12MP Ultra Wide Landscape ƒ/2.4 | Video : 4K video recording at 24/25/30 or 60 fps | Colours: Starlight, Blue, Purple, Space Grey | Accessories : Apple Pencil Pro & Apple Pencil USB-C
Powerful M2 Chip
USB-C charging
New Ultra Wide landscape camera
The new iPad Pro M4 is lighter and thinner
Make what you will of the iPad Air specs above, but given the price, we think that these new models are a steal for creatives looking for a capable workstation without the need for pro-level power. The 13-inch display option is a great choice for creatives who like to stream content, and the advanced power for supporting AI tasks and boosted Wi-Fi is never a bad thing, not to mention support for the newly announced Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil USB-C too.
We don't often recommend that our readers dive straight into buying the latest Apple products, but in this case, it might be a no-brainer. Unless of course, you're hoping to save some money on the previous iPad Air generations – which have already taken a price cut at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. See our dedicated guide to the best iPad Air 5 prices for all the details on these deals.
From what we can gather without having actually reviewed the latest iPad Air yet, it seems that the M2 chip will be useful for any performance-heavy tasks, offering 50% faster performance than the M1 thanks to an upgraded CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. There's also the new landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, which has changed its position to feel more natural for video calls.
As a creative, you might be tempted by these exciting specs and features, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you need them. It's our job to help you find the best value for money when shopping for a new iPad that can still meet your work and lifestyle requirements. With that said, these are the best prices right now on the latest iPad Air models, but don't forget there's the option to shop for refurbished Apple tech too if you're looking for a top deal.
FAQS
Should I get the 11-inch or 13-inch model?
This is entirely up to you, but we advise that you go for the bigger display if you plan on using your new iPad Air as a drawing tablet or for other creative brief work. Sure, it's only a 2-inch difference, but you might kick yourself later if you don't invest in a larger surface area to work with.
With that said, if you plan to use your new iPad Air mainly for admin work, browsing the web, or keeping notes – then you can save yourself some money by opting for the 11-inch model instead if it's not truly essential for your work/life responsibilities.
