After years of waiting, the next set of iPads is almost here, and they look amazing. However, if their higher price points are putting you off upgrading one sale at Walmart makes a great argument for the last generation. 

The new iPad Pro 2024 and iPad Air 2024 are both excellent upgrades this year but their higher price points make them more of an investment. Now that the older 5th generation Air has been discontinued by Apple, many retailers are selling out of their stock of the older iPad Air model and, if you get there quick enough, you can take advantage with an excellent deal. For just $399, you can get a relatively recent iPad that still performs excellently now. I should know — it’s been my main tablet for the last six months. 

Lowest ever price

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

Though the iPad Air 2024 has better base storage, a new 13-inch model, and the M2 chip, these are the central differences between the old and new generation tablets. If you want something portable with enough power to run a video editor or some productivity apps, this is an excellent choice, especially at that price point. Given the iPad Air 6 starts at $599, this reduction makes for a $200 difference between the two tablets. That leaves just enough to get the Apple Pencil 2 or almost any of the best accessories for iPad Air 5 with the change. If you’re looking for an upgrade or want to buy an iPad for the first time, this is a great way to do so. 

While rumors swirl that a new iPad Air is going to be making its way to Apple store shelves at some point this year, the current model has just fallen to a new lowest price at Amazon.

There’s currently a $150 discount on the tablet, beating out the previous lowest by $50. Don’t let the encroaching reveal of new iPads put you off buying an Air at this price: That’s a lot of tablet for the money, and the next model probably won’t be a huge update.

iPad Air up to $250 off

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

There are supposed to be plenty of different iPads landing in the coming weeks and months — the iPad mini 7, the iPad Air 6, as well as new OLED iPad Pro models with M3 chips. That shouldn’t stop you from grabbing yourself a current model iPad Air at this drastically reduced price, however, with the M1 version giving you plenty of power without breaking the bank.

First off is that M1 chip in its core, powering the interface and some more resource-hungry apps with ease. The 10.9-inch screen on the front is plenty bright and colorful for everyday watching of the best Apple TV Plus movies, as well as some more artistic applications like ProCreate or Photoshop.

Connect it to a Magic Keyboard accessory and you’ve got a mini touchscreen laptop, one more portable than even the slimmest MacBook Air, yet powerful enough for light work tasks. Grab one of the best Bluetooth controllers and you can get started with the best Apple Arcade games as well. No, the iPad Air might not be the newest model, but at this price, it's a massive bargain.

Want more deals? There is just one day left of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, and we know the ten best deals you can find.

The iPad Air is still one of the best iPads that you can get your hands on, thanks to the incredible M1 chip. And now, thanks to Amazon Prime Day you can pick up the table with $100 taken off the full price. That makes it its lowest price ever – and one of the best early iPad Prime Day deals we've seen so far.

The iPad Air might not be the newest iPad, but it is still one of our favorites, especially if you like something with a larger screen but don't want to stretch your budget to the 11-inch iPad Pro.

iPad Air lowest price ever for Prime Day

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

The iPad Air is a powerful tablet, make no bones about it. It may be one of the older models now, but its M1 chip is still a very solid option if you want a more powerful device that doesn't cost as much as an iPad Pro. This deal is on all colors as well, so no matter the color of iPad you're looking for, you'll get a substantial saving.

This Prime Day, we're looking for the best Apple Prime Day deals. Whether you're looking for a new iPad or maybe even some AirPods, like the AirPods Pro 2 there is bound to be something for you this Prime Day.

Stay tuned to iMore throughout the event, as we'll be the best place to know when an Apple deal is live on Amazon or if competitors try to match the flash sale.

The iPad Air is still one of the best iPads that you can get your hands on, with loads of power on tap thanks to its M1 chip. It's also, now, at a more affordable price, thanks to this deal over at Amazon which sees $100 taken off the full price. That makes it its lowest price ever – and a better deal than the newest iPad 10th gen.

The iPad Air might not be the newest iPad, but it is still one of our favorites, especially if you like something with a larger screen, but don't want to stretch to the 11-inch iPad Pro.

iPad Air lowest price

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

The iPad Air is a powerful tablet, make no bones about it. It may be one of the older models now, but its M1 chip is still a very solid option if you want a more powerful device that doesn't cost as much as an iPad Pro. This deal is on all the colors as well, so no matter the color of iPad you're looking for, you'll get a substantial saving.

We have seen this price before, although it has a habit of going back up in price fairly quickly. This is a solid deal, and if you've been waiting for the perfect time to pounce on an iPad Air, then this could well be it.

The iPad Air was the first tablet to receive the current industrial design language of the current crop of iPads, and then it got the second round of laptop-grade M1 chips from the iPad Pro. The latter version of the iPad Air has just hit its lowest price ever on Amazon, with a $100 discount on the tablet. That's on all but one of the color options, mostly because the purple version is out of stock.

This price has been seen before, but it never seems to last for very long so if you're looking for an iPad Air, then now could be the time to grab one. This makes it only $30 more than the iPad Mini and $50 more than the iPad 10th gen, so it's a great deal.

Lowest ever price for iPad Air

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

The iPad Air remains not only one of the best iPads for students but also one of the best iPads period. Its super quick M1 processor keeps the tablet feeling speedy in use, while the 10.9-inch screen keeps everything looking shiny and high definition. It's not quite got the grunt of the most recent iPad Pro with M2, but it is still an excellent tablet for almost everyone who doesn't need one for professional work.

Remember to grab one of the best iPad Air cases when you get one, and you'll want to keep that big screen protected with one of the best iPad Air screen protectors. 

The iPad lineup is a little convoluted in 2022, and while all iPads are great, some are definitely easier to recommend than others, either because of features that aren't coming to them in the future, or just because they use the new Apple Pencil rather than the first generation one.

In our expert opinions, the iPad Air is more than enough machine for the vast majority of users, with an M1 chip inside that matches MacBooks and the iMac. That makes it powerful and efficient, while still being slim and light.

And, ahead of Cyber Monday, Amazon has cut $50 off of the MSRP which brings it down to $549.99 for Cyber Monday, putting the iPad Air just $100 above the iPad 2022.

Get the best iPad for less on Cyber Monday

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Walmart 

Sure, that’s not quite pocket change, but it does make the iPad Air with M1 about $100 more than the new tenth-generation iPad, but with vastly increased functionality.

It's thinner, lighter, faster, and supports the second-generation Apple Pencil so you won't have to use an adapter to charge your stylus, while also being perfectly sized for the Magic Keyboard attachment.

Naturally, though, the real draw is the M1 chip powering things. While the M2 will naturally outperform it, the iPad Pro that has the M2 is considerably more expensive. Thankfully, the M1 will get all iPadOS 16 features like Stage Manager, but will also still get external display support.

Now that Apple has made it clear that some iPadOS features are coming to M-series chips but not A-series ones, having an M1 iPad Air may lead to vastly increased options in the future. And, even if it doesn't, it's never a bad idea to future-proof your purchase.

In our review, we awarded the M1 iPad Air a 4-and-a-half star rating out of 5, noting that “the iPad Air 5 still stands on its own as a stellar tablet for anyone looking for power and performance without a "pro" price tag”.

Looking for even more iPad deals on Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday? iMore’s live blog is full of savings on Pro, Air, Mini, and standard iPads, including ninth and tenth-generation versions.

iPad (2022) vs. iPad Air 5 (2022): A very strange comparison

The iPad Air has seen its position in the overall Apple iPad lineup change over time. The first two models arrived as the only regular-sized Apple tablet on the market when Apple (temporarily, it turned out) retired the singular iPad name after four generations. Meanwhile, Apple placed the third iPad Air version, launched five years after its predecessor, between a (revived) singular iPad and iPad Pro, where it continued to sit in the lineup when both the iPad Air 4 (2020) and iPad Air 5 (2022) were released. 

When it comes to an iPad Air 5 vs. iPad (2021) comparison, you can quickly see the difference between the two. The former is superior, with better specs and a higher price. Replace the iPad (2021) with the new iPad (2022), and things get fuzzy. The new "budget" iPad is vastly different than its predecessor as it offers better specs and a fresh design. For this, you're expected to pay much more than the earlier version. 

Surprisingly, the iPad (2022) is nearly identical to the iPad Air 5 (2022). And although the iPad (2022) is much more expensive than the iPad (2021), it's much cheaper than the iPad Air 5 (2022).

Let's dig into the (few) differences between the iPad Air 5 (2022) and the latest iPad (2022). 

iPad Air 5 (2022) vs iPad (2022): More alike than different

As you can see above, the iPad Air 5 (2022) and iPad (2022) are nearly the same on most points. They both, for example, have a USB-C port and Smart Connector, and each offers Touch ID through a fingerprint identity sensor built into a top button. Both devices offer similar battery life, storage options, and rear camera system. 

The most crucial difference between the two iPads is that the iPad Air 5 (2022) contains an Apple M1 chip, while the iPad (2022) includes an A14 Bionic chip. The M1 offers an 8-core CPU with two performance and two efficiency cores, an 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 8GB RAM. The A14 Bionic chip, also available in the iPhone 12 series, comes with a 6-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, a 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. These differences mean the iPad Air 5 handles things like performance, multitasking, and graphics better than the iPad. Does this mean the iPad (2022) is somehow bad at handling all those things? Absolutely not, and for the average iPad user, it will probably mean very little. 

Other differences between the two tablets are more nuanced. For example, both tablets feature a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. And yet, the iPad Air 5 is the only one between the two with a fully laminated display with an anti-reflective coating. This means the tablet screen is better protected from the elements and will look better in bright conditions. The iPad Air 5 also offers a Wide color display (P3), which provides more vibrant greens and reds than the traditional sRGB color gamut that's found on the newer iPad.

Perhaps the most confusing difference between these tablets is that the iPad (2022) only supports the Apple Pencil (1st generation), while the iPad Air 5 is compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation). Apple's decision to only allow the iPad (2022) to support the first Apple Pencil is goofy and annoying at the same time.

On the one hand, the compatibility difference means anyone upgrading to the iPad (2022) can keep their existing Apple Pencil. And yet, those same folks won't be able to charge that Apple Pencil with the tablet since it comes with a USB-C, not a Lightning connector that the first Apple Pencil supports. And this says nothing about the technical advances the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) has over the older model that iPad (2022) users won't be able to appreciate.

There are two other perks iPad Air 5 buyers will get to experience. Of the two tablets, this is the only one that supports Stage Manager, which offers a new way to multitask. The more expensive tablet also includes a media engine, a fancy name for specialized cores within Apple Silicon (in this case, the M1). This engine is dedicated to processing digital media codecs, including hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, and video encoding/decoding.

The only other difference between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad (2022) are the color choices. The former comes in Space Gray, Starlight, pink, purple, and blue. The latter also comes in a pink and blue option, but the hues here are darker. The iPad (2022) is also available in silver and yellow.

iPad (2022) vs iPad Air 5 (2022) vs: Which should you buy?

You'll need to decide whether it's worth paying $150 extra for the extras the iPad Air 5 provides. If you're OK with paying more just because you want a better iPad, the iPad Air 5 is your choice. However, if money is a significant concern, understand that the new iPad for 2022 is a terrific device and not that much different than the iPad Air 5. 

The choice really comes down to whether you want better performance, multitasking, and graphics, which may or may not mean so much during everyday use. You'll also need to decide whether an ever-so-slightly better display is high on your list of priorities and whether you're okay with a first-generation Apple Pencil. 

The bottom line: For most folks, I would recommend the iPad (2022). If you're still not convinced, check out our list of the best iPads of the year. 

In the wake of Apple's brand new iPad announcements this week, customers in the UK and wider Europe are waking up to the shocking news that Apple has increased the price of some of its most popular iPads, the iPad mini, and the iPad Air, by an eye-watering amount. 

On Tuesday unveiled the new 2022 iPad Pro with M2 and a 10th-gen new iPad 2022, the former getting limited upgrades while the latter got a brand-new design, new chip, colors, and a bigger screen with an all-new design. 

However, Apple has also quietly raised the prices of the iPad Air and iPad mini in the UK and Europe by as much as £130. 

A huge increase

As noted by multiple users on Twitter, since the Apple store has come back online the scale of ailing currencies falling against the Dollar was laid bare. Apple's iPad mini in the UK now starts at a staggering £569 instead of its previous price of £479.

Likewise, the iPad Air is now a whopping £669 instead of £569. A 256GB storage model for both will set you back £749 and £849 respectively. 

These price increases have also been reflected in Europe, as noted by MacRumors. Customers in Italy and beyond can now expect to pay 659 euros for an iPad mini that yesterday cost 559 euros. 

As that report notes, India and other markets in Asia have seen hikes, including in Australia where the price of some current iPads has risen by 10%. 

The same unfortunate price increases also plagued Apple's new best iPhone launch in September, with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro both seeing big increases in Europe compared to the U.S.. State-side customers also appear to have dodged price increases on the iPad. 

Apple's new best iPads including the new 10th-generation iPad has turned some heads thanks to its cool new design and big upgrades. However its $449 asking price is a steep increase on the previous $329 model, which is still available for purchase. 

I've always been a big fan of the standard iPad, and the value it offers users at its price point always made it an excellent device to have on your coffee table, in your office, or traveling alongside you in a bag. 

As the lineup of iPads grew to include the iPad Pro and iPad Air, Apple's intention of having an iPad for everyone out there solidified. The iPad Pro is the best and most powerful, the iPad Air was powerful but missing key "pro" features, and the standard iPad was for the budget-conscious or people who need a larger screen to read, play games, watch movies, browse the web, or anything else. Today, though, Apple decided to burn that all to the ground and stop giving anyone a reason to buy the iPad Air.

The 10th-gen iPad stole everything good from the Air

Before today, when you compared the iPad Air to the standard iPad, the most significant things that stuck out were the design, the color options, the USB-C port, and the lack of a Home button. It was distinctly different from the iPad.

The 10th-gen new iPad 2022 now looks nearly identical to the iPad Air. Its updated design removes the Home button and puts its Touch ID sensor in the power button. The vibrant blue, pink, and yellow hues adorn the iPad (2022) and look fun, fresh, and less dreary than the slightly more muted tones of the iPad Air. The Lightning port has been swapped out for a USB-C port, meaning it now has access to better accessories, faster charging, and better data transfer speeds. This used to be the iPad Air's claim to fame, but now the iPad (2022) has it and is cheaper.

Don't forget the new iPad has some upgrades, too.

Along with the 10th-gen iPad's new design has come with a significant upgrade by changing the front-facing camera placement to be along the side instead of the top of the iPad. This will make voice chats with friends, family, and coworkers much better as you'll be looking toward the camera.

The new camera placement is only on the new iPad and not on iPad Air and iPad Pro don't have, including the new M2 iPad Pro that was just announced. A surprisingly odd choice for Apple, especially when both models launch on the same day.

The iPad Air's biggest redeeming feature

Most of you expect me to say the M1 chip that powers the iPad Air, but processors are often over-hyped. I have an iPad Air 5 and a 9th-gen iPad with the A13 Bionic in it, and I have used them both extensively. I rarely notice the difference in processing power when doing my day-to-day tasks, and most people won't.

You have to push the limits of the A13 to get it to chug, and the A14 in the 10th-gen iPad will be even a little better. Unless you need to do some serious computing on your iPad, I don't think the M1 in the iPad Air is that big of a deal.

So if not the chip, then what? The screen.

The 10th gen iPad still doesn't have a laminated display. That familiar hollow sound when tapping your iPad screen will still be there, and I was hoping the standard iPad would get rid of that with a redesign. Plus, the iPad Air 5 also has an anti-reflective coating, which does make it noticeably better to use in bright light. 

The iPad Air 6 better bring the heat

If Apple wants to keep the iPad Air around, the next iteration has got to offer a lot more. 

It's hard to imagine what that would be, considering it's already so close to the iPad Pro, but the $449 price point of the 10th-gen has taken the wind out of my love for the iPad Air.

I suppose now is the time to await the iPad Air 6 eagerly. 

Getting Sony PSP, Nintendo GameCube, and Wii games running on an iPad does mean jumping through some hoops — but if you do it, turns out the M1 iPad Air is the iPad you want to use.

We already knew that the M1 iPad Air was a powerhouse thanks to the use of super-speedy Apple silicon, but now a new YouTube video has shown just how well it handles games like a champ.

A YouTube video by ETA Prime shows an iPad Air running various emulation apps, all spinning up some of the best games of yesteryear. They include classic PSP titles like God of War: Chains of Olympus as well as GameCube title F-Zero GX. And while the apps used to get the games running are different, the results are the same — upscaled games running at breakneck speeds while connected to an Xbox controller via Bluetooth.

ETA Prime says that "the Apple iPad Air 5 runs GameCube Wii and PSP emulators better than any other tablet on the market right now," comparing the GPU and CPU performance with the best that Android has to offer. The iPad Air repeatedly comes out on top, making it a great buy for anyone wanting to play games they remember from their youth.

Not that the iPad Air is only good for emulation, of course. The M1 iPad Air will soon get iPadOS 16.1, adding Stage Manager and making the tablet a multitasking monster in the process. In many ways, the iPad Air is the best iPad for a whole bunch of people right now.

At least, for now. The new M2-powered iPad Pro tablets are expected to be announced within weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for them if you need even more performance than the M1 chip can muster.

The iPad Air 5 is a very versatile device. It's great for watching Netflix, typing up your assignments, or even gaming with your favorite games. However, the right accessories will make your iPad experience even better. 

In our iPad Air 5 review, we explained why it's one of the best iPads out there, with pro performance without the pro price tag. From styluses to keyboards and the best chargers, here are our favorite accessories for the iPad Air 5.

Quick List

Back to the top ^

Accessories make your iPad experience better

I've been using the iPad Air 5 since it launched, and while it's a beautiful and powerful device on its own, accessories always enhance the iPad experience. Keyboards are perfect for getting work done, game controllers make gaming feel buttery smooth, and cases are fantastic for transporting your shiny new iPad Air around. 

We know it's a tad on the expensive side, but when you use the Magic Keyboard for iPad, you start to realize it's just the ultimate keyboard experience brought to life in a way only Apple can achieve. Its biggest strength over other keyboard cases is the implementation of the touchpad, which just works so well in iPadOS that it feels like using a Mac.

It's hard not to suggest the Compass Pro from Twelve South when it comes to getting a stand for your iPad Air that does everything you need. It's pretty affordable, elegant, and quite compact, making it easy to carry around in your tech bag when you're traveling with your best iPad. Plus, that little kickstand is so nice for drawing or sketching, and it's so cleverly hidden in the design.