The iPad Air returns to its lowest price just in time for the holidays

iPad Air
(Image credit: Future/ iMore)

The new iPad (2022) is a nice device - it comes in loads of colors, and has some cool new features like a snazzy 10.9-inch screen, new aluminum shell, and USB-C charging. The iPad Air has all these things too - and is a whole lot more powerful. The normal $150 price difference makes this make sense, but with this $100 discount on the iPad Air at Amazon, the new $50 price difference starts to seem a little strange.

Update: availability of some colors is starting to run lower than others. Starlight (light gold) seems to be sold out and the purple model is still available, but won't arrive until after Christmas. All other colors are currently set to be delivered before Christmas though.  

Don't buy the new iPad - buy the iPad Air for $100 off

iPad Air |$599$499 at Amazon

iPad Air | $599 $499 at Amazon

This doesn't beat the lowest price we've seen on the iPad Air, but it does match it. That's a cool $100 off MSRP and brings the Air within striking distance of the iPad (2022). For the price, you'll get an extra powerful processor, a less hollow feeling tablet, and support for the second generation Apple Pencil.

The iPad Air is a serious slice of tablet. It gained the M1 chip from the iPad Pro to go with its stunning 10.9-inch screen, along with some clean colors and a decent camera upgrade. Usually, while it's worth the extra $150, we'd actually recommend going for the iPad (2022) - You'll save money, but get a very similar-looking tablet. With the current deal over at Amazon, however, the value proposition becomes a little different.

When the price difference is only $50, it becomes a whole lot easier to recommend the upgrade to the iPad Air. You'll get all the extra juicy performance to go with the side mounting Apple Pencil 2 storage - and you'll actually have a newer processor in the M1. At this price, we'd say it's a no-brainer.

If you're after one of the other iPads in the line, then you'll want to see the best iPad deals. If you get yourself an iPad Air, make sure you grab one of the best iPad Air cases.

Tammy Rogers
Senior Staff Writer

As iMore's Senior Staff writer, Tammy uses her background in audio and Masters in screenwriting to pen engaging product reviews and informative buying guides. The resident audiophile (or audio weirdo), she's got an eye for detail and a love of top-quality sound. Apple is her bread and butter, with attention on HomeKit and Apple iPhone and Mac hardware. You won't find her far away from a keyboard even outside of working at iMore – in her spare time, she spends her free time writing feature-length and TV screenplays. Also known to enjoy driving digital cars around virtual circuits, to varying degrees of success. Just don't ask her about AirPods Max - you probably won't like her answer.