New iPad Air Now Shipping From China Ahead of Announcement - MacRumors
Skip to Content

New iPad Air Now Shipping From China Ahead of Announcement

by

The next-generation iPad Air is now reportedly shipping to the United States and other countries in preparation for launch.

iPad Air 5
The rumor comes from the leaker known as "Instant Digital," who claims that manufacturers in China are now shipping the 2024 ‌iPad Air‌ in two sizes to overseas locations. "Everything is ready" for launch, the Weibo user says.

The sixth-generation ‌iPad Air‌ is rumored to feature the M2 chip, a redesigned rear camera, and specification upgrades like Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E. Most significantly, the ‌iPad Air‌ is expected to come in two sizes for the first time, just like the Apple Watch, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. One of the size options will be the same as the previous two generations at 10.9-inches, while the new addition to the lineup will apparently mirror the ‌iPad Pro‌'s 12.9-inch model.

Recent reports coming out of Asia suggest that Apple will announce new iPad models on Tuesday, March 26. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release new ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ models around the end of March or in April. The latest indications suggest that the new ‌iPad Pro‌ are now more likely to see a launch in April.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Tags: 2024 iPad Air, Instant Digital
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

astropad kit main feature

MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPad Air and Revamped Rock Paper Pencil Kit From Astropad

Friday September 4, 2026 10:41 am PDT by
For this week's giveaway, we've once again teamed up with Astropad to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an M4 iPad Air, an Apple Pencil Pro, and an Astropad Rock Paper Pencil kit to use with it. The $49.99 Rock Paper Pencil is a screen protector and Apple Pencil tip combo that makes writing on your iPad feel like writing on a piece of paper instead of a slippery glass display. It's a...
Read Full Article • 7 comments
m3 ipad air mint

iPad Air OLED Panel Orders Could Be Split With BOE in 2027

Tuesday August 11, 2026 4:36 am PDT by
BOE wants a share of the OLED supply chain for Apple's next iPad Air, aiming to land a secondary sourcing role behind primary supplier Samsung Display, according to a report from South Korea's The Elec. Sources cited by The Elec say the Chinese panel maker is building out its iPad Air OLED effort at its B12 fab in Chongqing, home to BOE's sixth-generation OLED production line, ahead of the...
Read Full Article • 14 comments
All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...
Read Full Article • 85 comments

Top Rated Comments

krspkbl Avatar
krspkbl
32 months ago
Are they still going to rip us off with 64GB base storage and have the only upgrade option be 256GB which is overkill for many people. Why not offer a 128GB version?

I like the iPad but the line up is a mess.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
X
xmarcuswildx
32 months ago

Are they still going to rip us off with 64GB base storage and have the only upgrade option be 256GB which is overkill for many people. Why not offer a 128GB version?

I like the iPad but the line up is a mess.
absolutely. The fact that Apple still thinking 64gb is acceptable is gross. I love Apple products but I cannot stand Tim Cook.

Also *cries in wanting an iPad mini 7*
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
abatabia
32 months ago
Software is what needs updating, not the hardware. So many bugs.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
abatabia
32 months ago

It seems like they just want to force you up to the next model. Ideally I want to buy a 128GB standard iPad but base Air is about the same. 64GB is a joke so I would need to go for 256GB which is too much. At that price I might as well just get a base iPad Pro 11" with 128GB.

Instead of spending £499 I'd spend £899. I want to buy one for my girlfriend whose iPad is getting really slow now but the price are insane. the iPad is her main device when not using a smartphone. Maybe it's time we look elsewhere. Maybe the Samsung tablets are worth buying or getting a cheap laptop (that doesn't include a MacBook Air).
At that price you might as well get her an M1 or even an M2 air. iPads are just too expensive and with the software limitations, not worth it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
krspkbl Avatar
krspkbl
32 months ago

I’d be amazed if they up it to 128.
It seems like they just want to force you up to the next model. Ideally I want to buy a 128GB standard iPad but base Air is about the same. 64GB is a joke so I would need to go for 256GB which is too much. At that price I might as well just get a base iPad Pro 11" with 128GB.

Instead of spending £499 I'd spend £899. I want to buy one for my girlfriend whose iPad is getting really slow now but the price are insane. the iPad is her main device when not using a smartphone. Maybe it's time we look elsewhere. Maybe the Samsung tablets are worth buying or getting a cheap laptop (that doesn't include a MacBook Air).
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
subjonas
32 months ago
I’m all for cheaper prices, but it’s so annoying when an article that has nothing to do with storage or price gets inundated with comments about storage price. It’s like people are just looking for any article even barely related to their qualm to serve as a platform to air their grievances. I wish at least there would be just one or two such comments and anyone who agrees would just “like” the comments rather than fill up the entire page of highest rated comments with differently worded versions of the same complaint (many times all rated by the other people making the same complaint).

Another over-encroaching ubiquitous complaint is macOS on iPad, but at least that complaint is about the product itself, therefore is of interest, and can be argued. Price complaints are the most boring of all complaints to me, because they say much more about the individual making the complaint than the product. And besides, price is the one thing we as consumers dictate the most directly with action because we vote with our dollar. If the product/configuration is popular and liked, then it validates the price. Then your qualm isn’t with Apple, but with fellow consumers or the free market system.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments