iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad Air 2024 Buyer's Guide: 19 Differences Compared

Apple's new iPad Airs arrive almost a year and a half after the previous models, offering almost 20 changes and upgrades.

2022 iPad Air vs 2024 iPad Air Feature
The 2022 iPad Air was a minor upgrade that added features such as the M1 chip and a 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera with Center Stage. The 2024 refresh is more substantial, headlining with a larger size option for the first time, bringing it in line with devices like the iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, which are available in two sizes.

The ‌2022 ‌iPad Air‌ models have now been discontinued by Apple, but they may still be found refurbished and with third-party resellers for lower prices. As such, some customers may be weighing up whether to buy the 2022 ‌‌iPad Air‌ or the new 2024 models.

The ‌iPad‌ Airs from 2022 and 2024 share most of their key features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the older model to save money? This breakdown also serves as a way to clearly see all the differences that the new ‌‌iPad Air‌ brings to the table.

‌iPad Air‌ (2022) ‌iPad Air‌ (2024)
10.9-inch display 11- or 13-inch display
‌M1‌ chip (5nm, N5) M2 chip (5nm enhanced, N5P)
3.2GHz CPU clock speed 3.49GHz CPU clock speed
8-core GPU 9-core GPU
68.25GB/s memory bandwidth 100GB/s memory bandwidth
Neural Engine 40% faster Neural Engine
Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
Video decode engine Higher-bandwidth video decode engine
ProRes encode and decode engine
Image signal processor (ISP) "New" image signal processor (ISP)
Smart HDR 3 Smart HDR 4
12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
Physical SIM card slot eSIM only
Apple Pencil hover
Supports ‌Apple Pencil‌ (USB-C) and ‌Apple Pencil‌ (2nd generation) Supports ‌Apple Pencil‌ (USB-C) and ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro
Supports Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad‌ and Smart Keyboard Folio Supports Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad‌
64GB or 256GB storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue

The most important part of the new ‌iPad Air‌ is the larger display size option, which provides a way for customers who don't need features like ProMotion and a LiDAR scanner to obtain a bigger screen that's better for productivity and content consumption at a lower price point. Beyond this larger new model, the ‌M2‌ chip, ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover and ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro support, and landscape front-facing camera are valuable improvements. That being said, it is certainly not essential to upgrade from the previous model to the new ‌iPad Air‌. Unless you have an entry-level ‌iPad‌ or an ‌iPad Air‌ from before 2020, or explicitly want a 13-inch model, it is likely not worth upgrading.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

Domen151 Avatar
11 months ago
The display is actually still 10.9, they just decided to call it 11-inch this time (and 13 one is 12.9). Check out the tech specs on Apple’s website ?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dustin_ Avatar
11 months ago
Arguably the most important part of this update is the increased base storage. Otherwise all the chip upgrades remain hampered by iPad os.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApplesAreSweet&Sour Avatar
11 months ago

Arguably the most important part of this update is the increased base storage. Otherwise all the chip upgrades remain hampered by iPad os.
Being excited about an additional 64GB of internal storage is one of the most pathetic parts of being in the Apple ecosystem.

The 2020 iPad Air should have offered these new storage tiers.

Apple has got us bad!

Oh, well, at least it's there now and for future refreshes. And no price increase despite the better storage tiers, just like we saw when iPhones 13 jumped to 128GB.

I also did not expect Apple to ditch 2nd Gen. Pencil and give the Air Pencil Pro compatibility.

But considering all the new tech that's making wireless charging and the landscape-oriented front-facing camera possible, it does make sense that 2nd Gen. Pencil couldn't work with this generation.

I'm impressed overall with the new line-up. They made iPad Air great again.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
11 months ago
A nice upgrade if you're in the market for an ipad. The Air basically is the iPad Apple would make if it were the only one.

Very versatile, especially that it supports latest Apple Pencil and the original magic keyboard folio.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
daneoni Avatar
11 months ago
Don't think its too much to ask for 90hz ProMotion if you're splurging for the 13" model.

But what do i know.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SatanGirl Avatar
11 months ago
The most important part of the new ‌iPad Air‌ is price. Where is it?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)