2025 iPad Air: All the Rumors So Far

[iSayuSay]

ProMotion should already be on all iPad now. I mean come on, 120Hz isn't actually that high and most PC monitors even the cheapest one can already do at least 120Hz, it's not a "Pro" feature.

Yeah tandem OLED is a great display, Apple can keep it for the most expensive Pro models, there's now way around that, but 60Hz in 2024 is like using a laptop that still uses HDD. Just kill it already!

 

[nick9191]

I would be very surprised if it got an M3. They were a stopgap processor that was expensive to produce. I would expect either M4 or they keep M2 but give it a ProMotion screen similar to the last generation iPad Pro.

But with the next iPad Pro due to launch in late 2025, I would expect them just to hold off on updates to the Air until then. This way the Pro can receive M5 and remain a step ahead of the Air. Also, for obvious reasons, a refresh nearer to Christmas is desirable.

 

[Abstract]

This is one of the weakest rumours in awhile. Pulled from absolutely nowhere.

No product is going to get the M3 anymore. Not a chance.

 

[Le0M]

are there any rumors about iPad mini?

 

[dabi]

Disappointing rumors. iPad Air's value has always been pretty bad, it costs twice as much as the regular iPad, and really all you're getting is a faster chip and better pen support. A mediocre 60 Hz LCD without HDR in a $600 tablet is kinda insane. There are budget Android tablets with an OLED.

 

[snipr125]

Disappointing rumors. iPad Air's value has always been pretty bad, it costs twice as much as the regular iPad, and really all you're getting is a faster chip and better pen support. A mediocre 60 Hz LCD without HDR in a $600 tablet is kinda insane. There are budget Android tablets with an OLED.

Yes but the iPad Air M1 and M2 can fully use stage manager with extended display, which you cant do on the regular iPad. I agree with you on the 60 hz display, but those budget Android tablets have nowhere near the performance that the iPad Air has.

 

[klasma]

Yeah tandem OLED is a great display, Apple can keep it for the most expensive Pro models, there's now way around that, but 60Hz in 2024 is like using a laptop that still uses HDD.

You mean, like all their desktop displays, including the $5000 Pro Display XDR? I don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[klasma]

are there any rumors about iPad mini?

Yes: spec bump update before the end of the year.

 

[Kendo]

I feel like they’re really backed themselves into a corner with product differentiation. They can’t make it do much more because then it potentially becomes better value than the Pro, but the Pro is also prohibitively expensive and doesn’t do enough to justify the purchase over a cheaper pc for many.

A little part of me thinks that adding the pro line kind of killed (or at least stunted) what the iPad could’ve been, that magic piece of glass that everyone has around the house or in their bag that turns into different things depending on the need. It’s seems to be moving more towards the netbook, “a laptop but worse” direction.

I think you nailed it. I've upgraded my iPads regularly since the iPad 3 days (went from iPad 3 to iPad Air to iPad Air 2) because they created a magical product that was fairly affordable.

The iPad Air is still well priced at $600 but doesn't have ProMotion and the iPad Pro is too expensive at $1000 so I'm stuck buying no iPad and using my old 13th gen iPad that I got as a hand me down.

 

[Cwoods]

If the base iPhone 16 has an OLED display I don’t see why the iPad Air can’t.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I seriously doubt we’ll see an iPad Air refresh next year. Based on trends alone, we are looking at a two year refresh cycle for the iPad’s.

 

[crsh1976]

I doubt the Air or any other iPad will ever use the M3, it runs too hot and this is part of the reason the M4 made such an early appearance in the iPad Pro, skipping the M3 altogether.

The M2 is plenty for the midrange, it can go on for at least another year without an update.

 

[return2sendai]

Will iPadOS still be restricted on this new Air, even with an M series chip? With only the standard split screen and slideover functionality but no Stage Manager, etc.?

 

[kcwookie]

This is what I think too. Apple was not a fan of the M3 structure… so why would they bring it to a new product?

Just skip to M4

Because they needed a new refresh every five minutes to satisfy the people on this and other Mace website.

 

[snipr125]

Will iPadOS still be restricted on this new Air, even with an M series chip? With only the standard split screen and slideover functionality but no Stage Manager, etc.?

All iPad Airs with M chips have the same stage manager functionality as the Pros (extended desktop etc). I think the Air M2 does not support Pro Res RAW though for some stupid reason, even though the iPP M2 did using the exact same M2 chip.

 

[StuBeck]

I was looking at the new M4 Pros and M2 Airs but didn’t want to spend all that cash on the M4 Pro as I don’t do enough with it to justify the price when somebody suggested looking at the 2022 M2 Pro since I really like Face ID over Touch ID and wanted an M2 or better processor. I’m so glad they did because the 256 GB M2 iPad Pro can do Apple Intelligence, has Face ID has the same processor as the Air and cost less. I got it for $600 with shipping on eBay with most of its 2 year hardware warranty left.

I was a little nervous reading this announcement but thankfully a refreshed Air with an M3 doesn’t make me change my mind about that decision. If they added Face ID it might be a different deal.

I'm in the same boat. While touch ID is great for many, I know that the reason the Air doesn't have it is because there are people like me who have gotten so used to FaceID that using TouchID again is a no go. When I'm ready to upgrade, I'll probably get a used M2 Pro or see what the M4 Pros cost used or refurbed.

 

[dabi]

Yes but the iPad Air M1 and M2 can fully use stage manager with extended display, which you cant do on the regular iPad. I agree with you on the 60 hz display, but those budget Android tablets have nowhere near the performance that the iPad Air has.

Yeah, that's true, I guess for people who use iPads a bit more seriously then Air is worth it. But from a perspective of someone who uses a tablet only for watching stuff, reading, and social media apps there's nothing valuable there.

It's true that Android tablets are much slower compared to the iPads, but I think it's just interesting that OLED clearly isnt that expensive if fairly cheap Android tablets have them. Those OLED panels are probably a lot less expensive than a tandem panel from the iPad Pro, but I wish they could at least use a more basic OLED in Air that doesnt go as bright.

 

[MistrSynistr]

I totally don't notice promotion on my devices and I hate myself for it. I got an M4 Pro from an Air and aside from putting them side by side and noticing the blacks, KINDA, it's the same thing. The speakers on the M4 are pretty wack at half volume too, doesn't get as loud as the Air.

 

[iSayuSay]

You mean, like all their desktop displays, including the $5000 Pro Display XDR? I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Hence it was a bad buy even at the launch. MKBHD said it and I agree with him, both Apple displays are a bad deal, even more so at 2024.

Nowadays you can splurge away a 32" 4K OLED/QD-OLED monitor for less than $1500, which color accurate, 240Hz and gives you true black instead of "fake contrast" miniLED.

 

[return2sendai]

All iPad Airs with M chips have the same stage manager functionality as the Pros (extended desktop etc). I think the Air M2 does not support Pro Res RAW though for some stupid reason, even though the iPP M2 did using the exact same M2 chip.

Thanks for clarifying. I thought these features were limited to the Pros. I have an iPad Pro 12.9 M1 and was looking towards my next iPad Pro. But this (rumoured) iPad Air sounds just as good for a considerably lower price. Or am I missing something?

 

[snipr125]

Thanks for clarifying. I thought these features were limited to the Pros. I have an iPad Pro 12.9 M1 and was looking towards my next iPad Pro. But this (rumoured) iPad Air sounds just as good for a considerably lower price. Or am I missing something?

If you already have a iPP M1 12.9” then your pretty much sorted. You wont miss out on anything really, and the Mini LED screen you have is better than what will be in the next ipad air.

 

[Cam Elppa]

Why wouldn’t all Apple devices now how dual cameras so they can be compatible with special video for the Vision Pro… or are they relying on AI to be able to create spacial video from a single lense?

 

[Kay_Ess]

Why wouldn’t all Apple devices now how dual cameras so they can be compatible with special video for the Vision Pro… or are they relying on AI to be able to create spacial video from a single lense?

I’m sure you can think of lots of reasons as to why not and I’ll give you one more: sounds like a pretty Pro function 😉

Adding an extra camera that 99.99% wouldn’t use but would have to pay for to make videos for a ridiculously expensive gadget that they call Pro when they have an iPad Pro line, come on… 😝

 

[Geekett]

i wish the next iPad air will have a nano texture display option (I know it’s unlikely but just a wish since it can have a pencil pro, why not the nano display 🙄)

iPad air is quite expensive for what it is

 

[SactoGuy18]

If Apple is still producing the M3, it will go into the new iPad Air.