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Wreckus

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 22, 2015
1,149
731
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Been about a day with my new iPad Air Gen 5 and I love it a hell of a lot more than the Samsung Tab S7 I had.

Out of the box, I was surprised how light it was and easier to handle than the Samsung tablet. Definitely lighter though IMO. Not going to comment about setup as I had an iPhone.

UI is very snappy and absolutely no slowdowns. Screen brightness is very good and I have no issues not having pro motion (120hz). Actually, the screen motion feels the same that I experience on my Tab S7. Battery life appears to be really good, 76% after about 3 hours use and the screen on a lot of the time.

Haven’t used it outside the home yet. So can’t comment on 5g performance. But it’s going to be really nice to read apple news on the bus online.

App wise, compared to Android, apps works much better with the OS, especially 1Password. I always had issues with Android when samsung UI wanted to use their apps over the apps I installed from Google play. Came to a point where I had to exit of the app, go into 1Password, find the password, copy, go back to the app I needed the password, paste, etc. With Apple, no problems using it within in the app. Love it. I really happy that I got all my movies I bought before on iTunes available on a tablet again.

Originally, I was planning to just buy a regular folio type case for now. However, after seeing the price of one and was planning to get a keyboard anyways later, I the Logitech Combo Touch and it was probably the best decision I did for my iPad. I love that I can detach the keyboard and the iPad Air 5 is still very light to hold and use with the case on. Expensive, but highly recommended, especially you are looking to get a keyboard for your iPad.

Overall, I love my iPad Air 5 and looking forward what Apple does with iPadOS in the future and glad I’m back using an iPad again.
 

Rafterman

Contributor
Apr 23, 2010
7,267
8,809
Been about a day with my new iPad Air Gen 5 and I love it a hell of a lot more than the Samsung Tab S7 I had.

Out of the box, I was surprised how light it was and easier to handle than the Samsung tablet. Definitely lighter though IMO. Not going to comment about setup as I had an iPhone.

UI is very snappy and absolutely no slowdowns. Screen brightness is very good and I have no issues not having pro motion (120hz). Actually, the screen motion feels the same that I experience on my Tab S7. Battery life appears to be really good, 76% after about 3 hours use and the screen on a lot of the time.

Haven’t used it outside the home yet. So can’t comment on 5g performance. But it’s going to be really nice to read apple news on the bus online.

App wise, compared to Android, apps works much better with the OS, especially 1Password. I always had issues with Android when samsung UI wanted to use their apps over the apps I installed from Google play. Came to a point where I had to exit of the app, go into 1Password, find the password, copy, go back to the app I needed the password, paste, etc. With Apple, no problems using it within in the app. Love it. I really happy that I got all my movies I bought before on iTunes available on a tablet again.

Originally, I was planning to just buy a regular folio type case for now. However, after seeing the price of one and was planning to get a keyboard anyways later, I the Logitech Combo Touch and it was probably the best decision I did for my iPad. I love that I can detach the keyboard and the iPad Air 5 is still very light to hold and use with the case on. Expensive, but highly recommended, especially you are looking to get a keyboard for your iPad.

Overall, I love my iPad Air 5 and looking forward what Apple does with iPadOS in the future and glad I’m back using an iPad again.

The Logitech Combo Touch is probably the best third party keyboard. Anyone who has ever had a Surface Pro is familair with the Combo Touch experience.
 

Wreckus

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 22, 2015
1,149
731
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The Logitech Combo Touch is probably the best third party keyboard. Anyone who has ever had a Surface Pro is familair with the Combo Touch experience.
Think your right as all the other ones had the keyboard part of the case and not detachable, which I really didn’t want to have. If I went with the case and keyboard separate, it wouldn’t been about 200 if get a good case (not a no name case for 50 bucks) and about 100 bucks for the Logitech keyboard made for mobile devices (phones and tablets). So figured I pay a bit extra and get what I want now. Glad I did.
 

mikedude86

macrumors regular
Sep 2, 2010
132
102
Just picked up a blue one today, love it but I feel like I can feel the back panel flexing when I hold it from anywhere but the absolute edges….was able to snag one at my local Apple Store but now they’re out, so kinda bummed I prob won’t get a fast replacement but headed to the Genius Bar tomorrow.
 

Wreckus

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 22, 2015
1,149
731
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Just picked up a blue one today, love it but I feel like I can feel the back panel flexing when I hold it from anywhere but the absolute edges….was able to snag one at my local Apple Store but now they’re out, so kinda bummed I prob won’t get a fast replacement but headed to the Genius Bar tomorrow.
I pressed on the apple logo on the back of my tablet before I placed it in the case and it felt solid, like the rest of the tablet.
 
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mikedude86

macrumors regular
Sep 2, 2010
132
102
I pressed on the apple logo on the back of my tablet before I placed it in the case and it felt solid, like the rest of the tablet.

Yeah I figured it wasn’t normal, I can hear it too. Such a pain but I’m sure eventually I’ll get a good one. Currently debating if I should snag a MK while they’re on sale, Amazon has me 20% off and Best Buy will price match.
 

Wreckus

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 22, 2015
1,149
731
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Yeah I figured it wasn’t normal, I can hear it too. Such a pain but I’m sure eventually I’ll get a good one. Currently debating if I should snag a MK while they’re on sale, Amazon has me 20% off and Best Buy will price match.
That stinks but I heard the aluminum shell is a bit thinner than the iPad Air 4. They should’ve had a sheet or something between the shell and the battery, etc to prevent this. Or, just get the shell the same thickness.

Guess I’m one of the lucky ones this time around but glad I got it in a good case.
 
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James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Oct 13, 2011
2,068
1,710
Just picked up a blue one today, love it but I feel like I can feel the back panel flexing when I hold it from anywhere but the absolute edges….was able to snag one at my local Apple Store but now they’re out, so kinda bummed I prob won’t get a fast replacement but headed to the Genius Bar tomorrow.
A few reviewers are saying the same, that the back plate feels thinner than the Air 4… most likely a cost cutting exercise or then being rushed out the door.
 

Dealmans

Suspended
Mar 12, 2022
1,405
1,213
Been about a day with my new iPad Air Gen 5 and I love it a hell of a lot more than the Samsung Tab S7 I had.

Out of the box, I was surprised how light it was and easier to handle than the Samsung tablet. Definitely lighter though IMO. Not going to comment about setup as I had an iPhone.

UI is very snappy and absolutely no slowdowns. Screen brightness is very good and I have no issues not having pro motion (120hz). Actually, the screen motion feels the same that I experience on my Tab S7. Battery life appears to be really good, 76% after about 3 hours use and the screen on a lot of the time.

Haven’t used it outside the home yet. So can’t comment on 5g performance. But it’s going to be really nice to read apple news on the bus online.

App wise, compared to Android, apps works much better with the OS, especially 1Password. I always had issues with Android when samsung UI wanted to use their apps over the apps I installed from Google play. Came to a point where I had to exit of the app, go into 1Password, find the password, copy, go back to the app I needed the password, paste, etc. With Apple, no problems using it within in the app. Love it. I really happy that I got all my movies I bought before on iTunes available on a tablet again.

Originally, I was planning to just buy a regular folio type case for now. However, after seeing the price of one and was planning to get a keyboard anyways later, I the Logitech Combo Touch and it was probably the best decision I did for my iPad. I love that I can detach the keyboard and the iPad Air 5 is still very light to hold and use with the case on. Expensive, but highly recommended, especially you are looking to get a keyboard for your iPad.

Overall, I love my iPad Air 5 and looking forward what Apple does with iPadOS in the future and glad I’m back using an iPad again.
Hope you got the Logitech of Amazon? on sale now.
 

mikedude86

macrumors regular
Sep 2, 2010
132
102
Since, for now I am living with it, I ended up going the Smart Keyboard folio route since Best Buy and Amazon have them for $50 off now. I’ve had a few Magic Keyboards, they‘re great, but so much weight, for now the keyboard folio is a welcomed change.
 
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Jsaltz

macrumors newbie
Jan 31, 2022
23
15
Been about a day with my new iPad Air Gen 5 and I love it a hell of a lot more than the Samsung Tab S7 I had.

Out of the box, I was surprised how light it was and easier to handle than the Samsung tablet. Definitely lighter though IMO. Not going to comment about setup as I had an iPhone.

UI is very snappy and absolutely no slowdowns. Screen brightness is very good and I have no issues not having pro motion (120hz). Actually, the screen motion feels the same that I experience on my Tab S7. Battery life appears to be really good, 76% after about 3 hours use and the screen on a lot of the time.

Haven’t used it outside the home yet. So can’t comment on 5g performance. But it’s going to be really nice to read apple news on the bus online.

App wise, compared to Android, apps works much better with the OS, especially 1Password. I always had issues with Android when samsung UI wanted to use their apps over the apps I installed from Google play. Came to a point where I had to exit of the app, go into 1Password, find the password, copy, go back to the app I needed the password, paste, etc. With Apple, no problems using it within in the app. Love it. I really happy that I got all my movies I bought before on iTunes available on a tablet again.

Originally, I was planning to just buy a regular folio type case for now. However, after seeing the price of one and was planning to get a keyboard anyways later, I the Logitech Combo Touch and it was probably the best decision I did for my iPad. I love that I can detach the keyboard and the iPad Air 5 is still very light to hold and use with the case on. Expensive, but highly recommended, especially you are looking to get a keyboard for your iPad.

Overall, I love my iPad Air 5 and looking forward what Apple does with iPadOS in the future and glad I’m back using an iPad again.
I have an air 4. Air 5 doesn’t seem
Like a reason to upgrade for
Me. If it had OLED screen then yes. Air 6 should have OLED
 

mnsportsgeek

macrumors 601
Feb 24, 2009
4,438
6,934
anyone else see the screen on their iPad deforming when the apply slight force to the back of the iPad? Like the deformation you get when you press too hard on the screen?
 

BKGolden

macrumors newbie
Sep 26, 2021
15
40
anyone else see the screen on their iPad deforming when the apply slight force to the back of the iPad? Like the deformation you get when you press too hard on the screen?
As with my ipad air 4, you will deform the ipad air 5's screen if you apply enough pressure to the back. Through normal use, I see no screen deformations or any sort of creaking noises on my purple ipad air 5. I think those people on the apple and ipad subreddits are either lying jumping on the hate wagon for Apple or are poking, prodding flexing the ipad well outside normal use. Plus, throw a case on it and eliminate all the "problems." I do think some people are experiencing genuine problems like creaking and deformations under normal use, but they should just return/replace their ipads.
I'm surprised no one has run to a dark closet to check for backlight bleed yet. That was a "problem" when the ipad air 4 was released.
 
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mnsportsgeek

macrumors 601
Feb 24, 2009
4,438
6,934
As with my ipad air 4, you will deform the ipad air 5's screen if you apply enough pressure to the back. Through normal use, I see no screen deformations or any sort of creaking noises on my purple ipad air 5. I think those people on the apple and ipad subreddits are either lying jumping on the hate wagon for Apple or are poking, prodding flexing the ipad well outside normal use. Plus, throw a case on it and eliminate all the "problems." I do think some people are experiencing genuine problems like creaking and deformations under normal use, but they should just return/replace their ipads.
I'm surprised no one has run to a dark closet to check for backlight bleed yet. That was a "problem" when the ipad air 4 was released.

Mine doesn’t creak or feel brittle, but I just wanted to make sure the screen flexing was normal. Obviously I’ll stop doing it on purpose now.
 
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DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
863
942
Creeking sounds like a feature exclusive to Air 5 just like jelly roll is on the mini 6.
 

Fishels

macrumors 6502
Feb 25, 2015
260
67
I have an air 4. Air 5 doesn’t seem
Like a reason to upgrade for
Me. If it had OLED screen then yes. Air 6 should have OLED
Is OLED realistic? That would be a dream to me as all other devices I use except my IPad are oled.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,919
13,261
Is OLED realistic? That would be a dream to me as all other devices I use except my IPad are oled.

Depends on what screens the next Pro 11 gets and when the Air 6 is released. I kinda don't think it's too likely at this point. Maybe the Air 7.
 

Theryesider

macrumors member
Jan 12, 2020
97
47
Glasgow
Bought the blue iPad Air 5 and thought go the whole hog with the folio and the c to usb connector for downloading pictures from my camera.
Thought the folio I would only use when out and about, but it’s that’s unobtrusive have just left it on.
The c to usb is nearly half the price of the lightning to usb, can anybody explain or enlighten?
Ps lightning to usb for sale:)
 

BKGolden

macrumors newbie
Sep 26, 2021
15
40
As with my ipad air 4, you will deform the ipad air 5's screen if you apply enough pressure to the back. Through normal use, I see no screen deformations or any sort of creaking noises on my purple ipad air 5. I think those people on the apple and ipad subreddits are either lying jumping on the hate wagon for Apple or are poking, prodding flexing the ipad well outside normal use. Plus, throw a case on it and eliminate all the "problems." I do think some people are experiencing genuine problems like creaking and deformations under normal use, but they should just return/replace their ipads.
I'm surprised no one has run to a dark closet to check for backlight bleed yet. That was a "problem" when the ipad air 4 was released.
EDIT: welp, my purple does creak a little so I returned and got a space grey that does not creak.
 
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