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Technerd108

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I have been really enjoying my iPad Air 5th gen and it is just about perfect. I would love just two things. Promotion and 128 gb storage. If they could add these two things the Air would be perfect.

I was really tempted to buy the iPad Pro. I know in October there should be an announcement on the potential for a new M2 iPad Pro but it should also possibly have a price increase. Anything near $849 and up is just way too costly for me. I use this iPad for content consumption and some light games and that is it. So even the current Pro is too much. I got my Air at a discount so the price difference with same discount applies to the pro is $217 and that just seems like a lot of money for a content consumption device. Practically half the cost of my M2 Air. The new Pro would be more than half.

I know every two years it seems we get updates to the Air line of tablets so in two years I think it would be reasonable to hope for Promotion and 128gb storage or do you think Promotion will always be reserved for “Pro” devices?
 

russell_314

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Feb 10, 2019
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I have been really enjoying my iPad Air 5th gen and it is just about perfect. I would love just two things. Promotion and 128 gb storage. If they could add these two things the Air would be perfect.

I was really tempted to buy the iPad Pro. I know in October there should be an announcement on the potential for a new M2 iPad Pro but it should also possibly have a price increase. Anything near $849 and up is just way too costly for me. I use this iPad for content consumption and some light games and that is it. So even the current Pro is too much. I got my Air at a discount so the price difference with same discount applies to the pro is $217 and that just seems like a lot of money for a content consumption device. Practically half the cost of my M2 Air. The new Pro would be more than half.

I know every two years it seems we get updates to the Air line of tablets so in two years I think it would be reasonable to hope for Promotion and 128gb storage or do you think Promotion will always be reserved for “Pro” devices?
I don’t think so anytime soon. If they add Promotion then what would be the difference between it and the iPad Pro other than Face ID? The Air is already in an awkward position where it’s almost as expensive as the Pro so I don’t think they will be adding more features that will drive the price up.

In five years maybe but by then the Pro will have ultra Promotion and you would be asking when will the Air get that.
 
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Digitalguy

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Apr 15, 2019
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I think promotion will come to the iPad mini next year... Apple knows that it would solve the jelly scroll issue and it's a way to give a reason to upgrade now that we know there will be no redesign (and not even M1). To the air 6 in 2024? Maybe, but since the mini will NOT get M1 (for reasons I have mentioned in other threads), the air does not need to "catch up" with the mini since it already has an advantage. But I wouldn't rule out the possibility either...
 

azentropy

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Jul 19, 2002
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Maybe after the 11” Pro gets a screen update, but right now it is a major differentiator.
For myself the $100 difference, since I need more than 64GB, is well worth it. For my parents who are fine with the base model the Air 5 it was better to save $200 or even save $300 at get them the Air 4 (which is what I did).
 

1BadManVan

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Dec 20, 2009
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It will be a tough sell for the pros if they start bringing in pro motion to the rest of the line up. I was surprised they brought the M1 chip to the air as it was, they could have just slapped in the A15 and people would have been fine with that.
 

Technerd108

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It will be a tough sell for the pros if they start bringing in pro motion to the rest of the line up. I was surprised they brought the M1 chip to the air as it was, they could have just slapped in the A15 and people would have been fine with that.
I completely agree but I am glad they did! M1 on an iPad is pretty sweet.
 

Dealmans

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Mar 12, 2022
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No it won't.

anyway value wise the pro is a no brainer, if you need more than 64gb which is a joke now, you have to go 256 which is $30AUD more than the base 11" pro.

128gb base
pro motion
4 stereo speakers
FID
Better camera
All for $200AUD more than 64gb air
 

Technerd108

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Oct 24, 2021
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No it won't.

anyway value wise the pro is a no brainer, if you need more than 64gb which is a joke now, you have to go 256 which is $30AUD more than the base 11" pro.

128gb base
pro motion
4 stereo speakers
FID
Better camera
All for $200AUD more than 64gb air
I agree but there are some of us that don't need much storage and just use the iPad as a content consumption device and don't want to spend over $800usd just to have those features.
 
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Dealmans

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I agree but there are some of us that don't need much storage and just use the iPad as a content consumption device and don't want to spend over $800usd just to have those features.
So do I that's why I want those extra features
pro motion = much nicer smoother scrolling
speakers = better sound
fid is easier, that TID on power button is horrible = backwards
all imo of course
 
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Technerd108

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Oct 24, 2021
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So do I that's why I want those extra features
pro motion = much nicer smoother scrolling
speakers = better sound
fid is easier, that TID on power button is horrible = backwards
all imo of course
I totally agree. On iPhone and iPad Promotion is a huge benefit.

The speakers on the Air seem to differ on each one. I had one that I returned and it was not very loud close to full volume and the one I just got is very loud at half volume. I would prefer quad speakers but as long as it sounds good and gets loud enough for me to hear all the content I am fine.

I just don't have the money to spend on a media consumption device because of Promotion or quad speakers/Face ID.

As far as Face ID or Touch ID I don't really care although the placement could be better.

I bought the iPad with student discount and got a $100 gift card making the total cost $449 vs $700 when discount applied to both. That is a pretty big difference.

My son has an iPad Pro and he does artwork on it and it is the perfect device and would never get him anything less than a Pro just for the Promotion.
 

Dealmans

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I totally agree. On iPhone and iPad Promotion is a huge benefit.

The speakers on the Air seem to differ on each one. I had one that I returned and it was not very loud close to full volume and the one I just got is very loud at half volume. I would prefer quad speakers but as long as it sounds good and gets loud enough for me to hear all the content I am fine.

I just don't have the money to spend on a media consumption device because of Promotion or quad speakers/Face ID.

As far as Face ID or Touch ID I don't really care although the placement could be better.

I bought the iPad with student discount and got a $100 gift card making the total cost $449 vs $700 when discount applied to both. That is a pretty big difference.

My son has an iPad Pro and he does artwork on it and it is the perfect device and would never get him anything less than a Pro just for the Promotion.
For $200-250 over 4-5 years which they will easily last is $50 a year or $1 a week

anyway re the thread title = no they won't, if you want pro motion should of got the 11", what would you do if they did put in the on air 6? take a huge loss on your air 5 and buy it, will be a way bigger loss than paying a few hundred and getting the 11" to start with.
 

Technerd108

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Oct 24, 2021
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For $200-250 over 4-5 years which they will easily last is $50 a year or $1 a week

anyway re the thread title = no they won't, if you want pro motion should of got the 11", what would you do if they did put in the on air 6? take a huge loss on your air 5 and buy it, will be a way bigger loss than paying a few hundred and getting the 11" to start with.
Of course I will get an air 6 in two years as that seems to be the refresh cycle for it. The Air 5 is new so two years is a good run for me. I won't take a huge loss because I got a discount and a gift card with no expiration date and I will sell my 5th gen as much as I can on a site like Swappa.

On the flip side you make a good point. If I could return the air and buy the Pro now it might be the better choice. I just wish I could find a better discount on it. Also it is just the point of spending that much money for a tablet.

I am still thinking on that one but you make a good point!
 

Dealmans

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Of course I will get an air 6 in two years as that seems to be the refresh cycle for it. The Air 5 is new so two years is a good run for me. I won't take a huge loss because I got a discount and a gift card with no expiration date and I will sell my 5th gen as much as I can on a site like Swappa.

On the flip side you make a good point. If I could return the air and buy the Pro now it might be the better choice. I just wish I could find a better discount on it. Also it is just the point of spending that much money for a tablet.

I am still thinking on that one but you make a good point!
Still cheaper than new iPhones lol

I got $70aud off mine but edu price is the same discount here.
I had a 12.9" M1 after the 2018 11" for 2 years, thought I would give it a go, great iPad but really missed the 11" so sold it a few months ago, I get much more use from the 11", got lucky after a year and only dropped $200 on it.
 
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FeliApple

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Apr 8, 2015
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So do I that's why I want those extra features
pro motion = much nicer smoother scrolling
speakers = better sound
fid is easier, that TID on power button is horrible = backwards
all imo of course
What the OP said is me! I got the 64GB iPad Air 5 as an upgrade to my iOS 12-impacted iPad Pro 9.7-inch (which I still have) and I just use it for content consumption.

Regarding ProMotion, yeah, it’s cool, I’ve never used it so I don’t know what I’m missing, so it doesn’t really bother me.

Like I said, I have the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. I don’t think I’ve ever used it’s speakers other than to try them, so it doesn’t affect me

Yeah, Touch ID isn’t ideal there, I agree, but I got used to it.

I don’t mean to outright disagree. I said that to explain why the difference really isn’t worth it to me. Fortunately, Apple includes both for people to decide according to their needs, I’ve been wanting to buy a full-screen iPad first since the iPad Pro 2018 launched, and secondly since Apple forced my 9.7-inch iPad Pro to iOS 12 and crippled its battery life. For my usage, the Air is more than enough. Hopefully it’ll be on iPadOS 15 forever, so hopefully it remains perfect for a long time!

I can see how the differences can be appealing, though. I see what you mean.
 

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 24, 2021
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What about a refurbished M1 iPad Pro after the M2s are announced?
Not a bad idea and something to consider. If I can get one close to what I paid for the Air I might but then I might lose the $100 gift card I got so I am not sure. The only feature that I want is Promotion and after a little time on the air I get used to it.
 
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