iPad Air is the destined-to-be-underrated Apple’s tablet lineup. Basically, the 7.9-inch iPad mini (2019), and its unique looks make it cool compared to the head-turning redesigned iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9.
previously we found it’s the iPad for those who want a little more with what the entry-level iPad 9.7 offers. It comes with a superior 10.5-inch display with litter bezels, a fast chipset that fits the power of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, and a higher-resolution front camera.
it,s large internal storage configurations, compatibility with an excellent Apple Smart Keyboard cover, and performance rate double those of the iPad 9.7.
It also works with the first-generation Apple Pencil, not the magnetic second-gen Pencil, with optional Smart Keyboard that doesn’t light up like the MacBook keyboard. which makes it hard to type in the dark.
iPad Air Display
- A 5-inch display with thinner bezels a nice upgrade over the 9.7-inch iPads
- The laminated screen creates a difference when drawing with the Apple Pencil.
Is the first iPad Air with a 10.5-inch Retina display and thinner bezels, a big upgrade over all of other Apple’s 9.7-inch non-Pro tablets in the past.
iPad Air Design
- Dated design, with a Touch ID and a headphone jack
- thinnest non-Pro iPad
- it comes with a silver, gold, and Space Gray colors.
It’s Apple’s thinnest non-Pro iPad at 6.1mm (the Pro is 5.9mm and the iPad 9.7 is 7.5mm), and also weighs just 1lb (456g).
The bottom of this iPad frame sticks with the traditional lightning port (newer Pros use USB-C).
Smart Keyboard (10.5-inch)
- Smart Keyboard easily connects without Bluetooth
- One-piece fabric design is a spill- and water-resistant
- No backlit keys make it hard to type in the dark
Apple’s Smart Keyboard compatibility is the reason to go for the iPad Air (2019) over the huge priced iPad 9.7, which only works with a Bluetooth keyboard.
Apple Pencil
- Uses the 1st Gen Apple Pencil, instead of the Pro-exclusive 2nd Gen
- Easy to lose due to its shape, and awkward to charge in the lightning port
- Still a great pressure sensitivity for drawing and taking notes
Every iPad that Apple sells now supports an Apple Pencil, which is the first iPad Air to be compatible with the pressure-sensitive program. Great news. But it only works with the first-generation Apple Pencil and Logitech Crayon.
That means it’s incompatible with Apple Pencil Gen 2, which launched alongside the iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9. You don’t get easy magnetic charging, the flat-sided design (Gen 1 is barrel-shaped and rolls away – constantly), automatic pairing, and gesture features like tap to wake the screen and double tap to switch tools.
Charging the Apple Pencil Gen 1 remains precarious, with its capped end containing a Lightning connector that plugs into the iPad Air.
Specs and performance of iPad Air
- Powerful A12 chipset found in iPhone XS and XS Max
- Doubles the performance of the cheaper iPad 9.7 (2018)
- 64GB and 256GB internal storage configurations
The real reason to buy the new iPad Air is the grunt hidden behind its colorful laminated display.
The base iPad Air configuration is 64GB, which is okay, and the top-line version is a much more acceptable 256GB version for extra cash. Sadly, there’s no 128GB option to meet everyone’s needs in the middle. Your choice depends on how many photos and videos you store on this iPad.
iOS 12 and Apps
- New markup tools and Screen Time monitoring
- Multitasking is here, but it’s iPad’s biggest limitation
- No mouse support or true dock for easier app switching
The iPad Air runs iOS 12, and it does make navigating Apple’s ‘computer’ easier than iOS 11 and certainly iOS 10.
Apple’s Smart Keyboard makes the iPad Air our favorite way to accomplish single tasks, like writing reviews. It’s also a great way to control lights and other HomeKit-compatible gadgets in our budding smart home via the Apple Home app. But for more complex research involving tabs (“What were the specs of the older iPad?”), we found ourselves seeking a Mac.
Camera
- Takes perfectly good 12MP photos – for a tablet
- The same rear camera as iPad 9.7, but the better front camera
The iPad Air takes respectable photos for a tablet.
Battery life
- 10 hours of battery life – but lasts a day with on and off usage
- Fast charges with the Lightning-to-USB-C cable and plug
Release date
The iPad Air (2019) is set to be realized on, March 25, it will be announced via an Apple press release on Monday, March 18.