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iPad Air Q&A
Published May 24, 2024
All Apple Q&As >> iPad Air Q&A (Home) | Also see: All iPad Specs
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What are all the differences between the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air 5 it replaced?
There are three iPad Air 5th Gen models, released in 2022, and six iPad Air M2 models, released in 2024. For simplicity, this Everyi.com Q&A refers to these tablets as the iPad Air 5 and iPad Air M2, which are the names readers most commonly use.
The iPad Air 5 models, all of which have 11" displays, are the iPad Air 5 (Wi-Fi Only), iPad Air 5 (Wi-Fi+Cell), and iPad Air 5 (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
The iPad Air M2 with 11" displays are the iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi Only), M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China). Those with 13" displays are the iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi Only), M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M2 - Left; iPad Air 5 - Right)
With even a detailed inspection of the 11" iPad Air 5 and 11" iPad Air M2, it is practically impossible to tell them apart unless the color is unique to one line or the other. It is easy to mix up the larger 13" iPad Air M2 with any number of other iPad models, as well.
However, just because they look identical does not mean that there are not differences internally. Because these differences are not obvious, a detailed comparison can be especially useful.
External Design & Color Differences
The iPad Air 5 and iPad Air M2 use the same exterior design with rounded corners and flat sides and the 11" models use the same fully-laminated, antireflective 10.9" LED-backlit 2360x1640 "Liquid Retina" display (264 ppi, 500 nits) surrounded by a thin black bezel. The 13" iPad Air M2 models have a 12.9-inch LED-backlit 2732x2048 display that otherwise hits the same specs.
All of these displays offer "wide color" (DCI-P3) support and Apple's "True Tone" technology. They do not support ProMotion (120 Hz refresh rate), though.
Both lines support "Touch ID" capability built into the power button on the top of the device and have stereo speakers and dual microphones.
Color options are different -- the iPad Air M2 uses softer blue and purple tones -- and the iPad Air M2 is not quite the same size, either:
 iPad Air 5 |
 iPad Air M2 |
|
| Colors: | Space Gray Starlight Pink Blue Purple |
Space Gray Starlight Blue Purple |
| Height x Width (In.): | 9.8 x 6.8 | 9.74 x 7.02 (11") 11.04 x 8.46 (13") |
| Depth (In.): | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Weight (Lbs.): | 1.02 | 1.02 (11") 1.36 (13") |
Accessory Support Differences
The iPad Air 5 supports the Apple Pencil 2 (A2051, MU8F2AM/A, US$129), whereas the iPad Air M2 supports the more advanced Apple Pencil Pro (A2538, MX2D3AM/A, US$129). Both conveniently charge via a magnetic connection on the side of the respective tablet.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Pencil 2)
The iPad Air 5 supports the Apple Magic Keyboard (11") (MXQT2LL/A) and the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio 2 (11") (MXNK2LL/A).
The 11" iPad Air M2 supports the same Apple Magic Keyboard (11"), but not the folio. The 13" iPad Air M2 supports a larger Apple Magic Keyboard 13" (M2).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M2 with Magic Keyboard)
Camera Differences
The rear cameras in both lines are essentially identical, but the front camera in the newer iPad Air M2 is horizontally aligned (landscape) instead of being awkwardly off on the left side when docked in a keyboard like the iPad Air 5:
iPad Air 5 |
iPad Air M2 |
|
| Front Camera | ||
| Alignment: | Portrait | Landscape |
| Megapixels: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/2.4 | f/2.4 |
| Video: | 1080p | 1080p |
| Center Stage: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Camera | ||
| Megapixels: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Video: | 4K | 4K |
The cameras in the iPad Air 5 and iPad Air M2 are both quality, but relocating the front camera on the iPad Air M2 to where it always is on a notebook computer is a logical improvement.
Identification Differences
It is easy to mix up the iPad Air 5 or iPad Air M2 models with each other and with any number of other iPads. Accordingly, visual identification is not a good method for differentiation.
Instead, one of the best methods for identification is via Model Number; externally displayed toward the bottom on the back of each device:
iPad |
Model No |
EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPad models by its specific Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About).
Internal & Connectivity Differences
The iPad Air 4 and iPad Air 5 models have significant internal differences:
iPad Air 5 |
iPad Air M2 |
|
| Clockspeed: | 3.2 GHz | 3.49 GHz |
| Processor: | M1 | M2 |
| Processor Cores: | Eight | Eight |
| Graphics Cores: | Eight | Ten |
| Neural Engine: | Yes | Yes |
| RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage: | 64/256 GB | 128/256 GB 512 GB/1 TB |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 4G/LTE Bands: | 30-32 Bands | 29-31 Bands |
| 5G Bands: | 21 Bands | 26 Bands |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Port Type: | USB-C | USB-C |
From this internal comparison, it is obvious that the iPad Air M2 is more capable than its predecessor with a faster processor and more graphics cores as well faster Wi-Fi and additional 5G capability.
Apple estimates around ten hours of runtime for all of these tablets on Wi-Fi and around nine hours of runtime for cellular-capable models when operating on a cellular network.
iOS Support Differences
The iPad Air 5 models first shipped with iPadOS 15.4 whereas the iPad Air M2 models first shipped with iPadOS 17.5.
Both lines support iPadOS 17, but the iPad Air 5 lacks support for the Reference Mode and Accessibility Detection features.
iPad Air 5 and iPad Air M2 Comparison Chart
The above differences between the iPad Air 5 and iPad Air M2 -- as well as original US pricing details -- are summarized below:
iPad Air 5 |
iPad Air M2 |
|
| Display: | 10.9" | 10.9" / 12.9" |
| Resolution: | 2360x1640 | 2360x1640 2732x2048 |
| Clockspeed: | 3.2 GHz | 3.49 GHz |
| Processor: | M1 | M2 |
| Processor Cores: | 8 | 8 |
| Graphics Cores: | 8 | 10 |
| RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage: | 64/256 GB | 128/256 GB 512 GB/1 TB |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 4G/LTE Bands: | 30-32 Bands | 29-31 Bands |
| 5G Bands: | 21 Bands | 26 Bands |
| Front Camera: | Portrait | Landscape |
| Center Stage: | Yes | Yes |
| Touch ID: | Power Button | Power Button |
| Port Type: | USB-C | USB-C |
| Apple Pencil: | Apple Pencil 2 | Apple Pencil Pro |
| SIM Card: | Nano | None |
| eSIM: | Yes | Yes |
| Colors: | Space Gray Starlight Pink Blue Purple |
Space Gray Starlight Blue Purple |
| Original iPadOS: | iPadOS 15.4 | iPadOS 17.5 |
| Maximum iPadOS: | Current | Current |
| Height x Width (In.): | 9.74 x 7 | 9.74 x 7.02 (11") 11.04 x 8.46 (13") |
| Depth (In.): | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Weight (Lbs.): | 1.02 | 1.02 (11") 1.36 (13") |
| Orig. Price (Wi-Fi): | US$599, US$749 | US$599-US$1299 |
| Orig. Price (Cell): | US$749, US$899 | US$749-US$1449 |
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPad as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPad.com.
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, the iPad Air M2 offers a handful of notable improvements compared to the iPad Air 5 that it replaced.
In addition to the options of (1) a larger 13" display, (2) higher storage capacity options, and (3) support for the more advanced Apple Pencil Pro, the iPad Air M2 provides (2) a faster processor and graphics processor, (3) more base storage, (4) faster Wi-Fi, (5) additional 5G support, and (6) a more convenient landscape oriented front camera.
Combined, these improvements make the iPad Air M2 an excellent tablet, but the iPad Air 5 still is a very good one and it is well worth consideration on the used market for those on a budget.
iPad Air Purchase & Sale Options
There are many companies that sell the iPad Air. However, buying from a quality company with significant Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).
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