What are all the differences between the iPad Air M2 models?

There are six iPad Air M2 models. Three with 11" displays -- the iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi Only), M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China) -- and three with 13" displays -- the iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi Only), M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China).

You also may see these models, released in 2024, referred to as the iPad Air (6th Gen), but Everyi.com definitely prefers to leave Apple's awkward generational nomenclature behind in favor of processor type, which seems to be Apple's new unofficial naming system (M2 is the processor).

These six iPad Air M2 models vary by display size, location sold, connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M2)

Device Similarities

All iPad Air M2 tablets share the same general design with rounded corners and flat sides, a black glass front and a choice of a (light) Blue, (light) Purple, warm gray "Starlight", or darker "Space Gray" aluminum back. The 11" models weigh about a pound and the 13" models weigh 1.36 lbs.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M2 Color Options)

All iPad Air M2 models use antireflective, LED-backlit "Liquid Retina" displays (264 ppi, 500 nits) surrounded by a thin black bezel. These displays offers "wide color" (DCI-P3) support and Apple's "True Tone" technology. They do not support ProMotion (120 Hz refresh rate). The 11" models have a 2360x1640 resolution whereas the 13" models are 2732x2048.

All iPad Air M2 models also share the same 3.49 GHz Apple M2 processor, a 10-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, have 8 GB of RAM, and 100 GB/s memory bandwidth. They can be configured with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB of integrated flash storage. In addition to a USB-C port, other shared connectivity includes 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) as well as Bluetooth 5.3.

All have a landscape oriented (horizontal) front-mounted 12 megapixel camera that supports "Center Stage" to automatically pan and zoom and shoots up to 1080p video. All also have a rear-mounted 12 megapixel "Wide" camera that shoots up to 4K video in addition to dual microphones and stereo speakers.

Other notable features include a "Touch ID" authentication sensor built into the top button as well as support for both the Apple Pencil Pro that conveniently charges via a magnetic connection on the side and the cheaper Apple Pencil (USB-C) that charges awkwardly via USB-C cable.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad Air M2 models all initially shipped with iPadOS 17.5 (21F84) and fully support the operating system.

Identification Differences

When next to one another, the Wi-Fi only and cellular iPad Air M2 models can be differentiated visually because Wi-Fi only options have a solid aluminum back and the cellular capable models have a subtle antenna line at the top of the back of each device. Naturally, it is straightforward to tell the different sizes apart, too.

However, it is not possible to visually distinguish the two cellular-capable iPad Air M2 models of the same display size and it is easy to mix up all of these tablets with any number of other iPad models, as well.

Consequently, one of the best methods for identification is via Model Number; externally displayed toward the bottom on the back of each device:

iPad Air	Model No
iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi Only)	A2902
iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A2903
iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A2904
iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi Only)	A2898
iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A2899
iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A2900

Initially, the mainland China-only iPad Air M2 probably mostly will stay on its side of the great firewall, but it eventually will find its way around around the world on the used market.

Each iPad model can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the cellular-equipped configuration of the 13" iPad Air M2 in "Starlight" with 1 TB of storage sold in the United States is MV763LL/A.

To track down an exact iPad Air M2 by a number of other different identifiers, please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

The iPad Air M2 models have significant differences in connectivity. All iPad Air M2 models support 802.11ax with 2x2 MIMO (Wi-Fi 6E) on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (simultaneous dual band) as well as Bluetooth 5.3.

All cellular iPad Air M2 models support A-GPS, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), as well as 4G LTE and 5G NR, but LTE support varies slightly between the global and mainland China models:

iPad Air	Model	4G LTE	5G NR
iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A2902	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A2903	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A2899	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A2900	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79

For battery life, Apple estimates that all iPad Air M2 models, regardless of display size, provide up to ten hours of runtime on Wi-Fi whereas the cellular-equipped models provide up to nine hours using a cellular network.

Every cellular iPad Air M2 model ships unlocked. Some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network, though. The cellular iPad Air M2 models, regardless of location sold, only support eSIM. They do not support physical SIM cards.

Pricing Comparison Chart

Each iPad Air M2 color option costs the same amount. Original pricing is differentiated by display size, capacity, and connectivity:

Capacity:	128 GB	256 GB	512 GB	1 TB
11" Wi-Fi Only:	US$599	US$699	US$899	US$1099
11"Wi-Fi/Cellular:	US$749	US$849	US$1049	US$1249
13" Wi-Fi Only:	US$799	US$899	US$1099	US$1299
13"Wi-Fi/Cellular:	US$949	US$1049	US$1249	US$1449

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as Everyi.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Summary

Ultimately, the iPad Air M2 models are differentiated from one another by display size, connectivity, and battery life. Like previous iPad Air models in recent years, the iPad Air M2 is positioned as a "mid-range" option between the inexpensive entry-level "regular" iPad and the high-end iPad Pro.

Display size and cellular connectivity both are personal decisions. Personally, we prefer smaller mobile devices and would go with the 11" inch (and it is US$200 cheaper, also), but you do you. Likewise, only you can decide whether or not the A-GPS and cellular capability is worth the extra US$150 initially as well as the extra ongoing costs for a cell plan.

If the iPad Air M2 is going to be your only computer and you plan to use it on the move, the cellular connection probably is a good buy. On the other hand, if you are on a tighter budget and plan to mostly use the tablet at home or in the office along with a coffee shop or two (and don't mind occasionally tethering your iPad Air to a cellular-equipped device like an iPhone or Android mobile), one of the Wi-Fi only models could be more than sufficient for your needs.

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 model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.