The 5th generation iPad Air has just hit the Malaysian store shelves and we got one in blue for review. We also got a matching Marine Blue Smart Folio cover just to complete the look.
Before we kick off the review – which will be out in a few weeks – let’s take a look at the new iPad Air and how it compares to the previous one.
What’s The Same?
The iPad Air (5th Generation) shares the same dimensions as the iPad Air (4th Generation) and the 11in iPad Pro (3rd Generation).
All three devices can share the same Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and certain 3rd party covers. The two iPad Air can also share the same Smart Folio cover.
They are also all compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) and have a liquid retina display.
Both the iPad Air (5th Generation) and the 11in iPad Pro (3rd Generation) share the same M1 processor, with 64-bit desktop‑class architecture, 8-core CPU, 8-core graphics, Next-generation Neural Engine, and 8GB of RAM.
They both also have a 12MP wide camera that supports Centre Stage, Apple’s digital subject tracking technology for front facing cameras.
The maximum storage for both iPad Air are the same at 256GB.
What’s Different?
Not much. The specifications of iPad Air (5th Generation) is a combination of what the iPad Air (4th Generation) and the 11in iPad Pro (3rd Generation) has.
However, it does cost RM100 more and its celular version now supports 5G.
The 11in iPad Pro (3rd Generation) still has the best camera, speaker, and microphone set up among the three. It also still has the largest capacity at 2TB.
What’s Next?
In our upcoming review, we will share our feelings and experience with the iPad Air (5th Generation) after using it for several weeks and what it can do with the M1 chip that the iPad Air (4th Generation) could not.
