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The iPad Air is one of the most popular tablets on the market, offering a perfect balance of power, portability and price.
Given Apple’s track record of making significant improvements with each new model, the 7th generation iPad Air is highly anticipated.
Although no major changes are expected from the iPad Air 6 (2024), its successor could still make some significant improvements.
Here’s a look at everything we know about the release date, price and specs.
When will the new iPad Air be released?
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next generation iPad Air, likely the seventh-generation model, is expected to arrive in early 2025.
Apple typically unveils new iPads early in the year, and reports suggest the iPad Air 7 will be announced around this time March or April 2025.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
This is in line with Apple’s commitment to more flexible product release schedules, ensuring every device gets the attention it deserves without a crowded launch event.
For context, this is when recent versions of the iPad Air arrived:
- 6th generation: May 2024
- 5th generation: March 2022
- 4th generation: September 2020
- 3rd generation: March 2019
How much will the new iPad Air cost?
While Apple has not yet confirmed the exact price for the iPad Air 7th generation, it is expected to remain within the current price range and offer competitive value against the iPad Pro.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The iPad Air 6th generation starts at £599/$599, so it’s likely the iPad Air 7 will have a similar starting price, around £599/$599 to £649/$649, depending on storage configuration and any upgrades.
However, MacRumors reports that new accessories like an updated Magic Keyboard could drive up the overall cost for those looking for a more laptop-like setup.
What specifications and features will the new iPad Air have?
Design
The design of the 7th generation iPad Air is not expected to change significantly from its predecessor. Apple will likely keep the 11-inch and 13-inch size options, introduced in 2024, with an aluminum chassis with flat edges and rounded corners.
If so, Apple could keep the Touch ID power button for biometric authentication and the USB-C port for charging and connectivity.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
While the physical design may not change dramatically, there could be new color options to freshen up the lineup, building on the current palette of Space Gray, Purple, Blue, and Starlight.
Display
The display is one area where the iPad Air differs from the iPad Pro. The 7th generation iPad Air will likely stick with LCD technology, while the iPad Pro will continue to offer OLED screens and ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates.
The iPad Air could also keep its Liquid Retina display but without the ProMotion feature, guaranteeing a lower price than the Pro models.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
However, a new rumor (via 9to5mac) suggests that Apple is developing a 90Hz display for the next iPad Air. This information, shared by an anonymous source with the Upgrade podcast, indicates that the M3 iPad Air may be the first device to feature this new 90Hz “liquid motion” panel, followed by other Apple products like the iMac and Studio Display .
Analyst Ross Young had previously reported (via 9to5mac) on Apple’s plans for 120Hz ProMotion displays for the iPhone 17 series. However, this is the first time that 90Hz display technology has been associated with non-iPhone Apple products.
Performance
The biggest upgrade expected in the 7th generation iPad Air is the introduction of the M3 chip. This chip will deliver significant performance improvements over the M2 chip in the current iPad Air.
Based on Apple’s 3-nanometer process, the M3 offers up to 30% faster CPU performance and 15% improved GPU performance compared to the M2.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The M3 also supports hardware-based ray tracing, making gaming and graphics-intensive apps smoother and more responsive.
This chip is expected to keep the iPad Air powerful enough for multitasking, creative apps and gaming, while remaining a step behind the iPad Pro’s rumored M4 chip, which will remain Apple’s top performer.
Cameras
The iPad Air 7 is expected to have the same 12MP rear camera and 12MP ultrawide front camera as in previous models. The focus with iPad Air cameras is more on video conferencing and casual photography, rather than the professional features of the iPad Pro.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Center Stage, Apple’s feature that keeps the user centered during video calls, will likely remain a key feature of the front camera, ensuring a more dynamic and professional video chat experience.
Major camera upgrades are unlikely, however, as the iPad Air isn’t designed for photography-oriented users.
Battery and charging
Thanks to the improved energy efficiency of the M3 chip, the iPad Air 7 could offer longer battery life compared to its predecessor. The current model offers around 10 hours of battery life, and we can expect similar or slightly better performance in the 7th generation model.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Charging will continue to use USB-C, which has now become standard, and while there’s no confirmation, it’s possible the iPad Air 7 will offer faster charging speeds thanks to advances in battery technology and the wider adoption of USB-C Power. Delivery standards.
Software
The iPad Air 7 ships with iPadOS 19 or iPadOS 18.2 depending on release timing, with new software features including Apple Intelligence. This software integration allows the iPad Air to use AI-powered capabilities such as enhanced Siri features, automated email sorting, and notification summaries.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
That’s all we know so far. In the meantime, you might also be interested in more of the best iPads and best tablets out there.