Apple iPad Air (M2, 2024) aims to be your do?everything tablet without the Pro price
16.06.2026 - 22:06:32 | ad-hoc-news.de
By John Miller, ad-hoc-news, May 20, 2024
The Apple iPad Air (M2, 2024) lands as Apple’s new midrange workhorse, bringing the latest M2 processor, a bigger 13-inch option and Apple Pencil Pro support to buyers who are not ready to pay iPad Pro prices.
Apple widens its iPad lineup around the M2 platform
How Apple is repositioning the iPad Air between the entry iPad and the iPad Pro.
Why this Tuesday launch matters for everyday iPad buyers
As a Tuesday new release, the iPad Air (M2, 2024) is aimed directly at buyers watching Apple’s keynote and asking themselves whether they really need the expensive Pro. It tries to compress most of the performance into a more approachable package.
You get Apple’s M2 chip, which Apple already uses in MacBooks, in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. That 13-inch Air is new for this line and should appeal if you want a laptop-sized canvas for multitasking, editing or study notes without the Pro’s premium price tag.
Key upgrades: M2 power, Apple Pencil Pro and more storage
Under the hood, the iPad Air moves from M1 to M2, which Apple claims brings up to 50 percent faster performance in some creative and productivity apps. This upgrade will matter if you juggle heavy photo edits, large documents or multiple apps in Stage Manager.
Another important shift is support for the new Apple Pencil Pro, including squeeze gestures, barrel roll and haptic feedback. For digital artists, note takers and students, that means more precise control and a toolset much closer to what the iPad Pro offers.
Storage now starts at 128 GB instead of 64 GB in the previous generation, which makes the entry model less cramped. If you shoot lots of 4K video or plan to keep large offline files, you can go up to 1 TB at the top of the range.
Display, design and where Apple draws the line with the Pro
The 11-inch iPad Air keeps a familiar Liquid Retina LCD panel with 60 Hz refresh, while the 13-inch version scales that up for more workspace. Neither offers the Pro’s ultra-smooth 120 Hz ProMotion or OLED contrast, which is one of the clearest differentiators in the lineup.
Face ID still stays exclusive to the iPad Pro. The Air uses Touch ID in the top button, which many buyers actually prefer for its reliability and simplicity. The overall design remains slim, flat-edged and compatible with recent keyboard accessories, including the revamped Magic Keyboard.
Market context: Apple, NASDAQ:AAPL, US0378331005
Apple, ticker NASDAQ:AAPL, ISIN US0378331005, is under pressure to keep iPad sales moving after several quieter quarters. The new iPad Air is positioned to re-energize the middle of the range, giving up a few display luxuries in exchange for more aggressive pricing.
For investors, the launch reinforces Apple’s strategy of spreading its M-series chips across categories to simplify development and marketing. For you as a buyer, it means iPad decisions now hinge less on raw performance and more on display quality, accessory support and budget.
Chip: Apple M2
Display sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch Liquid Retina
Apple Pencil support: Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C
Storage options: 128 GB up to 1 TB
Price: from approx. 599 USD / 699 EUR, depending on market
Availability: in stock at major retailers and Apple Store, with wide rollout in key markets.
If you want most of the iPad Pro’s speed at a lower price, this Air is the model to shortlist.
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Editorial note: This article is independent journalism by ad-hoc-news. Product data and prices are based on publicly available information at the time of writing and may change. Some outbound links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, ad-hoc-news may receive a commission.
