iPad Air 5 (2022): M1 chip arrives as Apple’s mid-range tablet | hands-on video

an Apple Update your iPad Air to 2022 With an important distinction in its internal composition. Now, the M1 proprietary chip, popular for powering recent Macbooks, has arrived in the brand’s mid-range tablet with the promise of major strides in performance and graphics.

After all, what can we find on the device in its latest version? Does the tablet have only a new component? You’ll check out every detail in this hands-on, in partnership with our Italian brothers from HDBlog.

Starting with the design, if you put the iPad Air 5 side by side with its predecessor, you might not be able to tell the difference between them. nor less. They have an identical look, especially when we consider their more sedate lines and metallic build.

One of the highlights is the new blue color. Depending on the viewing angle, it generates an effect that switches shades along the cover. Dimensions also do not change with respect to the previous model, that is, we have a thickness of just over 6 millimeters here.

The weight has now gained up to three grams in its fifth generation antenna version. It’s like two iPhone 13 Pro Max together. However, we still find a very powerful and distinct experience when the product is in our hands.

It’s a pity we don’t have water resistance certification yet, but don’t use the iPad near the pool or in the shower and that shouldn’t be a problem.

Since the predecessor, Apple has already adopted USB-C as the standard connector for its line of tablets. It is now being updated to support faster transfer rates, which can reach up to 10 Gbps. It lacks Thunderbolt compatibility, to make even more of a difference.

Apple even introduced a biometric reader built into the power button. The situation may not be very interesting at first, so consider that you will have to get used to finding the most comfortable way to unlock the screen.

On the screen, we also find the same 2020 IPS LCD screen, with Liquid Retina technology, to provide a more immersive experience, with 3.8 million pixels. The panel still has True Tone certification for contrast and anti-reflective coating, which doesn’t leave the view as if it were a mirror.

The size remains the same at 10.9 inches, in addition to the resolution that can be considered 2K. We have protection on the glass here against potential scratches. It is a pity that Apple did not dare to increase the refresh rate of the device, to make animation and games more fluid.

As for audio, the design with four areas of perforations in the frame can fool you into thinking there are four speakers. However, there are only two on this machine. However, the stereo system is of high quality and will not let you down.

It’s always important to remember that there is no connector in the P2 standard for headphones, so you already know that the best solution is a wireless accessory, really.

One of the most notable features of the iPad Air 5 is the presence of the M1 chip, which replaces the A14 Bionic chip from the previous generation. And what will this change in practice? Well, having two performance cores for a total of four of the new “Apple” platform overclocks each core, generating better performance on tasks in general and even in heavy applications.

When it comes to the GPU, Apple’s component graphics have doubled the performance compared to the previous model. In other words, advanced editing software or even compatible games shouldn’t be an issue here.

Memory is also upgraded from 4GB to 8GB RAM, which should improve your multitasking experience, especially in dual window mode. Storage options range from 64GB to 256GB.

The battery hasn’t been changed and it’s still the same 28Wh Li-Polymer, which promises a max of 10 hours for surfing the web via Wi-Fi or watching videos. Unlike what Apple applies in its line of smartphones, the plug adapter comes in the iPad box, with 20W charging support.

The fifth generation iPad Air comes with iPadOS 15 already installed at the factory. The highlight is the compatibility with third-party accessories if you want to be more productive. Here we can mention the Apple Pencil, the on-screen stylus; and Magic Keybord, the brand’s keyboard that lets you enjoy an experience closer to a laptop.

In terms of connectivity, the main addition was 5G, which now improves mobile connectivity with lower latency and faster speed. On the cellular model, you can choose between using a regular SIM card or even installing an eSIM. You can still find 5th generation Bluetooth and 6th generation Wi-Fi in it.

There is no adjustment to the rear camera, so at this point we will still have a 12MP wide-angle sensor, compatible with autofocus. It also has optical stabilization and HDR for better captures. However, you won’t have the same level found on a cell phone, for example. Understand this use is for emergencies only.

Moving forward, there has been an advance on the front camera, which has jumped from 7MP to 12MP. But it was not the definition that improved. The lens is now extra wide, with Center Stage technology. It allows you to correct position problems by always placing the foreground object in the center of the image.

Unfortunately, the feature is not applied to all video chat apps, only the most famous know how to use the feature well. Another important point is the support for 4K video recordings, to be able to shoot in good resolution to be reproduced on today’s modern TVs.

The iPad Air 5 may already have a familiar look outside of the aluminum, as its appearance is practically identical to the previous one, but what will show the evolution of the device is in the internal parts.

And in this regard, we can put the Apple M1 chip as the main inclusion. It allows you to raise the level of performance of the brand tablet, both in processing and graphics. The increase in RAM is also welcome and will improve the user’s multitasking experience.

As for the cameras, we feel less progress, especially when we talk about the rear sensor. It stands on the same level as the previous generation and dies far from everything a smartphone can capture. This means that the preference will still be to take the mobile out of the pocket for a capture that requires higher quality. At least, the front end now has a wider angle and new technologies adapted to today’s video conferencing needs.

The multimedia part did not have much improvement, such as the screen with the same characteristics as before. The design has not changed either, but this does not mean anything bad, since the appearance of its predecessor was pleasant.

The new iPad Air 5 with M1 can be ordered in Brazil through the official Apple online store. Prices start at R$6800 for the 64GB model without 5G, but can go as high as R$8400 for the more expensive version, with maximum storage and mobile network support.

So what do you think of the device? Thinking of buying a 5th generation iPad Air unit? Do you think the M1 chip will bring many advancements to the device? Tell us in the space to comment.