UPDATE 18 March: It looks like the wait is finally over, as the new iPad Air (5th Generation) is out now!
BUY NOW! iPad Air (2022)
Should I wait for the iPad Air 5? With the new iPad due to be heading our way soon, we've been weighing up whether to hold fast or dive right in with one of the current options available.
And the iPad Air 5 isn't the only release that's releasing in 2022 either. The iPhone SE 3, and the new Mac Studio and M1 Ultra chip are all incoming, which could make this the best year yet for new and existing Apple users.
Let's take a look at what we know so far about the iPad Air 5, and whether you should hold out for it.
How Long Will The Wait For The iPad Air 5 Be?
So, how long will the wait for the iPad Air 5 be? Apple recently announced the arrival of the 5th Generation iPad Air which is due to be released on 18 March.
Pre-orders will also be available for the upcoming iPad and will go live on 11 March, so it looks like you won't be waiting long at all.
But, what exactly will you be waiting for?
iPad Air 5 Specs
Apple's recent announcement of the 5th generation iPad Air at their 'Peek Performance' event unveiled a number of the specs available.
Most notably, while it was previously thought that the iPad Air 5 may feature the A15 Bionic chip that can be found in the iPhone 13.
Apple surpassed our expectations revealing that the latest iPad Air will in fact feature the M1 chip, the same as can be found in the 2021 iPad Pro.
This brings a huge leap in performance to the iPad Air series with Apple claiming...
"The 8-core CPU delivers up to 60 percent faster performance, and the 8-core GPU delivers up to 2x faster graphics performance compared to the previous iPad Air." - Apple
click to enlargeThe latest iPad Air is also set to feature 5G capabilities and Wi-Fi 6 support which should enable you to experience superfast wireless connectivity.
The new iPad Air 5 is also available in a variety of colours including space grey, starlight, pink, purple and blue.
When it comes to the camera, the new iPad Air boasts a 12MP ultra-wide front-facing lens and a 12MP wide camera on the back.
iPad Air 5 Price
The iPad Air 5 will be available as either a Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and Cellular model and can be configured with either 64GB or 256GB of storage.
The Wi-Fi model will have a starting price of around $599 with the Wifi and Cellular model starting at $749.
This is similar pricing to the current iPad Air 4.
Is The iPad Air 4 Still Worth It?
The Apple iPad Air 4 is still a strong choice and we think one of the best tablets to date but is it still worth it?
Price
The iPad Air 4 has a starting price of £579 / $599 and goes up to £859 / $879.
While this may be a more affordable option in comparison to the upcoming iPhone 14 or iPad Pro, it is still a decent chunk of change and so are you getting a lot for your money?
Specs
When it comes to power, the iPad Air 4 features the A14 Bionic chip, the same processor that can be found in the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro.
Alongside 4GB of RAM, you should have more than enough processing power to handle multitasking and gaming.
Read More: Best Tablets for Gaming
The 10.9-inch liquid retina display features a stunning 1640 x 2360 pixels, which should look seriously sharp and makes the iPad great for entertainment purposes.
You're also getting compatibility with both the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, which enable you to use the iPad Air 4 for work when you're on the go.
Plus, you can even project the iPad onto a monitor using a USB-C connection when you require a larger screen for work, design or entertainment.
Should I Wait For The iPad Air 5?
Ultimately, whether or not you should wait for the iPad Air 5 comes down to your individual preferences, however, if you want our two cents, we think it could be worth holding out for.
The iPad Air 5 is releasing on 18 March meaning you won't be waiting that long at all for the new tablet.
Plus, with upgrades including the Apple M1 chip and 5G capabilities, it should be a worthy upgrade to the current generation iPad Air.
Of course, if you're looking to upgrade now, grabbing one of the best tablets out there such as the iPad Air 4 or even the 2021 iPad Pro is still a viable option for many.
Read More: Should I Wait For iPad Pro 2022? Here's What We Think