Is The New Ipad Air Worth It Or Should You Stick With The Standard Model

Choosing between Apple’s latest iPad Air and the standard iPad isn’t just about price—it’s about how each device fits into your daily life. With both models offering strong performance, sleek designs, and access to the same powerful iPadOS ecosystem, the decision hinges on specific needs: creative work, portability, multitasking, or budget constraints. The gap between them has narrowed in recent years, but key differences remain. Understanding what each brings to the table can save you money—or prevent buyer’s remorse.

The standard iPad remains one of the most accessible entry points into Apple’s tablet lineup. It’s reliable for students, casual users, and households needing a simple screen for browsing, video calls, and light productivity. Meanwhile, the iPad Air has evolved from a mid-tier option into a near-Pro experience—featuring faster chips, support for advanced accessories, and design refinements that blur the line between affordability and premium capability.

Performance: Chipsets That Define the Experience

The heart of any iPad is its processor, and this is where the divide becomes immediately apparent. The current standard iPad runs on the Apple A14 Bionic chip, originally introduced in 2020 with the iPhone 12 series. While still capable for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and using basic apps, the A14 is now several generations behind Apple’s cutting-edge silicon.

In contrast, the newest iPad Air is powered by the M1 chip—the same processor found in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2020 to early 2023. This shift marked a significant leap in performance, bringing desktop-class processing power to a slim tablet. The M1 delivers roughly 50% faster CPU performance and up to twice the GPU speed compared to the A14. For users running demanding apps like Procreate, Affinity Designer, or video editing tools such as LumaFusion, this difference translates into smoother workflows, quicker rendering, and better multitasking.

Tip: If you regularly use multiple apps side-by-side or edit high-resolution photos and videos, the M1 chip in the iPad Air will provide noticeably better responsiveness.

Beyond raw power, the M1 also supports more RAM—up to 8GB compared to the standard iPad’s 4GB. This allows the iPad Air to keep more apps open in the background without reloading, which enhances the overall user experience, especially when switching between documents, browsers, and communication tools.

Design and Display: Subtle Differences, Big Impact

At first glance, both iPads share a familiar flat-edged aluminum design, but closer inspection reveals meaningful distinctions. The iPad Air measures slightly larger at 10.9 inches diagonally, while the standard iPad retains its 10.2-inch display. Though less than an inch apart, the extra screen space adds up during prolonged reading, note-taking, or split-screen work.

More importantly, the iPad Air uses a Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color support and anti-reflective coating—features absent on the base model. These enhancements result in richer colors, deeper blacks, and improved visibility under bright lighting. For artists, photographers, or anyone who values visual accuracy, this makes a tangible difference.

Feature	iPad Air (M1)	Standard iPad (A14)
Display Size	10.9 inches	10.2 inches
Display Type	Liquid Retina (LED-backlit IPS)	Retaila (LED-backlit IPS)
Color Support	P3 Wide Color	sRGB
Reflectivity	Anti-reflective coating	Standard reflectivity
Front Camera Position	Landscape edge (centered)	Portrait edge (side when rotated)

Another often-overlooked advantage: the iPad Air places the front-facing camera along the long edge when held in landscape mode—ideal for video conferencing. The standard iPad positions it on the short edge, resulting in awkward framing during Zoom or FaceTime calls unless used vertically.

Accessories and Expandability: Where the Air Pulls Ahead

If you plan to use a keyboard or stylus, the iPad Air offers broader compatibility and a more seamless experience. Both models support the first-generation Apple Pencil via magnetic attachment and wireless charging—but only the iPad Air works natively with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which magnetically attaches, charges, and pairs automatically.

The Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio are also compatible with both, but the iPad Air’s slimmer bezels and center-mounted camera make typing and viewing more ergonomic. Additionally, the Air supports Bluetooth peripherals more reliably due to its newer architecture and updated internals.

“With the right accessories, the iPad Air can replace a laptop for many professionals—especially those in education, design, and remote work.” — David Lin, Tech Analyst at MobileInsight Group

This expandability transforms the iPad Air into a hybrid productivity tool. Paired with a trackpad-enabled keyboard and Apple Pencil, it supports gesture navigation, hover effects in drawing apps, and full cursor control—features not fully optimized on the standard iPad due to software limitations tied to hardware capabilities.

Real-World Use Case: A Freelance Illustrator Weighs In

Sophie Tran, a freelance digital artist based in Portland, upgraded from a fifth-gen iPad (with A12 chip) to the M1 iPad Air last year. She initially considered the standard iPad due to its lower price but ultimately chose the Air after testing both at an Apple Store.

“I sketch daily and use Procreate heavily,” she explains. “On the standard iPad, zooming into high-res canvases caused lag, and layers would freeze occasionally. The iPad Air handles 4K canvases smoothly. I also use Split View with reference images and messaging apps open—I don’t want to wait for apps to reload every time.”

She added the second-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio, turning her iPad into a portable studio. “It’s replaced my old MacBook Air for client sketches and concept work. For $599 plus accessories, it was a smarter investment than spending $999 on a new laptop.”

Her experience highlights a growing trend: users treating the iPad Air not as a secondary device, but as a primary computing tool—something the standard iPad isn’t quite built to support.

Should You Stick With the Standard iPad?

Absolutely—if your usage aligns with simpler tasks. The standard iPad excels as a media consumption device, educational tool for younger students, or family-shared tablet for streaming, games, and light web browsing. Its compatibility with the Apple Pencil (first gen) makes it a popular choice in K–12 classrooms, where schools prioritize cost-effectiveness over peak performance.

For parents buying for children, retirees staying connected with loved ones, or users replacing aging tablets, the standard iPad delivers excellent value. At $329 (starting price), it undercuts the iPad Air ($599) by nearly half—a significant saving that funds other essentials like cases, screen protectors, or cloud storage.

However, longevity is a concern. Devices running older chips may receive fewer iOS updates over time. Apple typically supports iPads for around five to six years, but intensive apps increasingly demand more processing power. A standard iPad purchased today might struggle with future app versions by 2027 or 2028, whereas the M1-powered Air is likely to remain viable into the early 2030s.

Tip: Consider total cost of ownership. Spending more upfront on the iPad Air could mean delaying your next upgrade by 2–3 years compared to the base model.

Step-by-Step: How to Decide Which iPad Fits Your Needs

1. Assess your primary use case: Are you mainly watching videos, checking email, and browsing social media? The standard iPad suffices. Do you create content, take notes across classes, or run professional apps? Lean toward the Air.
2. Evaluate accessory plans: Will you use a keyboard or Apple Pencil regularly? The iPad Air offers superior integration and future-proofing.
3. Check your budget: Factor in not just the device cost but also essential add-ons. A $329 iPad + $99 Pencil + $129 keyboard = $557—close to the iPad Air’s starting price with better hardware.
4. Think long-term: How long do you expect to keep the device? If more than three years, the Air’s M1 chip ensures smoother performance over time.
5. Test before you buy: Visit an Apple Store or authorized retailer to compare screen quality, weight, and camera placement firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the standard iPad run the same apps as the iPad Air?

Yes—both run the full range of iPadOS apps available on the App Store. However, some advanced features in creative or productivity apps (like high-layer-count projects in Procreate or multi-track video editing) may perform poorly or be disabled on the standard iPad due to hardware limits.

Is the Apple Pencil worth it on either model?

For students, note-takers, or artists, yes. The Apple Pencil turns either iPad into a powerful digital notebook. On the standard iPad, you’ll need the first-gen Pencil ($99), which requires manual pairing and charging. The iPad Air supports the second-gen Pencil ($129), which magnetically attaches and charges seamlessly—offering greater convenience.

Does the iPad Air have better battery life?

Battery life is nearly identical—both offer up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. Real-world usage varies based on screen brightness, app intensity, and background activity. The M1 chip is actually more power-efficient than the A14, so under heavy load, the iPad Air may even outlast the standard model.

Final Verdict: Balancing Value and Capability

The answer depends on your definition of “worth it.” If you’re looking for a dependable, no-frills tablet for everyday use and plan to upgrade within two to three years, the standard iPad is a smart, economical choice. It continues to deliver solid performance for the majority of users and maintains Apple’s hallmark build quality and software support.

But if you value longevity, creative potential, and a laptop-like experience, the iPad Air justifies its higher price. The M1 chip, superior display, modern camera orientation, and expanded accessory support position it as a device that grows with you—not one you quickly outgrow. For professionals, students in higher education, or anyone serious about getting the most from their tablet, the iPad Air isn’t just worth it; it’s essential.

Ultimately, choosing between these two models isn’t about which is objectively better—it’s about matching technology to lifestyle. The standard iPad keeps Apple’s ecosystem accessible. The iPad Air proves that accessibility doesn’t have to mean compromise.

🚀 Ready to make your move? Revisit your daily routines, try both models hands-on, and invest in the iPad that aligns with how you work, create, and connect. Your future self will thank you.