iPad Air 6 (2024) vs iPad 11th gen (2024): expectations

iPad Air 6 (2024) vs iPad 11th gen (2024): expectations،

Introduction

As 2023 approaches and no new iPads are announced, it appears that a major launch is in the works for the first half of 2024. Rumors speak of new iPads in every category, from mini to Pro. So we will most likely have updates for the very popular iPad Air and base iPad models.

Since 2022, the base iPad has moved to this new all-screen design without a home button and even with a bezel around the edge, bringing it in line with the rest of the distribution. So if you've already decided it's not worth spending money on an iPad Pro for its 120Hz display, you may now be wondering if the iPad Air 6 will be much better than the iPad 11th generation.

So it's time to start speculating and planning which iPad will be worth buying in 2024!

Expectations of iPad Air 6 (2024) vs. iPad 11 (2024):

Very similar shape and size
iPad Air works with Magic Keyboard, base iPad works with Magic Keyboard Folio
iPad Air works with Apple Pencil gen 2, base iPad only supports gen 1 or Apple Pencil (USB C)
USB C with transfer speeds USB 3 on iPad Air, USB 2 on iPad base
Both have two speakers in landscape stereo positioning
Stage Manager (desktop multitasking on external monitor) on iPad Air
We may see a 12.9-inch iPad Air (2024)

Contents:

Design and size

The iPad Pro Killer vs. the iPad Air Killer

Since the iPad 10th generation (2022) has been redesigned, it now closely resembles the iPad Air, which in turn closely resembles an iPad Pro. Unlike before, when we had some iPads with home buttons and some without, Apple has now made them all more or less the same.

This has the obvious benefit of interchangeable accessories: a Magic Keyboard will fit both an iPad Air and an iPad Pro, which is great, because if you choose to switch from one to the other, you don't need to bring a complete accessory. also rearrange. That doesn't include the base iPad and its own Magic Keyboard Folio, however. This accessory is designed and compatible only with the base iPad. And the Magic Keyboard won't work for that. It is therefore important to take this into account when planning an iPad and accessories purchase.

OK, let's talk about tablets again. We expect that the iPad 11th generation and iPad Air 6 will not deviate from the established design. That means 10.9-inch LCD screens, even bezels all around, and Touch ID built into the power button on both tablets. iPads generally look the same, it's all about the internals.

Even the camera bump on the back is a single lens for the base iPad and iPad Air. And there is a USB C port for charging at the bottom. The iPad Air will give you transfer speeds of 10 Gbps (USB 3) here, while the base iPad will likely remain limited to USB 2 (480 Mbps).

Display differences

The screen size may be the same, but the technology isn't exactly. iPad Air models have a laminated display, which means the screen and touch digitizer are fused into a single sheet of glass, saving space and making the screen stand out a little more. The base iPad uses classic technology, so when you look at the screen, you can see the gap between the top glass and the screen below. The image just appears to be further away, pressed into the iPad.

This isn't a big deal or anything, it's just to highlight that the Air will give you a slightly more “premium” experience. Additionally, laminated glass resists glare and harsh ambient lighting slightly better.

Otherwise, both of these displays will most likely be capped at 60Hz, as ProMotion is exclusively held hostage by the iPad Pro line.

For colors, Apple's displays have been pretty accurate for years, even on the base iPad. We therefore expect no less with the 11th generation iPad. These days, base models even get True Tone and Night Shift, modes that make the screen cast more natural or warmer, for a less harsh viewing experience.

So screen-wise, you wouldn't expect much difference here other than that laminated panel.

Performance and software

M2 vs. A15

The iPad Air lags slightly behind the iPad Pro range. In 2024, we expect Pros to receive the new M3 chip, so the iPad Air (2024) will now have the Apple M2. What's great: A desktop chip that lets you use Stage Manager's desktop environment when you connect the tablet to an external monitor. And of course, it's fast, so if you want to edit video or audio on your iPad, it will export the projects pretty quickly!

The 11th generation iPad will most likely contain an Apple A15 Bionic chip – that's the processor from the iPhone 13 era. It's still a very good chip – certainly towards the top of the mid-range. And yes, you will be able to use these specialized applications for audio, video and drawing. It just won't be as fast as the M2. And again, USB transfer speeds can be important if you want to work with large files: the USB 3 speeds of the iPad Air will be much more practical here, instead of the slow USB 2 of the base iPad .

Camera

Non-obligatory improvement

The iPad cameras can be used as is. Currently, all models have a 12 MP front camera with an ultra-wide lens, so they can use the Center Stage function for video calls: the iPad can “follow” your face when you move, thus making a video call more natural. even if you have to get up from your desk.

In fact, speaking of “more natural,” the 10th generation iPad was the first iPad to feature a selfie camera on the tablet's right frame. This way, when placed horizontally on the desktop, the selfie camera is actually on the top bezel, like you would see on laptops. This makes video calls slightly more natural, because on any other iPad you seem to be looking from the side, whereas a top-mounted camera gives us a shot we're more accustomed to.

The iPad Air has an array of magnets to hold and charge an Apple Pencil gen 2 up there, so there's no place to mount the camera. At least we assume Apple won't have fixed this issue when the iPad Air (2024) comes out, so you'll be looking at a selfie camera placed on the top bezel (becomes the left bezel when placed horizontally).

On the back, most iPads have that 12 MP camera, which isn't anything phenomenal, but gets the job done when you need to take a quick photo and works OK for documents. We don't expect Apple to rush any upgrades here, but we'll see if we guess.

Audio quality

The iPad Air and the latest 10th generation iPad feature these “stereo landscape” speakers: two drivers placed at the top and bottom of the tablet. So when placed horizontally on a stand, they wrap left and right – hence landscape stereo.

The previous generation seems OK. A little thin, perhaps, compared to the iPad Pro's four-speaker setup, but the iPad (2022) and iPad Air (2022) sound pretty good. We do not expect any changes in 2024.

Battery life and charging

iPads typically give us around 10 hours of screen time. We've used every model, from the massive 12.9-inch iPad Pro to the tiny iPad mini, and we're sort of used to seeing battery percentages drop 10% with every hour of screen time.

Of course, for binging on YouTube this will be around 15% per hour, for gaming and video editing it can easily reach over 20% per hour. Our point is that iPads have reliable endurance, but don't expect miracles.

And we're not expecting miracles with the iPad 11th Gen and iPad Air 6 – probably the same numbers, in fact. Of course, we will put them to the test with every launch!

Specification Comparison

Above all, we expect the iPad Air 6's specs to echo those of 2022's iPad Pro and that the 11th generation iPad will somehow lag behind in terms of technology, as well as habit.

	iPad Air 6 (2024)	iPad 11th generation (2024)
Size weight	9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches* (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm)*	9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 inches* (248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm)*
Screen	10.9″ LCD screen 60Hz	10.9″ LCD screen 60Hz
Processor	Apple M2* 5nm	Apple A15 Bionic 5nm
RAM, storage	8 GB / 64 GB* 8 GB / 256 GB	4 GB / 64 GB 4 GB / 256 GB
Cameras	12 MP main 12 MP ultra-wide front with Center Stage	12 MP main 12 MP ultra-wide front with Center Stage
Battery	~7,600mAh*	~7,600mAh
Loading	USB-C 30W wired	USB-C 30W wired

*Alleged specifications or rumors

These are mainly based on speculation, previous knowledge about iPad models and rare rumors. But we think we are on the right track. The full spec comparison of iPad 11 and iPad Air 6 will be released as soon as the data is available.

Summary

Sooner or later, the iPad 11th generation and iPad Air 6th generation will arrive. The question is: what would be the best purchase? Right now, we think the Air would offer more: faster hardware, Stage Manager (multitasking on the monitor), and accessory support that you can port over to the iPad Pro line if you choose to TO DO.

The base iPad also has a Pencil and a keyboard, but it sort of lives in its own bubble. Anything you buy for the iPad 11 should come with the base iPad 11.

That said, if you don't care about using the proprietary keyboard or turning the iPad into a desktop computer, the base model might work well for you. With essentials like a good FaceTime selfie camera and stereo speakers, as well as Apple Pencil support in place, we can see how some users might go straight for it.