iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2022): is it time to upgrade?

Looking for a great new iPad? The iPad Air (2025) is available now, and while it strongly resembles the iPad Air (2024), a more pertinent question for many is how well it compares to the iPad Air (2022). After all, most people who bought a new iPad Air last year won’t be looking to upgrade for a while yet. But those who bought an iPad Air three years ago? Apple’s changes and new features are likely looking rather tempting.

How do the two tablets compare to each other? Where does the newer tablet exceed the older, and where might age not make such a difference? We took a look at the two tablets so you know whether it’s worth upgrading from the old to the new, or not.

iPad Air (2025) vs iPad Air (2022): specs

iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2022): design and display

One of the most significant changes Apple introduced between the iPad Air (2022) and the iPad Air (2024) was adding a 13-inch model alongside the more traditional version. Apple continues offering screen sizes of 13 and 11 inches in the iPad Air 2025 — while the iPad Air 2022 only has a single 10.9-inch variant. If you crave a larger screen, then the iPad Air 2025 wins some early points for offering a much larger display.

But aside from the size differences, there are few differences to really highlight. All three iPads here have aluminum bodies, with glass over the displays. Similarly sized bezels surround the display, and while the display on the newer 11-inch iPad Air is larger than that of the older 10.9-inch Air, it’s not a massive difference and unlikely to be anything you’d notice. The same can be said for the weight and thickness, and while the larger 13-inch model is obviously heavier, the differences between the smaller models are minute.

It’s a similar story for the screens. The iPad Air (2025) and the iPad Air (2022) feature Liquid Retina display technology, including True Tone, P3 wide color support, and an anti-reflective coating. The resolutions are basically the same, and while the larger model does have more pixels, it equals out to the same 264 pixels per inch (ppi). The 13-inch model does boasts a brighter display, with a maximum brightness of 600 nits, compared to the 11-inch model’s 500 nits, but again, it’s such a small difference as to be identical in most circumstances.

The iPad Air (2025) maintains the familiar thin-bezel and flat-edge aesthetic that has become as hallmark of the iPad Air line, and like Hallmark movies, the iPad Air has stayed the same for years now. If you’re shopping for an aesthetic, the older iPad Air will serve you just as well as the newer one, provided you’re not looking for a larger screen.

iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2022): performance

From a performance standpoint, the iPad Air (2025) is going to be the more powerful of the two. It features an M3 chip, whereas the older model is equipped with an M1 chip. The M3 chip has significantly faster CPU and GPU performance, but ultimately, it’s not going to be an enormous difference in real world use when compared with the Air 2022’s M1 processor. Both are top-tier chips, and either will smash its way through the most demanding of tasks and 3D games. Does the M3 chip in the Air 2025 have an edge? Absolutely, and it’s the one to go for if you’re planning on using your iPad for very demanding tasks, like video editing or CAD/CAM tasks. But otherwise? The older iPad Air is still a very powerful machine.

In terms of storage though, the newer models do have an advantage. Where the older iPad Air topped out at 256GB of storage, the newer ones get variants with 512GB and 1TB of storage. That’s a big upgrade, and anyone who’s felt their iPad Air starting to creak under the pressure of enormous amounts of photos, videos, and games, well, a new start with an even higher ceiling should be a tempting offer.

iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2022): cameras and battery

Apple’s iPads have historically not been known for strong camera systems, particularly on the rear. This trend continues with the latest model, which features a 12-megapixel wide camera similar to the iPad Air (2022). Both models have a 12MP front camera; however, the new tablet introduces a landscape-oriented 12MP Center Stage camera. This landscape orientation benefits users, aligning with how most people typically hold the iPad during video calls. The Center Stage feature, also found in later-generation MacBooks, iMacs, and other iPads, utilizes the device’s front-facing camera and machine learning to adjust the framing dynamically. This ensures that you remain in view during video calls, even as you move around.

The newer model supports Smart HDR 4 for both the front and rear cameras, as opposed to Smart HDR 3 in the earlier version. This enhancement is designed to deliver more natural-looking photos with improved color accuracy, contrast, and subject recognition. Ultimately though, camera capabilities aren’t as big a deal on tablets as they are on phones, so how much of a difference this makes to you is very personal.

The battery specs are similar. Since tablet use is generally a little more sporadic than phones, battery capacity isn’t as big a deal. However, it’s nice to know your tablet can last the day when you take it out without a charger. The battery specs on the newest iPad Air are the same as those on the older tablet. You can expect to receive up to 10 hours between charges on Wi-Fi when surfing the web and watching video and nine hours when using a cellular connection. Both the old and the new have USB-C ports for charging.

iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2022): software and support

The iPad Air (2025) comes with iPadOS 18 pre-installed. The iPad Air (2022) originally featured iPadOS 16 but also supports iPadOS 18. Apple generally provides software updates for its products for at least five years. As a result, users of the iPad Air (2025) can expect updates until at least iPadOS 23. However, support for the older model may conclude with iPadOS 21.

Both tablets support Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new AI toolbox, so you won’t be getting an upgrade in that area either.

iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2022): availability and price

The iPad Air (2025) once again starts at $599, just like the earlier model. However, the newer version has 128GB of storage versus the 64GB found on the iPad Air (2022). It is also available with 256GB or 512GB. This year’s model is available in Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight. These differ from the iPad Air (2022)’s colors.

The iPad Air (2025) is available now, and you can pick it up pretty much anywhere you’d expect to buy a tablet. The iPad Air (2022) is a little more difficult to find these days, given it’s such an old model. But if you can find it, you can be sure it’ll be a good price.

iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Air (2022): should you upgrade?

Several upgrades stand out on iPad Air (2025) that might appeal to owners of iPad Air (2022). This starts with the newer chip that offers more efficiency and a leap in CPU and GPU performance. For everyday tasks, however, you probably won’t notice a difference. The improvement could be noticeable if you’re a mobile gamer or plan to use Apple Intelligence heavily.

One advantage of the new model compared to the older one is its storage capacity. With the upgrade, you can obtain at least double the storage, which could influence your decision, especially since the price has not increased.

While you may appreciate the new iPad’s landscape camera, it is not an essential feature or a reason to upgrade.

If you are happy with your current iPad Air, don’t require more space, and don’t want to spend the money to upgrade, keep your wallet closed. Otherwise, it might be best to wait until 2026, when Apple might release an iPad Air with an updated design and other new features.