5 Reasons to Wait for the iPad Air 6 & 4 Reasons Not To

Apple’s working on a new iPad Air 6 and that might give those of you in the market for a new tablet a reason to pause.

iPad Air 6 rumors are also swirling and it’s a device you’ll want to dig into if you’re planning to buy a new iPad this year.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is cooking up a new iPad Air 6 to replace the iPad Air 5, a device that debuted all the way back in March of 2022.

The iPad Air 6 will supposedly come with a spec bump, making it an intriguing option for those looking for an alternative to the iPad Pro series.

There’s also chatter about Apple potentially releasing multiple versions of the iPad Air 6 which means we could see two different screen sizes for the first time.

These iPad Air 6 rumors put those of you in the market for a new tablet in a bit of a bind. While a lot of shoppers will be perfectly fine buying an iPad Air 5 or another tablet right now, others might want to hold out and wait for the iPad Air 6’s release.

In this guide we’ll take you through the best reasons to think about waiting for the rumored iPad Air 6 and the best reasons to go with another device.

Wait for Apple’s May 7th Event

If you’re in a hurry to buy a new tablet, you’ll have to look elsewhere. However, if you can wait until May 7th, you should do so.

Apple’s hosting an event on May 7th and that’s when we’ll see the company launch the new iPad Air.

The special event kicks off on Tuesday at 7AM Pacific/10AM Eastern. The event will be live streamed on Apple.com and YouTube.

If you can hold off on a purchase until then, you should do so.

Wait for a Larger Display

According to 9to5Mac, Apple is developing two iPad Air 6 models.

The company is reportedly “experimenting” with two versions of the iPad Air 6, codenamed J507 and J508 behind the scenes.

It’s unclear what the difference between the two is, but the site speculates it could be that Apple will release two different screen sizes, much in the way that it does for the iPad Pro line.

In a follow-up, the Apple-centric blog says its sources claim the “larger iPad Air will have essentially the same dimensions as the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro.”

Digitimes has followed with a report of its own and the site claims Apple will indeed offer a larger version of the iPad Air.

Specifically, the publication believes Apple will release a 12.9-inch model which would represent the largest iPad Air to date. The current iPad Air model features a 10.2-inch display.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes the company’s working on a 12.9-inch iPad Air. So does Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

If an iPad Air with a bigger screen interests you, think about waiting.

Wait for Performance Upgrades

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a reliable source when it comes to unannounced Apple products, the iPad Air line will get a boost to its specifications down the road.

Unfortunately, Gurman didn’t go into detail about what we can expect to see on the iPad Air 6, but there are some safe bets.

First and foremost, you can expect a new processor. A likely candidate is Apple’s in-house M2 chip. The current model, the iPad Air 5, boasts Apple’s M1 processor.

A processor bump should help in key areas like battery life, overall speed/multitasking, and gaming. So if you aren’t thrilled with the current model, you might want to wait.

We could also see Apple improve the iPad Air’s modem for enhanced connectivity, make improvements to the speakers, add Thunderbolt support to bring it in line with the iPad Pro, and maybe even tweaks to the device’s Touch ID system.

Wait for a Better Front-Facing Camera

The iPad Air 5 has a serviceable front-facing camera with Center Stage support. If a new rumor is accurate, the iPad Air 6’s front-facing camera could get a whole lot better.

Apple’s 10th-generation iPad comes with a landscape front-facing camera. It was the first iPad to come with this orientation.

According to a rumor from Chinese leaker Instant Digital, this will come to the iPad Air 6.

Leaker ShrimpApplePro, who has a mixed track record, also says the device will have a “new landscape selfie camera.”

Here’s how Apple describes the feature:

“For the first time on any iPad, the front-facing camera is now located along the landscape edge. Whether users are on a FaceTime call or recording a video for social media, they will always be looking right toward the camera. The landscape Ultra Wide front camera with a 12MP sensor and 122-degree field of view supports Center Stage, which automatically pans and zooms to keep users in view as they move around.”

This makes it perfect for conference calls or more leisurely chats with friends and family members.

According to code found in iOS 17.4 by 9to5Mac, Apple’s working on a new, unreleased iPad model that features a landscape Face ID camera.

The code doesn’t confirm the feature for the iPad Air 6, but those who want a better setup for video calls might want to see how this all shakes out.

Wait for a New Apple Pencil 3

According to Gurman, a new third-generation Apple Pencil will arrive in May.

Gurman says the new Pencil is codenamed B532 behind the scenes and it will replace the second generation version of the product. The most up-to-date version of the Apple Pencil, the second-gen model, was released all the way back in 2018.

Awhile ago, a fairly reliable leaker named Mr. White shared an image of what very well could be a third-generation Apple Pencil.

Details are scarce, but the stylus in the photo appears to have a glossy finish rather than a matte finish. Apple’s current Apple Pencil uses a matte finish.

The pencil in the photo also has a different tip. Specifically, the tip looks like it’s much larger than the tips on the first and second-generation Apple Pencils.

These changes are backed up by a purported video of the new Apple Pencil from an anonymous user on Twitter.

Another leaker named “Uncle Pan Pan” (via Chinese micr0-blogging site Weibo), also says Apple is prepping a new Pencil.

Leaker Majin Bu, in a tweet from October, says Apple is still working on a new Apple Pencil and it will come with “interchangeable magnetic tips” that can used for different activities like drawing, technical drawing and painting.

Code discovered by 9to5Mac within Apple’s iOS 17.4 update seems to confirm a new Apple Pencil.

Interestingly, the code hints at compatibility with the Find My app which would be extremely useful for those who like to take accessories on-the-go.

In his Power On newsletter, Gurman says the new Apple Pencil will utilize haptic feedback for the first time. This should help it feel more like a real pen/pencil.

If you’re interested in a new iPad Air and a new Apple Pencil, you might want to put your wallet away and wait.

Don’t Wait for an OLED Screen

Apple will reportedly bring an OLED display to the iPad Air, but it won’t happen in 2024.

The company’s iPad Pro will move from LCD to OLED, but the iPad Air and iPad mini will have to wait it seems.

The Elec, a South Korean publication, claimed Apple was planning to release a new 10.9-inch iPad Air with OLED in 2026 and a new 12.9-inch iPad Air with OLED in 2027.

However, the publication has published a revised prediction from research firm Omdia. Omdia believes Apple is targeting 2028 for the OLED iPad Air’s release.

A move to OLED would mean better power consumption, a higher contrast ratio, and improved color accuracy.

Unfortunately, it looks like the change is several years away.

Don’t Wait for a New Magic Keyboard

It looks like Apple will release a new Magic Keyboard in alongside the new iPads. However, it looks like support will be limited to the new iPad Pro.

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says the company is working on a new version of its popular keyboard that will address complaints about the current model.

It will reportedly come with a larger trackpad which “makes the ‌iPad Pro‌ look even more like a laptop than the current setup.”

Gurman also says the top case, which is the area around the keyboard, will be made of aluminum. This should improve its durability.

9to5Mac has released additional information about the device. The site says the accessory will have with new sensors including an accelerometer.

Unfortunately, Gurman says the keyboard will be exclusive to the new iPad Pro. It won’t support the iPad Air 6.

Obviously, that’s a big disappointment and, perhaps, a reason to go with an iPad Pro over the iPad Air.

Don’t Wait for iPad Deals

You don’t have to wait for Apple’s announcements to save money on a iPad Air 5 or any of the company’s other tablets.

Apple and its retail partners are offering trade-in deals and we’ve seen numerous price cuts in the year plus since the device’s release.

We’ll see additional deals emerge throughout 2024 so there’s no reason to pay full price for Apple’s newest iPad Air.

Same goes for the company’s iPad Pros, entry-level iPad, and iPad mini 6. We’ve seen deals on these tablets as well and we’ll see more as the months go on.

Don’t Wait If You Find a Tablet You Love

If you find a tablet you really love in the months ahead, don’t let rumors hold you back.

There are a number of excellent iPad Air 6 alternatives on shelves right now including several within Apple’s iPad family.

Make sure you take a look at the most recent version of the company’s entry-level iPad, the iPad Air 5, and the iPad mini line as well.

If you want more power, you’ll want to investigate the 2022 iPad Pros. We also recommend taking a look at the 2021 and 2020 iPad Pro models as well.

There are also some great alternatives that fall outside the Apple ecosystem. These devices include models like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S7.

Go hands-on with these models and others and who knows, you might find something you like before Apple launches the iPad Air 6.

And if you do decide you want to upgrade to an iPad Air 6 when the time comes, you can always trade in the device you buy for a discount.