Once upon a time at the grand “Let Loose” event, Apple unveiled not one, but two dashing new iPad Air models. The first, a dainty 11-inch beauty, and the second, a majestic 13-inch marvel. But lo and behold, dear reader, for there is more to this tale than meets the eye. These splendid slates now boast a novel placement for the 12MP front-facing camera, a hearty dose of Spatial Audio emanating from landscape speakers, and a doubled bass for the larger model, among other delightful enhancements.
Ah, but hark! For many a moon have Apple devotees clamored for a 120Hz screen. Across the horizon, gleaming Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 family proudly flaunt their opulent 120Hz OLED displays. In this realm, the iPad Air has long seemed to lag a few paces behind. So the burning question remains: does the new iPad Air of 2024 come adorned with a 120Hz screen?
Thus begins our lamentations, dear reader, as the iPad Air of 2024 remains bereft of a 120Hz display, be it in the 11-inch or 13-inch guise. Alas, the screen remains untouched from its 2022 iteration. Behold, the same Liquid Retina (IPS) display, True Tone enchantment, and laminated, anti-reflective charm. The 11-inch enchantress reigns with a 2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 ppi, while her 13-inch counterpart boasts 2732 x 2048 and 264 ppi. Their radiance reaches heights of 500 nits and 600 nits, respectively.
Fear not, for the screen retains its splendor. When Moyens I/O cast its discerning eye upon the previous iPad Air, it deemed the display commendable, albeit acknowledging a gulf in quality when compared to the illustrious iPad Pro.
Why, we wonder, does the iPad Air of 2024 shun the allure of a 120Hz display? ‘Tis a perplexing riddle indeed, for Apple’s reluctance to bestow a 120Hz refresh display upon the iPad Air seems puzzling in the face of its rivals. Could it be the subtle dance of pricing and product differentiation that guides Apple’s hand?
Indeed, the new iPad Air models gleam with a price tag of $599 and $799 for their 11-inch and 13-inch variants, a realm far more affordable than the lofty iPad Pro. Let us not label the iPad Air as middling, but rather as an offering in line with the noble pricing of the elite Android tablets. The distinct identity of these devices, it seems, plays a part in this grand design. With the iPad Pro reigning supreme with its OLED splendor and adaptive refresh rate, Apple seems content to bestow upon the Air a status betwixt the Pro’s grandeur and the humble iPad’s affordability.
Both the 11-inch and 13-inch incarnations of the iPad Air now await your beckoning call, ready for preordering and set to embark on their journey on the noble date of May 15.
