Note: We may earn commissions (at no cost to you) if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
NOTE: This model is discontinued and may no longer be available to purchase new. See the latest cell phones or compare used prices.

Apple iPad Air (2019) review

8.9/10 AVG.
RATING
Compare Compare  
Compare Compare  

Apple iPad Air (2019)
Apple iPad Air (2019)
Apple iPad Air (2019)
Apple iPad Air (2019)
Apple iPad Air (2019)
...


8.9/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad Air (2019) currently has an Informr score of 8.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 24 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

Striking a balance between the designs of previous generations with the performance of the latest, the iPad Air (2019) offers top-notch performance, accessory support, and many of the perks of the iPad Pro at a more consumer-friendly price.

What's good

  • Great display
  • 1st generation Apple Pen support
  • Smart Keyboard support
  • Solid design
  • Blazing performance
  • Plenty of storage

What's bad

  • No microSD support
  • So-so cameras
  • Long recharge times

With Apple expanding its lineup -- and its prices -- there was a big hole in the middle of their selection. The iPad Mini is great for the budget-conscious and the iPad Pros are great for those who want the best -- and can afford to pay for it. But what about your “everyday carry” tablet?

Apple looks to address this question with the Apple iPad Air (2019). Reviewers have had time to put this new release through its paces. We’ve scoured the best reviews on the web to bring you this summary.

Design

The iPad Air (2019) features the same design as the 10.5-inch iPad Pro. So much so that it’s compatible with the older model’s cases and accessories thanks to the smart connector on the left side of the tablet.

However, it is slightly thinner and weighs just a hair less -- coming in at right about one pound.

The aluminum chassis impressed reviewers as always with its premium feel and solid design.

But the overall design doesn’t bring the wow factor of the newer iPad Pros.

Digital Trends says, “The design here is safe and uninspiring. I don’t feel anything when I stare at the iPad Air, unlike the new iPad Pro, which prompts a feeling of awe.

Display

Around front, you’ll find a 10.5-inch display with a wider color gamut and TrueTone technology. Screen lamination helps make interacting with the screen feel more direct while an anti-reflective treatment keeps things easy-to-see in bright lighting or when using the tablet outdoors.

Engadget says, “... once you use an iPad with a laminated screen, you won't want to go back to a tablet without it -- that air gap is just about impossible to unsee. These display improvements alone are almost enough reason to justify choosing the Air over the standard iPad.

There are sizeable bezels around the screen. But they’re still smaller than what you’ll find on the baseline iPad 9.7 (2018) and iPad Mini (2019). In the bottom chin, you’ll find a Touch ID sensor as the iPad Air (2019) does not support Face ID.

As with all Apple displays, reviewers loved the clarity and color accuracy on offer. They also found the larger screen great for multitasking, enjoying movies, and playing games.

Performance

While the tablet shares many features with its predecessor on the outside, it’s a different story on the inside. The iPad Air (2019) is powered by an A12 Bionic processor with M12 coprocessor and Neural Engine paired with 3GB of RAM. The iPad Pro 11 and 12.9 are the only tablets on the market with more power.

Apple claims improvements of 70% in performance and 200% in graphics capabilities over the previous iPad Air and reviews show the difference is very noticeable. We found zero complaints about performance, stability, or stuttering.

Apple Insider praised performance, saying, “The A12 Processor on the 2019 iPad Air is ridiculously fast. It pairs well with iOS 12 -- and soon iOS 13. For the past two weeks that we've had the device, we've never seen the iPad Air struggle one bit. Everything is so seamless and just works right out of the box.

Software

The tablet ships with iOS 12.2 and is likely to see updates for years to come. This means you can use gesture controls and other new features.

Storage

Depending on the model you choose, you’ll find either 64GB or 256GB of storage. Both are generous. But if you think you’ll ever need more space, be sure to opt for the larger option. There is no way to expand the storage on the iPad Air (2019).

Cameras

Tablet photography is awkward. Trying to hold up a 10.5-inch display and snap a photo on the fly is less than ideal. Apple knows this and offers an 8MP rear camera with 7MP front-facing lens designed more for office use, taking quick snapshots as notes, and for use with AR apps.

Engadget says, “The eight-megapixel shooter takes decent photos, but it's likely that the phone in your pocket does a better job. So please, do that instead. The iPad's camera does the trick for document scanning and augmented reality, and if you really need to take a picture it'll get the job done if the lighting is good.

Battery Life

As with the rest of the iPad lineup, battery life on the iPad Air (2019) is great. Apple estimates roughly 10 hours of use on a single charge and reviewers backed up the claim. Charging is slow using the Lightning port, however. So if you use your iPad often, you’ll want to plug it in before bed to ensure you’re not left hunting a charger the next day.

Audio

With the larger screen, the iPad Air (2019) is great for streaming video or gaming. Its dual bottom-firing speakers also offer plenty of volume. However, since they’re both on the same side of the tablet, don’t expect great stereo separation.

If you’re looking to improve the audio experience, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack available to plug in your favorite pair of cans and Bluetooth 5 if you prefer Bluetooth headphones.

Digital Trends notes, “Surprisingly, the stereo speakers sound impressive. They’re loud, well-balanced, and while they might not fill a whole room at a party, they will satisfy most people.

Accessories

The iPad Air (2019) is compatible with both the Smart Keyboard case and the 1st Generation Apple Pen. Reviewers found the keyboard case fit great, and the laminated display made the Apple Pen experience that much better.

The larger display is also ideal for more productivity- and creativity-focused tasks -- such as photo editing, writing, and digital art. The accessories accentuate this further still.

_

The Takeaway

Overall, reviewers love the iPad Air (2019). It even made them question why the iPad 9.7 (2018) is still in Apple's lineup. It might not have the modern flair of the iPad Pro series, but it offers a large part of the iPad Pro experience at a significantly lower cost.

Computer World says, “In most cases, the iPad Air is the iPad Pro for the rest of us. It sets the scene for what an entry-level iPad should be, and it seems inevitable that all the iPads Apple sells will coalesce around this level of performance.

Mac World loved their review unit, saying, “Absolutely nothing about this iPad Air is new. It’s an oddball collection of regular-iPad and Pro-iPad features that may not excite technophiles looking for the latest advancements, but delivers the right iPad at the right price for most users.


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
2.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.5 GHz
10.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
10.5"
8+ MP, f/2.4
Camera
Camera
8+ MP, f/2.4
30.2 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


T3
T3

The iPad Air is a fantastic tablet. The screen and power make it feel like an iPad Pro, but for a seriously good price. The perfect do-anything device for most people.

- Matthew Bolton, T3
TechRadar
TechRadar

The iPad Air 3 (2019) has serious horsepower hidden behind its laminated screen and uses Apple’s excellent Smart Keyboard for proper 2-in-1 for productivity. Its traditional design and first-gen Apple Pencil compatibility make it look dated, but it doubles the performance of the entry-level iPad 9.7...

- Matt Swider, TechRadar
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

The iPad Air is a powerful and easy-to-use tablet with a large and well-specced screen, long battery life and attractive design, all at a sensible price. There are some compromises here, but as an all-round package this is vastly appealing.

- David Price, Tech Advisor
Gear Hungry
Gear Hungry

The Apple iPad Air is the lightest and slimmest iPad that you could ever buy. With just 456 grams and 6.1 millimeters thin, the iPad Air shows that you don’t have to compromise power and quality when you downsize. This iPad is equipped with an A12 Bionic chip, the chip that is found in iPhone XS and...

- Jordan Carter, Gear Hungry
What Hi-Fi
What Hi-Fi

It might not instantly appear so, but the iPad Air is the pick of the current iPad range. It is more affordable than the Pros and only a little more expensive than the much smaller Mini, and while it does command a fair premium over the entry-level iPad, its better screen and potentially longer usef...

- What Hi-Fi


Prices (Where to Buy)




Ask the Community


No questions for the moment.


Resources


Helpful Links Share / Embed

Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.


Quick view

Screen Size
10.5"

The Apple iPad Air (2019)'s screen size is 10.5 inches with 1668 x 2224 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.5 GHz

There is a Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) Octa-core 2.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the iOS 12 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 8+ MP, f/2.4 camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 7+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
64/256 GB

Internal memory is 64/256 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
30.2WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 30.2 WHr battery. Apple's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad Air (2019) Specs

Overview
Release Date March 18, 2019
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 12 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) Octa-core 2.5 GHz
Internal Storage 64/256 GB
RAM 3 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 1.19 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB Lightning
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels, f/2.4
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, HDR, Time lapse mode
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
7+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Multi-shot, Self-timer, Aperture F2.2, HDR
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1668 x 2224 pixels
Pixel density 264 pixels
Size 10.5 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, Wide color display (P3), True Tone display, Antireflective coating
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 30.2 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 4 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 9 hours
Standby Time Up to 13.3 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Silver, Space Gray, Gold
Dimensions [H x W x D] 25.06 x 17.41 x 0.61 cm (9.9 x 6.9 x 0.2 in)
Weight 456
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Apple iPad Air 3, iPad Air 3rd Generation
Related Links Apple iPad Air (2019) Reviews
Where to buy Apple iPad Air (2019)
Suggest a correction