The current iPad Air was released in 2022, meaning it is relatively new for an Apple tablet. Apple does not update the iPad as frequently as it does the iPhone. However, there are rumors that a sixth-generation iPad Air may arrive this year.

Given Apple's acquisition of the M2 chip, it makes sense to release a refreshed iPad Air with the M1 chip replaced with an upgraded silicon slice. Similarly, the M3 chip could be available this fall, which could also be a candidate for the next-generation iPad Air, but the iPad Pro is more likely.

As we head into the fall, most of the Apple rumors tend to swirl around the iPhone 15, so there is not much information about the iPad Air 6th generation. This could indicate a simple spec refresh rather than a major overhaul. Nevertheless, read on for everything we know so far about the iPad Air 6th generation.

The timing of iPad releases is difficult to predict, as some will be released in the spring, while others will be released in the fall after the new iPhone is announced. The current iPad Air was released in March 2022, so from this we can infer that the iPad Air 6th generation could be introduced in October, leaving a gap of about a year and a half between it and the previous model. Alternatively, it could be delayed to next spring.

There are not many rumors touting a release date or timing for the next iPad Air. This is because Apple's M2 chip is found in all Mac machines except the iMac, making the iPad Air the next logical candidate for an Apple silicon upgrade.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has stated that an "iPad Air model with improved specs" is in development and that the iPad will typically be refreshed in October, but has been less specific than that.

Pricing for the iPad Air 2022 starts at $599/£569/$929 AUD, placing it between the standard iPad and the iPad Pro. iPad Air 6th generation is expected to stick to the same pricing structure, if not the same overall price.

Given that the standard storage capacity in 2023 is 64 GB, it is possible that Apple will discontinue the 64 GB entry-level model. If it does, a 128GB entry model could be introduced at the same price.

The iPad Air 6 will likely follow the aesthetic of the previous model and the iPad Air 2020, so don't expect any design changes. That's not a bad thing, as these tablets look excellent and are quite versatile when combined with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

The display bezel can be trimmed down to make the 10.9" a little larger, say 11.1".

Speaking of screens, the current iPad Air has a display with a 60 Hz refresh rate, which seems somewhat slow by 2023 standards; the 120 Hz mini LED panel found on the 12.9" iPad Pro 2022 is a Pro feature. likely to remain, but the Air's display should be bumped up to 90Hz.

OLED panels have been suggested as a possibility for the iPad, but are not expected until 2024 at the earliest. And even then, if Apple decides not to pursue a mini-LED panel, it is partially expected to target the iPad Pro first.

The increase in display brightness would be welcome for the iPad Air 6. However, the strong color and contrast of the current model's panel leaves little more to be desired than to move away from LCD displays.

The biggest, and potentially only, spec upgrade the iPad Air 6th generation will have is very likely to be an upgrade to the Apple M2 chip. The M1 chip in the current Air delivers amazing gaming performance, even on titles that are not optimized for the MacBook Air M2.

The move to the M2 chip should improve efficiency as well as performance. And expect the next-generation iPad Air to surpass the current model's battery life of 10 hours and 9 minutes; Tom's Guide's battery test was conducted surfing the web over Wi-Fi with the screen brightness at 150 nits.

It is possible that the M3 chip will be in the iPad Air 6, but previous rumors suggest that the transition to M3 will happen in the 2024 iPad.

Other possible spec improvements are unknown. We can expect the camera array to consist of front and rear 12MP sensors, perhaps with some improvements on the software side for image clarity and low-light performance. Apple's center stage feature may be tweaked slightly to make it more responsive, but no major changes are expected here.

A quad speaker array like that found on the iPad Pros would be appreciated as it would add depth to the sound experience, but this is probably just wishful thinking on our part.

So far, the iPad Air 6 will bring only incremental improvements over the iPad Air 2022; the M2 power will be appreciated, but will not be an essential upgrade for those who already have a current iPad Air.

However, for those who have an older iPad or are looking for a multifunctional tablet with a laptop-grade chip, the iPad Air 6th generation could be that iPad.

We will have to wait until at least the fall of this year for any official announcement from Apple. Until then, check out our list of the best iPad deals to buy now.