iPad Air 5 Pre-Orders Now Open: Shipping Date And Pricing Explained

Starting today, Apple’s latest and greatest iPad Air 5 is available for pre-order, with product availability starting next Friday, March 18th in 29 countries and regions. At the company’s annual spring event, dubbed ‘Peek Performance,’ the iPad Air 5 was revealed with key features. For users contemplating whether to purchase an 11-inch iPad Air or Pro, the new upgrades in performance and daily use makes the choice even more difficult. Prospective buyers looking to take the leap for the next-generation iPad Air can claim the new device starting today on the Apple Store app or website.

In a move that might have been unexpected — due to the fact it complicates Apple’s iPad lineup — the first Apple Silicon chip was brought to the iPad Air. Adding the M1 chip to the newest iPad improved processing power by 60 percent, and graphics performance was doubled as a result of the change. It’s not the only drastic performance improvement, though: the USB-C port has double the transfer speed. Since the iPad Air is now marketed as a laptop replacement, compatible with the Magic Keyboard, it’s crucial that files can be transferred quickly with ease. At a lower price point and with a similar feature set, the iPad Air figures to be one of the best options in the iPad lineup.

Starting today, buyers can place their pre-order for the iPad Air in a variety of color and finish options from the Apple Store. The only color that will match with most previous generations of Apple devices is space gray, the longtime dark color option. Instead of silver, the company has opted for starlight — a slight tweak on the traditional silver that has a gold tint. The more vibrant options are pink, blue, and purple. Although these colors have been offered before, the design images appear to have different shades to Apple’s offerings in the past. The colors might not match exactly, but the range of color options should fit any setup, whether it be a low-key or vibrant design.

When Will The iPad Air Ship?

All color options start at $599 for the base model, which includes 64 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity. Customers can upgrade the storage to 256 gigabytes at checkout for an additional $200, but the iPad Air doesn’t have any user-upgradable storage outside of USB-C external storage devices. Another key feature in the iPad Air 5 is support for 5G cellular connectivity, which can be purchased for an additional $150. It is important to note, though, that to take advantage of cellular services requires an additional monthly fee from a cellular service provider, which varies in cost. As with all aluminum Apple products, the company offers free engraving and personalization at checkout; however, this will extend the shipping and delivery timetable for the product.

Apple says the iPad Air 5 will be available in stores starting on Friday, March 18, 2022. Typically, that means the first round of pre-orders will be scheduled for delivery on the same date. The company offers a web tool where customers can check the status of their order as it is placed, processed, shipped, and delivered. If there is increased demand for a product, the delivery window can extend weeks or even months beyond the launch day of a new device. Therefore, consumers will want to place an order as soon as possible to guarantee the iPad Air 5 is delivered on release day, or wait outside an Apple Store on launch day to try for a chance at the device.

Source: Apple

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