Upcoming iPad Air Rumored to Feature M1 Chip

[MacRumors]

The updated iPad Air that Apple is expected to unveil at tomorrow's "Peek Performance" event could include the same M1 chip that's featured in the 2021 iPad Pro, according to information shared by 9to5Mac. Last year's iPad Pro was the first iPad to get Apple's M-series chip, and adding the M1 to the iPad Air would put iPad Air performance on par with the current iPad Pro models and the 2020 MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

All prior rumors about the iPad Air have suggested that it will be similar to the iPad mini, featuring the same A15 chip along with 5G connectivity. Adding the M1 to the iPad Air would make it very similar to the more expensive top-of-the-line iPad Pro, and if Apple does opt to do so, ProMotion display technology (with mini-LED in the 12.9-inch model) and the LiDAR camera would be the main differences between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro lines.

The M1 chip features a 8-core CPU and a 7 to 8-core GPU, and comparatively, the A15 chip has a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, so the M1 does offer some speed improvements over the A-series chips.

Apple's "Peek Performance" event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time tomorrow, so we don't have much more time before we learn exactly what chip Apple is adding to the iPad Air. We'll have coverage here at MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Article Link: Upcoming iPad Air Rumored to Feature M1 Chip

 

[diddl14]

If it can dual-boot Mac and iPad OS, I'll take it!
Plus whatever keyboard that goes with it...

 

[exoticSpice]

Ah yes more power for iPadOS, that just what we need.

 

[_Spinn_]

The M1 is overkill for iPadOS currently.

 

[Pezimak]

Really??? The mid range consumer iPad will have the same processor as Apples computers? And iPad Pro’s. I can’t believe this one I’m afraid. I mean I know economy of scale for the M1 is important but it’s in several Mac devices now. If this is true I would certainly expect a price increase.

 

[Realityck]

I guess we have every rumor possible now being thought of.

 

[DFZD]

So iPad Air will have 8gb and 16gb RAM options and cost just $100 more than the iPad Mini.

Who else thinks this is just another bait leak to catch them snitches?

Oh btw, I hope Tim Apple knows what snitches get!

 

[ouimetnick]

Hope they update the 11" iPad Pro with a mini LED display since there isn't much difference between an iPad Air with M1 and iPad Pro 11 except for speakers & ProMotion.

 

[JonathanLevine]

Who the hell is coming up with these rumors the last few days? Am I the only one who thinks most of the stuff coming out the last few days has just been complete bull? I mean half of this sh*t doesn’t even make sense on any level.

 

[thingstoponder]

Makes no sense.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

iPad Air: M1 Chip + Pro-Motion + Mini-LED display would be an instant buy for me.

 

[DFZD]

The M1 is overkill for iPadOS currently.

iPad Pro can game really well but it also consumes a lot of battery whenever M1 is pushed to its limits. This kind of power is never meant for such a puny battery.

 

[thingstoponder]

Who the hell is coming up with these rumors the last few days? Am I the only one who thinks most of the stuff coming out the last few days has just been complete bull? I mean half of this sh*t doesn’t even make sense on any level.

I think it’s all nonsense. If it’s not from Gurman or Kuo ignore it.

 

[russell_314]

Sure this is possible but it’s not a big thing when it comes to performance. iOS or as they call it iPadOS is so limited that this is overkill. It’s nice to see the hardware is improving so perhaps in the future they could improve the operating system to match.

 

[Realityck]

The M1 is overkill for iPadOS currently.

Good point, its why we are very anxious about iPadOS 16 at WWDC.

 

[satchmo]

And probably still no calculator. Embarrassing.

 

[RouterCFW]

I swear Apple always fu**s with the iPad mini every time I think the iPad Air and mini are gonna be similar in benchmarks they upgrade the air and leave the mini in the dust

 

[ouimetnick]

The M1 is overkill for iPadOS currently.

So was the A12X/A12Z.

 

[QCassidy352]

iPad Air: M1 Chip + Pro-Motion + Mini-LED display would be an instant buy for me.

At that point it’s an iPad Pro minus faceID and that stupid LiDAR scanner. No way they’ll make the two models that close.

 

[sos47]

and the LiDAR camera would be the main differences between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro lines.

who needs lidar?

 

[Nismo73]

Why is the 11” Pro not available to be delivered until the 15th?

 

[sherwinzadeh]

Air is the sweet spot in the iPad lineup. I have a Pro and never use it's fancy cameras. And sorry it's no laptop replacement or ever will be. Need to stick to being a killer tablet for reading, note taking, creativity, portable consumption, gaming, etc. The iPad needs to shine on its own, not be a laptop replacement.

Seriously my kids still have a heavy backpack full of books. Can someone explain to me why all textbooks aren't on the iPad yet???

 

[Macative]

Makes no sense.

A 1.5 year old chip being put in a mid-tier product? Makes perfect sense.

 

[Macative]

Good point, its why we are very anxious about iPadOS 16 at WWDC.

It's still going to be an iPad.

 

[JPack]

Makes no sense.

Makes sense to give Thunderbolt support and multiple external display.

RAM remains a big differentiator. For marketing, the number of GPU cores differs.