The iPad Air hasn’t been a particularly interesting product for a number of years. Apple redesigned it in 2020 with the fourth generation model, and since then – it’s just been spec bumps and small feature upgrades. However, I think the next refresh could be a great opportunity to introduce a large feature upgrade: Face ID.
Face ID has remained iPad Pro exclusive
Despite the fact that Face ID is now an 8 year old technology, you can still only get it on the iPad Pro. This is in stark contrast to the iPhone lineup, where non-Pro models have had Face ID since 2018, and now even the cheapest iPhone 16e includes Face ID.
Recently, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple would be debuting a new iPad Air model next spring – alongside a new budget iPad, iPhone 17e, and new Studio Display model. While not confirmed, the next iPad Air will likely equip the M4 chip.
As mentioned earlier, iPad Air has been a boring product for years. It’s been purely chip upgrades, small upgrades like the Center Stage camera, and an introduction of a new 13-inch model. That could change, though – with Face ID.
M4 model should introduce Face ID
Apple has clearly been dragging their feet on introducing Face ID to more iPad models. Why?
Well, I think the biggest reason was that before the OLED redesign last year – the iPad Air and iPad Pro were incredibly similar. There was only a $200 price premium between the two models, and for the most part, you were paying the premium for a 120Hz display, Face ID, and faster silicon. If you removed Face ID from the equation, there’d be much less of a reason to pay the iPad Pro premium.
Now, with the iPad Pro – theres a $400 premium over the iPad Air, for a much thinner design (ironically), an incredible OLED display, access to a more premium Magic Keyboard, the option for a nano-texture display, as well as Face ID and 120Hz.
With all of those features on the table, I don’t think Face ID is adding much weight to the list of reasons why someone would buy an iPad Pro. Now, you buy the iPad Pro for the display, the thinner design, and more premium iPad experience.
Wrap up
All in all, I think now would be a perfect time to introduce Face ID on the iPad Air. It’d give more reason for someone to purchase a $599 iPad Air over the $349 base model iPad, and it’d add some juice to the iPad Air line – a device that’s largely been unchanged since 2020. It probably wouldn’t take away from iPad Pro sales in a way that it previously might’ve.
Would you upgrade your iPad Air if it gained Face ID? Let us know in the comments.
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