iPad Air 5 - One Year In!
Ano Leno
Writer & Entrepreneur
I rarely stick with a device for more than six months, but the iPad Air 5 has managed to stay in my hands for almost a year now. It’s become a reliable tool in my everyday life, and after extensive use, I’ve gathered plenty of insights—what’s great and where it could improve. Let's dive into the details.
At 10.9 inches, the iPad Air 5 is the perfect blend of portability and usability. It’s lightweight, making it incredibly easy to carry around, which was one of my main reasons for buying it in the first place. The Liquid Retina Display continues to impress with sharp, vibrant visuals that hold up whether I’m watching videos or working on creative projects.
Durability-wise, I’ve seen a few concerns online about bending or cracking frames, but I haven’t experienced any issues myself. The only tweak I’d suggest? Maybe shrink the bezels a bit for an even sleeker look.
The iPad Air 5 hits a sweet spot between portability and performance. It's more powerful than your typical tablet, yet lighter and more convenient than a laptop. With its M1 chip, it bridges the gap between a Mac and an iPhone, offering the best of both worlds in one device.
A huge bonus with iPadOS is how it’s still evolving, constantly receiving updates that bring new features and improvements. Unlike macOS or Windows, which feel pretty much fully developed, iPadOS keeps giving you reasons to be excited about what's next.
One of its biggest strengths is the variety of input methods. Whether you’re typing, using touch, or navigating with the Apple Pencil, the iPad offers an intuitive and flexible experience that fits a wide range of tasks.
Over the past year, I’ve thrown a lot at the iPad Air 5. My biggest surprise? How well it handles video editing. Using DaVinci Resolve, I’ve edited 4K 30fps videos with zero issues—no crashes, no lag. In fact, it’s smoother than my previous experience on a Mac. I use a keyboard and trackpad for broader tasks, the Apple Pencil for precision, and touch for everything in between.
Beyond that, it’s become my go-to device for watching movies and YouTube, thanks to its sharp display and impressive stereo speakers. Whether I’m working on projects, gaming, or even coding, the iPad handles it all with ease.
After a year of heavy use, battery performance remains strong. On days filled with intensive tasks—video editing, gaming, or graphics work—it lasts about 4 to 6 hours. Lighter usage like watching videos, reading, or note-taking easily pushes the battery to 12 to 14 hours. A full charge takes roughly 90 minutes, which is fast enough to keep me going.
Over time, I’ve found a few key accessories that enhance the iPad experience: the Apple Pencil, Logitech Combo Touch Folio keyboard, and a simple dongle. If you're planning to use the iPad for more than just media consumption, a stand is also a great addition.
While the iPad Air 5 is impressive, one downside is Apple's confusing iPad lineup and pricing. With so many models available, it’s easy to pick the wrong one. I’ll be covering this in detail in my upcoming 2024 iPad buying guide.
The M1 chip continues to amaze me. No matter how demanding the task—whether it’s editing, coding, or intense gaming—the iPad Air 5 delivers without breaking a sweat. There’s no overheating, no crashes, just seamless multitasking. Apple really packed a powerhouse into this sleek, portable device, making it a versatile tool for creators, students, and anyone in between.
