iPad Air 5th Generation in 2025: Is It Still Worth Buying?

You remember the feeling — unboxing a new iPad, that first swipe across a crisp screen — and the iPad Air 5th generation, launched in March 2022 with Apple’s M1 chip, brought desktop-class power to a mid-range tablet. Today, three years later, the question isn’t about its initial splash — it’s whether buying one in 2025 still makes sense, so we’ve combed through specs, support timelines, and the refurbished market to give you a clear-eyed answer.

Release date: March 2022 ·
Processor: Apple M1 chip ·
Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina ·
Storage options: 64GB or 256GB ·
Battery life: Up to 10 hours ·
Weight: 1.02 pounds (461 grams)

The spec sheet tells the story of a tablet that packed near-Pro hardware at a mid-range price in 2022.

Nine specs plotted, one clear pattern: the iPad Air 5th gen packed near-Pro hardware at a mid-range price in 2022. The question is how well those specs hold up three years later.

Is the iPad Air 5th gen worth buying?

What are the pros and cons of the iPad Air 5th gen in 2025?

• Pros: M1 chip performance remains competitive for most tasks including video editing and gaming (Apple Support). Refurbished prices at $400–$500 offer strong value. Long software support estimated through 2027–2029 based on Apple’s typical 5–7 year cycle (Wikipedia). Lightweight design at 1.02 pounds. Compatible with Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard (Apple Support).
• Cons: No longer sold new by Apple as of May 2024 (Wikipedia). 60Hz refresh rate — no ProMotion. Max 256GB storage with no 512GB or 1TB option. No Face ID. Battery may show degradation in used units after three years.

How does it compare to newer iPad models?

The iPad Air 6 (2024) brought the M2 chip, but benchmarks show the M1 in the 5th gen still delivers roughly 85% of the M2’s multi-core performance for daily tasks. The real differentiator is longevity: the Air 6 will likely receive updates through 2029–2031, giving it a two-year advantage. For most students and casual users, the M1 remains more than adequate — the bottleneck is iPadOS features, not raw computing power. For context, Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro guide covers similar performance-versus-longevity trade-offs with Apple silicon.

Bottom line: The iPad Air 5th gen isn’t the latest, but it’s far from obsolete. For budget-conscious students and casual users: buy refurbished and save $200. For professionals planning to keep a tablet 4+ years: pay the premium for the iPad Air 6.

How old is an iPad Air 5th gen?

What is the release date of the iPad Air 5th generation?

Apple announced the iPad Air 5th generation on March 8, 2022, and released it on March 18, 2022 (Apple Newsroom). It was discontinued on May 7, 2024, following the announcement of the iPad Air 6 at Apple’s “Let Loose” event (Wikipedia).

How does its age affect performance and support?

As of 2025, the iPad Air 5th gen is three years old. The M1 chip hasn’t seen a significant performance drop — it still runs iPadOS 18 without issues (Apple iPadOS 18 compatibility list). However, battery health on used units varies. Apple’s vintage and obsolete product list (Apple Support) had not yet listed the iPad Air 5th gen as of early 2025, meaning parts and service are still available.

How long will the iPad Air 5 be supported?

When will the iPad Air 5 stop receiving iPadOS updates?

Apple typically provides 5 to 7 years of major software updates from a device’s launch date. Based on that pattern, the iPad Air 5th gen — released in March 2022 — should receive major iPadOS updates through 2027 to 2029 (Wikipedia). Security patches often extend beyond major OS updates, potentially continuing until 2030 or later.

What is Apple’s typical support cycle for iPads?

Apple’s update policy for iPads has historically been more generous than for iPhones. The iPad Air 2 (2014) received iPadOS 15 in 2021 — seven years after launch. The iPad Air 3 (2019) supported iPadOS 18 in 2024, a five-year run. The M1 chip’s architecture makes the iPad Air 5th gen a strong candidate for the longer end of that range.

Which iPad will stop working in 2026?

Will the iPad Air 5 be affected?

No — the iPad Air 5th gen is not on the likely obsolescence list for 2026. Models most at risk are those with A12 Bionic or older chips: the iPad 7th generation (2019), iPad Air 3 (2019), and iPad mini 5 (2019) are candidates for dropping iPadOS support within the next two years. The M1 chip in the iPad Air 5 places it firmly in the supported category (Apple iPadOS 18 compatibility list).

What models are at risk of obsolescence in 2026?

• iPad 7th gen (2019) — A10 Fusion chip, likely to lose iPadOS 19 support
• iPad Air 3 (2019) — A12 Bionic, may be dropped in 2026 or 2027
• iPad mini 5 (2019) — A12 Bionic, similar trajectory to Air 3
• iPad 8th gen (2020) — A12 Bionic, borderline for 2026 cutoff

Apple’s vintage and obsolete list (Apple Support) had not listed the iPad Air 5th gen as of 2025. Even after Apple stops major OS updates, the device will continue functioning — app compatibility will gradually become the limiting factor, not the hardware itself.

Is it bad to leave my iPad charging overnight?

Does overcharging damage the iPad Air 5 battery?

No — modern iPads, including the iPad Air 5th gen, have built-in overcharge protection. When the battery reaches 100%, charging circuitry stops delivering power. Apple’s official guidance (Apple Support) confirms that leaving an iPad plugged in overnight is safe. The device draws power directly from the charger once the battery is full, bypassing the lithium-ion cells.

What are best practices for charging the iPad Air 5?

While overnight charging won’t damage the battery, Apple recommends keeping charge between 20% and 80% for optimal long-term health. The iPad Air 5 supports Optimized Battery Charging (Apple Support), a feature that learns your daily routine and delays charging past 80% until you need it. The real enemy of battery health is heat — charging under a pillow or in direct sunlight will degrade the battery far faster than overnight charging ever could.

“Optimized Battery Charging is designed to reduce the wear on your battery and improve its lifespan by reducing the time your iPad spends fully charged.”

— Apple Support battery guidance

“The iPad Air (5th generation) was discontinued on May 7, 2024, after the introduction of the iPad Air 6. Key specifications include the Apple M1 chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and 64GB or 256GB storage.”

— Wikipedia iPad Air 5th generation page

“Refurbished iPad Air 5th generation units typically ship with a new battery, new outer shell, and full one-year warranty. Pricing ranges from $400 to $500 depending on condition and storage.”

— Back Market refurbished retailer

“iPadOS 18 is compatible with iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).”

— Apple iPadOS 18 compatibility list

The iPad Air 5th generation in 2025 is a study in trade-offs. The M1 chip remains genuinely capable — it runs iPadOS 18 smoothly, handles photo and video editing, and supports demanding games. The refurbished price of $400–$500 undercuts the iPad Air 6 by roughly $150–$200. The catch: you lose two years of software support and the marginal performance gains of the M2 chip. For a student working through a four-year degree, the iPad Air 5th gen covers the entire period with updates to spare. For a creative professional planning to keep a tablet until 2030, the iPad Air 6 is the safer bet. Your decision hinges on one question: how long do you plan to keep it?

Related reading: Apple iPhone 15 Pro – The Complete Guide for Smart Buyers · Apple iPhone 15 Pro – The Complete Guide for Smart Buyers

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