Is the iPad Air 5 Still Worth Buying in 2025? A Deep Dive Review

Is a tablet from 2022 still good in 2025? Technology evolves rapidly. What seemed remarkable can become obsolete immediately. The iPad Air 5 was of a great value based on its price, performance, and appearance. Although outdated, the iPad Air 5 might still be an appealing option for you in 2025 because it has a good value for money and many features have not changed. You’ll want to carefully consider your needs and review the new available options.

iPad Air 5: A Brief Overview of Notable Features

The iPad Air 5 is a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. The iPad Air 5 is running on Apple’s M1 chip. It offers up to 256GB of capacity. It boasts a 12MP Wide camera on the back and a 12MP Ultra-Wide on the front, with Center Stage support. It has a Touch ID on the top button. The iPad Air 5 is offered in multiple colors.

M1 Chip Performance: Still Good?

The M1 chip is still pretty good in 2025. It can perform all the major iPad tasks you would use a tablet for just fine. This includes daily browsing, streaming videos, and some gaming. The newer chips are faster. The M1 is fast enough for many users.

For instance, programs like Procreate still work extremely well (as evidenced by these reviews) on the iPad Air 5. Video editing is fine, but maybe not as quick as the newer models. High-end gaming should still be workable. It just may not be on the highest settings. Overall, the M1 chip is still a pretty performance chip for a good user experience.

Display and Design: How Does it Stack up?

The display on the iPad Air 5 is still bright and great at color accuracy. It still looks good even in 2025. The design is slim and portable, making it a great traveling device! Some users mention there is a “jelly scrolling” effect, in which scrolling on one side of the screen seems to move faster than the other, but not everyone experiences this. With age, maybe this issue becomes more prominent.

Battery Life: What to Expect Over the Years

The iPad Air 5 initially would last roughly 10 hours of web browsing or watching videos, but with age, it will not be at that same battery life. Due to lithium-ion batteries degrading over time, their ability to hold a charge heavily diminishes over time.

By 2025 you should expect that your battery life will be less than when it was new. How much less depends on how used it, and how well you have treated it. You may find you have to charge it more often. You can extend battery life by reducing the display brightness level and limiting battery intensive tasks.

The Competition: What Alternatives are there in 2025?

By 2025, there are many other tablets to consider. One alternative would be the newer iPad models like the iPad Air 6, the regular iPad, and the iPad Pro. Then don’t forget the variety of Android tablets from companies like Samsung and Google.

Newer iPads: Are They Worth the Upgrade Price?

Newer iPads have newer, better chips which generally equates to better performance, and they also have better displays. Some of the newer models may have the ability to hold more data as well as have a better camera. The iPad Air 6 will have a newer chip, and the newest chip will be faster than the one in the M1. Generally speaking, the iPad Pro models are going to be the better version with the most features. Once you’ve made the decision to upgrade, its only a matter of how much you want to spend.

Think about what you truly need. Do you need newer, faster chip for your work? Do you require a better display? If the answers are yes, then the iPad upgrade (I would recommend the iPad Air not the iPad pro) may be worth it. If you don’t then you will enjoy the quality of the 5th generation.

Android Tablets: A Worthy Alternative?

Android tablets might be a good alternative to the iPad Air 5. They are often less expensive. They offer different varieties. Apps on Android are pretty good. The experience, however, is not always as seamless as iPadOS.

For a lot of people, Apple also has a good ecosystem. It’s something that Android does not do as well. Android tablets are worth looking at if you want to save some money or want more customization.

User Experience in 2025: Software and Ecosystem

The software on the iPad Air 5 is iPadOS. It has a simple experience. It has a wide variety of apps. What’s the experience like in 2025? That all depends on whether the iPad Air 5 is still receiving updates.

iPadOS Updates: Will the iPad Air 5 Get Updates?

Apple typically supports iPads years after they are released. The iPad Air 5 will most likely still receive iPadOS updates in 2025. However, there are no promises. Even if the iPad Air 5 stops getting updates, it will still continue working. You’ll just miss out on the new features and security fixes. After some time, some apps may even stop working.

The Apple Ecosystem: Upsides and Downsides

There are tons of benefits to being involved in the Apple ecosystem. Features like Continuity and AirDrop make it easy to work with other Apple items using an iPad. You can easily share files across devices and start experiences on one device and finish it on another.

The downside to using an Apple ecosystem is that it makes some features feel more restrictive. You cannot customize as much as you can on an Android product. If you are an Apple enthusiast, the ecosystem is a major advantage. If you prefer more freedom, it could be a disadvantage.

Who is the iPad Air 5 for in 2025?

The iPad Air 5 is great for people that want a decent tablet, without breaking the bank. Students, casual users, people who mainly use it for watching videos, or web browsing will appreciate the iPad Air 5.

Use Cases: Where the iPad Air 5 still excels

It can be used for taking notes and conducting research for students. Casual users can watch movies and have access to several social media apps. Its small size means it can maybe be taken everywhere. It is a travel friendly device. For instance, Sarah is a college student. Sarah needs a tablet for taking notes in lectures, reading textbooks and doing research. The iPad Air 5 is the right choice for her. The weight is manageable, the screen quality is ok, and there is enough power.

Budget Considerations: Is It Worth the Money?

The price you can get for an iPad Air 5 will be lower in 2025 than when it was released new. You may find new deals, and you can purchase refurbished and used models. Compare the price of the iPad Air 5 to prices of other tablets. Define what features you want. If you want the best value, a used iPad Air 5 may be your best alternative.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Recommendations

While the iPad Air 5 may not have the latest features, it will still meet the needs of many users in 2025. It has a great screen, the A14 chip, and a thin design. It may not have battery performance like new, and newer iPads will be faster. The iPad Air 5 still represents value as a good tablet for students and casual users who need a great tablet but do not want to pay too much for it.

If you want the latest technology features or maximum performance, buy a new iPad. If you want a good tablet to cover your everyday needs, the iPad Air 5 could be worth the buy. Tablets are better every time. But the iPad Air 5 proves that older technology can still be just good.