Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular – Powerful and Portable:

Introduction: Why the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular is a Game-Changer

Apple has long dominated the tablet market with its iPad lineup, offering devices that cater to students, professionals, and casual users alike. The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular, model A2589, is an ultra-powerful and versatile tablet that bridges the gap between the standard iPad 9th Gen and the premium iPad Pro series. With the M1 chip, Liquid Retina display, 5G connectivity, and Apple Pencil 2 support, this device is a powerhouse that delivers pro-level performance in a lightweight, stylish, and affordable package.

But does the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular live up to expectations? Is it worth KES 92,000 in Kenya? This in-depth review answers all your questions, covering hardware, software, performance, and how it compares to competitors.

1.Build Quality & Design

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular maintains Apple’s signature aerospace-grade aluminum body, making it lightweight, durable, and premium-feeling. The device is incredibly thin and portable, making it ideal for students, professionals, and creatives who need a high-performance tablet on the go.

Weight & Dimensions:

• Weight: 462g (Cellular version)
• Thickness: 6.1mm
• Overall size: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm

Apple has also introduced five color options for the iPad Air 5:

• Space Gray – Classic and professional.
• Starlight – A mix of gold and silver for an elegant look.
• Pink – A soft pastel shade.
• Purple – A modern, stylish choice.
• Blue – A refreshing and vibrant color.

The thin bezels and rounded edges give it a modern and futuristic look, while the flat edges allow it to be compatible with the Apple Pencil 2, which magnetically attaches to the side.

Touch ID Instead of Face ID

Unlike the iPad Pro, which uses Face ID, the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular relies on Touch ID, which is embedded in the power button. Touch ID is fast, reliable, and secure, but some users may miss the convenience of Face ID, especially for unlocking the device hands-free.

2. Display: Liquid Retina Brilliance

Visual Experience

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, which delivers stunning visuals with great color accuracy and clarity. This makes it an excellent device for:

• Reading & Web Browsing – Crisp, clear text for ebooks, articles, and PDFs.
• Streaming & Entertainment – Netflix, YouTube, and Apple TV+ look fantastic.
• Digital Art & Photo Editing – High color accuracy for designers and artists.
• Multitasking & Productivity – Smooth performance for Split View and Slide Over.

Display Specifications

• Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels (264 PPI)
• Brightness: 500 nits (good for indoor and outdoor use)
• Color Accuracy: P3 Wide Color Gamut
• True Tone: Adjusts the display’s color temperature based on ambient light
• Anti-Reflective Coating: Reduces glare for outdoor usability

Refresh Rate – No ProMotion?

One downside of the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular’s display is the lack of a ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate. This means scrolling and animations are not as smooth as the iPad Pro, which offers 120Hz refresh rates for ultra-fluid motion.

However, for most users, the 60Hz refresh rate is still great for everyday tasks, gaming, and entertainment.

3. Performance: The Power of the M1 Chip

Why the M1 Chip is a Big Deal

The M1 processor in the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular transforms it into a laptop-class tablet, making it far more powerful than most Windows laptops in this price range.

The M1 chip features:

• 8-core CPU – 60% faster than the previous iPad Air 4.
• 8-core GPU – 2x faster graphics performance.
• 16-core Neural Engine – Enables advanced AI and machine learning tasks.

How Does It Perform in Real Life?

• Gaming: Runs heavy games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt 9 at max settings with no lag.
• Video Editing: Easily edits 4K videos in apps like LumaFusion.
• Multitasking: Runs multiple apps smoothly with Split View and Stage Manager.
• Graphic Design & Illustration: Works flawlessly with Procreate, Photoshop, and Affinity Designer.

Benchmark Scores (Geekbench 5)

• Single-core: ~1700
• Multi-core: ~7200
• GPU Performance: Comparable to M1 MacBooks!

The M1 chip makes the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular future-proof, ensuring at least 5-6 years of software updates and strong performance.

4. Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6 & USB-C

5G Connectivity in Kenya

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular supports 5G networks, allowing for faster downloads and smoother video calls. However, mmWave 5G is not available in Kenya, meaning users will experience sub-6GHz 5G speeds, which are still faster than 4G LTE.

Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.0

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular also includes:

• Wi-Fi 6: Faster, more stable internet connections.
• Bluetooth 5.0: Better connectivity for headphones and accessories.

USB-C Port for Fast Data Transfer

Unlike older iPads with Lightning ports, the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular features USB-C, which supports:

• Fast charging (50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapter).
• External SSD & Flash Drive Support.
• 4K external display connectivity.

5. Battery Life – All-Day Power for Work and Play

How Long Does the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular Battery Last?

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular is equipped with a 28.6-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery, which delivers all-day battery life depending on how you use it. Apple claims up to 10 hours of usage on Wi-Fi and up to 9 hours on cellular data, but real-world performance varies based on usage patterns.

Fast Charging via USB-C

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular supports fast charging via USB-C, and Apple includes a 20W charger in the box. However, if you upgrade to a 30W or 35W charger, you can charge the iPad from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes and fully charge it in under 2 hours.

How Does the Battery Compare to Other iPads?

• iPad Air 5 vs. iPad Pro 11-inch: Similar battery life, but the Pro model lasts longer on heavy tasks due to its ProMotion efficiency.
• iPad Air 5 vs. iPad 9th Gen: Air 5 lasts longer under heavy use because of the efficiency of the M1 chip.
• iPad Air 5 vs. iPad Mini 6: iPad Air 5 has better battery life, especially for video streaming and gaming.

6. Cameras & Video Calls – Perfect for Zoom & Content Creation

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular has a major camera upgrade compared to its predecessor, making it an excellent device for video calls, content creation, and casual photography.

Front Camera – Center Stage for Better Video Calls

12MP Ultra-Wide Camera with Center Stage (Auto-framing during video calls)

• Video Calls (Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime): The Center Stage feature automatically adjusts the frame to keep you centered, even if you move around.
• Portrait Selfies: The 12MP front camera takes sharp, well-lit selfies with Smart HDR.
• 1080p HD Video Recording: Great for vlogs, online classes, and livestreams.

Rear Camera – Great for Scanning Documents & 4K Video

12MP Wide Camera with:

• f/1.8 aperture – Good for low-light shots.
• 4K video recording at 24, 30, and 60fps.
• Smart HDR 3 – Improves photo quality.
• Document scanning with Live Text support.

While the rear camera is not as advanced as the iPad Pro’s dual-camera setup, it still delivers great photos and videos for everyday use.

7. Software & iPadOS 17 – The Power of a Laptop in a Tablet

What’s New with iPadOS 17?

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular runs iPadOS 17, which introduces several new features that make it more versatile, productive, and user-friendly.

Key iPadOS 17 Features:

• Stage Manager: Multitasking with resizable windows, like a laptop.
• Freeform App: A digital whiteboard for brainstorming.
• Live Text: Copy text directly from images.
• Improved Split View: Makes multitasking smoother.
• File Manager Upgrades: Improved organization and drag-and-drop features.

Is iPadOS 17 Optimized for the M1 Chip?

Yes! The M1 chip makes iPadOS 17 incredibly smooth, allowing for faster app launches, better multitasking, and improved battery efficiency.

8. Accessories – Enhance Your iPad Air 5 Experience

Apple Pencil 2 – A Must-Have for Creatives & Note-Takers

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular supports the Apple Pencil 2, which attaches magnetically to the side and charges wirelessly.

Best Uses:

• Note-taking (GoodNotes, Notability)
• Digital art & sketching (Procreate, Adobe Fresco)
• Document annotation (PDF Expert)

Magic Keyboard – Turn Your iPad Into a Mini Laptop

Apple Magic Keyboard: Features a floating design, backlit keys, and a trackpad.

• Great for typing-intensive tasks.
• Turns the iPad into a MacBook alternative.

Other Accessories:

• AirPods Pro 2 – Best for wireless audio.
• USB-C Hub – Connect USB drives, external displays, SD cards.
• iPad Covers & Cases – Protect your iPad from drops.

9. Real-World Use Cases – Who Should Buy the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB Cellular?

• Students & Professionals – Great for online classes, note-taking, and presentations.
• Digital Artists – Supports Procreate, Photoshop, and Affinity Designer.
• Entertainment Lovers – Excellent for Netflix, YouTube, and gaming.
• Business Users – Works well with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Zoom.

If you don’t need Face ID or a 120Hz display, the iPad Air 5 is the best value-for-money iPad.

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