Introduction
When Apple released the iPad Air 1 in November 2013, it set a new standard for what tablets could be. With a focus on being lighter and thinner than any previous model, the iPad Air combined portability and power in a sleek aluminum body. But how does this aging device hold up today? In this post, we’ll explore the iPad Air 1’s specs, relevance in 2024, and compare it to more modern alternatives. If you’re considering a secondary tablet or just want to revisit a classic, read on to discover why the iPad Air 1 still has a place in today’s tech landscape.
Historical Context and Evolution
The iPad Air 1 was introduced as a revolutionary device, weighing just 469 grams and measuring only 7.5 mm thick. Its A7 chip was the first 64-bit processor in an iPad, making it far more capable of handling multitasking and more intensive apps compared to its predecessors.
At its launch, the iPad Air was marketed as the go-to tablet for professionals and casual users alike, thanks to its powerful performance and the vast app ecosystem available through iOS. While it may no longer receive iOS updates, its sturdy build and reliable performance still make it a viable option for specific use cases today.
Detailed Specifications (Summary Table)
Here’s a summary table of the key specifications for various iPad Air 1 models released in 2013:
Table 1: Apple iPad Air 1 (2013) – 16GB and 32GB Variants
| Specification | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi) (16GB) | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (16GB) | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi) (32GB) | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (32GB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Price | $499 | $629 | $599 | $729 |
| Release Date | November 1, 2013 | November 1, 2013 | November 1, 2013 | November 1, 2013 |
| Operating System | iOS 7.0.3 | iOS 7.0.3 | iOS 7.0.3 | iOS 7.0.3 |
| Chipset | Apple A7 | Apple A7 | Apple A7 | Apple A7 |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone |
| CPU Benchmark Score | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 | PowerVR G6430 | PowerVR G6430 | PowerVR G6430 |
| GPU Benchmark Score | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| RAM | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Expandable Storage | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable |
| Display Type | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina |
| Screen Size | 9.7 inches | 9.7 inches | 9.7 inches | 9.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels | 1536 x 2048 pixels | 1536 x 2048 pixels | 1536 x 2048 pixels |
| Screen Protection | Oleophobic Coating | Oleophobic Coating | Oleophobic Coating | Oleophobic Coating |
| Main Camera | 5 MP, HDR | 5 MP, HDR | 5 MP, HDR | 5 MP, HDR |
| Selfie Camera | 1.2 MP, Face Detection | 1.2 MP, Face Detection | 1.2 MP, Face Detection | 1.2 MP, Face Detection |
| Battery Capacity | 8820 mAh | 8820 mAh | 8820 mAh | 8820 mAh |
| Charging | 12W wired charging | 12W wired charging | 12W wired charging | 12W wired charging |
| Weight | 469g | 478g | 469g | 478g |
| Dimensions | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm |
| Colors Available | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray |
| SIM Type | None | Nano-SIM | None | Nano-SIM |
| Audio Jack | 3.5mm | 3.5mm | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0, LTE | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0, LTE |
| Additional Features | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay |
| Charging Port | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning |
| Tablet Specific Features | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture |
| Pen/Pencil Support | None | None | None | None |
| Cellular Technology | N/A | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | N/A | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Supported Accessories | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Apple Pencil (2nd gen), Magic Keyboard, Smart Folio |
Table 2: Apple iPad Air 1 (2013) – 64GB and 128GB Variants
| Specification | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi) (64GB) | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi) (64GB) | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi) (128GB) | iPad Air 1 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (128GB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Price | $699 | $699 | $799 | $929 |
| Release Date | November 1, 2013 | November 1, 2013 | November 1, 2013 | November 1, 2013 |
| Operating System | iOS 7.0.3 | iOS 7.0.3 | iOS 7.0.3 | iOS 7.0.3 |
| Chipset | Apple A7 | Apple A7 | Apple A7 | Apple A7 |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone |
| CPU Benchmark Score | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 | PowerVR G6430 | PowerVR G6430 | PowerVR G6430 |
| GPU Benchmark Score | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| RAM | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Expandable Storage | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable |
| Display Type | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina |
| Screen Size | 9.7 inches | 9.7 inches | 9.7 inches | 9.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels | 1536 x 2048 pixels | 1536 x 2048 pixels | 1536 x 2048 pixels |
| Screen Protection | Oleophobic Coating | Oleophobic Coating | Oleophobic Coating | Oleophobic Coating |
| Main Camera | 5 MP, HDR | 5 MP, HDR | 5 MP, HDR | 5 MP, HDR |
| Selfie Camera | 1.2 MP, Face Detection | 1.2 MP, Face Detection | 1.2 MP, Face Detection | 1.2 MP, Face Detection |
| Battery Capacity | 8820 mAh | 8820 mAh | 8820 mAh | 8820 mAh |
| Charging | 12W wired charging | 12W wired charging | 12W wired charging | 12W wired charging |
| Weight | 469g | 469g | 469g | 478g |
| Dimensions | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm |
| Colors Available | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray |
| SIM Type | None | None | None | Nano-SIM |
| Audio Jack | 3.5mm | 3.5mm | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.0, LTE |
| Additional Features | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay |
| Charging Port | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning |
| Tablet Specific Features | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture |
| Pen/Pencil Support | None | None | None | None |
| Cellular Technology | N/A | N/A | N/A | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Supported Accessories | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Apple Pencil (2nd gen), Magic Keyboard, Smart Folio |
These tables provide a breakdown of all 8 iPad Air 1 (2013) models, highlighting the differences between storage sizes and Wi-Fi vs. Cellular variants.
Use Cases in 2024
Despite its age, the iPad Air 1 can still perform adequately for a variety of tasks. Here are some ways this older tablet might still be useful today:
- Reading and Content Consumption:
- Thanks to its Retina display, the iPad Air 1 remains an excellent option for reading eBooks, browsing the web, or watching videos. The 9.7-inch screen offers ample space for media consumption, and its lightweight build makes it easy to hold for extended periods.
- Basic Productivity:
- Although it doesn’t support newer versions of the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard, the iPad Air 1 can still handle note-taking, light document editing, and productivity apps. Paired with a third-party Bluetooth keyboard, it can serve as a secondary device for simple tasks.
- Kids’ Learning and Entertainment:
- The iPad Air 1 is a great option as a hand-me-down for children, especially for educational apps, drawing, or gaming. While it may struggle with newer, more resource-intensive games, it handles casual gaming just fine.
- Secondary Display:
- You can still use the iPad Air 1 as a secondary display with Sidecar or Duet Display, making it a useful tool for extending your screen space when working on a laptop or desktop.
Common Problems and Limitations
While the iPad Air 1 still offers value for certain use cases, there are several limitations to keep in mind:
- Software Support: The iPad Air 1 is no longer supported by the latest versions of iOS. This means you won’t have access to newer features or security updates.
- Performance: With just 1 GB of RAM and the A7 chip, multitasking and running demanding apps can result in slowdowns. It’s best suited for single-tasking or lighter apps.
- No Pencil Support: While it was introduced before the Apple Pencil, the iPad Air 1 does not support any form of stylus input, which might limit its appeal to artists and designers.
Comparison with Modern Tablets
Let’s see how the iPad Air 1 compares to newer tablets in the market:
- iPad Air (4th Gen, 2020): The latest model of the iPad Air offers a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, A14 Bionic chip, and full Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) and Magic Keyboard support. It’s significantly more powerful but comes at a higher price point.
- iPad (9th Gen, 2021): A more affordable option compared to the latest iPad Air, the 9th Gen iPad provides a similar screen size but offers the newer A13 Bionic chip and Apple Pencil (1st Gen) support.
While these modern alternatives are far more capable, the iPad Air 1 can still hold its own in basic use cases, especially if you already own one.
Accessory Support
While the iPad Air 1 does not support modern accessories like the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard, it can still benefit from a range of third-party accessories:
- Basic Cover & Keyboard: Although the iPad Air 1 lacks official support for Apple’s latest keyboards, there are many third-party Bluetooth keyboards and covers available, making it possible to use the tablet for light productivity tasks.
- Audio Support: The 3.5mm headphone jack allows you to use wired headphones, which is no longer available on newer iPad models, giving the iPad Air 1 a unique advantage for users who prefer wired audio.
- Cases and Protection: A wide range of protective cases and folios are available for the iPad Air 1, offering both style and protection for the tablet’s unibody aluminum design.
Conclusion
The Apple iPad Air 1 (2013) may be outdated, but it still holds value for users looking for an affordable, lightweight tablet for basic tasks such as reading, media consumption, and light productivity. Its Retina display, compact design, and reliability in handling simple apps make it a great hand-me-down device for kids or a secondary tablet for casual use.
While it does not offer the power or accessories of modern tablets, its design and user experience still make it a worthwhile option if you already own one or find it at a lower price.
If you’re searching for a basic tablet or nostalgic about Apple’s early tablet designs, the iPad Air 1 remains a solid, no-frills choice in 2024.
