iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2013
iPad Air
The "Air" name arrived as the 9.7" iPad shed a third of its weight and slimmed its bezels, making the old iPad feel like a brick overnight.
Radically slimmed the full-size iPad using the mini’s thin bezels.
iPad Air 2 (2014)
iPad Air: key facts
When was the iPad Air released?
The iPad Air arrived on November 1, 2013. Apple discontinued it in March 2016.
How much did the iPad Air cost?
The iPad Air launched at $499 in 2013, about $687 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A7 at 1.40 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 display.
Why does the iPad Air matter?
Radically slimmed the full-size iPad using the mini’s thin bezels.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A7 · 1.40 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 1 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Display | 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 469 g |
| Dimensions | 240×169.5×7.5 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 7 |
| Released | November 1, 2013 |
| Discontinued | March 2016 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the iPad Air compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 16× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.40 GHz, the clock is roughly 2.3× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 4,100 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $499 in 2013, about $687 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Its launch ad was narrated around a single pencil, a hint of things to come.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad Air in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11