Why You Can Trust CNET Best iPad Air Deals: Save on Apple's M2-Powered Tablet With These Discounts
Apple's latest iPad Air model is a very capable bit of kit, and now you can get yours for less than you might expect.
Apple's iPad lineup has really changed in recent years, and the iPad Air is among the best options for people who want a combination of performance and portability. The newest model, the 2024 iPad Air, is affordable and yet still more powerful than the previous generation thanks to the inclusion of a new chip, among other improvements. It has a starting price of $599, considerably less than the iPad Pro that it closely resembles. Factor in some additional discounts that we've rounded up from around the web, and that's great value considering this tablet's abilities.
The M2 iPad Air is available as an all-new 13-inch model alongside the 11-inch variant. For the majority of people, it's a viable alternative to the more expensive iPad Pro, especially when you can find one at a discount. The new iPad Air has plenty to get buyers excited about, including a speedy chip and a gorgeous display.
These iPad Airs sport the older Liquid Retina technology, but rather than the mini-LED of previous Pros or the tandem OLED of the newest M4 iPad Pro, they're still nothing to sneeze at.
How much does the iPad Air cost?
The 11-inch model of Apple's newest iPad Air features landscape speakers with spatial audio for an immersive listening experience, and the 13-inch model provides extra bass to boost the audio impact. These tablets may be rocking the slightly older M2 chip, but they still promise to pack a punch. The baseline 11-inch model with 128GB of storage is available for just $599, or you can upgrade to the 256GB model for $100 more. 512GB and 1TB models are also available for $899 and $1,099, respectively.
The iPad Air isn't the only new option in town. If you're looking for an Apple tablet that's a little more cutting-edge and robust, the newest iPad Pro might be the right fit for you. These new Pro models promise to impress, with upgrades to the FaceTime camera placement and a thinner redesign that makes for a more portable device. If you elect for the Pro over the Air, you'll breeze right past the M3 chip, as Apple has loaded the latest iPad Pro with the powerful M4 chip, bringing the potency to handle its brand-new Ultra Retina XDR OLED displays (blasting out 1,600 nits of brightness in HDR) and much more. These upgrades come at a price, with the base model starting at $999. You can preorder the iPad Pro right now.
We also anticipate that we'll start seeing plenty of iPad deals on older models soon, which may be a better option for budget-conscious buyers who don't mind a previous-gen model.
Ready to invest in a new iPad Air? We've got the skinny on how to nab the ultrathin iPads and accessories. You can preorder from Apple right now, and we'll update this page as new offers become available at other retailers, so keep checking back.
Best iPad Air preorder deals
You can now order a new iPad Air model directly from Apple, starting at $599. Although we aren't seeing direct discounts on the latest iPad Airs yet, you can score up to $580 in trade-in credit toward your new device if you have an older iPad you don't mind giving up. People who preorder with an Apple Card can save a little extra, with up to 3% cash back on their purchase.
Best Buy doesn't have direct discounts on the iPad Air models right now, but it's offering freebies with your order. New and returning subscribers can get three free months of Apple TV Plus and Apple Music, four free months of Apple Arcade and one free month of MLS Season Pass. Three free months of Apple Fitness Plus are also included, but this offer is limited to new subscribers only.
If you have a previous model iPad you're willing to part with, Best Buy is also offering a trade-in credit of up to $310 for qualifying devices. My Best Buy Plus Members do get a $30 discount, too.
Target is offering all four colors of the new iPad Air models but no direct discounts are currently available. Target RedCard holders can save 5% on this purchase, which is nothing to sneeze at, and the free shipping can save you even more.
B&H has a great $50 discount you can apply to a space gray 11-inch Apple Air M2 8-core chip with 128GB, Wi-Fi and a screen resolution of 2,360x1,640 pixels.
There's also another way to save. If you use the B&H Payboo credit card for your purchase, you'll get the tax back as a cash refund. That could be a pretty decent chunk of change, depending on where you live.
Amazon is currently offering a direct discount on the new M2 iPad Air with a $50 saving to be had depending on which color you choose.
Right now Verizon will give you up to $180 back when you trade in your old device while there is also the option to save $280 via bill credits when you also pick up a new 5G iPhone.
Buy a new iPad Air from AT&T and you'll save $100 when you also buy a pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.