
Apple
Apple 10.5-inch iPad Air - 256GB Cellular Gold
★★★★★
8MP7MP
Apple's thin and powerful iPad Air with A12 Bionic chip, cellular connectivity, and a stunning 10.5-inch Retina display.
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Overview
Key Features
10.5-inch Retina display with True Tone and wide color
A12 Bionic chip
Touch ID fingerprint sensor and Apple Pay
8MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
Stereo speakers
802.11ac Wi-Fi and Gigabit-class LTE cellular data
Up to 10 hours of battery life
Lightning connector for charging and accessories
iOS 12 with Group FaceTime, shared augmented reality experiences, Screen Time, and more
Specifications
Display
10.5-inch Retina with True Tone and wide color (P3)
Chip
A12 Bionic
Storage
256GB
Connectivity
Wi-Fi (802.11ac) + Gigabit-class LTE Cellular
Rear Camera
8MP
Front Camera
7MP FaceTime HD
Authentication
Touch ID
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours
Connector
Lightning
Operating System
iOS 12 (upgradeable)
Color
Gold
Brand
Apple
Model
iPad Air (3rd Generation)
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- A12 Bionic chip delivers fast, responsive performance for apps, multitasking, and augmented reality
- 10.5-inch Retina display with True Tone and wide color produces vibrant, accurate visuals
- Wi-Fi + Cellular model provides internet access anywhere with LTE coverage
- 256GB storage capacity offers ample room for apps, media, and files
- Up to 10 hours of battery life supports a full day of use on a single charge
👎 Cons
- Lightning connector is slower and less universal than USB-C, which Apple adopted in later models
- 3rd-generation design lacks the slimmer bezels and modern look of newer iPad Air models
- Touch ID Home button takes up display space compared to full-screen designs with Face ID
- Cellular connectivity requires an additional data plan, adding to the ongoing cost
- No longer receives the latest iPadOS updates, which may limit access to newer features and security patches over time
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this iPad Air support the Apple Pencil?
Yes, the 3rd-generation iPad Air supports the 1st-generation Apple Pencil, which connects and charges via the Lightning port.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular?
This model includes both Wi-Fi and Gigabit-class LTE cellular connectivity, meaning you can access the internet through a mobile data plan when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Does this iPad Air support Face ID?
No, this model uses Touch ID via the Home button for biometric authentication. Face ID is available on iPad Pro models.
Can this iPad run the latest version of iPadOS?
The 3rd-generation iPad Air supported iPadOS updates through iPadOS 17. Check Apple's current compatibility list to confirm the latest supported version.
Is a SIM card required to use the cellular feature?
Yes, you will need an active nano-SIM card or compatible eSIM plan from a supported carrier to use the LTE cellular data feature.