The iPad Air 2027 release date is not official, but the best current read is the first half of next year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is lining up three tablets for that window, a fresh iPad Air, a new iPad Pro and an updated entry-level iPad, and that the next iPad Air is expected to move to an OLED display.
That puts anyone shopping this month in an awkward spot. The current M4 iPad Air costs $599 and up, it is a good tablet, and it could be replaced within about eight months by one with a far better screen.
What changes on the next iPad Air
The screen is the headline. Apple’s iPad Air specs list a Liquid Retina panel, which is an LED-backlit LCD, in both the 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. Going OLED would bring the deeper blacks and stronger contrast that Pro buyers already pay for.
Nothing about the chip is settled. The Air runs an M4 today and the iPad Pro has moved on to the M5, so an M5 Air is the sensible guess, not a reported fact. Touch ID in the top button is what the Air uses now, and we have seen nothing that says it will change.
How the iPad Air 2027 release date fits the wider lineup
Apple has already started this switch. The iPad mini announced in October picked up an OLED panel, which leaves the Air and the entry-level iPad on LCD. Here is the lineup as Apple sells it today:
| Model | Chip | Display name | ProMotion | Starts at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro | M5 | Ultra Retina XDR | Yes | $1,199 |
| iPad Air | M4 | Liquid Retina | No | $749 |
| iPad mini | A20 Pro | Super Retina XDR | No | $699 |
| iPad | A16 | Liquid Retina | No | $449 |
The same report covers the other two models due next year. The iPad Pro is expected to gain a vapor chamber, which should help it hold top speed for longer under heavy work. Earlier rumors have the entry-level iPad getting an A19 chip, which would finally bring Apple Intelligence to the cheapest model, plus Apple’s N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7.
Will the iPad Air OLED have 120Hz?
Do not assume it. The report ties the Air to OLED, not to a faster screen, and the new iPad mini is a useful warning: it has an OLED panel and still goes without ProMotion, according to reports citing Apple’s comparison. If smooth scrolling matters more to you than contrast, the iPad Pro remains the only iPad with it.
What iPad buyers should do this month
- Need a tablet for school or work now? Buy the M4 Air. Waiting around for an iPad Air 2027 release date that may land as late as June is a poor trade if you need one today.
- Own an M1 or M2 Air? Hold off. Your tablet still works, and OLED would be a bigger visible change than a faster chip. Our iPad Air M1 to M4 comparison shows what each generation added.
- Want a tablet mainly for video or photo work? Wait if you can. OLED helps most here.
- On a tight budget? The Air was never your iPad. Our look at whether the iPad A16 is worth it covers the cheaper route.
What we still don’t know
Apple has announced none of this. There is no exact date, no confirmed chip, and no word on whether both Air sizes switch to OLED at once. “First half” also covers a lot of ground, so treat any iPad Air 2027 release date you see before Apple’s announcement as a guess. Pricing is the biggest open question, though the Air currently starts $400 below the Pro, which leaves Apple room to raise it.
Frequently asked questions about the next iPad Air
When is the next iPad Air coming out?
Current reporting points to the first half of 2027. Apple has not announced a date, and the iPad Air 2027 release date could fall anywhere in that window.
Should I wait for iPad Air M5?
Wait if you already own a working Air and care about the screen. Buy now if you need a tablet today, since the M5 chip itself is only an educated guess.
What will the iPad Air 2027 price be?
Nobody outside Apple knows yet. The current model starts at $599, and an OLED panel could push the starting price higher.
Should you wait for the OLED iPad Air?
If your current iPad still does the job, yes. The iPad Air 2027 release date is close enough that a few months of patience could buy a much better display. If you have no iPad at all, get the M4 now and enjoy it, because the best tablet is the one you can actually use this winter.
