The iPad Air 2022, also called the iPad Air (5th generation), was the first mid-priced iPad with a Mac-class M1 chip. Four years later, that chip is the reason it still makes sense: it runs iPadOS 27 and supports Apple Intelligence, which the newest entry-level iPad does not. This guide covers what it costs used on Swappa, how it compares with the iPads around it, and the one weakness to plan for.
Quick Answer
Yes, for most buyers. A used iPad Air 2022 starts around $299 on Swappa, and 64GB models have recently sold for about $314. That is roughly the price of a newer entry-level iPad, but the Air gives you an M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, a laminated display, Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support, and Apple Intelligence. The catch is storage: the base model has only 64GB, so look for the 256GB version if you keep a lot of files, photos, or apps.
iPad Air 2022 Price on Swappa
Apple launched the iPad Air 2022 in March 2022 at $599 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model. Apple’s current iPad Air with the M4 chip now starts at $749 for the 11-inch model, so a used M1 Air costs well under half the price of a new one.
| Model | Released | Starts At | Avg. Sale Price | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Air (4th gen) | 2020 | $206 | $241 (64GB) | No |
| iPad (10th gen) | 2022 | $272 | $301 (64GB) | No |
| iPad Air 2022 (5th gen, M1) | 2022 | $298 | $314 (64GB) / $370 (256GB) | Yes |
| iPad (11th gen, A16) | 2025 | $325 | $339 (128GB) | No |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) | 2024 | $399 | $459 (128GB) | Yes |
Swappa price data as of September 27, 2026. “Starts at” is the lowest current listing; the average sale price is what that configuration has actually sold for. Cellular models, condition, and storage all move the price, so check the iPad Air 2022 price page before you buy. iPad Air 2022 supply on Swappa is thinner than for base iPads, so it pays to watch listings for a few days.
What You Get With the iPad Air 2022
The 2022 Air kept the design of the 2020 model and upgraded almost everything inside it.
| iPad Air 2022 (5th gen) | |
|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU) |
| Memory | 8GB |
| Display | 10.9″ Liquid Retina, fully laminated, anti-reflective, True Tone, P3 wide color |
| Storage | 64GB or 256GB |
| Unlock | Touch ID in the top button |
| Front camera | 12MP ultra wide with Center Stage |
| Rear camera | 12MP wide |
| Port | USB-C, supports external displays up to 6K |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6; 5G (sub-6GHz) on cellular models |
| Battery (Apple rating) | Up to 10 hours of web browsing or video on Wi-Fi |
| Pencil support | Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboards | Magic Keyboard (11-inch, or the newer Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 11-inch), Smart Keyboard Folio |
| Launch price | $599 (64GB Wi-Fi) to $899 (256GB cellular) |
What it does not have: Apple Pencil Pro support, a landscape front camera for video calls (the camera sits on the short edge), or storage options between 64GB and 256GB.
Software Support and Apple Intelligence
The iPad Air 2022 runs iPadOS 27, which Apple released on September 14, 2026. iPadOS 27 dropped several older iPads, including the iPad Air (3rd generation), the iPad (8th generation), and the iPad mini (5th generation), but it supports every iPad Air from the 4th generation on.
The bigger advantage is Apple Intelligence. On iPad, Apple’s AI features require an M-series chip, or an A17 Pro or newer in the iPad mini. The iPad Air 2022 qualifies. The iPad (11th generation) with the A16 chip does not, even though it came out three years later.
Longevity cuts the other way, though. The A16 iPad is newer, so it will likely stay on Apple’s update list for longer. Most iPads get major updates for roughly five to seven years, which points to the late 2020s for the M1 Air. How Long Are iPads Supported With Updates? covers the pattern in detail.
iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad (10th and 11th Gen)
This is the comparison that matters most, because the prices are so close.
Against the iPad (10th generation), the Air is an easy call. In recent Swappa sales, a 64GB iPad Air 2022 has averaged only about $13 more than a 64GB 10th-gen iPad. For that you get the M1 chip, twice the RAM, a laminated anti-reflective screen that feels closer to the glass, Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with magnetic charging, and Apple Intelligence.
Against the iPad (11th generation, A16), it depends on how you use it:
| iPad Air 2022 (M1) | iPad (11th gen, A16) | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Swappa sale price | ~$314 (64GB) | ~$340 (128GB) |
| Base storage | 64GB | 128GB |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | No |
| Display | Laminated, anti-reflective | Not laminated |
| Apple Pencil | 2nd generation, USB-C | USB-C, 1st generation |
| Front camera | Portrait edge | Landscape edge |
| Likely update runway | Shorter (2022 release) | Longer (2025 release) |
Choose the Air 2022 for drawing and handwritten notes, for Apple Intelligence, or for heavier multitasking. Choose the 11th-gen iPad if you mostly stream and browse, want more storage for the money, take a lot of video calls, or want the longest support window.
iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad Air 4 and iPad Air M2
iPad Air (4th generation): same design and screen, about $70 less in recent sales at 64GB. It has the A14 chip, 4GB of RAM, a 7MP front camera without Center Stage, and no 5G or Apple Intelligence. It is a fine media tablet, but the M1 model is worth the difference if you plan to keep it.
iPad Air 11-inch (M2): adds 128GB of base storage, a landscape front camera, Apple Pencil Pro support, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 13-inch option. It has averaged about $145 more at 128GB than a 64GB Air 2022. If your budget stretches, it fixes the M1 model’s two biggest weaknesses.
For the full lineup, see iPad vs. iPad Air vs. iPad Pro vs. iPad mini: Which Line Should You Buy Used? and Used iPad Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026).
The 64GB Problem
Storage is the iPad Air 2022’s real weakness in 2026. Apple sold it in only two sizes, and 64GB fills up quickly once you add iPadOS updates, a few large apps, downloaded video, and Apple Intelligence, which needs several gigabytes of free space on its own.
Here is how to decide:
- 64GB works if the iPad is mainly for streaming, browsing, email, and note-taking synced to the cloud.
- Get 256GB if you draw in Procreate, edit photos or video, download movies for travel, or keep a big offline library. In recent Swappa sales, the 256GB model has averaged about $56 more than the 64GB model, which is a small premium for four times the space.
Who Should Buy an iPad Air 2022
- Students. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) pairs and charges magnetically, and the laminated screen makes handwriting feel natural. Best Used Tablets for Students and Note-Taking (2026) compares it with other picks.
- Budget artists. Procreate and other drawing apps run well on the M1, and the Pencil 2 is a real step up from the first-generation Pencil.
- Anyone who wants Apple Intelligence on a budget. It is one of the least expensive iPads that supports it.
- Light laptop replacement. With a Magic Keyboard and an external display over USB-C, it handles documents, email, and web apps comfortably.
What to Check Before You Buy a Used iPad Air 2022
- Activation Lock. An iPad still signed in to someone else’s Apple Account cannot be set up. See Activation Lock on a Used iPad: How to Avoid It.
- Wi-Fi or cellular. Cellular models add 5G but cost more and need a data plan. Cellular vs. Wi-Fi iPad: Which Should You Buy Used? helps you decide.
- Battery condition. Apple’s Battery Health screen (Settings > Battery > Battery Health) is only on the iPad Air (M2) and later, iPad Pro (M4) and later, iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16), so the iPad Air 2022 does not have one. Ask the seller about battery life, and see Understanding Apple Battery Health on iPhone, iPad, and Mac for other ways to check.
- Screen and Pencil. Look closely at photos for scratches on the display, and confirm whether a Pencil or keyboard is included, since those add real value.
Every Swappa listing is reviewed by staff before it goes live, and devices must be fully functional with no Activation Lock, cracked glass, or water damage. Payments run primarily through PayPal with buyer protection, so if an iPad arrives not as described, you are entitled to a refund.
Selling an Older iPad Air?
If you are moving up from an iPad Air, sell it yourself rather than trading it in. A 64GB iPad Air 2022 has recently sold for about $314 on Swappa, versus trade-in quotes around $143 for a Wi-Fi model. How to Sell a Used iPad or Tablet for the Most Money walks through wiping it and pricing it, or you can sell your iPad on Swappa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPad Air 2022 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes. Used iPad Air 2022 models start around $299 on Swappa and run iPadOS 27 on the M1 chip, with 8GB of RAM, a laminated display, Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support, and Apple Intelligence. The main drawback is the 64GB base storage, so choose the 256GB model if you store a lot of content.
Does the iPad Air 2022 support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. Apple Intelligence on iPad requires an M-series chip, or an A17 Pro or newer in the iPad mini, and the iPad Air 2022 has the M1. The iPad (11th generation) with the A16 chip does not support Apple Intelligence.
How long will the iPad Air 2022 be supported?
The iPad Air 2022 runs iPadOS 27, the current version. Apple does not announce end dates, but iPads typically receive major updates for about five to seven years, which points to the late 2020s for this model. Newer iPads, like the 11th-generation iPad, will likely be supported longer.
Is the iPad Air 5th generation the same as the iPad Air 2022?
Yes. The iPad Air (5th generation) is the model Apple released in March 2022 with the M1 chip. It is also called the iPad Air 2022, the iPad Air 5, or the M1 iPad Air.
Which Apple Pencil works with the iPad Air 2022?
The iPad Air 2022 works with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which pairs and charges magnetically on the side, and the Apple Pencil (USB-C). It does not support the Apple Pencil Pro or the first-generation Apple Pencil.
Should I buy an iPad Air 2022 or a new iPad?
If you draw, take handwritten notes, or want Apple Intelligence, the used iPad Air 2022 is the better value at around $314 for 64GB. If you mainly stream and browse and want more storage and a longer support window, the 11th-generation iPad is the simpler pick.
The Bottom Line
The iPad Air 2022 is one of the best-value used iPads you can buy in 2026: M1 performance, Apple Intelligence, and Pencil 2 support for about the price of an entry-level iPad. Plan around the 64GB base model, check for Activation Lock, and it should serve you well for years.
