iPad Air equipped with the M1 chip might simply be because Apple lacks the supply of the A16 Bionic chip.

Buzz

Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Utilizing the M1 chip, the iPad Air now shares the same processing SoC as the iPad Pro, as well as many Mac computer products currently on the market. Considering the relatively close release date of the iPad Air, which is on March 16th, many experts have speculated to explain why this compact tablet is launching so soon, yet equipped with a very powerful processing chip. It is highly likely that this is a result of Apple facing difficulties in the supply of the A16 Bionic chip.

The argument presented is that if Apple has an ample supply of A16 Bionic chips, they will wait until September to launch iPad Air 5, coinciding with the release of the new iPhone, just like the previous generation iPad Air 4. However, both Ming Chi Kuo of TF Securities and Mark Gurman of Bloomberg believe that Apple does not have enough A16 Bionic chips, to the extent that only two models, iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, will be equipped with the latest generation SoC, while the iPhone 14 entry model will still use the A15 Bionic chip.

Gurman believes that the reason iPad Air 5 is equipped with the M1 chip is also due to the same reason, as the supply is quite abundant, unlike A16 Bionic. Currently, rumors before the launch of iPhone 14 all suggest that A16 has completed its design and will soon be produced on TSMC's 4nm process, but in return, it will be more expensive, and the shipment volume of chips will also be lower.

On a more positive note, the entry-level iPhone 14 will be equipped with the A15 Bionic chip, featuring a 5-core CPU, and Apple may rename this chip to A15X Bionic. As for those eagerly awaiting iPad Air 5, Apple's challenges may turn out to be an advantage for users, as leaked benchmarks after the announcement of the new iPad Air show that the M1 chip inside is not downclocked compared to the iPad Pro, and is even a premium bin version, equipped with an 8-core GPU instead of 7 like the cheaper MacBook Air models. Despite this, Apple has not increased the price of this device, maintaining it at 599 USD for the base configuration, while keeping the design, screen, and materials unchanged, but adding 5G connectivity.

According to WCCFTech

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the iPad Air 5 equipped with the M1 chip instead of the A16 Bionic?

The iPad Air 5 uses the M1 chip due to Apple facing supply issues with the A16 Bionic chip. Experts believe the M1 chip was chosen because it is more readily available compared to the limited A16 supply.

Does the iPad Air 5 offer the same performance as the iPad Pro?

Yes, the iPad Air 5 offers similar performance to the iPad Pro as it uses the same M1 chip. It is not downclocked and even includes an 8-core GPU, making it a high-performance tablet.

Has Apple increased the price of the iPad Air 5 with the M1 chip?

No, despite upgrading the iPad Air 5 with the M1 chip, Apple has kept the base price at 599 USD. The design, screen, and materials remain unchanged, but the device now includes 5G connectivity.

What are the experts' thoughts on the iPhone 14 using the A15 Bionic chip?

Experts believe that due to the limited availability of A16 chips, the entry-level iPhone 14 will use the A15 Bionic chip, potentially renamed to A15X. This chip still features a 5-core CPU for strong performance.

Mytour's content is for customer care and travel encouragement only, and we are not responsible.

For errors or inappropriate content, please contact us at: [email protected]