Apple’s iPad Air lineup has long served as the sweet spot between performance and affordability. But despite its strategic position, the iPad Air has remained a somewhat stagnant product in Apple’s portfolio over the past few years. While the iPad Pro enjoys constant innovation and the entry-level iPad evolves for mass market appeal, the iPad Air has mostly been subject to spec bumps and iterative improvements.

Now, with rumors pointing toward a new iPad Air in early 2026, Apple has a golden opportunity to re-energize the product line. One feature, in particular, could make all the difference: Face ID.

The iPad Air: Stuck in the Middle

Let’s be honest—the iPad Air hasn’t changed much since the 4th-generation redesign in 2020. Apple gave it flat edges, USB-C, and Apple Pencil 2 support, making it visually similar to the iPad Pro. Since then, updates have been modest: upgraded chips (M1, then M2), a better front camera with Center Stage, and more recently, the introduction of a 13-inch option alongside the classic 11-inch model.

Despite these improvements, the Air remains functionally caught between two categories. It’s significantly more powerful than the base model iPad, but lacks the cutting-edge display and premium features of the iPad Pro. For customers, that often raises the question: is the iPad Air worth the jump in price?

Adding Face ID could provide a clear “yes.”

Face ID: Eight Years Later, Still Pro-Only

It may surprise casual users to learn that Face ID, Apple’s facial recognition authentication system introduced with the iPhone X in 2017, is still only available on the iPad Pro. That’s right—despite Face ID becoming a standard feature across the entire iPhone lineup (even on budget models like the iPhone SE successor), it’s nowhere to be found on the iPad Air, iPad Mini, or standard iPad.

This exclusivity has made some sense historically. For years, Face ID was one of the few major differentiators between the Air and Pro models. Including it on the Air could’ve cannibalized iPad Pro sales, particularly when the two models shared similar designs and only had about a $200 price difference.

But that equation has changed.

The iPad Pro Is Now in a Class of Its Own

With the OLED iPad Pro refresh in 2024, Apple created a clear divide between its tablet tiers. The Pro is now unmistakably premium, boasting:

• An ultra-thin, lightweight design

• Stunning Tandem OLED display with ProMotion (120Hz)

• Support for a new premium Magic Keyboard with function row and aluminum body

• M4 chip with better thermals

• Nano-texture glass option for anti-reflective use

• Exclusive Face ID and LiDAR Scanner

At this point, the iPad Pro isn’t just more capable—it feels like an entirely different device class. The price difference reflects that too, with the entry-level iPad Pro 11-inch starting at $999, a full $400 above the iPad Air.

Given that distinction, Apple no longer needs to “protect” the Pro by holding back Face ID from the Air.

Why Face ID Makes Sense for the iPad Air Now

There are three compelling reasons why Face ID should come to the next iPad Air:

1. More Value at Mid-Range

The iPad Air starts at $599—a significant step up from the base iPad ($349), but without the headline-grabbing features of the Pro. Adding Face ID would give the Air a major, tangible upgrade that users would feel daily—unlocking, authorizing apps, autofilling passwords—without requiring hardware compromises.

2. It Doesn’t Threaten the Pro Anymore

With so many reasons to upgrade to the Pro—OLED, 120Hz, new keyboard, thinness, nano-texture—Face ID is no longer the main selling point. Bringing it to the Air wouldn’t diminish the appeal of the Pro in any meaningful way. It simply raises the Air to a more competitive place in the market.

3. Completes the Biometric Transition

Every iPhone sold in 2025 supports Face ID. Most Macs support Touch ID. Yet the iPad lineup remains fragmented, with a mix of fingerprint sensors and Face ID. Standardizing Face ID across more iPads would simplify the user experience and unify the hardware strategy.

What Else to Expect From the Next iPad Air

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple is preparing a new iPad Air for release in spring 2026, likely alongside a new entry-level iPad and Studio Display model. The Air is rumored to be powered by the M4 chip, bringing the same Apple Intelligence capabilities already present in iOS 26 and macOS Sequoia.

If Apple wants to market the iPad Air as a productivity machine for education, business, and casual creation, Face ID makes it not only more convenient—but also more modern and competitive.

Final Thoughts: A Chance to Refresh the Identity of the iPad Air

Since its introduction, the iPad Air has lived in the shadow of the Pro—always the slightly less exciting sibling. But Apple has the chance to change that narrative. By adding Face ID in the upcoming M4 model, the Air becomes more than just a chip upgrade; it becomes a truly distinct and compelling product in the middle of the iPad lineup.

Consumers looking for a sleek, capable, and modern tablet shouldn’t have to sacrifice convenience features like Face ID just to avoid the Pro price tag. At $599, the iPad Air with Face ID could finally offer that ideal balance between affordability and sophistication.

Let’s hope Apple sees it the same way.