New iPad Air ok to read in direct sunlight?

In addition to reflections from the iPad screen, in part mitigated by anti-reflective coatings, the principal problem with attempting to use your iPad (and for many LCD-based screen) in direct sun is that of insufficient screen brightness.

Most LCD backlight panels, used in computing devices, cannot produce sufficient light to be visible when used in particularly bright ambient lighting conditions - such as bright sunlight. The most recent models of iPad Pro, featuring miniLED backlights, do have capabilities to produce much brighter screen images, but at the expense of considerably reduced battery life. Additionally, the much brighter backlight cannot be sustained for long periods due to increased heat generation.

While some low resolution LCD screens use retro-reflective screens, which are visible in sunlight, these are rarely used with tablet computers.

Not really.

Most digital tablets or computers screens are NOT designed to use in direct sunlight.

If you attempt to use any tablet in direct sunlight, the glass tablet screen will absorb the heat from the sun, overheating the iPad and automatically shutting the iPad down to prevent thermal overheating damage.

Sorry.

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