Apple has introduced a new iPad Air that comes loaded with an M3 chip, advanced graphics, Apple Intelligence, and an upgraded Magic Keyboard.
The new iPad Air is nearly twice as fast as the iPad Air with an M1 chip, and up to three times faster than the iPad with an A14 Bionic chip. Equipped with an 11-inch or 13-inch screen and in four finishes, the new Magic Keyboard complements the set-up with more capabilities. The tablet comes with iPadOS 18, support for Apple Intelligence, advanced cameras, fast wireless 5G connectivity, and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). It is being offered at the same starting price as its predecessor as well, at $799 for the 11-inch model and $1,099 for the 13-inch, with availability scheduled for March 12, 2025.
The M3 chip has a more powerful eight-core CPU with a nine-core GPU with up to 40% faster graphics performance over M1. M3 also brings Apple’s advanced graphics architecture to iPad Air for the first time with support for dynamic caching, along with hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. For graphics-intensive rendering workflows, iPad Air with M3 offers up to four-times faster performance than iPad Air with M1, enabling more accurate lighting, reflections, shadows, and realistic gaming experiences. Compared to M1, the Neural Engine in M3 is up to 60% faster for AI-based workloads.
iPad Air is built for Apple Intelligence, so you get all the favourite features like Clean Up in photos, Image Wand in Notes, Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools, and a more intelligent and conversational Siri, among other upgrades. ChatGPT is integrated into Writing Tools and Siri as well, so you can easily get assistance without having to jump among apps. Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing for better security along with Private Cloud Compute when needed to unlock more intelligence.
The new Magic Keyboard, meanwhile, has a larger built-in trackpad and a new 14-key function row for easy access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. It attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth. A machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. Now starting at $379 for the 11-inch model and $399 for the 13-inch model, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air features a magical floating design and comes in white.
In related news, Apple has also updated the iPad with double the starting storage and the A16 chip for a jump in performance. Compared to the previous generation, the updated iPad with A16 is nearly 30% faster. It comes with iPadOS 18 as well.
Customers can pre-order the new iPad Air with M3 starting today, March 4, on apple.com/ca/store, and in the Apple Store app in 29 countries and regions, including the U.S. and Canada. It will begin arriving to customers and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting March 12. The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air with M3 will be available in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations. The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi model, and $999 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Air starts at $1,099 for the Wi-Fi model, and $1,299 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
For education, the new 11-inch iPad Air starts at $729 and the 13-inch model starts at $1,029. Education pricing is available to current and newly accepted college and university students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and home-school teachers of all grade levels.
The new iPad starts with 128GB of storage and is also available in 256GB and a new 512GB configuration. Available in blue, pink, yellow, and silver, Wi-Fi models of the new iPad are available with a starting price of $499, and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $699. For education, Wi-Fi models of the new iPad are available with a starting price of $469, and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $669.