Apple has officially announced its new iPad Air lineup, featuring 11-inch and 13-inch models powered by the M3 chip. Available for preorder today, the latest iPads will launch on March 12, 2025.
Pricing and Color Options
- 11-inch iPad Air – $599
- 13-inch iPad Air – $799
- Available in Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray
- Storage options: 128GB to 1TB
Faster Performance with M3 Chip
Apple claims the M3-powered iPad Air delivers nearly twice the performance of the M1 model and 3.5x faster speeds compared to the A14 Bionic model.
Key performance highlights:
- 9-core GPU – Offers up to 40% faster graphics than the M1 iPad Air
- 60% faster Neural Engine – Optimized for AI-based tasks
Interestingly, Apple did not compare the M3 iPad Air directly with last year’s M2 model, raising curiosity about the real-world performance gap.
New Magic Keyboard and Accessories
Apple is also launching an upgraded Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad and a 14-key function row for quick access to brightness and volume controls.
- Attaches magnetically via the Smart Connector (no Bluetooth needed)
- Pricing:
- $269 for the 11-inch model
- $319 for the 13-inch model
Base iPad Gets an A16 Chip Upgrade
Alongside the iPad Air, Apple has refreshed its base iPad, now equipped with the A16 chip and double the base storage.
- 30% faster than the previous model
- 50% performance boost over the A13-powered iPad
- Up to 6x faster than top-selling Android tablets
Apple’s Vision for the iPad Air
Apple’s VP of Worldwide Product Marketing, Bob Borchers, highlighted the iPad Air’s flexibility:
“For everyone from college students using Apple Pencil Pro to take notes, to travelers and creators who require intense productivity on the go, iPad Air with M3, Apple Intelligence, and new Magic Keyboard raise versatility and value to new heights.”
With faster performance, AI enhancements, and a new Magic Keyboard, the M3 iPad Air is shaping up to be a powerful, portable, and versatile device for students, professionals, and creatives alike.
