Termed as the biggest day for iPads since their introduction, the Apple Let Loose event has left tech enthusiasts excited about the possibilities at hand.
The Apple Let Loose event revealed the new iPad Air, which comes with amazing upgrades, including a powerful M2 chip, a redesigned form factor with a choice of two screen sizes, and enhanced features for creativity and productivity.
The iPad Air inherits advanced features pioneered on the iPad Pro but at a more affordable price point. This accessibility has made it a go-to device for a wide range of users.
For the first time ever, the iPad Air comes in two sizes: the familiar 11-inch model and a brand new, larger 13-inch option.
The 11-inch Air retains its portability, perfect for everyday tasks and note-taking, and is perfect for jotting down notes or working on projects.
The 13-inch model, inspired by user preferences for larger displays on the iPad Pro, offers 30% more screen real estate for working on projects, video conferencing, and creative endeavours. Both models share the same Liquid Retina display technology for stunning visuals.
Enhanced Display and Camera
Both models feature Liquid Retina displays with advanced features. The front-facing camera, now positioned on the landscape edge, supports Center Stage — a machine learning feature that keeps everyone in view during video calls.
Powerful Performance with M2
The M2 chip is a major highlight of the new iPad Air. Compared to the previous M1 chip, the M2 comes with a great performance boost — with a faster CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, it’s nearly 50% faster than the previous Air with M1 and up to three times faster than the A14 Bionic chip found in earlier iPad Air models. Users can create, work, and play with ease, even graphically intensive tasks are a breeze.
This means faster processing for creative tasks in apps like Affinity Designer 2, smoother gameplay for graphically demanding titles like “Zenless Zone Zero” and “Assassin’s Creed Mirage,” and enhanced performance for machine learning features like Live Text capture and photo editing tools.
AI Capabilities
M2’s power extends to AI tasks. Features like Visual Look Up, Subject Lift, and Live Text capture benefit from its blazing speed. Photomator’s ML Enhance tool, trained on 20 million pro images, enhances photos with a single click.
Apple Pencil Hover and Increased Storage
The new iPad Air supports Apple Pencil hover, allowing users to preview their mark before making it, leading to greater precision for creative work. Both the 11-inch and 13-inch models come with double the base storage capacity (128GB) compared to previous models. Additionally, Apple has expanded storage options to include 512GB and 1TB configurations.
Stylish Finishes and Accessories
The iPad Air comes in four finishes: Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray. Its durable design features a 100% recycled aluminium enclosure. Plus, it pairs seamlessly with accessories like the Magic Keyboard.
Pricing and Availability
The new 11-inch iPad Air starts at the same price point of $599 as the previous model. The larger 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799. Pre-orders begin today, with availability starting next week.
