The iPad Air is available in two sizes—11 inches and 13 inches, and this is the first time Apple has built a larger screen option for this model. 

The device, designed to enhance both creativity and productivity, comes in four colours: blue, purple, starlight, and space grey.

The iPad Air can be pre-ordered starting today, with official sales beginning on 12 March. Pricing remains unchanged, starting at $599 for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model and $799 for the 13-inch Wi-Fi model, while cellular versions are priced at $749 and $949, respectively. 

Apple is also offering special education pricing, with the 11-inch model available at $549 and the 13-inch model at $749.

Better Performance with the M3 Chip

According to Apple, the M3-powered iPad Air is nearly twice as fast as the M1 model and up to 3.5 times faster than the A14 Bionic version. The 8-core CPU in the M3 chip improves multitasking efficiency, while the 9-core GPU boosts graphics performance by up to 40% compared to M1.

This improvement is particularly beneficial for users engaging in content creation, gaming, and multitasking. The support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing and dynamic caching enables smoother graphics rendering, making it ideal for high-performance applications such as video editing and 3D design.

“The iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. 

“For everyone from college students taking notes with Apple Pencil Pro to travellers and content creators who need powerful productivity on the go, iPad Air with M3, Apple Intelligence, and the new Magic Keyboard take versatility and value to the next level.”

Apple Intelligence and AI Features

Apple has built the new iPad Air to support Apple Intelligence, a system designed to enhance usability and efficiency. Some of its key AI-driven capabilities include:

• Image Cleanup in Photos: Users can remove unwanted objects from images effortlessly.
• Image Wand in Notes: Rough sketches can be converted into more polished visuals simply by circling them with an Apple Pencil.
• Writing Tools: Features such as Genmoji help create custom emojis, while AI-powered text enhancements refine written content.
• Conversational Siri: The virtual assistant is now more interactive, understands context better, and allows users to type their queries instead of speaking them.

Apple has also integrated ChatGPT into Writing Tools and Siri, enabling users to access AI-driven assistance without needing to switch between applications. Notably, ChatGPT is available for free without requiring an account, and Apple ensures user privacy by obscuring IP addresses and preventing OpenAI from storing requests.

A Redesigned Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro

Alongside the iPad Air, Apple has unveiled a new Magic Keyboard designed to improve user experience. The updated model includes:

• A larger built-in trackpad for precise navigation.
• A 14-key function row providing quick access to brightness and volume controls.
• A machined aluminium hinge with a USB-C connector for charging.

The keyboard magnetically attaches to the iPad Air via the Smart Connector, taking out the need for Bluetooth pairing. It is priced at $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch model, and it comes in white.

Apple has also ensured that the new iPad Air is compatible with Apple Pencil Pro, allowing users to take advantage of enhanced note-taking and creative features.

Storage and Connectivity Options

The iPad Air with M3 chip comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage configurations, giving users flexibility based on their needs. Connectivity-wise, the device supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster internet speeds and 5G for improved cellular performance, making it more efficient for remote work and online collaboration.

Environmental Commitment and Sustainability

Apple is highly focused on reducing environmental impact with the new iPad Air. The device incorporates 100% recycled aluminium in its enclosure, along with 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. Additionally, its battery contains 100% recycled cobalt, and over 95% of its lithium is recycled.

As part of its Apple 2030 initiative, the company aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire business, including manufacturing and product life cycles, by the end of the decade. The iPad Air packaging is now completely fibre-based, moving Apple closer to eliminating plastic from its packaging.

iPadOS 18: More Power and Flexibility

The new iPad Air will run on iPadOS 18, bringing improvements in productivity, creativity, and personalisation. Some of the key features include:

• Math Notes in Calculator: Users can write mathematical expressions with the Apple Pencil and see instant solutions.
• Smart Script in Notes: Handwritten text is automatically refined for better readability and can be pasted as typed text.
• New Audio Recording and Transcription: Lectures and conversations can be recorded and automatically transcribed, with timestamps for easy reference.
• Customisable Home Screen: Users can resize app icons and widgets and apply a dark or tinted effect.

A redesigned Control Centre provides easier access to frequently used features, and new third-party app controls improve personalisation options.

Availability

The iPad Air with M3 chip is available for pre-order starting today, with in-store availability beginning on 12 March in 29 countries and regions, including the United States.

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.