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Apple has introduced its latest iPad Air, now powered by the M3 chip and designed to support Apple Intelligence. The new model, available in both 11-inch and a larger 13-inch size, offers a significant performance boost, with Apple claiming up to 2x the speed of the M1-powered iPad Air and as much as 3.5x faster performance compared to the A14 Bionic model.

"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.

The M3 chip introduces Apple’s advanced graphics architecture to the iPad Air for the first time, including features like dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and ray tracing. These upgrades make for smoother multitasking, faster content creation, and improved graphics for gaming. Apple says the M3’s 9-core GPU delivers up to 40% better graphics performance than the M1, and AI-based tasks benefit from a Neural Engine that is 60% faster than its predecessor. The enhanced performance also makes rendering workflows significantly smoother for professional users.

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Apple Intelligence Integration

With iPadOS 18, the new iPad Air is built to support Apple Intelligence, Apple's personal AI system. Features include the Clean Up tool in Photos for removing distractions, Image Wand in Notes to refine sketches, and Image Playground for generating custom visuals. Additionally, Apple Intelligence introduces Genmoji, which allows users to create personalized emoji on the fly, and Writing Tools, which assist with text generation and editing across various apps.

Siri has also been upgraded to be more conversational, maintaining context across multiple requests and integrating with ChatGPT for enhanced responses. Users can access ChatGPT without an account, and privacy protections ensure that user data is not stored. Furthermore, Siri now has improved capabilities for answering Apple product-related questions, making it a more useful assistant for troubleshooting and learning about Apple devices.

For privacy-conscious users, Apple Intelligence processes many requests on-device, and when cloud-based computing is necessary, Apple says its Private Cloud Compute ensures data security by not storing user information.

New Magic Keyboard at a Lower Price

Apple has also introduced a redesigned Magic Keyboard specifically for iPad Air, featuring a larger trackpad, a new function row, and a magnetic attachment with Smart Connector support for instant pairing. Available in white, the 11-inch version costs $269 (approx. ₹26,900), while the 13-inch model is priced at $319 (approx. ₹29,900), with discounts available for education customers.

Sustainability and Design Enhancements

Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability with this new lineup, incorporating more recycled materials than ever before. The new iPads use 100% recycled cobalt in their batteries, 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosures, and 100% recycled rare earth elements in various components. Additionally, Apple is on track to eliminate plastic from its packaging by the end of the year.

Home Screen Customization and Control Center Redesign

iPadOS 18 introduces a redesigned Control Center, allowing users to customize shortcuts and access key settings more efficiently. Additionally, users can now personalize their home screen by resizing app icons and widgets for a more tailored experience.

Pricing and Availability

Pre-orders for the new iPad Air and iPad models are open now, with availability beginning March 12. The 11-inch iPad Air is available in multiple storage options to suit different user needs. The 128GB variant is priced at ₹59,900 or can be purchased through EMI starting at ₹2,246 per month. The 256GB model is available for ₹69,900 with an EMI option of ₹2,662 per month. For users requiring more storage, the 512GB variant is priced at ₹89,900 with an EMI of ₹3,496 per month, while the 1TB model is available for ₹1,09,900 with an EMI starting at ₹4,329 per month.

Similarly, the new 13-inch iPad Air is also available in multiple storage options to suit different user needs. The base model with 128GB storage is priced at ₹79,900 or available at ₹3,079 per month. For users requiring more space, the 256GB variant costs ₹89,900 (₹3,496 per month), while the 512GB model is priced at ₹1,09,900 (₹4,329 per month). Those needing maximum storage can opt for the 1TB version at ₹1,29,900 (₹5,162 per month).  Wi-Fi + Cellular options are ala available at higher price points. Apple is offering education discounts, with prices starting at $549 (approx. ₹54,900) for the 11-inch Air and $749 (approx. ₹74,900) for the 13-inch model.

With these updates, Apple aims to offer more performance, screen size options, and accessories at competitive prices, catering to students, creatives, and professionals alike.

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