Apple has confirmed a new addition to its iPad Air line is coming this month and pre-orders are now live. Amazon is among the retailers offering the 11” iPad Air with M3 chip, which can be purchased for £599 ahead of its March 12 release date. This is for the 128GB model, with more storage options available up to 1TB.
There’s also a larger 13” model for £799, with both versions coming in a choice of four colours: blue, purple, space grey and starlight. The iPad Air has received a performance boost thanks to Apple’s M3 chip, which runs almost twice as fast as the previous M1 chip model. This means the gadget runs much smoother even while performing challenging tasks like gaming.
Among the standout features are the ability to remove elements from photos, ChatGPT assisted writing tools and unique, AI-generated emojis. You can read all about the new features, as Tech Editor David Snelling explains the ‘next level’ iPads.
The new iPad Air also has an upgraded 12MP camera, an ‘all-day’ battery life and fast charging. Apple has added support for accessories including the new Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, which boasts a bigger trackpad and 14 function keys.
Revealing the new device, Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said: “iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price. 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.”
If that all sounds enticing but the price still seems a little high, Apple is also launching a new iPad on March 12. While its A16 chip makes it less powerful than the new Air model, the 11” iPad comes with a more affordable £329 price tag and 128GB storage, twice as much as its predecessor.
This comes alongside the announcement that a new MacBook Air laptop is also on the way. The new MacBook Air is thinner and lighter than its Pro counterpart, with the new model featuring a battery life of up to 17 hours, a 12MP camera with Centre Stage technology and Apple’s M4 chip.
Our tech editor Dave Snelling said: “Thanks to the M4, Apple is promising that users can perform tasks such as video editing, photo retouching and playing games without fear of things grinding to a halt. In fact, the tech giant says Video editing in iMovie is up to eight times faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air. The M4 chip is already packed inside Apple’s Pro models but this is the first time it’s been included on the MacBook Air.”
Pre-orders are live now from Apple from £999, with retailers including Amazon and Sky Mobile also expected to offer the device.
