Apple Unveils New iPad Air with M3 Chip

Apple has introduced the latest iteration of its iPad Air, featuring the powerful M3 chip, Apple Intelligence integration, and compatibility with the brand-new Magic Keyboard. The updated device will be available for purchase from 12 March.

More Storage and Two Size Options

The new iPad Air boasts double the storage capacity of its predecessor and runs on iPadOS 18. Apple has announced that the tablet will come in two sizes and be available in four colours: Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Grey.

A key distinguishing feature of the latest model is its M3 chip, which significantly enhances performance. With an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU, the M3-powered iPad Air delivers faster processing speeds compared to previous M1 models. Apple’s advanced graphics architecture in this device supports hardware-accelerated mesh shading, ray tracing, and dynamic caching, resulting in up to four times faster performance in graphics-intensive rendering tasks. Additionally, Apple claims the integrated Neural Engine boosts AI-based workload processing by up to 60%.

Designed for Apple Intelligence

The iPad Air has been designed with Apple Intelligence in mind. It offers AI-powered features such as the ability to remove unwanted elements from photos and convert rough sketches in Notes into detailed images. The device also integrates ChatGPT, providing users with free access to the AI assistant. To safeguard user privacy, Apple Intelligence processes requests directly on the device or through its Private Cloud Compute system.

Upgraded Magic Keyboard

Apple has also introduced an improved Magic Keyboard designed specifically for the iPad Air. This new accessory features a larger built-in trackpad and 14 function keys for quick access to settings such as volume and brightness. The keyboard charges via USB-C and magnetically attaches to the iPad, while the Smart Connector ensures power supply and data transfer without requiring a Bluetooth connection.