iPad Air 2025: Now with M3 and new keyboard case
M3 replaces M2: Less than a year ago, the iPad Air series joined the much more expensive iPad Pro. Apple is once again upping the ante, with the iPad base model
(Image: Apple)
Apple has updated the iPad Air – less than a year after the introduction of the previous models with the M2 chip. The seventh generation of the iPad Air remains unchanged on the outside and is still available in two sizes with an 11" or 13" display. The M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU is new. Apple emphasized on Tuesday that this mainly represents a leap in graphics.
Thanks to the M3, the new iPad Air now also has the improved graphics architecture with support for ray tracing acceleration and mesh shaders, which potentially save performance. "Dynamic caching", which only loads data that is actually required into the local caches, is intended to provide additional efficiency. However, the Air is still one chip generation behind the iPad Pro and the current M4 Macs.
New Magic Keyboard with function keys
Apple has also introduced a renovated Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air M3. – Similar to the new version introduced last year for the Pro models –, the keyboard case has a larger trackpad and a row of 14 function keys, which can be used to control the volume and screen brightness, for example. The new Magic Keyboard is also slightly cheaper than its predecessor, which still has no function keys. The version for the 11" iPad Air costs 330 euros, and 350 euros for the 13-inch model. It will apparently only be available in white.
(Image:Â Apple)
There are practically no changes to the other specifications: Apple continues to rely on IPS technology for the screens. They should offer a brightness of up to 500 nits, HDR support is missing. The new Air does not support Wi-Fi 7, it remains with Wi-Fi 6E.
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Prices for iPad Air, small update also for basic iPad
Apple sells the iPad Air M3 from 700 euros – in the 11-inch version with 128 GB of storage space. The optional integrated cellular module costs 170 euros extra. The larger 13" model starts at 950 euros. In the maximum configuration with 1 TByte of storage space and mobile communications, the latter already costs 1750 euros – without accessories, only a USB-C charging cable is included. Sales start on March 12.
At the same time, there was a tiny update for the basic iPad, which is now in its eleventh generation: Apple is now equipping it with an A16 chip (previously A14) and at least 128 GB of storage space. However, it is the only iPad that does not support Apple Intelligence. The entry-level price is still 400 euros, but it comes with 128 GB of storage space instead of the previous 64 GB.
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