Apple’s new iPad Air is right here, however you would not understand it simply by it.
For this model, Apple determined to depart the pill unchanged on the skin, save for the brand new (non-compulsory) Magic Keyboard. Inside, nevertheless, the Air has Apple’s M3 chip, which suggests it helps Apple Intelligence, the corporate’s AI assistant.
As soon as once more, the iPad Air is available in two sizes, one with an 11-inch show, and the opposite with a 13-inch show. For my Apple iPad Air (M3) overview, I examined the 13-inch model.
Apple iPad Air worth and specs
The value and the overwhelming majority of the specs have not modified from final yr’s mannequin. The 11-inch variant of the brand new iPad Air begins at $599, whereas the 13-inch model begins at $799. As with different Apple merchandise, you may typically discover them on sale at retailers like Amazon and Greatest Purchase.
By far the largest enchancment is the brand new Apple M3 chip, which has an 8-core CPU, a 9-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The brand new chip unlocks Apple Intelligence options, which will not work on some older fashions however are supported on the 2024 iPad Air.
It is supposedly purple.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
As for the opposite (unchanged) specs, here is a fast rundown:
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Reminiscence: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage
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Cameras: 12-megapixel rear digital camera/12-megapixel selfie digital camera
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Audio: Stereo audio system, twin mics
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Ports: 1 USB-C port
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Show: Liquid Retina
The 11-inch model has a 2,360×1,640 pixel decision and a 28.93 watt-hour battery, whereas the 13-inch model has a 2,732×2,048 pixel decision and a 36.59 watt-hour battery.
Outdated design, new (Magic) Keyboard
Whereas that is as minor an improve as they arrive, it is price noting that the iPad Air obtained a much bigger redesign final yr, when the 13-inch model was launched for the primary time. For 2025, it is smart for Apple to convey the Air on top of things with newer silicon and higher assist for AI whereas conserving the design and have set largely the identical.
For the reason that iPad Air is an uninterrupted slab of a display with a uniform black border, it is arduous to think about a radical redesign. Apple might make the entire machine slightly thinner, lighter, and cut back the borders slightly, however frankly, the Air appears to be like fairly candy as it’s.
The Magic Keyboard has been improved in a number of methods, nevertheless it’s nonetheless too costly.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The show remains to be lovely and fairly brilliant, however the refresh fee solely goes to 60Hz. Shows that may do 120Hz — such because the one on the M4 iPad Professional — are simply a lot smoother and nicer to take a look at. Had Apple upgraded the show on the iPad Air to assist 120Hz, the iPad Professional would turn into a really robust promote for many buyers, which might be why it did not occur. Bummer.
As for the colours, they have not modified both: You continue to get a selection between Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Area Grey. I’ve examined the Purple model, and like most Apple colours, it’s totally subtly purple.
Apple’s non-compulsory Magic Keyboard, which is probably going the primary accent most patrons contemplate, has acquired a extra thorough improve. It is rather a lot higher than the earlier model, with a bigger trackpad, a full row of perform keys, and pass-through charging (which means now you can cost your iPad Air by plugging the cable into the keyboard, whereas utilizing its personal port for one thing else, resembling connecting an exterior show).
I’ve only one minor qualm concerning the new Magic Keyboard; it really works nice on arduous, even surfaces, however place it (with the iPad Air inside) on one thing delicate, like a sofa, and it tends to lean again.
Truly, make that two qualms: The Magic Keyboard nonetheless prices $269 for the 11-inch iPad, and a whopping $319 for the 13-inch model, which is sort of half the worth of the iPad itself.
A chip that does AI…identical to the final one
Apple is positioning the brand new iPad Air with the M3 chip because the one which’s constructed for Apple Intelligence, and sure, the brand new chip’s Neural Engine does make AI duties sooner. However all iPads with an M1 chip or later assist Apple Intelligence, which means that final yr’s iPad Air will do AI duties fairly effectively, too.
Present beginning worth of $599 for the 11-inch mannequin and $799 for the 13-inch mannequin. It might really feel like a discount if Trump’s tariffs make future iPads costlier.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
As for Apple’s tackle AI, it will be very completely different relying on how a lot you want these options, and the way a lot you utilize different AI fashions which can be on the market. For instance, I take advantage of Cursor for coding, and Apple’s AI prowess is not any assist right here. Likewise, a few of Apple’s AI instruments, like picture technology, lag far behind extra superior fashions resembling Midjourney or ChatGPT.
But when it’s essential shortly erase an undesirable object from a photograph, Apple’s Clear Up software will go well with you effectively. Or if it’s essential create a picture of your self in an astronaut’s helmet whereas carrying a shawl, Apple’s Picture Playground will do a good job (and will probably be snappier than on an iPhone).
Picture Playground is not good, nevertheless it’s usable in a number of conditions.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
When it comes to on a regular basis efficiency, I’ve zero complaints. My every day driver is a MacBook with an M1 chip — which means it lags two generations behind this iPad Air — and it is nonetheless lots quick for me. The iPad Air, which I sometimes use for studying and gaming, feels overpowered.
For a barely more durable process, I performed a wide range of video games together with Hearthstone and PUBG Cellular (sure, on an iPad — sue me), however all the things was snappy on the iPad Air.
Geekbench take a look at outcomes verify this: With a 2,229 single-core rating and a ten,498 multi-core rating, it is roughly on par with an M1 MacBook Professional, which is lots highly effective for a pill.
After all, if you happen to’re intent on utilizing the iPad Air as your important productiveness machine, my verdict is identical as it’s for the greatest iPads: Do not. The iPad is solely higher suited to iPad duties, which embrace gentle work, gaming, studying, and maybe some gentle drawing and picture enhancing. Attempt to multitask, juggle round a phrase processor and a few tables, create, edit, and transfer recordsdata… and you will quickly discover that MacBook is vastly superior for such duties.
Battery life: Barely improved
The battery life on the brand new iPad Air is fairly nice, although not dramatically improved in comparison with the final model. If I take advantage of it for studying and looking, it lasts for days. If I play a graphics-intensive sport, it’s going to solely final a few hours. For a wholesome mixture of the 2, this new iPad Air will final you a full day.
The brand new Magic Keyboard has pass-through charging, which means you may cost it whereas utilizing the iPad’s USB-C port to attach an exterior show.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
To try it out, I ran Mashable’s normal battery take a look at (operating a loop of a TikTok video at 50% brightness). I obtained 14 hours and 46 minutes of battery life, which is about an hour and a half higher than final yr’s iPad Air. That is a tangible enchancment, probably because of the M3 chip being extra energy environment friendly than its predecessor.
For just about all the things else, we direct you to our overview of final yr’s iPad Air, as a result of it is all the identical. Meaning the show, the cameras, the audio system, the ports (effectively, the singular USB-C port on the underside) are all the identical as earlier than. Even the storage choices stay unchanged.
Is the M3 iPad Air price it?
When you already personal the 2024 iPad Air with the M2 chip, then there’s little or no purpose to improve. The brand new Air is barely sooner and has barely higher battery life…and that is just about it. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re upgrading from an older Apple pill, then the brand new iPad Air remains to be our “best buy” for many Apple buyers.
Nonetheless the “best buy” iPad.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
For me, the iPad will not be, and can probably by no means be, my main workhorse (I take advantage of my MacBook Professional for the overwhelming majority of my every day work). For that reason, the iPad Professional, whereas good, is overkill. The iPad, which nonetheless has a phone-grade, A16 chip, is underpowered, so the iPad Air is the only option for many patrons.
As for that Magic Keyboard…look, it is good, nevertheless it’s too expensive to make sense. When you’re looking for an iPad Air, combining it with a extra inexpensive, third-party possibility might be the way in which to go.
