Apple just pulled the covers off the new iPad Air, and while it may look familiar, under the hood, it’s had a serious glow-up. Now powered by the M3 chip, this iPad Air is no longer just the “affordable” alternative to the iPad Pro—it’s creeping dangerously close in power, without the eye-watering price tag.
For the first time, the Air comes in two sizes—11-inch and 13-inch—and despite all the upgrades, pricing stays the same at $599 and $799, respectively. So, is this the iPad most people should buy? Let’s break it down.
M3 Power: The iPad Air Just Got Serious
Apple’s M3 chip closes the gap between the Air and the Pro like never before. With an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU, it’s up to 35% faster than the M1 iPad Air, with hardware-accelerated ray tracing for next-level gaming and creative work.
For students, professionals, and content creators, this means smoother photo editing, faster 3D rendering, and better multitasking—all without shelling out for the Pro. Apple is clearly positioning the Air as the “Pro for the rest of us.”
Apple Intelligence: The AI Push Begins
AI is the buzzword of the year, and Apple isn’t sitting this one out. The M3 iPad Air is one of the first iPads built for Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI-driven system designed to enhance productivity and creativity.
Some standout features:
✅ Clean Up in Photos – Removes unwanted objects from images (because your beach photo deserves better than some random photobomber).
✅ Image Wand in Notes – Turns rough sketches into polished illustrations.
✅ Genmoji in Messages – Custom emojis generated on the fly.
✅ Siri + ChatGPT Integration – A more context-aware Siri that can pull in ChatGPT when needed (without switching apps).
✅ Writing Tools in iPadOS 18 – Auto-rewrite, summarize, or tweak your tone instantly.
For security, Apple is using Private Cloud Compute to ensure sensitive AI tasks run on-device whenever possible, with cloud-based processing only when necessary.
Bigger Screen, More Productivity
For the first time, iPad Air gets a 13-inch option, offering 30% more screen space for those who want a larger display without going full iPad Pro. Both the 11-inch and 13-inch models feature Liquid Retina displays with:
✔️ P3 wide color
✔️ True Tone
✔️ Anti-reflective coating
Basically, everything looks stunning, whether you’re watching movies, sketching with Apple Pencil Pro, or juggling multiple apps.
Magic Keyboard: Pro Features, Lower Price
Apple is finally making the Magic Keyboard more affordable—now starting at $269 (11-inch) and $319 (13-inch). The new version includes:
🖱️ A larger trackpad for better precision.
🔢 A 14-key function row for quick system controls.
🔌 USB-C port in the hinge for extra connectivity.
🧲 Magnetic attachment (no Bluetooth pairing needed).
For anyone looking to replace a laptop with an iPad, this is a step in the right direction.
Apple Pencil Pro: The Best Stylus Just Got Smarter
iPad Air now supports the Apple Pencil Pro, bringing:
✏️ Haptic feedback for more natural drawing.
✏️ Squeeze gestures to quickly change tools.
✏️ Gyroscopic controls for fine-tuned strokes.
If you just need a basic stylus, the USB-C Apple Pencil is also supported.
iPadOS 18: More Than Just a Software Update
iPadOS 18 brings some of the biggest updates to the iPad experience in years, including:
🔢 Math Notes in Calculator – Write equations by hand and get instant answers.
✍️ Smart Script – Cleans up messy handwriting in real time.
🎤 Audio recording + transcription – Ideal for students and journalists.
📱 More Home Screen customization – Resize widgets, rearrange app icons, tweak Control Center.
It’s a smarter, more personalized iPad experience that actually takes advantage of the hardware.
More Storage, No Extra Cost
Apple is doubling the base storage from 64GB to 128GB, all without raising the price.
For those storing large photo/video projects, games, or apps, this makes the iPad Air even more compelling.
Sustainability: Apple’s Green Push Continues
Apple is doubling down on sustainability with:
♻️ 100% recycled aluminum, rare earth elements, cobalt, and lithium.
📦 No plastic packaging—fully fiber-based, in line with Apple’s 2025 goals.
It’s a small but important step toward making premium tech more environmentally responsible.
Pricing & Availability: No Price Hike (For Now)
Despite all these upgrades, Apple is keeping prices unchanged:
💰 11-inch iPad Air (M3): $599 ($549 for education)
💰 13-inch iPad Air (M3): $799 ($749 for education)
💰 Magic Keyboard: $269 (11-inch), $319 (13-inch)
💰 Apple Pencil Pro: $129
Pre-orders are live now, with shipping starting March 12.
