While many were expecting Apple to announce a new line of Macs this week (which it still might), we’re instead (for now) getting a couple of new iPad tablets, including an 6th generation iPad Air infused with Apple’s M3 silicon and a new baseline iPad powered by Apple’s A16 chip. Which one might be right for you? Let’s dig into the specs.
It’s also claiming a 4X uplift in graphics-intensive workflows compared to the M1 iPad Air. And of course Apple is leaning hard on the AI angle. The neural engine in the M3 is purportedly up to 60% faster in AI-based workloads. As such, Apple is pitching the newest iPad Air as being built for Apple Intelligence.
Other specs remain similar to the previous generation model, such as a power button with Touch ID support, 128GB+ of built-in (and non-expandable) storage, and optional 5G connectivity.
Apple’s offering the retooled iPad Air in two sizes, including an 11-inch model starting at $599 and a 13-inch model starting at $799. Eligible educators (teachers and students, for the most part) have access to slightly cheaper pricing: $549 for the 11-inch model and $749 for the 13-inch variant. In addition, Apple’s rolling out a new Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad and new 14-key function row. Pricing is actually cheaper this time around, starting at $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch model.
There’s also a new baseline iPad, the first new entry since 2022. Like the iPad Air, the newest regular iPad gets a faster chip, albeit one without Apple Intelligence chops. Instead of using its M-series silicon, the entry-level iPad gets a bump to Apple’s A16 Bionic (up from the A13 Bionic in the previous generation model), for what Apple claims is a 30% overall performance improvement.
It’s mildly surprising that Apple is keeping Apple Intelligence out of the fray, though perhaps it’s hoping AI will be an up-sell to the iPad Air. That said, the entry-level iPad sees its baseline storage double from 64GB to 128GB, with prices starting at $349.