Apple has just unveiled three new iPad models that all get faster speeds without any hikes in price.
If your current iPad is starting to stutter there’s good news. Apple has just confirmed that its popular range of tablets is getting a refresh with three new models getting much-improved performance. The best part is that Apple is adding the extra oomph without putting up the price.
The most impressive change is an update to the 11-inch and 13-inch Air devices which are both being switched over to Apple’s more impressive M3 processor rather than the older M2 brains. That new chip offers a performance bump of up to 40 percent over previous models. So, if you use memory-hungry graphics apps, play games on the move or edit endless movies on a tablet, these iPads should help tackle everything without stuttering.
Apple also says that the faster Neural Engine in M3 means iPad Air users can enjoy even more AI capabilities in iPadOS. That’s good news, especially with Apple Intelligent becoming such a big part of the US firm’s plans; these new Air tablets will be ready to face the future.
Apple Intelligence, which comes pre-loaded on the new devices, lets iPad users create unique images, retouch photos automatically, and even write emails. It also offers improved Siri functionality and there’s full ChatGPT integration.
Other extras on these Air tablets include a clever Centre Stage camera which follows you around the room as you chat on video calls, there’s long battery life, fast charging and it works with Apple’s latest Pencil stylus.
Along with being smarter, the new Air models should also be easier to use, thanks to a new Magic Keyboard case that gets a bigger trackpad and useful function keys.
If the Air sounds enticing, the 11-inch iPad Air starts at £599 which is the same as last year’s M2 model. The bigger 13-inch device will cost £799 when it lands in stores next week.
If that sounds too pricey, the new iPad is a lot cheaper and also comes with double the storage than before. That means you can get the 128GB version for just £329.
“iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “For everyone from college students taking notes with Apple Pencil Pro, to travellers and content creators who need powerful productivity on the go, iPad Air with M3, Apple Intelligence, and the new Magic Keyboard take versatility and value to the next level.”