Apple has officially launched the latest iPad Air, now powered by the M3 chip, offering a substantial upgrade in performance, AI-driven capabilities, and enhanced graphics. The new model is designed to provide users with Apple Intelligence features, faster processing speeds, and compatibility with advanced accessories such as the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro.
According to Apple, the integration of the M3 chip introduces an advanced graphics architecture to the iPad Air lineup for the first time, boosting both power efficiency and visual performance. Alongside iPadOS 18, users can benefit from AI-powered enhancements, improved cameras, and 5G connectivity, making the device ideal for students, professionals, and content creators.
Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, Bob Borchers, emphasized the iPad Air’s popularity due to its powerful performance, portability, and affordability. He highlighted how the M3 chip, combined with Apple Intelligence and the new Magic Keyboard, elevates productivity and versatility, catering to users who need seamless performance on the go.
The M3 chip features an 8-core CPU, delivering up to 35% faster performance for multitasking compared to the M1 model. Its 9-core GPU enables 40% faster graphics performance, while hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing enhance rendering, reflections, and gaming realism. The Neural Engine in the M3 is also 60% faster, optimizing AI-powered features in iPadOS.
The new iPad Air is available in two sizes:
- 11-inch model starts at ₹59,900 for the Wi-Fi-only version, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant is priced at ₹74,900.
- 13-inch model starts at ₹79,900 for Wi-Fi and ₹94,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version.
Apple is offering a student discount, bringing the 11-inch iPad Air down to ₹54,900 and the 13-inch version to ₹74,900.
The Magic Keyboard is priced at ₹26,900 for the 11-inch model and ₹29,900 for the 13-inch version, with student discounts reducing prices to ₹24,900 and ₹27,900, respectively.
Customers in 29 countries, including the US, can pre-order the iPad Air with M3 starting immediately, with availability in Apple Stores from March 12. The device comes in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB, offering flexibility for different user needs.
