The latest iPad Air has arrived, boasting Apple’s impressive M3 chip. While retaining its sleek design in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, this refresh focuses on internal power and introduces a redesigned Magic Keyboard tailored for the new models.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the M3 processor. Apple claims a significant performance leap, stating it’s twice as fast as the previous M1-equipped iPad Air. This 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU combination promises a substantial upgrade for users.
Apple quantifies the M3’s power, citing up to a 35% boost in multithreaded CPU performance and a 40% increase in graphics performance compared to its predecessor. This translates to a smoother, more responsive experience for demanding tasks and graphically intensive applications.
Apple M3 iPad Air (2025) showing Apple Intelligence Image Playground.
Beyond raw power, the M3 introduces Apple’s advanced graphics architecture to the iPad Air. This includes dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and ray tracing, significantly enhancing graphics rendering capabilities.
This graphical prowess results in up to four times faster rendering speeds, making the new iPad Air a compelling device for AAA gaming experiences, particularly those leveraging Apple’s Metal framework.
The M3 chip also features a faster AI accelerator engine, delivering a 60% performance gain for AI-driven tasks. Coupled with iOS 18, the new iPad Air fully supports Apple Intelligence features like Siri-ChatGPT integration, Image Playground, and Genmoji, offering a more intelligent and integrated user experience.
Angled view of Apple M3 iPad Air (2025) and Magic Keyboard.
The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599, with a discounted price of $549 for educational institutions. The 13-inch model retains its previous price point of $799. Color options include blue, purple, starlight, and space gray. Storage configurations range from 128GB to a spacious 1TB.
Complementing the new iPad Air is the redesigned Magic Keyboard. Priced at $269 for the 11-inch version and $319 for the 13-inch model, it enhances productivity and provides a comfortable typing experience.
Pre-orders for the new iPad Air begin today in the US, with shipping commencing on March 12th. This latest iteration promises a significant performance boost and enhanced features, making it a strong contender in the tablet market.
