Should you buy M3 iPad Air? Here are the best new features, specs, pricing, and more

Apple just quietly dropped a new iPad Air, now powered by the company’s M3 chip and poised for Apple Intelligence. The company preempted the announcement with a Tim Cook post, when the Apple CEO posted a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) teasing a new product from its “Air” line and the words “This week.”

Double the processing speed of M1

The new iPad Air with the M3 chip arrives to dethrone the previous M2 iPad Air. Its processing speed is nearly double that of Apple’s M1 processor and up to 3.5 times faster than that of the A14 Bionic processor.

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The Apple silicon M3 chip also gives the iPad Air a 9-core GPU, offering users enhanced graphics performance for tasks like graphically demanding games and content creation. The M3 offers 40% faster graphic processing than the M1 and supports ray tracing, dynamic caching, and hardware-accelerated shading, resulting in more realistic renderings during gaming experiences and AI workflows.

“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 travelers 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.”

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While the M1 chip is compatible with Apple Intelligence, the new iPad Air’s M3 processor is a considerable upgrade that will reflect in the iPad’s support of Apple’s AI tools. The M3’s neural engine is 60% faster than the one in the M1 processor, which will make running Apple Intelligence tools like Clean Up in Photos, Image Wand in Notes, Siri, and Writing Tools run smoother and faster.

Available in two sizes starting at $599

The 2025 iPad Air will be available in two sizes beginning on March 12: an 11-inch model starting at $599 and a 13-inch model starting at $799. Both models will be available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations. The new iPad Air is also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil.

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Apple also introduced a new, more affordable Magic Keyboard for iPad Air. This new Magic Keyboard features a larger trackpad, a 14-key function row, and a USB-C connector. The Magic Keyboard for iPad Air is available for both 11- and 13-inch models and is open for pre-order today. It will be generally available on March 12, starting at $269.

Before this launch, Apple’s Magic Keyboard was built for the iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air, and its full price is $349. Though it is currently discounted to $269, the same price (temporarily) as the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air.

New base-model iPad, too

More quietly than the iPad Air’s announcement, Apple also updated its iPad base model to launch the 11th-generation iPad. This new iPad will be available on March 12, starting at $349, though it is open for pre-order now. Unlike the iPad Air, the 11th-generation iPad won’t support Apple Intelligence, as it boasts an A16 Bionic chip. Apple Intelligence is only available on A17 Bionic chip devices and M1 and newer devices.

Get additional analysis from our sibling sites, CNET and PCMag.