Apple quietly launched a new standard iPad and two new iPad Air models through press releases on March 4. The company released the tablets on March 12.
The newest iPads mainly offer slight performance upgrades over their predecessors, though Apple also increased the storage for the standard iPad and added a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air.
The new 11th-generation iPad succeeds the 10th-generation iPad from 2022 as Apple's entry-level tablet at the same low starting price. Its A16 chipset represents a decent improvement over the previous iPad's A14 Bionic processor, though it remains the only tablet in Apple's lineup that lacks Apple Intelligence.
The new M3 iPad Air models build on the M2 iPad Airs from May 2024, bringing a relatively modest performance boost to the same 11-inch and 13-inch form factors for the best iPads at a mid-range price.
iPad (A16): Release date and price
Apple released its latest standard iPad, the 11th-generation iPad with an A16 processor, on March 12. It's available now from Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy, among other retailers.
The new iPad retains the same entry-level price ($349 for the WiFi-only model) as the 10th-generation iPad, though Apple increased the base storage from 64GB to 128GB and added a storage tier.
- 128GB: $349 ($499 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 256GB: $449 ($599 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 512GB: $649 ($799 for WiFi + Cellular)
iPad Air (M3): Release date and price
Apple also released new M3 iPad Air models on March 12. The latest mid-range tablets are on sale now from Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers.
Available in the long-standing 11-inch configuration and the 13-inch model introduced with last year's M2 iPad Airs, the M3 iPad Airs retain the same starting prices as the previous models despite the upgraded processor.
- 11-inch, 128GB: $599 ($749 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 11-inch, 256GB: $699 ($849 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 11-inch, 512GB: $899 ($1,049 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 11-inch, 1TB: $1,099 ($1,249 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 13-inch, 128GB: $799 ($949 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 13-inch, 256GB: $899 ($1,049 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 13-inch, 512GB: $1,099 ($1,249 for WiFi + Cellular)
- 13-inch, 1TB: $1,299 ($1,449 for WiFi + Cellular)
iPad (A16): Features and upgrades
The 11th-generation standard iPad largely mirrors the 10th-generation iPad from 2022, apart from a few key upgrades:
A16 chip: Apple claims the new iPad's A16 chipset is nearly 30% faster than its predecessor's A14 Bionic processor. Introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro models in 2022, the A16 chip means the 11th-generation iPad is incompatible with Apple Intelligence.
- Though the new entry-level tablet will be plenty capable for everyday uses like streaming, browsing, and lightly intensive tasks, the new iPad Air models described below will better serve those with more demanding needs.
- Double the storage: Apple increased the value of the standard iPad by bringing its base storage up to 128GB from the 10th-generation's 64GB base tier while retaining the same starting price of $349. The company also added a new 512GB storage tier.
Otherwise, the 11th-generation iPad has effectively the same design and functionality as its predecessor, with a spec-matched 11-inch Liquid Retina LED display, Touch ID, USB-C port, support for the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and first-generation Apple Pencil, 12MP wide rear camera, and a landscape-oriented 12MP front camera.
It's available in the same blue, pink, yellow, and silver colors as the previous model.
iPad Air (M3): Features and upgrades
The M3 iPad Air models are a comparatively minor update from the M2 iPad Airs released last year. They feature a slight performance boost and the option to add a new Apple keyboard:
M3 chip: Apple says the new M3 iPad Air is twice as fast as the M1 iPad Air released in 2022. The company hasn't specified an exact performance boost over last year's M2 models, as it's likely a very slight difference in benchmark testing.
- Introduced in the 2023 iMac and MacBook Pro models, the M3 chip should nonetheless provide more power than the M2 iPad Air for intensive tasks, especially in the long run.
- New keyboard: Apple released a new Magic Keyboard specially designed for the latest iPad Air models. Compared to the previous keyboard, it features a lower price tag, a larger trackpad, and a new row of function keys previously exclusive to the Magic Keyboard for the 2024 iPad Pro models.
The M3 iPad Airs are otherwise essentially identical to the M2 models, with the same Liquid Retina LED displays, USB-C port, Touch ID, landscape-oriented 12MP front camera, 12MP wide rear camera, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C).
They're available in the same Space Gray, Starlight, blue, and purple colors as last year's models.
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