Apple announced two new iPads: an 11th-generation entry-level iPad and the seventh-generation iPad Air. While it’s the first upgrade to the regular iPad since October 2022, the iPad Air was refreshed in May 2025. Here’s what the new devices are.
Apple iPad Air
The iPad Air matches the design of its predecessor and comes in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch. This is only the second-generation 13-inch iPad Air, with the first having landed in May 2024.
Blue, purple, starlight and space gray are the colors for the new iPad Air which match the current range, so visually there’s no change in the new release.
The key upgrade here is the introduction of a much more powerful processor, with the Apple M2 chip being updated to Apple M3, for a faster experience with Apple Intelligence. Apple says that the new chip will bring advanced graphics architecture to the iPad Air for the first time, something which should mean even better graphics for gaming, for instance.
Other specs remain the same, with storage starting at 128GB.
There’s also a new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, with a new function-key row at the top, though it doesn’t have the aluminum cover that the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard has.
Pricing is also the same as before, with the 11-inch wi-fi version costing from $599 (£599 U.K.), $749 (£749 U.K.) with cellular connectivity. The larger model costs $799 (wi-fi), £799 in the U.K. and $949 (wi-fi and cellular), £949 in the U.K.
Apple iPad
The new iPad looks the same as the model it replaces, but it now has double the storage in the lowest-priced configuration, that is, 128GB. It also has a new chip, the A16 which makes it 30% faster than the A14 Bionic in the 10th-generation iPad that was on sale until today.
Though it’s faster, it can’t run Apple Intelligence.
Price And Release Date
Both iPad and iPad Air are available for pre-order now and go on general release next week, on Wednesday, Mar. 12.
