UPDATE: Mar. 6, 2025, 9:30 a.m. EST This story has been updated with new preorder listings from Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.
PREORDER NOW: On March 4, Apple dropped the new Apple iPad Air with M3 chip as well as the updated Apple iPad, now with an A16 chip. Both models are available for preorder at The Apple Store, Amazon, and more, and will ship on March 12.
It's been less than a year since Apple debuted its 2024 iPad Air with M2 chip, and yet, they're already back with an upgraded model. On March 4, Apple introduced its latest model, the iPad Air with M3 chip. Apple CEO Tim Cook teased that a new product was coming earlier this week, and at Mashable we suspected it was the launch of the MacBook Air with M4 chip. However, it turns out we'll be waiting a little longer for that device.
However, this drop is more than just the iPad Air. The base iPad model, which hadn't seen an update since 2022, is finally getting a chip and storage upgrade, too. Both iPads are available now for preorder at The Apple Store, with plans to ship as soon as March 12.
The new iPad Air with M3 chip is a prime example of Apple doubling down on AI. With the upgraded chip, Apple Intelligence is being incorporated into every element of the tablet. In photos, users can now clean up unwanted distractions in the background. Plus, ChatGPT is built into Writing Tools and Siri, so users don't have to watch between applications. Apple seems to be getting around users' privacy concerns with OpenAI. Users can use ChatGPT free and without an account, plus IP addresses are secured.
With all these new capabilities, the iPad Air might as well be a laptop. Apple thought of that and also delivered a new Magic Keyboard for both the 11- and 13-inch iPad Air models.
In addition to getting a new chip, the base Apple iPad, the most affordable model in the line-up, is also starting with double the storage. Now with an A16 chip, iPad users will notice a powerful boost in performance from the previous model's A14 chip. The 2022 model started at 64GB of storage, but the 2025 model now starts at 128GB of storage. However, it remains a great value, still starting at just $349.
Both the iPad and iPad Air are available for preorder now at a variety of retailers including Apple and Amazon, and will be released on March 12.
Apple iPad 2025: Price and preorder details
Check out our sibling sites CNET, PCMag, and ZDNET for more analysis.
