Earlier last week, Apple unveiled the new iPad Air 2025, powered by the M3 chip and designed for Apple Intelligence. With nearly double the speed of the M1 model, it’s built for everything from high-performance creativity to immersive gaming.

Available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes with four stunning finishes, the iPad Air remains ultra-portable while offering a larger display option for enhanced productivity. The new Magic Keyboard further expands its versatility, complete with iPadOS 18, Apple Pencil Pro, high-speed 5G, and advanced cameras. 

Enhanced Performance with M3

The new iPad Air with M3 enables users to stay productive and creative wherever they go – whether it’s aspiring creatives using demanding apps and handling large files or travellers editing content on the move. 

The M3 chip’s 8-core CPU is up to 35% faster than the M1 in multithreaded tasks, while its 9-core GPU boosts graphics performance by up to 40%. iPad Air now supports dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and ray tracing for the first time.

For graphics-heavy tasks, the M3 iPad Air is up to 4x faster than the M1 model, delivering better lighting, reflections, and shadows, plus more realistic gaming. The upgraded Neural Engine also makes AI tasks up to 60% faster. Other upgrades include support for Apple Intelligence, 11- and 13-inch size options, and compatibility with the new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro.

Designed for Apple Intelligence

Built for Apple Intelligence, everyday tasks are now smarter and more intuitive on the iPad Air M3. In Photos, the Clean Up tool removes unwanted elements, while natural language search helps users find images just by describing them. The Notes app features Image Wand, which transforms rough sketches into polished visuals with a simple Apple Pencil gesture. 

Further, Apple Intelligence enhances creativity and productivity with tools like Image Playground, Genmoji, and Writing Tools. Siri is now more conversational, remembers context, and can answer thousands of Apple-related questions. ChatGPT is also integrated into Siri and Writing Tools, providing quick access to AI assistance without switching apps, all while maintaining user privacy.

Privacy remains a priority, with many AI features running directly on the device. For more complex tasks, Private Cloud Compute ensures data security by processing requests in the cloud without storing or sharing information.

All-new Magic Keyboard 

The all-new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air enhances what users can achieve. Its larger built-in trackpad offers greater precision for detail-oriented tasks, while a new 14-key function row provides quick access to features such as screen brightness and volume controls. The new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically, with the Smart Connector instantly handling power and data – no Bluetooth required. A precision-machined aluminium hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging.

Now starting at just RM1,299 for the 11-inch model and RM1,399 for the 13-inch model, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air retains the beloved floating design and is available in white.

Powerful and intelligent features with iPadOS 18

In terms of software, iPadOS 18 brings powerful new features for a smarter, more versatile experience. The new Calculator app lets users solve expressions with Apple Pencil, using Math Notes to write equations by hand or type them for instant solutions. Users can also create variables and generate graphs, all within the Notes app.

Handwriting in Notes is now smoother and more flexible with Smart Script, allowing users to adjust spacing, refine their writing in real time, and even paste typed text in their own handwriting. Meanwhile, Audio Recording and Transcription make it easy to capture and search lectures or conversations.

Customisation gets a boost with new Home Screen options, including dark or tinted app icons and resizable widgets. Plus, the redesigned Control Centre offers quicker access to key functions, with support for third-party app controls.

Better for the Environment

The new iPad Air supports Apple’s 2030 goal of carbon neutrality by using 100% recycled aluminium, rare earth elements, and cobalt in their construction. Their batteries feature over 95% recycled lithium, and their packaging is now fully fibre-based. Apple also powers all its facilities, including data centres, with renewable energy and invests in global wind and solar projects to offset product charging emissions.

The new iPad Air with M3 is now available on apple.com in the Apple Store app, and Apple Store locations and Apple Authorised Resellers.

For more Apple news and releases, head here.