Apple Launches New iPad Air with M3 Chip – Prices Start at Rs 59,900 in India, New Magic Keyboard Introduced

Highlights

• Apple unveiled the iPad Air (7th Gen) with M3 Chip offering up to 35% faster CPU performance and 40% better graphics performance.
• It will be available in 11-inch and 13-inch models with Liquid Retina displays and various storage options.
• Apple also introduced a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air with a larger trackpad, a 14-key function row, a magnetic attachment, and a machined aluminum hinge.
• It is available for pre-order in India with prices starting at Rs. 59,900.

Apple has unveiled the latest iPad Air (7th Gen) at its online event, bringing a major performance upgrade with the new M3 chip. This new model replaces the previous M2 version and comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. Both models feature a Liquid Retina display and retain the Touch ID sensor in the top button.

Introducing the new iPad Air in a press note, Apple wrote, “Apple today introduced the faster, more powerful iPad Air with the M3 chip and built for Apple Intelligence. iPad Air with M3 brings Apple’s advanced graphics architecture to iPad Air for the first time — taking its incredible combination of power-efficient performance and portability to a new level. iPad Air with M3 is nearly 2x faster compared to iPad Air with M1, and up to 3.5x faster than iPad Air with A14 Bionic.”

“Users will feel the speed of M3 in everything they do, from creating engaging content faster than ever to playing demanding, graphics-intensive games. Available in two sizes and four gorgeous finishes that users love, the 11-inch iPad Air is super portable while on the go, and the 13-inch model provides an even larger display for more room to be creative and productive. Designed for iPad Air, the new Magic Keyboard enhances its versatility and delivers more capabilities at a lower price. With iPadOS 18, support for Apple Intelligence, advanced cameras, fast wireless 5G connectivity, and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), the new iPad Air offers an unrivaled experience,” Apple further added.

Performance Boost with M3 Chip

The new M3 chip packs an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU, offering up to 35% faster CPU performance and 40% better graphics performance compared to the M1 chip. Apple also highlights support for dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, making tasks like graphics rendering and gaming more realistic and immersive.

According to Apple, the iPad Air with M3 delivers up to 4x faster graphics performance than the M1-powered model.

iPad Air 7th Gen (2025) Specifications

• Display: 11-inch (2360×1640) / 13-inch (2732×2048) Retina True Tone display, P3 color gamut, 500 nits brightness.
• Processor: Apple M3 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine).
• Memory & Storage: 8GB RAM, with options for 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage.
• Operating System: iPadOS 18.
• Rear Camera: 12MP (f/1.8), 4K video recording at 60 fps.
• Front Camera: 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.0) with Center Stage and Retina Flash.
• Audio: Dual microphones, landscape stereo speakers.
• Connectivity: Optional 5G (eSIM), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, Thunderbolt 3, USB 4.
• Security: Touch ID on the top button.
• Battery: 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on Wi-Fi (9 hours on 5G).

New Apple Magic Keyboard

Apple has introduced an updated Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air. It features –

• A larger trackpad for better precision.
• A 14-key function row for quick access to brightness and volume controls.
• A magnetic attachment for instant connectivity.
• A machined aluminum hinge with a built-in USB-C port for charging.

Apple’s press release notes, “The all-new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air expands what users can do at an even lower price. The larger built-in trackpad brings greater precision for detail-oriented tasks, and a new 14-key function row allows easy access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. The new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth; a machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. Now starting at just $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch model, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air features the magical floating design customers love and comes in white.”

It is also more affordable than the previous Magic Keyboard and supports multiple iPad Air models. The new Magic Keyboard is compatible with the following models:

• iPad Air 11-inch (M3)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2)

iPad Air With M3 Chip – Pricing and Availability in India

The iPad Air (7th Gen) with M3 is now available for pre-order on Apple’s official website and Apple Store app in 29 countries, including India. It will be available at Apple Store locations and authorised resellers from March 12.

It is available in Blue, Purple, Starlight and Space Grey colours.

Here’s pricing breakdown –

iPad Air 11-inch (Wi-Fi)

• 128GB – Rs. 59,900
• 256GB – Rs. 69,900
• 512GB – Rs. 89,900
• 1TB – Rs. 1,09,900

iPad Air 11-inch (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

• 128GB – Rs. 74,900
• 256GB – Rs. 84,900
• 512GB – Rs. 1,04,900
• 1TB – Rs. 1,24,900

iPad Air 13-inch (Wi-Fi)

• 128GB – Rs. 79,900
• 256GB – Rs. 89,900
• 512GB – Rs. 1,09,900
• 1TB – Rs. 1,29,900

iPad Air 13-inch (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

• 128GB – Rs. 94,900
• 256GB – Rs. 1,04,900
• 512GB – Rs. 1,24,900
• 1TB – Rs. 1,44,900

Accessories

• Magic Keyboard (11-inch) – Rs. 26,900
• Magic Keyboard (13-inch) – Rs. 29,900
• Smart Folio (11-inch) – Rs. 8,500
• Smart Folio (13-inch) – Rs. 10,900

FAQs

Q1. What are the key features of the new iPad Air (7th Gen) with M3 chip?

Answer. The new iPad Air (7th Gen) with M3 chip features an 8-core CPU, a 9-core GPU, and offers up to 35% faster CPU performance and 40% better graphics performance compared to the M1 chip. It comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch, both with Liquid Retina displays.

Q2. What improvements does the new Magic Keyboard offer?

Answer. The updated Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air includes a larger trackpad for better precision, a 14-key function row for quick access to brightness and volume controls, a magnetic attachment for instant connectivity, and a machined aluminum hinge with a built-in USB-C port for charging.

Q3. What is the battery life of the iPad Air (7th Gen)?

Answer. The iPad Air (7th Gen) offers up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on Wi-Fi and up to 9 hours on 5G.

Q4. What are the pricing options for the iPad Air (7th Gen) in India?

Answer. Pricing for the iPad Air (7th Gen) in India starts at Rs. 59,900 for the 11-inch model (Wi-Fi, 128GB) and goes up to Rs. 1,44,900 for the 13-inch model (Wi-Fi + Cellular, 1TB).

Q5. When and where will the iPad Air (7th Gen) be available?

Answer. The iPad Air (7th Gen) is now available for pre-order on Apple’s official website and Apple Store app in 29 countries, including India. It will be available at Apple Store locations and authorised resellers from March 12.

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