Apple launched updated versions of its iPad Air on Tuesday, equipping the mid-tier tablet with the powerful M3 chip and artificial intelligence capabilities to encourage customer upgrades.
The new iPad Air lineup begins at $599 for the 11-inch model, while the 13-inch variant is priced at $799. Pre-orders opened on Tuesday, with deliveries scheduled to commence on March 12.
Apple continues to integrate advanced chips into its devices to enhance AI-driven functions, including the ability to summon ChatGPT for user queries.
The move aligns with efforts to stay competitive against rivals such as Samsung and China’s Huawei, both of which are rapidly incorporating AI into their products.
In a bid to capture a wider market, Apple introduced the budget-friendly iPhone 16e last month, lowering the cost of entry into its ecosystem to around $600. The company aims to attract mid-range phone buyers, particularly in key markets like India.
Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered features enabling tasks such as drafting emails, composing messages, and editing photos, was not initially available when the iPhone 16 series debuted in September 2023. However, the company has since been expanding these AI features to more languages and regions in phases.
Apple previously released an M2-powered iPad Air in May 2023, with the 11-inch model priced similarly to the newly launched version. Additionally, Apple announced on Tuesday that while the standard iPad has been upgraded with double the base storage and the A16 chip, it will not support Apple Intelligence.
