Apple has introduced the new iPad Air M3 with the powerful M3 chip. Here’s what you need to know about its features, release date, and pricing.
2025 iPad Air M3 Release Date
- Pre-orders start: Wednesday, March 4, 2025
- Available for purchase: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted at a new product launch in early March, and as expected, Apple announced the M3-powered iPad Air on March 4, 2025.
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3, 2025)
iPad Air Pricing
| Model | U.S. | U.K. | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-inch, 128GB | $599 | £599 | $799 | $999 |
| 11-inch, 256GB | $699 | £699 | $949 | $1,199 |
| 11-inch, 512GB | $899 | £899 | $1,229 | $1,549 |
| 11-inch, 1TB | $1,099 | £1,099 | $1,509 | $1,899 |
| 13-inch, 128GB | $799 | £799 | $1,099 | $1,349 |
| 13-inch, 256GB | $899 | £899 | $1,249 | $1,549 |
| 13-inch, 512GB | $1,099 | £1,099 | $1,549 | $1,899 |
| 13-inch, 1TB | $1,299 | £1,299 | $1,209 | $2,249 |
Apple first introduced the iPad Air in two sizes in 2024, and the trend continues in 2025.
2025 iPad Air Features: What’s New?
M3 Chip for Faster Performance
The biggest upgrade in the new iPad Air is the M3 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. It brings enhanced performance, including:
- Dynamic caching for better memory management
- Hardware-accelerated mesh shading for improved graphics
- Ray tracing support for more realistic visuals
Performance Boost
Compared to the M1 iPad Air, Apple claims the M3 chip delivers:
- 35% faster multi-threaded CPU performance
- 40% better graphics performance
However, this is not a huge improvement over the M2 iPad Air released in 2024.
Potential Issues with M3
Reports suggest the M3 chip has some challenges. In early 2025, tech analyst Mark Gurman hinted that Apple might skip to the M4 chip soon, with the M5 iPad Pro expected later in 2025.
Should You Buy the 2025 iPad Air M3?
The M3 iPad Air offers solid performance improvements, but if you already have an M2 iPad Air, the upgrade may not be necessary. If you’re considering a new tablet, check out the best iPad Air deals before making a purchase.
