Just a year after setting the stage with the previous model, Apple is back with a refresh that promises to boost efficiency thanks to its new M3 chip. While not the latest in Apple’s famed silicon lineup, it’s a noticeable leap for those holding onto older versions.
Now available in an elegant palette of four colours, the iPad Air now packs an M3 chip that Apple claims offers twice the speed compared to the M1 and older A14 Bionic-powered models. Starting at a reasonable SGD599 for the 11-inch version and climbing to SGD799 for the 13-inch, it’s aiming to please both the size and budget-conscious.
The Magic Keyboard has received an update, now featuring a larger trackpad and an added row of function keys—a feature previously exclusive to the Pro versions. But once again, this accessory comes at a premium, with prices tagged at SGD269 for the smaller model and SGD319 for its larger counterpart. For those looking to make the most of their iPad with productivity in mind, this is certainly a welcome upgrade, albeit with a price that might make some think twice.
In terms of competition, Apple remains largely uncontested at the pinnacle of tablet technology, a status they’ve patiently sculpted over the years. Yet, each iteration begs the perennial question: what’s the revolutionary change here?
For users with iPads of significantly older generations, the new Air is a worthwhile leap, but for recent buyers, it might feel more like an incremental upgrade rather than a must-have device.
The newly upgraded iPad Air is out now.
