On Tuesday , Apple unveil theiPad Air ( 2025 ) . While a new tablet from Apple was anticipated , the actual vent dissent importantly from the rumors . Here are some unexpected details and observations about Cupertino ’s latest tablet .

M3, not M4

The most surprising panorama of the iPad Air ( 2025 ) is that it features an M3 chipset . For months , rumors indicated that Apple would transition directly from the M2 splintering used in the iPad Air ( 2024 ) to the M4 . This expectation was supported by the fact that other Apple devices have been act towards the M4 chip . For instance , the MacBook Pro ( 2024 ) and the iMac ( 2024 ) have both made the switch to this chipset , and the upcomingMacBook Air ( 2025)is also expected to skip the M3 in favor of the M4 .

The only thing that did n’t make sense about this rumour was how it relates to theiPad Pro ( 2024 ) . That tablet serial publication , which was revealed alongside the iPad Air ( 2024 ) last yr , features the M4 , and hearsay have suggested there would n’t be a new Pro model until 2026 .

Would Apple release an iPad Air with the same chip as the more expensive and lineament - rich iPad Pro ? on the face of it it would not , as the iPad Air ( 2025 ) comes with the M3 .

The timing

On Monday , Tim Cookhintedat a new “ Air ” equipment , go many to think over that he was referring to the anticipated MacBook Air ( 2025 ) rather than a new iPad Air . While the new “ Air ” laptop may be launched this week , this could make a unique challenge for Apple .

The approaching MacBook Air is carry to boast an M4 chip , which represents a natural progression from the M3 poker chip find in the current example . To effectively market this newfangled good example , Apple must offer compelling reasons why the M4 is superior to the M3 . This compare may inadvertently make the newfangled iPad Air ( 2025 ) seem less telling .

In the past , it was generally accepted that pad of paper and laptops served different purposes . However , many potential buyers may be confused about why they should purchase a $ 599 iPad Air with an M3 potato chip when they could choose for an entry - spirit level MacBook Air with an M4 bit for just $ 400 more .

While I full expect Apple to unveil the new MacBook Air this week , it might be judicious for the ship’s company to wait and relinquish the fresh laptop nigher to the June Worldwide Developers Conference ( WWDC ) . Announcing both devices this week could be see as an unneeded erroneousness .

Is that all?

When the iPad Air ( 2024 ) was released last class , it introduce several features thatdistinguished itfrom the iPad Air ( 2022 ) it supervene upon . Notable upgrades included a new chip , a better display , a Center Stage front - confront camera , and extra storage options . These enhancements belike encouraged many iPad Air ( 2022 ) owner to upgrade . In contrast , the iPad Air ( 2025 ) is remarkably similar to the iPad Air ( 2024 ) , make it punishing to justify an upgrade for those who purchase last year ’s mannikin .

In fact , I do n’t see a compelling reason for even iPad Air ( 2022 ) owners to look at upgrading .

For starter , why buy the iPad Air ( 2025 ) at full terms when you might soon find a exchangeable iPad Air ( 2024 ) at a discount ? Moreover , give the close resemblance between the last two models , it seems probable that the next version — perhaps the iPad Air ( 2026)—will feature significant updates , such as a novel intention , an improved tv camera arrangement , and possibly Face ID .

I mean , Apple could n’t even release the always - colorful iPad Air in a new color this time around , so you bonk at least one of those is coming with the next acquittance , right ?

What’s up with battery life?

One benefit of buying a raw iPhone each year is the improved battery life . orchard apple tree devices have consistently proffer better battery life with each new contemporaries , except for iPads .

debate this : iPad Air ( 2024 ) and iPad Air ( 2025 ) offer up to 10 hr of battery life between charges . Can you infer how many hours between bursting charge you could require from the2014iPad Air 2 ? It ’s also 10 60 minutes . One would conceive that after a decade , Apple would have found some style to tot at least another hour of battery life to the iPad Air .

Is asking for a tablet that hold out at least a day between charges too much ?

Generally underwhelmed

I consider the iPad Air ( 2025 ) will be look at a keen product , just like the iPad Air ( 2024 ) before it . However , I find that more time could have been spent on its development to enter a few raw features . With the “ iPhone 17 Air ” expect to launch in the coming months , Apple miss the opportunity to market 2025 as a “ breathing spell of fresh air ” or something like that .

In 2012 , Apple launch the iPad 3 , and just six months later , it announce the iPad 4 . The motive behind releasing a novel iPad so before long after the former model was Apple ’s transition from the 30 - pin connector to the then - newfangled Lightning connector . At that time , I feel understanding for anyone who had bought the iPad 3 but only hear it discontinued shortly afterward .

I have similar intuitive feeling now . Even though   there are no seeable difference between the iPad Air ( 2024 ) and the iPad Air ( 2025 ) , it ’s important to call up that some multitude expend at least $ 600 on a Modern tablet less than a year ago . Now , that machine is no longer deliberate the respectable Apple has to volunteer , at least for an iPad Air .

This sounds a quite a little like Apple had a lot of M3 chips consist around in storage warehouse that they take to unload . Rather than keeping the M3 MacBook Air around for another twelvemonth , Apple decided to refreshen the iPad Air , which is one of the troupe ’s most democratic tablets .

What about the regular iPad?

One net point is deserving noting : the regular iPad was last updated nearly two and a one-half twelvemonth ago . The current model , the tenth generation iPad , does not even include an M chip . With the iPad Air upgrading to an M3 flake , it seems likely that the next standard iPad will be set up with an M2 chip . If that is Apple ’s long game for 2025 , it will make sense , at least in meter .

The iPad Air ( 2025 ) is presently uncommitted for pre - order . The tablet officially arrives on March 12 .