The next iPads are almost upon us. Pre-sales are open and the release date is days away. Here’s your full, final run-down for what’s coming when, where to buy and the best prices so far.
Apple iPad Air M3 with Magic Keyboard
The new iPad Air is called the iPad Air M3 and it comes in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch. Both have the Apple M3 processor in them and are compatible with Apple Intelligence. The latest entry-level iPad has the A16 processor at its core, which is why Apple calls it the iPad A16, though others are calling it the iPad 11 as it’s the eleventh-generation tablet. This tablet offers strong value, costing from $349, and Apple describes it as the “all-fun iPad.” It is not compatible with Apple Intelligence. Here’s the countdown to when the iPads are on sale.
Pre-Sales Open: Tuesday, March 4
Unusually, Apple opened pre-sales at the moment it announced the new iPads, 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4.
Reviews Appear: Monday, March 10 Or Tuesday, March 11 At 9 a.m. Eastern
It’s hard to say when the first full reviews will appear, but for sure it’s got to be before the products go on sale. The new MacBook Air and Mac Studio will go on sale on the same day and Apple is highly likely to stagger reviews. As the iPads were revealed the day before the MacBook Air and Mac Studio, my bet is that the reviews will appear first, that is, on Monday, March 10.
The time of day is likely to be 9 a.m. Eastern but let’s remember that the iPhone 16e first reviews a couple of weeks ago went live at 9 p.m. Eastern, so it’s possible that time frame would apply here.
Release Date: Wednesday, March 12, At 7 a.m. Local Time
Apple most often releases product on a Friday but again, it made a change here. The iPad Air M3 and iPad A16, plus the Mac Studio and MacBook Air all go on sale on the same date, Wednesday, March 12. Almost certainly, this will be at 7 a.m. local time, that is, Australia is one of the first places in the world to see the new products, Los Angeles one of the last.
Pricing
Apple iPad A16
Apple iPad A16 with 11-inch display costs $349 with 128GB storage (double the amount of the previous iPad for the same price) with Wi-Fi connectivity, $499 with Wi-Fi and Cellular. U.K. prices start from £349 and £499 respectively.
Apple iPad Air M3 with 11-inch display costs $599 with 128GB storage (double the amount of the previous iPad for the same price) with Wi-Fi connectivity, $749 with Wi-Fi and Cellular. U.K. prices start from £599 and £749 respectively.
Apple iPad Air M3 with 13-inch display costs $799 with 128GB storage (double the amount of the previous iPad for the same price) with Wi-Fi connectivity, $949 with Wi-Fi and Cellular. U.K. prices start from £799 and £949 respectively.
