Apple’s Modest Refresh
The latest iteration of the iPad Air, announced for 2025, comes with subtle enhancements that may leave some users wondering about the necessity of these changes. In terms of design and overall aesthetics, the 2025 iPad Air remains almost identical to its predecessor from the previous year. However, a closer look reveals two main improvements worth discussing: a transition from the M2 chip to the faster M3, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory.
From M2 to M3: Performance Evolution
The flagship change in the 2025 iPad Air is the upgrade to the M3 chip. This new processor features an 8-core CPU, composed of four performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 9-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine.
In performance benchmarks, notably Geekbench, the M3 chip shows comparable results to previous devices that utilized this chip. Users upgrading from the M1 or any older A-series chips will undoubtedly experience significant performance gains. However, for those moving from last year’s iPad Air with the M2, the increase in speed is less pronounced. It is essential to consider what type of tasks you will be running on the iPad Air; the upgrades primarily shine in demanding 3D games such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage or Genshin Impact, and in applications that require heavy graphics processing like CAD or advanced video editing.
Yet, for a majority of the iPad Air’s audience – users engaged in everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and document editing – the upgraded chip does not offer a transformative experience. Key features associated with the M3 like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and support for the AV1 codec are noteworthy but may not be utilized to their full potential by all users.
The New Magic Keyboard: An Upgraded Typing Experience
Along with the hardware improvements, Apple has given the Magic Keyboard a refreshing update. This new keyboard is lighter and introduces a welcome row of function keys, allowing for quick adjustments to volume, brightness, and media playback without excessive navigation.
However, while the keyboard now shares some characteristics with the more premium version designed for the iPad Pro, such as the function keys, it lacks backlighting and advanced haptic feedback features. Cost-wise, the new Magic Keyboard is now priced at $269, which is $30 less than its predecessor, although still at a premium compared to other third-party keyboards.
For existing iPad Air users, the previous Magic Keyboard remains compatible, which mitigates some cost concerns for those considering the upgrade. New users will find the typing experience to be satisfactory, although it can’t completely replace a high-quality laptop keyboard. The enhanced trackpad size is a nice touch, adding to the overall usability of the keyboard.
Best Tablet for Everyday Use
Despite the minimal update, the 2025 iPad Air stands out as the best option for regular tablet users, with pricing starting at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch version. This comprehensive performance means it exceeds the requirements of most users while also offering a solid LCD display.
For families or casual users, the base iPad priced at $349 remains an excellent entry-level option, ideally suited for educational purposes or light tasks. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the iPad Pro, starting at $999, provides advanced features that surpass what most users would need, particularly when it comes to premium display quality.
While there remain several areas in the software of iPads that could benefit from updates, the 2025 model stands as a competent device in a stable market. It proves that sometimes, not much needs to change if a product is already performing well.
The upgrade of the 2025 iPad Air serves to reaffirm Apple’s commitment to maintaining a leading position in the tablet market without making drastic changes. This model is indeed a **worthy tablet** with enough power and usability for a variety of everyday tasks.
For more in-depth details, check out the full review on Ars Technica: link
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