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The iPad Air was first introduced in 2013 along the iPad mini 2 and the cylindrical “Trash Can” Mac Pro. With a 9.7-inch display, it was really thin and light, weighing only 469 grams – over 25% lighter than its respective predecessor, the iPad 4. But that’s history. Today, iPad Air is even larger, slighty lighter, and more powerful with Apple’s M-Series chips.

The current (6th generation) iPad Air with M3 was unveiled on March 4, 2025 via a press release and became available a week later on March 12, 2025. Along with the new M3 chip, Apple also gave us a new Magic Keyboard to go along with it and an updated version of the base iPad.

Pricing was unchanged for the new iPad Air, with the 11-inch model starting at $599 and the 13-inch model starting at $799. The device is available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.

6th gen iPad Air with M3 and its new Magic Keyboard.

Here are some iPad Air with M3 performance stats from Apple:

  • 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU
  • Support for dynamic caching, along with hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing
  • 2x faster than iPad Air with M1
  • 3.5x faster than iPad Air with A14 Bionic chip
  • 40% faster graphic performance than iPad Air with M1
  • 60% faster for AI-based workflows than the M1 iPad Air

You can now purchase the new iPad Air on Amazon.

Be sure to check 9to5Toys first for iPad, and other Apple deals happening across the web.

Comment: Yesterday’s Apple event was a solid one

yesterday's Apple event

Some might argue that the most notable aspect of yesterday’s Apple event was the fact that the company didn’t announce the iPhone 12, or even make any reference to the new phones it will launch next month.

That, however, wasn’t a surprise: all the signs had pointed to that. Instead, what we got was a pretty solid event. What it lacked in excitement (except for developers), it made up for in good news for consumers …

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Rumors: Apple Watch Series 6 to come in new color, iPad Air 4 could be more expensive

Ahead of Apple’s September 15 event, oft-reliable Twitter leaker @L0vetodream has shared a few cryptic hints at what we should expect to see. The leaker suggests that the Apple Watch Series 6 could be available in a new color and that the new products could be available to order from Apple’s website on the same day as the event.

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Comment: No iPhone 12 keynote this month, and that’s a good thing

No iPhone 12 keynote this month

All the signs now point to two Apple events in the near future: the now-announced one on September 15, and a second one in October for the delayed iPhone 12 keynote.

Some still believe that the September event will include the new iPhones, suggesting that the scheduled two-hour slot is too long for just the new iPad Air and Apple Watch models. But I think it’s pretty likely the September event will not include the new iPhones …

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Bloomberg confirms redesigned iPad Air, two new Apple Watch models coming this fall

In a new report published today, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman runs down the list of products that Apple is expected to launch in the fall product season. In addition to the widely reported iPhone 12 lineup, the publication says that Apple will release an edge-to-edge iPad Air; an alleged instruction manual depicting the new design was leaked last week.

Apple is also said to be readying hardware updates to the Apple Watch. There will be a successor to the Apple Watch Series 5 and a successor for the Series 3, which will target the lower-end of the market.

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Which iPad should you buy? Hands-on with the iPad 7, iPad mini 5, iPad Air 3, and iPad Pro (2020)

With the release of the new iPad Pro for 2020 and last year’s update to the entry-level iPad, it’s time to take another look at the entire iPad lineup to determine which iPad is best.

The iPad that’s best for me, isn’t necessarily the iPad that’s best for you, and vice versa. In this hands-on video, we discuss which iPad you should buy in 2020.
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Kuo: All MacBook butterfly keyboards replaced with more reliable key switches in 2020, starting with rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro this fall

MacBook Pro 2019 keyboard

Reliable supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities has published a new report focused squarely on Apple keyboards. Kuo lays out an updated timeline for when he believes Apple will begin using more reliable keyboards in MacBooks.


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iPad Air 3 review: Semi-Pro [Video]

iPad Apple LCD supplier

The new iPad Air 3 is the follow-up to a legendary tablet, the iPad Air 2. The second-generation iPad Air introduced a thinner profile, laminated digitizer, and Touch ID to Apple’s tablet lineup for the very first time. The iPad Air 2 was also well-regarded for its speed — sporting 2GB of RAM for the first time in any iOS device, and a new chip that put an emphasis on GPU performance.

When looking back at the iPad Air 2, it goes without saying that the third-generation model has some big shoes to fill. And as you’ll see from our iPad Air 3 review, it proves to be a worthy, if not a slightly boring follow-up, because it’s essentially an iPad Pro lite.
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Apple’s new iPad mini and iPad Air both support the Logitech Crayon

iPad Logitech Crayon

Apple announced two new iPads this morning, finally updating the iPad mini and bridging the gap between its entry-level and high-end models with a new iPad Air. For the first time, both new product lines gain Apple Pencil support, while also being the first new models since the sixth-generation 2018 iPad to feature Logitech Crayon support.


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Apple announces new 10.5-inch iPad Air and iPad mini with Apple Pencil support

New iPad Air 2019

Apple today announced updates to its iPad line. There’s a new iPad mini and a new iPad Air, with a 10.5-inch screen. The iPad Air features a thinner design with a 10.5-inch display and the Apple A12 Bionic chip.

The iPad mini keeps the same 7.9-inch screen, but gets the same A12 spec bump. Both the Air and the Mini are compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil. The iPad mini starts at $399 for the 64 GB model, and the Air starts at $499. You can order them today from Apple.com.


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9to5Toys Last Call: iTunes $100 Gift Card $80, iPad Air 2 Smart Cover $18, Beats Solo2 $100, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Anker iPhone/iPad accessories: Car Chargers from $6, Nylon MFi Lightning Cable $8, more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/681533407428481025 align=’center’]

$100 iTunes Physical Gift Card for $80 shipped (20% off): save on apps, music, movies, more!

Apple iPad Air 2 Smart Cover $18 (Reg. $35), Smart Case $35 (Reg. $70), more

Beats Headphones: Solo2 On-Ear $100 (Reg. $200), Powerbeats2 In-Ear $85 (Reg. $150)

Write-Off Week™: Last chance to write off biz expenses w/ best deals on office equipment, tech, supplies, more

iTunes is hosting a rare sale on HD movies, including $5 titles + heavily discounted bundles

Hundreds of iOS/Mac games & apps are on sale for the holidays, these are the best ones you can’t afford to miss

Starbucks $15 gift card for $10: save 30% on your favorite drinks!

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Macbook Air 11.6″ Core i5 4GB/128GB w/.edu: $750 shipped ($250 off, $700 without .edu or less)

Apple 12-inch MacBook w/ Retina display 1.2GHz/8GB/512GB: $1,440 shipped (Reg. $1,599)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Apple-certified Lightning 3600mAh Aukey Portable Battery Pack + MFi cable: $10 shipped

B&H: $70 off Apple Watch Stainless PLUS $100 Gift card (Tax only in NY) starting at $379 effective

iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi: 16GB $250 (Orig. $399), 128GB $425 (Orig. $599)

Best Buy Apple sale: iPad Air 2 $125 off, iPad Air $100 off, iPad mini 4 $100 off, much more!

Apple TV 32GB (4th generation) w/ Siri remote + 6-ft HDMI cable: $126 shipped (~$155 value)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

ShiftWear sneakers use flexible displays to showcase custom artwork on your shoes

The new iOS-connected Hamwells e-Shower recycles your water with eyes on saving energy

9to5Toys Last Call: MFi iPhone controller $9, Belkin iPad Pro keyboard $75, iPhone 6 Plus battery case $30, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals

Last Call Updates:

Get a free download of the AirPano Travel Book iOS app courtesy of Apple ($3 value)

Logitech Powershell controller 1500mAh battery case for iPhone 5/5S/iPod Touch: $9 Prime shipped

Belkin Ultimate Pro Bluetooth iPad Air 2 Keyboard Case w/ backlit keys: $75 shipped (Reg. $150), more

Snag this iPhone 6 Plus 4000mAh Apple-certified MFi battery case for $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $45), more

Giveaway: Jaybird’s new X2 Bluetooth earbuds are the ultimate workout counterpart ($180 value)

More new gear from today:

$100 iTunes Gift Card for $85 with free shipping (15% savings)

iOttie Easy One Touch 2 car mount for iPhone 6/Plus and Android devices: $16 shipped (Reg. $25)

More deals still alive:

iPhone 6/Plus Accessories w/ Prime shipping: Anker Screen Protectors $1 (Reg. $4), TechMatte Magnetic Air Vent Mount $6 (Reg. $9)

NRGized Apple Certified MFi 3-foot braided Lightning cable w/ metal connectors $9 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)

Anker 9-foot Apple Certified MFi Lightning to USB cable (black or white): $11 shipped (Orig. $16), more

New products & more:

Samsung SmartThings hub comes next month with Amazon Echo-powered voice control support

Tile announces a new generation of its Bluetooth tracker

Quick Review: The Conway Electric Extō Dual-USB is the envy of all power strips

9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB $449, Free App of the Week, Brother AirPrint Laser $80, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Review: The Turtle Beach 800X Elite headset brings Xbox One games to life but lacks in one key area

Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB in Silver: $449 shipped (Orig. $929)

Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB $399 (Reg. $499) or 64GB $500 (Reg. $500) in Gold, Silver or Space Gray

App Store Free App of the Week: Time Surfer – Endless Arcade Magic ($1 value)

Apple’s Handpicked iOS app sale from 50% off: Day One, Terraria, djay 2, Notability, many more

Goat Simulator for iOS goes free for the first time as IGN’s Game of the Month ($5 value)

Save 50% on the entire Infinity Blade Trilogy: $5 (Reg. $10)

Brother Wireless Laser Printer with AirPrint $80 shipped (Orig. $130)

Giveaway: Olio Model One Black Collection Connected Timepiece for iOS and Android ($795 value)

More new gear from today:

F-Color Apple-Certified MFi 6-foot Braided Lightning Cable: $11 Prime shipped (Reg. $15)

Daily Deals: Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX $45, D-Link Wireless Cloud IP Camera $55, more

More deals still alive:

Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro w/ Retina Display (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,100 shipped (Reg. $1,299)

Apple 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K Display 3.3GHz/1TB/8GB: $1,850 shipped (Reg. $1,999)

Spigen: Air Vent Mount for iPhone 6/Plus & Android Devices $7 (Reg. $16), iPhone 6 MFi 3100mAh Battery Case $35 (Reg. $60)

New products & more:

Make nearly any HDTV a giant Android touchscreen tablet with the Touchjet WAVE

JayBird’s new Apple Watch compatible X2 in-ears sport enhanced Bluetooth audio

The coolest Apple-certified MFI Lightning cables you can buy for your iPhone, iPad and iPod

9to5Toys Last Call: Spigen 3-ft. MFi Lightning Cable $5, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB $399, 1-Yr. Adobe CC $100, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

JayBird’s new Apple Watch compatible X2 in-ears sport enhanced Bluetooth audio

Spigen 3.3-foot Apple Certified MFi Lightning to USB Cable $5 Prime shipped (Reg. $20)

Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB $399 (Reg. $499) or 64GB $500 (Reg. $500) in Gold, Silver or Space Gray

Get 12 months of Adobe’s Photography Creative Cloud plan for $100 ($20 savings)

Goat Simulator for iOS goes free for the first time as IGN’s Game of the Month ($5 value)

Giveaway: Olio Model One Black Collection Connected Timepiece for iOS and Android ($795 value)

More new gear from today:

Samsung 850 Pro 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drives: 256GB $115 shipped (Reg. $150+), 1TB $430 shipped (Reg. $465)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/631488898313662464 align=’center’]

More deals still alive:

Charge your Apple Watch and iPhone with this Bamboo Dock for $11.50 Prime shipped (Reg. $17)

D-Link DCS-5029L 720p HD Pan & Tilt Day/Night Wi-Fi Camera: $100 shipped (Reg. $150)

New products & more:

WalkCar looks like a four-wheeled MacBook that you can ride

Solenica’s solar-powered Lucy lamp shines light into the dark spaces in your home

The coolest Apple-certified MFI Lightning cables you can buy for your iPhone, iPad and iPod

Best Buy Black Friday in July: iPad Air 2 $125 off, 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro $1,750, 27-inch 5K iMac $1,800, more

From 9to5Toys.com:

Update (7/24 8:30am): Best Buy’s Black Friday in July event is now open to everyone.

Just a week after Amazon’s Prime Day event (fiasco?), Best Buy is set to run its Black Friday in July Sale this weekend. One of the standout deals is a $125 discount on all iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi models. Even though the sale doesn’t officially kick off until tomorrow, new and existing My Best Buy members can access the sale starting right now. If you aren’t yet a member you can sign-up for free.

After the aforementioned discount, a 16GB iPad Air 2 will run you just $374.99 with free shipping. That’s $124.01 less than Apple is charging and the lowest price we’ve ever seen from a major retailer without the need for limited coupons or annoying rebates. The 64GB version is priced at $474.99 (Reg. $599) and 128GB is $574.99 (Reg. $699). If you’re looking for an iPad mini, Best Buy has the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 3 on sale for $449.99 (Reg. $599). On the fence with which model to get? My advice is to stay away from the 16GB and go for at least 64GB since Retina apps and HD media take up so much room.

These are fire sale type prices. It’s really incredible to see a discount of up to 25% on a current generation flagship Apple product. There are some incredible iOS 9 features coming so now may be the time to upgrade.

Best Buy is also discounting the current generation 15-inch 256GB Retina MacBook Pro (model MJLQ2LL/A) down to $1,749.99 (Reg. $1,999) and the 27-inch Retina 5K iMac 3.3GHz/8GB/1TB (model MF885LL/A) to $1,799.99 (Reg. $1,999).
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Review: Anker’s Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 brings reasonable pricing and smart design to Bluetooth typing folios

Site default logo image

I’ve tested almost every major iPad keyboard case since the first iPad was released five years ago, and still recall when companies charged $100 for greasy vinyl folios with terrible, squishy rubber keys. Thankfully, a lot has changed since then. If you’re willing to spend $100, you can get a much nicer iPad-holding case attached to a nearly great keyboard. Drop $130-$150 (or go nuts for $170), and you can get a metal keyboard that partially resembles a MacBook Air. Personally, $100 is the ceiling I’d ever be willing to pay for an iPad keyboard case, and I’d rather pay less. But unless you count discontinued models for prior-generation iPads, there aren’t many great options.

Anker is changing that. Its new Bluetooth Folio Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 sells for a stunningly low $40, and just like the 25,600mAh Anker iPad battery pack I previously reviewed, it delivers remarkable value for its price point. As the product of strategic compromises, it winds up giving up only one thing I typically prefer — a complete iPad-holding frame — in order to offer an excellent typing experience for the same cost as a typical iPad case without a keyboard. Read on for the reasons why I’d recommend this over options costing three times the price.


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Review: Moshi’s VersaCover for iPad Air 2 uses pyramid power to prop up your tablet

Several months after the iPad Air 2 hit shelves, form-fitting cases still remain few and far between, and even our favorite case makers have been rushing out “quick fix” options reusing most of earlier, thicker iPad Air 1 designs. Moshi’s VersaCover for iPad Air 2 ($60) is different.

While the “origami cover” front lid is identical to one that was used in the same-named iPad Air 1 case, the rear shell has been redesigned to precisely fit the more slender iPad Air 2’s form. If you’re looking for a super-thin iPad folio with mature textures, colors, and stand functionality, it’s worth considering.


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