Apple iPad

So, is this a new iPad Air? Mini? Pro?

None of the above! This new low-cost iPad finally starts simplifying the names of Apple’s tablets by replacing the Air models. So it now goes iPad Mini > iPad > iPad Pro. Make sense?

More than it did before, sure. What’s changed here, then?

There are three main new things. First is the cost – Apple has slashed the starting price of its 9.7-inch tablets to £339 for the 32GB model, or £429 for a 128GB one. Next is the processor, which is an A9 chip – better than the A8X in the iPad Air 2, but not quite as fast as the A9X in the iPad Pro models. And then there’s the body, which is (unusually for Apple) thicker than the Air 2. In fact, we’ve basically got the original iPad Air’s shape here.

Sound like two steps forward and one step back.

Well, maybe a few extra steps forward, since it has a new brighter screen (helping its visibility in sunlight) and keeps the Air 2’s Touch ID home button despite going back to the first Air’s chassis.

The iPad Air 2 is T3’ s king of tablets. Will this be a worthy heir?

We’ll find out soon, but it looks the part! Faster than the Air 2, a brighter screen, a bigger battery (see below), cheaper… and only 32g heavier for all that. Plus, you can get that juicy 128GB of storage for a reasonable upgrade price at last! If you want a tablet to keep around the house, it looks perfect.

Okay, I’m in. When’s it out?

Right now! It comes in gold, silver or Space Grey finishes (only the Space Grey option has a black front), with Wi-Fi-only or 4G-capable models available.