Apple's new iPad Air packs an M1 chip — here's how to pre-order it
PREORDER: The new Apple iPad Air (2022) is set for release on March 18, though you can reserve one ahead of time directly through the Apple Store beginning at 5 a.m. PST on March 11. The standard version (with just WiFi) starts at $599, while the WiFi + Cellular model will cost you at least $749.
The iPad Air is getting an M1 makeover.
Tim Cook dedicated a portion of Apple's "Peek Performance" keynote event Tuesday to the latest iteration of its slimmest tablet, which will feature the company's custom-made silicon chip (previously exclusive to the 2021 iPad Pro) for "a massive leap in performance."
That M1-powered iPad Air will go up for preorder on the Apple website at 5 a.m. PST this Friday, March 11 before its official debut on March 18, with prices starting at $599 for the WiFi-only model and $749 for the version with cellular connectivity.
Other notable upgrades to the fifth-gen iPad Air include 5G support (on cellular models) and a new Ultra Wide 12MP front camera with Center Stage, a feature that automatically keeps you in the frame while you're on FaceTime. (This brings it up to speed with all of the other current iPad models, which already come equipped with Center Stage.) You can also take your pick from two new colors: There's now a lighter blue hue and a trendy pastel purple in addition to space gray, starlight, and pink.
Storage-wise, the new iPad Air starts at 64GB but goes up to 256GB if you need more room for apps and downloads.
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Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.
