Apple’s iPad Air 4 has thrown down the gauntlet against the iPad Pro, with a slew of internal upgrades set to justify its higher launch price – from A$899 for the 64GB variant and A$1,129 for the 256GB.
The iPad Air 4 will release locally in October, and claims to be Apple’s most powerful and capable iPad Air developed to date.
The product is more expensive than the former iPad Air 3, with a slew of power boosts that some commentators believe could rival the value proposition of the 11-inch iPad Pro (A$1,329).
“Today we’re excited to introduce a completely redesigned and far more powerful iPad Air, debuting Apple’s most powerful chip ever made, the A14 Bionic,” states Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “
The new 10.9-inch iPad Air 4 harnesses a liquid retina all-screen display screen, and Touch ID integrated within the power button for minimised bezels.
Apple’s premier A14 bionic chip pledges to offer 40% faster processing than the predecessor, coupled with 30% faster graphics.
The device is recharged via USB-C offering singularity with other products.
The product is compatible with the second-gen Apple Pencil – enhanced with a magnetic charging zone similar to the iPad Pro – and Magic Keyboard.
Apple also used its virtual event to introduce the eighth-generation iPad, bringing its A12 bionic chip with Neural Engine to the entry level iPad for the first time.
Priced from A$499 (Wi-Fi model), updates in battery, display and cameras seek to increase the competitiveness of Apple’s most “popular and affordable” iPad.
The Wi-Fi and cellular model will launch from A$699.
The eight-gen 10.2″ Retina display iPad will release locally from September 18.
“With its beautiful 10.2-inch Retina display, the performance boost from the A12 Bionic, great cameras, and so much more, the new iPad is an incredible value at a time when, more than ever, our customers need powerful and versatile ways to work, play, learn, and connect with loved ones,” adds Mr Joswiak.
The product claims to offer 40% faster CPU performance, coupled with twice the graphics capability.
Apple claims this makes the new iPad up to two times faster than the “top-selling Windows laptop”, up to three times faster than the “top-selling Android tablet” and up to six times faster than the “top-selling Chromebook.”
