In a surprise move ahead of its expected launch of a video streaming service next week, Apple on Monday introduced an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Air and 7.9-inch iPad mini. The iPad mini (64GB) starts at Rs 34,900 for the Wi-Fi model and Rs 45,900 for the Wi-Fi+Cellular model and the iPad Air (256GB) starts at Rs 44,900 for the Wi-Fi model and Rs 55,900 for the Wi-Fi+Cellular model. Apple Pencil (first generation) is available for purchase separately for Rs 8,500. The Smart Keyboard for the iPad Air is available for Rs 13,900 with layouts for over 30 languages, including simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish, the company said in a statement.
The new iPad mini and iPad Air come in silver, space gray and gold finishes. The devices (Wi-Fi models only) will arrive later in India.
"The iPad family takes two big leaps forward with an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Air that brings high-end size, features and performance at a breakthrough price, and a major upgrade to the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which also brings Apple Pencil, Retina display and the A12 Bionic chip to the many customers that love its compact size," informed Phil Schiller, Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.
With the A12 Bionic chip with Apple's Neural Engine, the new iPad Air delivers a 70% boost in performance and twice the graphics capability, and the advanced Retina display with "True Tone" technology is nearly 20% larger with over half a million more pixels.
The 7.9-inch iPad mini also has the A12 Bionic chip, delivering three times the performance and nine times faster graphics. The advanced Retina display with True Tone technology and wide colour support is 25% brighter and has the highest pixel density of any iPad.
More than 1.3 million apps are designed specifically for iPad -- from engaging AR experiences to drawing with Apple Pencil and connecting with friends and family, said the company.
With advanced front and back-facing cameras, iPad mini and iPad Air can capture high-resolution photos and video and make editing 4K films easy and smooth. Apple is hosting an event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California on March 25 where it is expected to announce a Netflix-like video streaming service along with a new Apple news offering.
