Apple unveils new iPad and iPhones
Apple has updated its iPad line and dropped the “Air” branding as it boosts the specs on its mid-tier product. More colours for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have also been launched along with the announcement of a new video app, Clips. The new iPad is not expected to be available in Ireland until April or May.
Prices for the new iPad start at £339 (€391) for a 32GB model with wifi only and rise to £559 for a 128GB model with 4G, solidifying Apple’s intentions to split the line into three: an expensive iPad Pro, available in two sizes, for those needing a laptop replacement; a cheap iPad mini for those needing a small portable tablet; and the iPad sitting in between the two.
The new iPad sees its innards bumped from an A8X chip to the A9, previously used in the iPhones 6S and SE. The more-powerful A9X chip, introduced for the two sizes of iPad Pro, remains exclusive to that product line.
Following the lead of the Mac lineup, Apple also dropped the “Air” branding from the series. Other than the speed boost, most features in the iPad remain untouched: the device has the same camera specs as its predecessor, the same screen specs and the same rated battery life.
Apple has also announced a new colour, red, for its iPhone 7 devices. Some of the proceeds from sales of the device, alongside other red products sold by Apple, will go to supporting the Product Red initiative to fight HIV and Aids. The company has also doubled the storage on its cheaper, smaller iPhone SE: the phone will now ship in 32GB and 128GB configurations, for the same price as before (starting at £379).
