Apple's popular iPad range is getting an upgrade. The US technology giant has just confirmed the release of two new Air devices along with an update to its cheaper entry-level iPad model. This trio of tablets - which Apple says takes "value to the next level" - all get a sizeable bump in performance with the iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch being switched to Apple's more impressive M3 processor and the standard iPad now being driven by the A16 chip.

This makes all of these devices faster, with the Air offering up to 40 percent better performance over the previous M1 models. That will help these portable machines cope better with demanding tasks, launch apps faster and make things, such as gaming, feel way more fluid.

Apple also says that the faster Neural Engine in M3 means iPad Air users can enjoy even more AI capabilities in iPadOS. With Apple Intelligent now a big part of the firm's plans, these new Air tablets will be ready to face the future.

For those not aware, this huge software upgrade - which launched in the UK last year - lets iPad users create unique images, retouch photos automatically, and even write emails. It also offers improved Siri functionality and there's full ChatGPT integration.

Other extras include a clever Centre Stage camera which follows you around the room as you chat on video calls, there's long battery life, fast charging and it works with Apple's latest Pencil stylus.

Along with being smarter, the new Air models should also be easier to use, thanks to a new Magic Keyboard case that gets a bigger trackpad and useful function keys.

If the Air sounds enticing, the 11-inch iPad Air starts at £599 which is the same as last year's M2 model. The bigger 13-inch device will cost £799 when it lands in stores next week.

If that sounds too pricey, the new iPad is a lot cheaper and also comes with double the storage than before. That means you can get the 128GB version for just £329.

“iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “For everyone from college students taking notes with Apple Pencil Pro, to travellers and content creators who need powerful productivity on the go, iPad Air with M3, Apple Intelligence, and the new Magic Keyboard take versatility and value to the next level.”