Apple announces iPad Mini and iPad Air with Apple Pencil support, price starts at Rs 34,900

Apple just anunced two new affordable iP models – 7.9-inch iP Mini and 10.5-inch iP Air. While term ‘affordable’ is subjective in Apple-verse, new iP Mini and iP Air focus largely on bringing tried and trusted hallmarks of an iP to an entry-level segment – so more people will possibly be able to use m. Which is also possibly why Apple is bringing Apple Pencil support to both its new iP models. 

Speaking of pricing,  iP Mini starts at Rs 34,900 for Wi-Fi and Rs 45,900 for Wi-Fi + Cellular - it will be available in 64GB and 256GB configurations. iP Air meanwhile starts at Rs 44,900 for Wi-Fi and Rs 55,900 for Wi-Fi + Cellular - it will also be available in 64GB and 256GB configurations. Both new models will be available in silver, gray and gold colour options. Apple Pencil will be sold separately for Rs 8,500 – so will various keyboard covers/flip covers (while iP Mini supports Bluetooth-only keyboards, iP Air is compatible with Apple’s smart keyboard as well).  

Coming to specs, both iP Mini and iP Air have a lot in common in terms of core hardware. Both models are powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic processor and boast of “up to 10 hours of surfing web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music; up to 9 hours of surfing web using cellular data network.” Both models have an 8MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera. Both have dual speakers. Both new iPs keep Apple’s signature True Tone screens as well. 

Both  iP Mini and iP Air look same as well - in fact, both look like any or iP from past. Both pack same exterior all way down to hephone jack and Touch ID – call m a “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” affair if you may. 

“iP continues to provide magical new experiences for a growing range of uses where it is absolute best device, from playing games in augmented reality to te-taking and drawing with Apple Pencil, from streaming HD movies and editing 4K films to learning to develop apps with Swift Playgrounds,” Phil Schiller, who is Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing said in a press statement anuncing iP Mini and iP Air. 

“Today iP family takes two big leaps forward with an all-new 10.5-inch iP Air that brings high-end size, features and performance at a breakthrough price, and a major upgre to 7.9-inch iP mini, which also brings Apple Pencil, Retina display and A12 Bionic chip to many customers that love its compact size.” 

Apple literally re-me iP Pro last year – bringing in a new near edge-to-edge design and Face ID ( iP Pro did t have Touch ID), in dition to updated hardware. Die-hard fans would have been hoping Apple to include at least some of se features into entry-level iP – only it didn’t. 

What new iPs do is that y d up – Apple w has a comprehensive portfolio of iPs to its name so re’s something for everybody. This is in fact first time that Apple is offering as many iPs, at as many different price points.