Apple rolls out 2 new iPads ahead of streaming announcement

Apple has a mini warm-up for before its big announcement next week.

On Monday, the company debuted updated versions of two somewhat forgotten iPad models. The iPad Mini got its first update since 2015, and the iPad Air has its first new iteration since the iPad Pro came out around the same time, Bloomberg explains.

The new 7.9-inch iPad Mini doesn't look too different from its past version, and lacks the edge-to-edge screen that's taken over recent iPhone models. It does support the Apple Pencil now, but can only use the version of the stylus that charges via a Lightning port, The Verge points out. It has an upgraded 7-megapixel front-facing camera, a brighter advanced Retina display, and is available Monday starting at $399.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The new 10.5-inch iPad Air is replacing the old 10.5-inch iPad Pro — the older model was taken off Apple's web store after Monday's announcement, per AppleInsider. It also supports the Apple Pencil, contains a new A12 bionic chip that boosts graphics capabilities, and starts at $499.

The announcement comes ahead of an Apple special event scheduled for March 25, which was announced with an invitation reading "it's show time." That makes it pretty clear the event will be about Apple's forthcoming streaming service, which has already secured Oscar-winning stars and recognizable brands for exclusive series and movies.