Sky has made Apple’s new iPad Air feel much more affordable

Apple’s goes on sale today, Wednesday March 12, with the new tablet boasting a more powerful M3 chipset compared to the previous version, no matter if you opt for the 11-inch device or larger 13-inch version.

If you’re in the market for a new iPad you might be looking for a more affordable way to get hold of one than forking out at least £599, the cost of the cheapest 11-inch Air model that comes with 128GB storage.

We’ve found that makes the new iPad Air feel much more affordable, and nets you the device and monthly mobile data for a manageable monthly amount that lands you with a fully paid off device at the end of the contract.

That’s because Sky only sells the iPad Air on monthly contracts with mobile data included, much like a smartphone contract. It means all the iPad Air models Sky sells are the cellular versions, as they require an eSIM loaded onto them in order to access data.

The cheapest £599 iPad Air is a Wi-Fi only model, whereas the version with eSIM from Apple is £749. The latter, pricier model is the tablet you can get in a deal from Sky that costs .

This spreads the cost of the iPad Air over 48 months and includes 100MB of monthly data, which Sky is throwing in for free. That’s not a lot of data at all, but you can choose to pay more for a larger data allowance, or simply connect to Wi-Fi when you’re using the iPad, as most of us do anyway.

£17 per month over 48 months comes to £816 over the four-year contract, which is only £67 more than buying the £749 iPad outright from Apple today, while also adding that small monthly data allowance as part of the spend. Best of all, Sky does not impose any monthly contract price rises, unlike many other providers, so you are guaranteed that the £17 monthly cost will stay the same for the four year contract.

You can pay more (both upfront and monthly) at point of purchase if you need an iPad Air with more storage or more monthly data, just keep an eye on the cost and make sure you can afford it. You can also opt to pay off the cost over 36 months if you’d prefer to be in a shorter contract.

The 36 month contract allows you to swap the device after 24 months to a newer model, while the longer 48 month plan lets you swap it after 36 months, so after two or three years respectively you’ll be able to upgrade to a newer iPad if you want to.

Express.co.uk technology editor Dave Snelling , calling it a “Mighty update” that “keeps Apple’s much-loved tablet on top”.

“Apple’s M2 models,which launched last year, already added some extra oomph and a bigger screen,” he said. “Now things get even faster thanks to the M3 chip being tucked inside its aluminium body.

“This latest Air still offers a great screen, long battery life, access to Apple Intelligence and a great front-facing camera which is perfect for video calls.

“It’s still not all perfect though. Although it’s now more powerful, Apple hasn’t boosted the 60Hz screen, there’s no Face ID technology (so it’s back to the old-fashioned fingerprint scanner) and Apple hasn’t brought back the plug that’s now missing from the UK box.

“Those gripes aside, the iPad Air remains an outstandingly good device and it is now ludicrously powerful.”