New 9.7-inch iPad 2017
Apple just updated its most popular tablet, the 9.7-inch iPad, and it features a brighter Retina display, improved performance and the ‘most affordable price ever.’ Apple

Apple just updated its most popular tablet, the 9.7-inch iPad. The tech giant’s new mobile device features a brighter Retina display, improved performance and the “most affordable price ever” for an Apple tablet. The company says that the first iPad 2017 model can “do even more” than its predecessor with its new enhancements.

There’s no doubt that the iPad is the world’s most popular tablet PC. And it seems that it’s only going to become more popular as the Cupertino, California-based titan has not only made its most favoured-sized iPad better, it’s also the most affordable one yet. Apple believes that the new device is a leap forward as users can now do more, including learning to code with Swift Playgrounds and utilising multitasking facets like Split Screen.

“Customers love the large, 9.7-inch display for everything from watching TV and movies, to surfing the web, making FaceTime calls, and enjoying photos, and now it is even more affordable,” said Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Philip Schiller. “New customers and anyone looking to upgrade will love this new iPad for use at home, in school, and for work, with its gorgeous Retina display, our powerful A9 chip, and access to the more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for it.”

It was previously (and heavily) reported that Apple was set to launch a revamped iPad 2017 model directly aimed at the education sector, which seem to consider the iPad Pro variants as too expensive. Educational apps like Swift Playgrounds should make the new 9.7-inch Apple tablet the ultimate tool for students. It’s also very portable, featuring a solid yet slim aluminium unibody enclosure and weighing just one pound.

The new iPad comes with iOS 10.3, which should allow users to multitask seamlessly with apps like Slide Over, Split Screen and Picture-in-Picture. The operating system also allows for more expressive and animated ways to connect via Messages and new means to use Siri with any favourite app. A built-in Touch ID is also included for quick and secure shopping in addition to simple and easy device unlocking.

The new 9.7-inch iPad 2017 unit comes in three colours: silver, gold and space grey. The 32GB with Wi-Fi model starts at US$429 (AU$560) while the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular variant begins at US$599 (AU$781) at Apple’s official site and stores. The new tablet is available to purchase starting March 25, with delivery to customers and Apple Stores set for next week, including those in the US, China, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Denmark, India, Turkey, Norway, Russia and other countries will follow in April, while Brazil, Taiwan and other regions will follow in May.

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