This morning, Apple mysteriously took their online store down for maintenance amidst speculation of a new range of device and accessory updates potentially making their debut when the shop re-emerged from its downtime. As expected, numerous product lines were given numerous minor updates in a relatively low-key fashion for Apple, with a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 giving another option outside of black and glossier black, and the iPad Mini 4 getting 128GB of storage for anyone too afraid of clearing games off their backlog. However, the most interesting release for fans of iOS gaming is the appearance of a successor to the iPad Air 2 – called simply the iPad, it is set to be the entry-level device for Apple’s tablet range, with a low price point of only $329 for the 32GB iteration as well as a hefty A9 chip that should help power some of the more graphically intensive titles on the App Store.

As well as the upgrade from the iPad Air 2’s A8X chip to the A9 alternative (which is seen in the iPhone 6S and SE devices), our sister site MacRumors have reported that the iPad will have a brighter Retina display, a 264 PPI, 8-megapixel rear facing camera, 1.2-megapixel front-facing FaceTime camera, as well as the headphone jack making a reappearance after its removal from the iPhone 7. While this low cost iPad will certainly give even more iOS users the opportunity to upgrade to the larger screen, it’s clear that the iPad is positioned as a slower and weaker tablet compared to the iPad Pro line, and the latter devices remain the optimal gaming experience on the App Store. The lack of an anti-reflective coating compared to the iPad Air 2 also gives it less versatility than its predecessor – but for only $329, you’re still getting an excellent tablet device. The new 9.7-inch iPad is set to release on March 24th in various regions around the world, so be sure to keep an eye on MacRumors for further details on new Apple hardware as it releases.

Source: TouchArcade