Apple launched the new lineup of iPad without much flair with the new iPad Air and iPad mini and have launched them right before its event next week. Usually, Apple announces new hardware at an event; however, the company probably wants to focus on other things at the event. 

© Apple

The new iPad Air comes with a 10.5-inch display starting at Rs 44,900 (Wi-Fi) and Rs 55,900 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) while the iPad mini is now priced at 34,900 (Cellular) and Rs 45,900 (Wi-Fi + Cellular). The new iPad mini will probably showcase at the event by Apple as an entertainment device which will be popular amongst college students and movie enthusiasts. 

© Apple

The new iPads are powered by the same processor as the iPhone XS i.e. the A12 Bionic chipset and also has support for the older Apple Pencil. The new tablets have wider bezels than the iPad Pro variant and have a lightning port instead of USB-C. The iPad Air is lighter than the iPad Pro but has the same specifications as the iPad mini except for the display size. 

© Apple

Both tablets are available for orders in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK, US as well as China (Wi-Fi models only), Macau (Wi-Fi models only) and Mexico with deliveries starting next week. The new iPads will launch in India in the next phase soon after. 

Apple probably didn't want to mix its software and hardware announcements and decided to launch it simply via a Tweet and press release. Last year, Apple announced the new iPad Pro at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.