Apple has kicked off its latest product launch stretch ahead of Wednesday’s “Apple Experience” hands-on event by revealing the new M4 iPad Air. Starting at $599, the refreshed iPad Air targets buyers who want a noticeable speed boost, more memory, and upgraded connectivity features without moving up to the iPad Pro lineup.
A big leap forward comes from the move to Apple’s M4 chip across both sizes (11-inch and 13-inch). Apple says the M4 iPad Air is up to 30 percent faster than the previous generation with the M3. The M4 inside the iPad Air features an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU, with support for second-generation hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing designed to improve graphics performance for gaming, creative work, and 3D tasks. Apple also claims over 4x faster 3D pro rendering with ray tracing compared to the iPad Air with M1. On the AI and machine learning side, the 16-core Neural Engine is said to be three times faster than the one in the M1-based iPad Air.
Memory gets a major upgrade too. The new M4 iPad Air now includes 12GB of unified memory, a 50 percent increase over the prior model, paired with 120GB/s of memory bandwidth. For users who multitask heavily, edit video, work with large files, or push demanding apps, this is one of the most meaningful under-the-hood improvements in the update.
Connectivity is also a standout theme this year. Apple is introducing a new N1 wireless networking chip that enables Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. Meanwhile, cellular versions of the M4 iPad Air gain the new C1X modem, which Apple says delivers up to 50 percent faster data performance and up to a 30 percent improvement in energy efficiency compared to the M3 iPad Air. Cellular models also include GPS and eSIM support.
On the software front, the M4’s Neural Engine powers features in Apple’s Creator Studio suite of apps, including tools like Scene Removal Mask in Final Cut Pro for removing backgrounds from video footage. iPadOS 26 adds a new windowing system aimed at making it easier to control, organize, and switch between apps. Apple is also revamping everyday productivity with an updated Files app, including a redesigned List view and new folder customization options. Users can also place folders in the Dock for quicker access to downloads and important documents from anywhere. Another practical addition is the Preview app, which gives iPad users a dedicated place to view, edit, and mark up PDFs and images using Apple Pencil or touch. The new iPad Air also supports Apple Intelligence.
For cameras and media, the M4 iPad Air includes a 12MP front camera with Center Stage positioned along the landscape edge, a welcome choice for video calls when the tablet is used with a keyboard. Apple also includes landscape stereo speakers for improved audio in that orientation.
The new iPad Air comes in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, giving buyers more flexibility depending on whether they primarily stream content or store large creative projects locally.
Accessory support remains a major part of the iPad Air experience. The device works with Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and the Apple Pencil Pro. Apple Pencil Pro adds features like squeeze and barrel roll for more natural and expressive control, and it also supports Find My to help track it down if it goes missing. Apple’s updated Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Air keeps the familiar floating design and built-in trackpad, but now includes a 14-key function row for quick access to controls like brightness and volume. It attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector handles power and data instantly without Bluetooth pairing.
Pricing starts at $599 for the 11-inch M4 iPad Air (Wi‑Fi) and $749 for the Wi‑Fi + Cellular version. The larger 13-inch model starts at $799 for Wi‑Fi and $949 for Wi‑Fi + Cellular. Apple also lists education pricing starting at $549 for the 11-inch model and $749 for the 13-inch model. Pre-orders begin March 04, with in-store availability set for March 11.
As for accessories, the 11-inch Magic Keyboard costs $269, while the 13-inch version is $319. Apple Pencil Pro is priced at $129 (or $119 with education savings), and Apple Pencil (USB‑C) costs $79 (or $69 with education savings).
