The M4 Apple iPad Air comes with better performance and more memory, but the same price as before

When Jon Bray reviewed last year’s Apple iPad Air, with the M3 processor, he questioned whether all that power was needed in a tablet. Well, he’s about to ask the same question again when he takes his place in the mighty M4.

Not to be overshadowed by all the news coming out of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ​​​​including a number of Lenovo laptops and tablets, Apple today announced the 2026 model of the iPad Air, alongside the new iPhone 17e.

Apple iPad Air (M4, 2026): What’s new?

The most obvious change is the improved silicon that powers the iPad Air. The 2026 model gets the M4 chip previously found in the 2024 iPad Pro, with an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU. Apple says it’s 30% faster than the M3-powered forbear, and that the improved GPU provides 3D graphics with ray tracing four times faster than the M1 iPad Air.

That extra grunt is used to improve the device’s AI capabilities. Memory bandwidth is nippier at 120GB/sec, which accelerates the performance of AI models, while the AI ​​performance on the device reaches three times faster thanks to a 50% increase in integrated memory (12GB from 8GB) and a more advanced neural engine.

The new iPad Air has also expanded its connectivity, with the addition of Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and support for Thread networking. All of this is powered by Apple’s N1 wireless network chip, which is said to deliver better, more stable performance when using popular features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.

Running on iPad OS 26, Air gains access to a new window system and menu bar that should improve navigation between and within applications, while it also gains greater control over audio input and the ability to override local recording compression using Local Capture.

Apple iPad Air (M4, 2026): What’s the same?

Aside from those upgrades, the iPad Air (2026) will start at the same price as last year. That’s £599 for the 11in model with 128GB of storage or £799 for the 13in option, which also comes with 128GB of storage. Those prices are for Wi-Fi variants only and do not include typing or keyboard. As was the case with Apple tablets, if you’re looking for the full package, things get pretty quick. You can find a breakdown of what you’ll be paying for the various tablet configurations and useful peripherals below this article.

The cameras also remain unchanged. You still have a landscape 12MP Center Stage camera on the display side of the tablet, paired with a 12MP camera that can shoot 4K video on the top rear corner of the device.

The 11in and 13in Liquid Retina displays are the same as last year, too. That means you’re still limited to 60Hz, but it should also mean brightness is sufficient for most viewing situations, while colors within the DCI-P3 color gamut are reproduced very accurately.

And, of course, the selection of accessories needed to turn the iPad Air into a laptop continues from last time. You have a choice of two styles – Apple Pencil USB-C or Apple Pencil Pro – and a magic keyboard. The cost of this – and how important it is to the iPad Air experience is fully realized – was Jon Bray’s biggest problems with the M3 iPad Air, and I think he will have very similar thoughts this time.

Apple iPad Air (M4, 2026): How much does it cost and when will it be available?

Pre-orders for the M4 iPad Air will go live at 2.15pm Wednesday, March 4. There will be four finishes available – Space Grey, Blue, Purple and Starlight – and several storage and connectivity options:

11in iPad Air (M4, 2026) prices

• 128GB (Wi-Fi): £599
• 256GB (Wi-Fi): £699
• 512GB (Wi-Fi): £899
• 1TB (Wi-Fi): £1,099

• 128GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £749
• 256GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £849
• 512GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £1,049
• 1TB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £1,249

13in iPad Air (M4, 2026) prices

• 128GB (Wi-Fi): £799
• 256GB (Wi-Fi): £899
• 512GB (Wi-Fi): £1,099
• 1TB (Wi-Fi): £1,299

• 128GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £749
• 256GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £849
• 512GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £1,249
• 1TB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): £1,449

Apple Pencil

• Apple Pencil (USB-C): £79
• Apple Pencil Pro: £129

Apple Magic Keyboard

• Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air: £269

Written by

Andy White

Andy was appointed Technical Editor in 2024 following four years spent putting a large range of products through their paces. A former sports reporter at Greenways Publishing, he cut his technical teeth testing laptops before taking over as the area’s TV and audio specialist. He’s laid his eye on more headphones and televisions than you can shake your hand at but has also reviewed football boots, portable gaming consoles and everything in between. As well as researching, writing and editing, Andy covers product launches and key industry events in the UK and overseas.

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