It’s faster than before but still has the same look as the iPad Air
Early reviews of the M4 iPad Air are now out ahead of the tablet’s official launch on Wednesday, and many publications are describing the device as a modest improvement that focuses on performance rather than design changes. Apple kept the same slim and lightweight body used in previous models while adding a new M4 chip, 12GB of memory, and updated wireless hardware that supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Reviewers agree that Apple has greatly improved speed and multitasking while leaving the overall experience unchanged from the previous version of the M3. The tablet still uses the same Liquid Retina display with a 60Hz refresh rate and the same Touch ID button that has been part of the design for several years.
1.
Tom’s guide focused on the general look of the device and explained that Apple has kept the same design language for many generations of iPad Air.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the Air’s design is doomed, but if you go back a few generations, you’ll see little has changed from year to year. The M4 Air has the same design as the Air Apple released in 2020. Indeed, it looks great – thin, light, and a nice little bezel all around.”
“The question I suspect many will have is whether they should buy the iPad Air or the Macbook Neo spring, which is $250 less when you factor in the cost of the Air’s keyboard. Although the Air has a touchscreen and is more portable, its value proposition compared to Apple’s laptops is now very questionable if you’re looking for an inexpensive productivity machine.”
“Yes, the iPad Air is Apple’s best tablet for most people, but it may have just been replaced by the Neo as Apple’s cheapest productivity product.”
Tom’s guide repeatedly highlights the general design that remains unchanged from 2020, while revealing that the M4 chip brings a performance bump compared to the previous model.
2.
Mashable focused on the new chip’s ability to handle AI tasks quickly and smoothly across Apple’s applications.
“I tried to test its AI capabilities using applications such as Final Cut Pro’s automatic captioning, Voice Memo transcription features, and CollaNote’s AI image generation. Even with WiFi and mobile data turned off, these processes happened almost immediately, and without major errors.”
“In CollaNote, the popular note-taking app, you can use the Magic Pen to circle a doodle and turn it into a real picture. Record a note or conversation with Voice Memos, and you’ll get accurate transcription at the push of a button. In Pixelmator, you can zoom in and remove backgrounds from photos instantly.”
“I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface of what you can do with the iPad Air’s Neural Engine, especially when it comes to using Apple Shortcuts and open source models.”
Mashable repeatedly refers to happenings “suddenly,” highlights how the Neural Engine and the new processor handle AI tasks at speed.
3.
Gizmodo took a closer look at the hardware configuration of the M4 chip used in the iPad Air and explained that it is different from the version used by Apple in laptops.
“The iPad Air is not powered by the same M4 chip in the M4 MacBook Air. The tablet chip is a constrained version, which means it contains fewer cores than the maxed-out 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple has prepared the M4 iPad Air version with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. Basically, you won’t see the performance of the M4 Air the way you won’t see the M4’s Mac’s. it’s slower for tasks that require a lot of graphics, like 3D modeling.”
“There’s still a gap between the performance of the iPad Air and the iPad Pro, but that gap has shrunk significantly with this latest iteration. The M4 iPad Air scores just a few hundred points better than the M5 iPad Pro in CPU benchmarks. In graphics tests, the M5 iPad Pro with a full 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU on GPU edgeteel 8 can still hold the Nomad Light’s benchmark scores.” and the M4 iPad Air’s 3,166 Performance is still a big reason to get the M5 iPad Pro, but if you want to spend a lot less money, the M4 iPad Air is a good choice for many creators out there.
The report also notes that more integrated memory helps improve multitasking performance when several applications are running at the same time.
4.
Engadget reviewed the networking improvements inside the new tablet, including Apple’s in-house wireless chips.
“The other big change is Apple’s in-house network chips on board here. The N1 includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, while the C1X handles cellular connectivity if you buy a 5G-capable model. Again, this doesn’t change the experience of using the iPad Air in any major way, but having a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip on board is good for the chip on board.
“In my testing, the C1X on Verizon’s 5G network was very fast in the Boston suburbs and didn’t seem slower (or faster) than other devices I’ve used on the same carrier. That’s fine, as other Apple devices I’ve tested with the C1X are solid and reliable, which is very important.”
The publication emphasizes that the presence of the latest wireless standards helps to protect the device in the future although it does not significantly change the daily use.
5.
ZDNET focuses on beauty and productivity, especially for people who use a tablet to do creative work.
“As a writer who also does photography, video, and some graphics on the side, I’ve found the iPad Air to be a very affordable tablet that can handle my work well without a single stutter. It starts at $599, $400 less than the iPad Pro, yet its M4 processor, fast connectivity, and 12GB of built-in memory make the price seem almost too good to be true.”
The publication describes the device as a reliable tool for work that involves writing, editing photos, and managing creative tasks.
6.
The Verge tested the new cellular modem and reported strong results while using cellular data.
“Apple’s C1X in particular seems to be a revelation. I’ve long been a fervent believer in cell-powered iPads, because there’s something about this constant connection that makes the iPad instantly usable as an on-the-go way to do email, reading, or web browsing, the things the iPad is meant for.”
“In my testing so far, the M4 Air remains the fastest mobile device I own, and in bad service areas it sometimes delivers speeds several times faster than the latest iPhones, Pixels, and other iPads.”
The report emphasizes the benefits of always-on connectivity and highlights the device as one of the fastest mobile tablets tested to date.
Summary
TechRadar has summarized the general opinion about Apple’s latest update.
“The iPad Air has long been the ‘pro model for the masses,’ and the 2026 refresh keeps that reputation intact.”
Early reviews of the M4 iPad Air described the tablet as a balance option between the entry-level iPad and the premium iPad Pro. Apple has improved speed, memory, and connectivity while maintaining the same familiar design that users already know.
