TheiPad Air M4 marks a solid upgrade in Apple's lineup: more memory, next-generation wireless connectivity, and a more powerful processor, all at the same price as the previous generation. Apple officially announced this tablet in early March 2026, with pre-orders open since March 4th and availability set for March 11th.
A concrete performance leap
At the heart of this iPad Air, the M4 processor features an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. According to Apple's data, CPU performance exceeds that of the iPad Air M3 by about 30%, and the device is said to be 2.3 times faster than the M1 version. However, a technical nuance deserves to be pointed out: according to AppleInsider, this M4 is a tablet-optimized version, equipped with 3 high-performance cores and 5 efficiency cores, compared to 4 high-performance cores on the iPad Pro's M4.
The unified memory increases to 12GB, up from 8GB in the M3 generation, a 50% increase. Memory bandwidth reaches 120GB/s, a figure that benefits demanding applications like advanced photo editing, video editing, or 3D processing. The 16-core Neural Engine, announced as up to three times faster than that of the M1 model, directly benefits the artificial intelligence features integrated into iPadOS.
Wi-Fi 7 and C1X modem: connectivity enters a new generation
The N1 network chip, designed in-house by Apple, makes its debut on the iPad Air M4 and brings with it Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread compatibility. Initially introduced with the iPad Pro M5 in October 2025, the N1 improves performance on 5GHz networks and enhances the reliability of features like AirDrop or Personal Hotspot, according to Apple's official press release. This is a notable change for a tablet that has so far lagged in wireless connectivity.
The cellular models also include the C1X modem, the first modem designed entirely by Apple. According to iPhoneSoft, this component provides up to 50% more cellular performance compared to the M3 model, while reducing the modem's energy consumption by 30%. Support for 5G, GPS, and eSIM is maintained on these versions.
Design and colors: no changes
The iPad Air M4 retains the same chassis as its predecessor, with no changes in dimensions or weight. The two 11-inch and 13-inch sizes remain available in the same four colors: blue, purple, space gray, and starlight. Storage ranges from 128GB to 1TB depending on the configuration.
Comparative specifications iPad Air M3 vs M4
| Feature | iPad Air M3 (2025) | iPad Air M4 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M3 | Apple M4 |
| Unified memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory bandwidth | Not communicated | 120 GB/s |
| GPU | 9 cores | 9 cores |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Cellular modem | Previous generation | C1X |
| Thread | No | Yes |
| Starting price 11" | €669 | €669 |
Price and availability
Apple maintains prices aligned with those of the M3 generation. Pre-orders opened on March 4th, 2026, with the first units to be delivered starting March 11th.
- iPad Air M4 11-inch Wi-Fi 256 GB: €669
- iPad Air M4 11-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular 256 GB: €839
- iPad Air M4 13-inch Wi-Fi 256 GB: €869
- iPad Air M4 13-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular 256 GB: €1,039
For users of an iPad Air M2 or an earlier version, the cumulative upgrade is coherent: more RAM, a faster chip, and modernized connectivity form a package that's hard to ignore. For owners of an iPad Air M3, the situation is less urgent, with the RAM gain and the switch to Wi-Fi 7 being real but unlikely to transform the daily experience. The strongest argument for making the leap remains artificial intelligence applications, which directly leverage the 12GB of memory and the improved Neural Engine, especially in advanced creative uses.
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