Apple has announced a refreshed iPad Air, and the headline change is simple: it now runs on the M4 chip. On the outside, it looks like the iPad Air you already know, but under the hood, Apple is rolling in more memory, faster on-device performance for creative apps and games, and updated connectivity, including Wi-Fi 7 on the newest wireless chip.

The new iPad Air comes in the same two sizes as before: 11-inch (more portable) and 13-inch (more screen space for multitasking). Pricing stays the same at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model. Pre-orders begin Wednesday, March 4, and availability starts Wednesday, March 11. Color options remain blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.

Apple says the new iPad Air with M4 is up to 30% faster than the previous iPad Air with M3, and up to 2.3x faster than the iPad Air with M1. The M4 configuration Apple is highlighting includes an 8-core CPU, a 9-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine.

That GPU detail matters if you do anything graphics-heavy. Apple is leaning into hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading support, which can improve lighting and realism in compatible games and 3D workflows. Apple also claims over 4x faster “3D pro rendering with ray tracing” compared to iPad Air with M1, a specific win for people doing rendering or complex 3D tasks on a tablet.

The other big spec change is memory. The new iPad Air jumps to 12GB of unified memory, up from 8GB previously, a 50% increase. Apple also lists 120GB/s memory bandwidth, which helps with moving data quickly between the chip and memory.

In plain terms, more RAM and faster bandwidth can help when you’re juggling multiple apps, working with larger files, or using apps that run models on-device. Apple points to everyday uses like searching for text or subjects in photos, transcribing notes, and using AI-assisted features in apps, plus performance gains in creative tools like photo and video editing.

Apple is bringing two new connectivity chips to iPad Air: N1 (wireless networking) and C1X (cellular modem on cellular models).

With N1, iPad Air gains Wi-Fi 7, along with Bluetooth 6 and Thread support. Apple also says this improves reliability and performance for features many people use daily, such as AirDrop and Personal Hotspot, and can perform better on 5GHz networks.

If you choose a cellular model, C1X is designed by Apple and is claimed to deliver up to 50% faster cellular data performance, while using up to 30% less modem energy than the prior iPad Air with M3. Apple also notes that cellular models include GPS, and continue to support 5G and eSIM for easier plan setup or switching, especially useful for travel or work on the go.

Apple is pairing the hardware refresh with iPadOS 26, which it describes as a major usability step forward, particularly for people who want to treat the iPad more like a laptop when needed.

Key additions include:

• A new visual design using “Liquid Glass,” described as a translucent material that reacts to touch and helps focus attention on content.
• A new windowing system that makes it easier to organize and switch between multiple app windows.
• A menu bar that appears with a swipe down from the top (or by moving the cursor to the top), giving quicker access to app commands.
• A more capable Files app, including an updated List view, folder customization, and the option to set default apps for specific file types.
• A Preview app for viewing and marking up PDFs and images with Apple Pencil or touch.
• New pro-focused tools like improved audio input controls, local capture for higher-quality recordings, and Background Tasks.

The new iPad Air supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro. Apple Pencil Pro includes features like squeeze and barrel roll, and supports Find My so you can locate it if it goes missing.

There’s also a Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, with a built-in trackpad, a 14-key function row (brightness, volume, and more), and a magnetic connection through the Smart Connector so it doesn’t rely on Bluetooth for pairing. The hinge includes a USB-C connector for charging.

This update is a “same look, bigger spec bump” kind of release. If you’re on an M1 iPad Air or older, Apple’s performance claims suggest you’ll notice a clearer jump. If you already bought the M3 iPad Air, the biggest changes are the move to 12GB RAM and Wi-Fi 7, which may or may not matter depending on how hard you push multitasking, creative apps, or fast networking.

Either way, the headline is straightforward: M4 + more memory + Wi-Fi 7, at the same starting price, arriving March 11 after March 4 preorders.

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