Apple has refreshed the iPad Air with the M4 chip, a measured update that swaps out the previous M3 processor while keeping the same design, sizing, and starting price. Preorders open March 4 at 6:15 am PT, with units shipping March 11.
The new iPad Air retains its 11-inch and 13-inch form factors, starting at $599 and $799 respectively. Storage runs from 128 GB up to 1 TB. Apple did not raise the base price despite the hardware changes, which arrives during what the company itself acknowledges as a broader memory shortage.
What Actually Changed
The most tangible upgrade beyond the chip itself is memory. The new model jumps from 8 GB to 12 GB of unified memory, which gives it more headroom for demanding tasks without touching the price tag.
Apple also swapped in its N1 networking chip, the same component introduced in the iPhone 17 and iPad Pro last fall. The N1 handles Wi-Fi and Bluetooth natively, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread for smart home compatibility. Cellular configurations get the C1X modem, delivering sub-6 5G with improved energy efficiency over the prior model’s modem.
The M4 chip itself is one generation behind the M5 found in the current iPad Pro and 14-inch MacBook Pro. Apple says the M4 delivers up to 30 percent faster performance compared to the M3 version, with a 2.3X gain over the M1 iPad Air released in 2022. The company also cites a “4X faster 3D pro rendering” improvement, along with ray tracing support.
What Stayed the Same
The physical design is unchanged. The 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, positioned along the landscape edge for more natural video call framing, was already present on the previous generation. So were the landscape stereo speakers.
Apple’s press materials direct attention toward buyers upgrading from the M1 model, for whom those features would be new. For anyone already on the M2 or M3 iPad Air, the practical case for upgrading is narrower.
Broader Context This Week
The iPad Air announcement arrived alongside a separate product launch: the iPhone 17e, a more affordable smartphone option in Apple’s current lineup.
The base iPad did not receive a refresh alongside the Air, though additional announcements are expected before Apple’s “Special Apple Experience” event scheduled for March 4 in New York City. MacBook updates are among the products anticipated.
For existing iPad Air owners on M2 or M3 hardware, the M4 model is unlikely to compel an immediate upgrade. For those still on an M1 or earlier, the combination of the faster chip, extra memory, and updated connectivity hardware makes for a more meaningful jump.
Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash
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