Did you just buy a new tablet and already feel like you missed out? You might want to sit down, because Apple just dropped a refresh on the iPad Air that packs a serious punch!
It feels like just yesterday we were talking about the latest tech releases, and if you held off on that big purchase, congratulations – your patience has paid off! There's been a buzz in the air, and as is often the case with Apple, when they announce an event, new gadgets tend to follow closely behind, often accompanied by a flurry of rumors. This time, it's the iPad Air that's getting a significant upgrade.
It's been roughly a year since we last took a deep dive into the M3-powered iPad Air, so a new iteration is perfectly timed. This latest model, now featuring the M4 chip, is more than just a minor refresh. While you might not notice a dramatic difference in everyday apps, the M4 chip is the undeniable star of the show, promising a substantial leap in performance, especially evident in benchmarks. We've seen this trend before, and the numbers speak for themselves:
| Device | CPU Single Core | CPU Multicore | GPU |
| ----------------------------- | --------------- | ------------- | ------ |
| Apple iPad Air 5th-gen (2022) | 1723 | 7246 | 21402 |
| Apple iPad Air 6th-gen (2024) | 2645 | 9999 | 41636 |
| Apple iPad Air 7th-gen (2025) | 3061 | 11727 | 44954 |
| Apple iPad Pro 13 (2024) | 3810 | 14645 | 53746 |
Just like its predecessor, the new iPad Air will be available in 11-inch and 13-inch display sizes, and will continue to support the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard case.
But here's where it gets interesting: unlike previous Air models, this one is getting a significant boost in connectivity with new networking and mobile chips. The Apple N1 chip will bring support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, along with Thread compatibility. On the cellular front, the Apple C1X chip introduces eSIM support for 5G connectivity.
And this is the part most people miss: It also boasts an increased 12GB of RAM, a welcome upgrade for multitasking. Storage options start at 128GB, with pricing beginning at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1349 for the 13-inch model in Australia.
Now, for those eyeing the absolute top-tier experience, you won't find the super-fast screen technology or the ultra-slim design that are exclusive to the iPad Pro. Those premium features are reserved for users willing to invest a little more.
However, in a move that mirrors the recent announcement of the iPhone 17e, the M4 iPad Air is set to be released starting March 11th.
What do you think? Is the M4 chip enough to justify an upgrade, or are the iPad Pro's premium features still the ultimate draw? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
