Key Points
- Apple is expected to unveil the M4-powered iPad Air at its March 4 “Experience” event.
- The device will retain 11-inch and 13-inch size options with no major design changes.
- The M4 chip brings up to 30% faster CPU performance and 21% faster GPU speeds compared to the M3.
- Connectivity upgrades include the N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.
- Pricing is expected to remain at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model.
Design and Display
The upcoming iPad Air refresh will keep the same 11-inch and 13-inch configurations, with no significant design changes. Unlike the iPad Pro, the Air will continue to use a standard LED display rather than OLED, and it will not support ProMotion.
Other familiar features will remain, including USB-C, Touch ID on the top button, and the same front and rear cameras. Apple may introduce a new color option, though no new accessories are expected. The device will continue to support the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro.
Performance: M4 Chip Upgrade
The biggest change comes under the hood. The iPad Air will move from the M3 chip to the M4, which is built on an updated 3-nanometer process.
Key improvements include:
- Up to 10 CPU cores (compared to 8 on the M3).
- A faster Neural Engine for AI tasks.
- Increased memory bandwidth.
- A more power-efficient GPU, potentially improving battery life.
Apple claims the M4 CPU is 30% faster than the M3, while the GPU delivers a 21% performance boost.
Connectivity and Charging
The new iPad Air is expected to adopt Apple’s N1 networking chip, first introduced in the iPhone 17. This chip supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, offering faster speeds and improved efficiency compared to the current Wi-Fi 6E support.
Cellular models will feature Apple’s C1X modem, the same chip used in the M5 iPad Pro. While limited to sub-6GHz 5G (no mmWave support), the modem is more power-efficient and integrates seamlessly with Apple’s hardware.
Faster charging, introduced with the M5 iPad Pro, may also trickle down to the Air.
Pricing and Availability
Apple is not expected to raise prices. The 11-inch iPad Air will start at $599, while the 13-inch model will begin at $799.
The device could be announced as early as next week, ahead of Apple’s March 4 event, marking the most significant update to the iPad Air since the introduction of the M3 chip.
What Happens Next?
If unveiled on March 4, the M4 iPad Air will represent Apple’s latest step in aligning its mid-tier tablet with the performance of its Pro lineup, while maintaining affordability. With faster performance, improved connectivity, and Apple Intelligence support, the device is positioned to be one of the most compelling iPad Air releases yet.
