Apple has introduced a refreshed version of the iPad Air, now powered by the new Apple M4 chip, promising major performance gains and improved on-device AI capabilities.
The new iPad Air is designed to be significantly faster, driven by a more advanced Neural Engine and increased unified memory. According to Apple, the device delivers up to 30% faster performance compared to the M3 iPad Air and is 2.3 times faster than the M1 version.
Despite the hardware upgrades, pricing remains unchanged. The 11-inch model starts at $599, while the 13-inch variant begins at $799. Education pricing lowers the cost to $549 for the 11-inch model and $749 for the 13-inch version.
The upgraded iPad Air features:
- An 8-core CPU
- A 9-core GPU
- 12GB of unified memory (a 50% increase)
- Up to 120GB/s memory bandwidth
The expanded memory and bandwidth are intended to enhance AI workloads, allowing users to run machine learning models more efficiently on device.
The 16-core Neural Engine is reportedly three times faster than the version found in the M1 iPad Air, further optimizing AI-driven tasks such as image processing, background removal, and advanced productivity features.
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These improvements position the iPad Air as a strong option for gaming, creative work, and AI-powered applications.
The refreshed device adds support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, powered by Apple’s new wireless and cellular connectivity chips, the N1 and C1X.
Dimensions remain unchanged:
- 11-inch model: 9.74 x 7.02 inches
- 13-inch model: 11.04 x 8.46 inches
Camera specifications include a 12MP Center Stage front camera and a 12MP Wide rear camera.
The device continues to support Apple accessories such as the Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil, and Apple Pencil Pro.
Pre-orders begin Wednesday, March 4, via Apple’s website and the Apple Store app across 35 countries and regions, including the United States.
The new iPad Air comes in four finishes:
- Blue
- Purple
- Starlight
- Space Gray
Storage options include 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
The updated iPad Air is one of several product announcements expected from Apple this week. The company is also unveiling the new iPhone 17e and anticipated upgrades to its MacBook lineup.
The timing coincides with Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, where competitors like Samsung Electronics, Xiaomi, and Honor are showcasing their latest devices.
Apple, however, does not participate in MWC or similar trade shows, choosing instead to unveil products through its own launch events and hands-on experiences in select cities.
With the M4 chip at its core, the new iPad Air signals Apple’s continued push to position its mid-tier tablet as a powerful AI-ready device, without increasing its starting price.
