Apple has officially introduced the latest iPad Air, now powered by the advanced M4 chip and equipped with increased memory, all at the same great starting price. The result is a significant leap in performance without any added cost to customers.
Thanks to a faster CPU and GPU, the new iPad Air handles demanding tasks such as photo and video editing, graphic design and gaming with noticeably greater speed and smoothness. It’s also built to excel in AI-driven workflows, featuring a more powerful Neural Engine, improved memory bandwidth and 50% more unified memory than the previous generation. With M4, performance is up to 30% faster than the M3 model and up to 2.3 times quicker than iPad Air with M1, delivering a clear upgrade for those coming from earlier versions.
Connectivity has also been upgraded with Apple’s latest silicon chips, N1 and C1X, enabling faster wireless and cellular performance, including support for Wi-Fi 7. Whether working remotely, studying on campus or creating content on the move, users can stay reliably connected wherever they are.
Available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, iPad Air caters to different working styles. The 11-inch model is ideal for portability, while the 13-inch version offers a larger display for multitasking, creativity and immersive viewing. With the powerful features of iPadOS 26, advanced cameras, all-day battery life and access to a vast app ecosystem, iPad Air is designed to support everything from everyday productivity to professional workflows. It also works seamlessly with accessories such as Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, making it a versatile choice for students, creatives, business users and gamers alike.
“iPad Air gives users more ways than ever to be creative and productive, offering powerful performance and incredible versatility to help them turn their ideas into reality,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With its blazing performance thanks to M4, incredible AI capabilities, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, there’s never been a better time to choose or upgrade to iPad Air.”"
Even Greater Performance with M4
The introduction of the M4 chip takes the new iPad Air to another level, delivering a substantial uplift in power for both creative and everyday tasks. Whether you’re working with large design files, producing video content while travelling, or juggling multiple apps at once, M4 ensures everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Equipped with an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU, iPad Air is up to 30% faster than the M3 model and up to 2.3 times faster than iPad Air with M1. The difference is immediately noticeable — from layering and compositing images in Pixelmator Pro to editing high-resolution footage in Final Cut Pro. Demanding workflows feel quicker and more responsive, helping users stay productive wherever they are.
Users will notice the blazing speed of M4 in everything they do, from compositing photos in Pixelmator Pro to editing video in apps like Final Cut Pro.
Next-Level AI Performance with M4
The M4 chip doesn’t just enhance speed — it significantly advances on-device AI capabilities on the new iPad Air. With greater memory bandwidth and a dramatically faster Neural Engine, users can take full advantage of intelligent features across work, study and creative projects.
Unified memory has increased by 50% to 12GB, while memory bandwidth now reaches 120GB/s. This allows AI models and machine learning tasks to run more efficiently, whether you’re transcribing lectures, organising research, drafting emails or mapping out a new creative concept.
The 16-core Neural Engine is up to three times faster than the version found in M1 models, making everyday AI-powered tasks feel seamless. Features such as searching for specific subjects or text within photos are quicker and more accurate, while apps like Goodnotes and Onform can take advantage of advanced intelligent tools directly on the device.
Creative professionals also benefit from enhanced AI workflows within Final Cut Pro, including features like Scene Removal Mask, which enables fast and precise background removal in video footage. With M4, iPad Air is fully equipped to handle the growing demands of AI-powered apps and productivity tools, all while keeping performance fast and responsive.
The faster Neural Engine is perfect for everyday tasks that use on-device AI, like leveraging powerful features in apps like Goodnotes.
Faster, Smarter Connectivity with N1 and C1X
The new iPad Air introduces Apple’s N1 wireless chip, bringing support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. This ensures faster and more reliable connections, particularly on 5GHz networks, while enhancing features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot for seamless file sharing and connectivity wherever you are.
Cellular models gain the new C1X modem, designed by Apple to deliver up to 50% faster mobile data speeds and up to 30% lower energy usage compared with iPad Air with M3. With 5G support and built-in GPS, users can confidently navigate, work, or stream content anywhere — from city commutes to remote locations.
eSIM functionality makes managing mobile plans effortless, allowing users to add or transfer plans digitally without needing a physical SIM. This combination of N1 and C1X ensures iPad Air keeps you connected reliably, whether for study, business, travel, or entertainment on the go.
The N1 wireless networking chip and C1X modem come to iPad Air for the first time, enabling faster connectivity.
iPadOS 26: Elevating the iPad Experience
With iPadOS 26, the new iPad Air becomes even more capable, offering features that make creative, professional, and everyday tasks faster and more intuitive. The redesigned interface incorporates Liquid Glass, a translucent material that subtly reflects and refracts its surroundings while responding to touch, helping users focus on the content that matters most.
A completely reimagined windowing system allows users to organise, control, and switch between apps effortlessly, while a new menu bar makes app commands easily accessible with a swipe from the top of the screen or by moving the cursor.
The Files app has been upgraded with an enhanced List view and customisable folders, giving users convenient access to downloads, documents, and more — all directly from the Dock. Users can also designate default apps for specific file types, streamlining workflows. With the Preview app, iPadOS 26 provides a dedicated space for sketching, viewing, editing, and annotating PDFs and images using Apple Pencil or touch input.
Built to leverage Apple silicon, iPadOS 26 also introduces new capabilities such as precise audio input control, high-quality local recordings, and enhanced Background Tasks, empowering users to work creatively and productively like never before.
Advanced Accessories for iPad Air
Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard unlock new levels of creativity and productivity on iPad Air.
The new iPad Air reaches its full potential when paired with Apple’s accessories, designed to enhance creativity, productivity, and everyday use.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro offer versatile options for note-taking, sketching, and professional creative work. Apple Pencil (USB-C) is ideal for everyday tasks, while Apple Pencil Pro delivers a premium experience with advanced features such as squeeze gestures and barrel roll, allowing users to interact with their ideas in entirely new ways. Apple Pencil Pro also integrates with Find My, helping users locate it if it’s misplaced.
The Magic Keyboard transforms iPad Air into a powerful workstation. Its built-in trackpad enables precise control for tasks like text selection, while the 14-key function row gives quick access to essentials such as screen brightness and volume. The keyboard magnetically attaches and connects instantly via the Smart Connector — no Bluetooth required — and a machined aluminium hinge includes a USB-C port for charging. Its signature floating design is both functional and stylish, and it’s available in black and white to match your iPad.
Together, Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard unlock new ways to work, create, and interact with iPad Air, making it a truly versatile device for students, professionals, and creatives alike.
Perfect for iPad and iPad Air Upgraders
With major improvements over previous iPad and iPad Air models, now is an ideal time to upgrade to the new iPad Air. Key benefits include:
- Significant performance gains: Upgraders will experience faster, smoother performance thanks to 12GB of unified memory and 120GB/s memory bandwidth, along with even more seamless multitasking in iPadOS 26. Those moving from iPad Air with M1 will enjoy up to 2.3x faster overall speed and over 4x faster 3D professional rendering with ray tracing.
- Advanced cameras, microphones, and speakers: M1 upgraders gain a 12MP front Center Stage camera along the landscape edge, as well as landscape stereo speakers. The 13-inch model offers improved audio quality, perfect for watching videos, listening to music, or video conferencing.
- Enhanced Apple Intelligence features: Built directly into iPadOS, Apple Intelligence provides intuitive, privacy-focused tools that make everyday tasks smarter and more helpful for both new users and upgraders.
- Outstanding value: Previous-generation iPad Air users benefit from faster connectivity with N1 and C1X, while M1 upgraders enjoy a 128GB starting storage option. Despite these upgrades, the new iPad Air maintains the same starting price.
This combination of performance, features, and value makes upgrading to iPad Air with M4 a clear choice for anyone looking to get more from their iPad.
Upgraders will enjoy an advanced Center Stage camera, mics, and speakers, along with big performance gains and powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities.
iPad Air and the Environment
Apple’s 2030 carbon neutrality plan aims to eliminate carbon emissions across its entire footprint by the end of the decade, targeting the three largest sources: materials, energy, and transportation.
The new iPad Air is built with 30% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminium for the enclosure and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery. Manufacturing uses 40% renewable electricity, sourced from wind and solar, throughout the supply chain.
Designed for durability and repairability, iPad Air also provides long-term software support while meeting Apple’s strict standards for energy efficiency and safe materials. Even the packaging is environmentally conscious, made from 100% fibre-based paper that is fully recyclable, reflecting Apple’s commitment to sustainability at every stage.