Apple speeds up the iPad Air with an M4 upgrade, starting at $599

Source: TechCrunch

Apple on Monday unveiled a new iPad Air that’s powered by the M4 chip.

Overview

The device is designed to be faster, thanks to an updated Neural Engine and more memory, making it better for AI use cases. Apple claims the new iPad Air is 30 % faster than the M3 iPad Air and 2.3× faster than the M1 version.

Image Credits: Apple

Specifications

• CPU / GPU: 8‑core CPU, 9‑core GPU
• Unified Memory: 12 GB (50 % increase)
• Memory Bandwidth: 120 GB/s
• Neural Engine: 16‑core, 3× faster than the M1 Neural Engine
• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, new N1 (wireless) and C1X (cellular) chips
• Dimensions:
  • 11‑inch model – 9.74 × 7.02 in
  • 13‑inch model – 11.04 × 8.46 in
• Cameras: Front 12 MP Center Stage, Rear 12 MP Wide
• Accessories: Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil Pro

Pricing

Availability

• Pre‑order: Starts Wednesday, March 4 via Apple.com and the Apple Store app (35 countries and regions, including the U.S.).
• Finishes: Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray.
• Storage Options: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB.

Related Announcements

The new iPad Air is part of a broader set of announcements this week, including the upcoming iPhone 17e and expected upgrades to the MacBook lineup. These launches coincide with Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, though Apple continues to showcase its products through its own events rather than participating in trade shows.