iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: The few new things in Apple's midrange tablet
Source: Engadget
The iPad Air, Apple’s mid‑range tablet, has been refreshed with the M4 chip and a RAM bump from 8 GB to 12 GB, while keeping the same price points as the previous generation (11‑inch starting at $599, 13‑inch at $799). Aside from the chipset upgrade, there are few tangible changes, but the performance boost should matter most to creatives and professionals. Pre‑orders began at 9:15 AM ET on March 4, with shipments arriving about a week later.
iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: Performance and battery life
The primary difference is the processor: the new iPad Air ships with the M4 chip, while the older model uses the M3. Apple claims the M4 is up to 30 % faster than the M3, a gain that will be noticeable in demanding tasks such as video editing or when using Apple Intelligence.
Connectivity also improves: the M4 model includes Apple’s N1 chip, enabling Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 (up to 46 Gbps versus the M3’s 9.6 Gbps on Wi‑Fi 6). For most users, the extra speed isn’t essential, but it does future‑proof the device.
Battery life remains unchanged. Apple rates all four models for up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi‑Fi (or 9 hours on cellular) and up to 10 hours of video playback.
Design, display, audio and cameras
No major redesigns are introduced. The iPad Air is available in blue, purple, beige, and gray. Dimensions and weight are:
| Size | Dimensions (in) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 11‑inch | 9.74 × 7.02 × 0.24 | 1.02 lb |
| 13‑inch | 11.04 × 8.46 × 0.24 | 1.36 lb |
Both models retain the Liquid Retina LED display at 264 ppi. The 11‑inch screen offers a 2360 × 1640 resolution with 500 nits peak brightness; the 13‑inch version provides 2732 × 2048 at 600 nits. The refresh rate stays at 60 Hz, unlike the Pro line’s 120 Hz, and the panel remains LED rather than OLED or Mini‑LED.
Audio is handled by landscape‑oriented stereo speakers, similar to the M3 generation, and the camera setup is unchanged: 12 MP wide rear and 12 MP Center Stage front cameras.
iPadOS 26, Apple Intelligence and Apple accessories
The software side sees no major changes specific to the Air refresh. iPadOS 26, released last fall, is the current OS and works across both models. The new M4 chip and increased RAM give a noticeable boost to AI‑related tasks, though casual users may not feel a big difference.
Existing accessories remain compatible:
- Magic Keyboard Folio (from the previous year)
- Apple Pencil (2nd gen) and Apple Pencil Pro
Specs at a glance
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Air M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 (11‑inch), $799 (13‑inch) | $599 (11‑inch), $799 (13‑inch) |
| Processor | M4 | M3 |
| Display | 11‑inch: 2360 × 1640, 500 nits | |
| 13‑inch: 2732 × 2048, 600 nits | Same as M4 | |
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | Same options |
| Battery | Up to 10 h (Wi‑Fi), 9 h (Cellular) | Same |
| Cameras | 12 MP Wide (rear), 12 MP Center Stage (front) | Same |
| Apple accessories | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard Folio | Same |
| Dimensions | 11‑inch: 9.74 × 7.02 × 0.24 in | |
| 13‑inch: 11.04 × 8.46 × 0.24 in | Same | |
| Weight | 11‑inch: 1.02 lb | |
| 13‑inch: 1.36 lb | 11‑inch: 1.01 lb | |
| 13‑inch: 1.36 lb |
This article originally appeared on Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-air-m4-vs-ipad-air-m3-the-few-new-things-in-apples-midrange-tablet-182701520.html?src=rss