M3 vs. M4 iPad Air Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
Source: MacRumors
Apple’s latest iPad Air is a minor upgrade over last year’s model, but there are still some changes worth noting beyond a new chip.
Overview
The eighth‑generation iPad Air builds on the foundation of the seventh‑generation model with specific upgrades focused on performance, memory, and connectivity. While the overall design and experience remain the same, the newer model introduces Apple’s M4 chip, additional unified memory, Apple‑designed wireless hardware, and support for newer connectivity standards.
Comparison Table
| Feature | iPad Air (7th gen, 2025) | iPad Air (8th gen, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M3 | M4 |
| Unified Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Wireless Chip | Broadcom | Apple N1 |
| Wi‑Fi | Wi‑Fi 6E | Wi‑Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6 |
| 5G Modem | Qualcomm SDX70M | Apple C1X |
Chip Details
M3 Chip (2025)
- Fabricated on TSMC’s 3 nm (N3) process
- Based on the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chip (2023)
- 25 billion transistors
- 8‑core CPU (4 performance + 4 efficiency)
- 4.05 GHz CPU clock speed
- 16‑core Neural Engine (18 trillion ops/s)
- LPDDR5 memory, 100 GB/s bandwidth
- Dedicated display engine
- Standard‑efficiency GPU
M4 Chip (2026)
- Fabricated on TSMC’s enhanced 3 nm (N3E) process
- Based on the iPhone 16’s A18 chip (2024)
- 28 billion transistors (+12 %)
- 8‑core CPU (3 performance + 5 efficiency)
- 4.3 GHz CPU clock speed
- 16‑core Neural Engine (38 trillion ops/s, +111 %)
- LPDDR5X memory, 120 GB/s bandwidth (+20 %)
- More power‑efficient GPU that maintains performance with less power
Overall Assessment
The upgrade from the 2025 iPad Air to the 2026 model is incremental. The newer device adds a faster M4 chip, more unified memory, and newer wireless technologies, but the broader user experience remains fundamentally unchanged. Apple continues to advertise the same battery life despite the more efficient C1X modem, and the color options and marketing wallpapers are identical.
Who Should Consider the New iPad Air?
- New buyers who want a capable, well‑balanced iPad with modern hardware and longer‑term headroom. The M4 chip, extra memory, and Wi‑Fi 7 make the device more future‑proof while still being less expensive than the iPad Pro.
- Existing M3‑based iPad Air users are unlikely to notice a significant performance boost in everyday tasks. Upgrading offers minimal real‑world benefits, and even owners of M1 or M2 iPad Air models will see only modest improvements.