Apple unveils new iPad Air with M4 chip and 12 GB of RAM

Alongside the budget-friendly iPhone 17e, Apple has announced an updated iPad Air — and it is no longer just a “mid-range” tablet. The key upgrade is the M4 processor, previously reserved for Pro models and MacBooks, according to Apple’s official press release.

What’s Inside: M4 and More Memory

The M4 chip in the iPad Air features:

• 8 CPU cores
• 9 GPU cores
• A 16-core Neural Engine

According to Apple, performance is 30% higher than the previous M3-based generation and 2.3× faster than the M1-powered iPad Air.

RAM has been increased from 8 GB to 12 GB, which should significantly improve performance in demanding applications, multitasking, and AI-driven features.

The tablet also includes Apple’s new N1 Wi-Fi modem and C1X cellular modem, first introduced in the iPhone Air lineup. Support for Wi-Fi 7 brings faster speeds and better stability in congested networks.

Bob Borchers, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, said:
“The combination of M4 performance, AI capabilities, and the features of iPadOS 26 makes this generation of Air an ideal solution for creativity and productivity.”

Display, Design, and Colors

The display remains unchanged:

• 11-inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina (IPS LCD)
• 60 Hz refresh rate
• True Tone and P3 wide color support

The design continues with slim bezels and an aluminum chassis. No major design overhaul this year.

Four color options are available: Space Grey, Blue, Purple, and Starlight.

Storage ranges from 128 GB up to 1 TB. Support for Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard remains.

Pricing and Availability

• 11-inch iPad Air (Wi-Fi, 128 GB) — from $599
• 13-inch iPad Air (Wi-Fi, 128 GB) — from $799
• Fully configured model with cellular and 1 TB — up to $1449

Sales begin on March 11, 2026, with pre-orders opening in the coming days.

Who Is It For?

This is no longer just a “tablet for streaming and notes.” With the M4 chip, 12 GB of RAM, and a powerful Neural Engine, it is well-suited for video editing, graphic design, 3D modeling, gaming, and AI tools in iPadOS 26 — while remaining significantly more affordable than the iPad Pro.

If you want a powerful tablet without paying extra for OLED, 120 Hz, and additional Pro-level cores, this is one of the best-balanced options of spring 2026.

In Brief

Apple has updated the iPad Air with the M4 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine), 12 GB of RAM, N1 and C1X modems, and Wi-Fi 7 support. It comes in 11- and 13-inch versions, in Space Grey, Blue, Purple, and Starlight. Pricing starts at $599 (11-inch) and $799 (13-inch). Sales begin March 11, 2026. This is the most powerful iPad Air ever — offering an excellent balance of performance and price for creative and professional work.