Apple revealed several new products at its March 4 event, including an update to last year’s iPad Air. The new M4 iPad Air isn’t as eye-catching as the colorful MacBook Neo and lacks exciting new hardware features like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, instead focusing on improvements to an already excellent tablet.
Although iterative updates may not be thrilling, they’ve become a trend as companies like Apple release new products annually. I’ve tested the M4 iPad Air before its March 11 release and am impressed, continuing to update this review as I explore the tablet further.
The new iPad Air: What’s new, and what’s not?
The latest Apple tablet looks identical to its predecessor. Putting them side by side, it would be hard to distinguish them. Last year’s M3 iPad Air received similar feedback for its minimal upgrades, emphasizing the iterative nature of this update.
However, this premium Apple tablet maintains its thin and lightweight design, featuring the same striking Liquid Retina display. It is available in Starlight, space grey, blue, and purple.
There are some improvements under the surface. The M4 chip has a faster Neural Engine, enhancing AI processes on-device. Apple claims it’s 30% faster than the M3 iPad Air, with double the unified system memory.
Apple has also upgraded the connectivity chips, replacing the old Qualcomm modem. The new iPad Air includes the N1 wireless connectivity chip from the iPhone 17 and the C1X 5G chip from the iPhone Air.
The C1X chip is really fast
In 5G speed tests, the C1X outperformed other devices, surpassing even Samsung’s top mobile devices. The iPad Air achieved download speeds of 593 Mbps and upload speeds of 109 Mbps, outperforming Qualcomm modems.
The new iPad Air can function as a laptop (if that’s your thing)
With iPadOS 26, Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil, and M4 silicon, the iPad Air can serve as both a tablet and a laptop. Personally, I prefer my MacBook Pro for a genuine laptop experience, but the iPad Air can function as a highly portable laptop for those interested.
Best tablets have increasingly become more like laptops. However, with the MacBook Neo sharing the same $599 price tag, you may prefer a traditional laptop.
Still, iPadOS 26, Liquid Glass, and Apple silicon make multitasking simple. You can observe this performance in a screen recording I took, showcasing how easy it is to switch between multiple open apps.
As covered in my iPadOS 26 review, you can easily adjust window sizes and go splitscreen. The M4 chip enables running multiple apps like Google Docs, iMovie, and YouTube simultaneously without slowing down.
For artists or creators wanting to run demanding Adobe programs and editing software, the iPad Air can handle the workload. Nevertheless, professionals may achieve even better performance with the M5 iPad Pro or the latest MacBooks.
Pro tip: The new Apple Creator Studio subscription is a worthwhile investment.
Liquid Glass is beautiful and controversial
I don’t mind Liquid Glass compared to some of my peers in tech circles. While some design enthusiasts critique Apple’s new design language and its lack of contrast, practical issues are rare in my experience. Overall, I appreciate the translucent elements and modern aesthetic.
The iPad Air handles AI processes smoothly
Apple likely released a new version of the iPad Air to ensure it can handle AI features effectively. Testing its AI capabilities, the tablet efficiently manages apps like Final Cut Pro’s auto-captions and Voice Memo’s transcription.
In CollaNote, the popular note-taking app, you can transform doodles into graphics using the Magic Pen, record and transcribe notes with Voice Memos, and perform tasks like image upscaling in Pixelmator quickly.
I’m still exploring possibilities with the iPad Air’s Neural Engine, particularly using Apple Shortcuts and open-source models.
Based on my initial review of the M4 iPad Air, its performance is impressive. Artists, photographers, and editors will find it capable of handling complex tasks.
Cameras, speakers, and accessories? Same as it ever was.
Apple didn’t drastically redesign the iPad Air, which is a positive since the device is already thin and lightweight. The 11- and 13-inch sizes suit most users. While the 12MP rear and front cameras remain unchanged and underwhelming, they’re sufficient for video and FaceTime calls.
Other features like speakers, controls, and accessories are identical to the 2025 model. An Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are essential for getting the full experience, but adding their costs could make a laptop a more practical choice.
The bottom line: Another iterative upgrade, but who cares?
The differences between the M3 and M4 iPad Air are minimal, and many users may not find it worthwhile to upgrade. However, artists and creative professionals will likely find the $599 device