Apple Unveils M4 iPad Air with Enhanced RAM and Familiar Design

Apple has introduced a new iteration of its iPad Air, featuring the M4 chip, which replaces the previous M3 version. The most notable enhancement in this update is the increase in RAM from 8GB to 12GB, a change that is expected to improve the performance of iPadOS 26's multi-window multitasking capabilities. Despite this upgrade, the iPad Air maintains much of its predecessor's design and features.

The new iPad Air is available in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch, with starting prices of $599 and $799, respectively. However, the base models still come with only 128GB of storage. Customers can opt for additional storage, with upgrades to 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB available for $100, $300, and $500 more, respectively. Preorders for the device will begin on March 4, with availability set for March 11.

Design-wise, the M4 iPad Air retains the same look as the M2 and M3 versions, which were themselves slight modifications of the M1 model. Notably, the M2 and later versions of the Air are compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro but not with the second-generation Apple Pencil. The M4 chip in the iPad Air is a slightly reduced version compared to those used in Macs and the M4 iPad Pro, featuring 8 CPU cores (3 high-performance and 5 efficiency cores) and 9 GPU cores, as opposed to the maximum configurations available in other devices. Additionally, the iPad Air does not offer a 16GB RAM option, which is available in the M4 iPad Pro models with higher storage capacities.

The cellular models of the new iPad Air incorporate Apple's in-house Apple C1X modem and the Apple N1 chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Despite these internal updates, the iPad Air continues to offer four muted color options: space gray, blue, purple, and pale gold "starlight." It also retains a 60 Hz LCD display, foregoing more advanced OLED or ProMotion screens, and uses a power button-mounted TouchID sensor instead of FaceID. The device includes a single-lens 12MP rear camera without a flash, and the nano-texture display coating remains exclusive to higher-end iPad Pro models.

This announcement is part of a series of product updates from Apple, leading up to a "special experience" event. Alongside the iPad Air, Apple has also revealed the new iPhone 17e and is anticipated to introduce a new low-end iPad and a more affordable MacBook compared to the MacBook Air. The article was updated to include details about the M4 chip's CPU core configuration and the inclusion of the Apple N1 and C1X wireless chips.