Apple has taken another step in the renewal of its tablet range with the arrival of the New iPad Air with M4 chipThis update clearly prioritizes power and connectivity without breaking the price barrier that has traditionally defined this family. The company maintains its focus on a lightweight and versatile device, but brings it even closer to the realm of... Pro models in calculation capacity and advanced functions.
The move fits with the company's strategy to to bring the capabilities of artificial intelligence and professional use These products are positioned between entry-level and high-end models. In Spain and the rest of Europe, the new iPad Air is positioned as an option designed for students, mobile professionals, and users who want to go beyond simply consuming content without paying the premium price of the more exclusive models.
Two sizes, same spirit: 11 and 13 inches
The new generation of iPad Air arrives in Two screen sizes: 11 and 13 inchesMaintaining a design consistent with the previous model, it continues to feature an aluminum chassis with flat edges, relatively slim bezels, and rounded corners—a style already recognizable in the brand's tablet family.
Both models use panels Liquid Retina with LCD technology, leaving the iPad Pro The role of debuting and preserving OLED screens. Despite this, the iPad Air boasts very good sharpness, wide color reproduction, and brightness that is in line with what is expected in this range, sufficient for indoor and outdoor use without too much trouble.
The 11-inch model is designed for those who prioritize portability, while the 13-inch model offers more workspace for multitasking, video editing or managing multiple windows simultaneously. In both cases, the 60Hz refresh rate is maintained, a point where Apple continues to differentiate itself from its higher-end models.
The fingerprint sensor remains the familiar one Touch ID integrated into the lock buttonA solution already established in the Air range. There's no sign of Face ID, something reserved for now only on the Pro models, but the speed and reliability of the fingerprint reader remain one of the device's practical advantages for everyday use.
M4 chip: a clear leap in performance and AI tasks
The main protagonist of this generation is the Apple's M4 chip, with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPUAccording to official company data, the new processor offers approximately 30% higher performance than the iPad Air with M3 and up to 2,3 times faster than the first model in the family equipped with M1, in both CPU and graphics tasks.
This increase in power is especially noticeable in demanding activities such as 4K video editing, advanced photo retouching, 3D rendering, or games with more ambitious graphicsApple has emphasized that hardware-accelerated ray tracing and shading improvements allow for the rendering of 3D scenes with much more natural lighting and reflections, something that until recently was associated with desktop computers.
Beyond the raw numbers, one of the fundamental changes lies in the ability to manage artificial intelligence processes directly on the deviceThe M4 incorporates a 16-core Neural Engine that, compared to the M1's, triples the performance in AI tasks. This allows for running language models, transcription tools, or video analysis without relying as heavily on remote servers.
In everyday use, this translates into functions such as transcription of classes or meetings, assisted text creation, intelligent editing of photos and videos or the analysis of documents within compatible apps, all faster and with a higher level of privacy as it is processed on the iPad itself.
More unified memory and better bandwidth
The new iPad Air also takes a leap forward in the less visible but key area: the unified memoryThe M4 models feature up to 12GB of RAM shared between the CPU and GPU, a 50% increase over the previous generation. This puts the Air in a position very close to that of mid-range and high-end laptops.
The memory bandwidth now reaches 120 GB per secondThis is especially relevant for those working with large video projects, multiple layers in design applications, or complex 3D scenes. In practical terms, multitasking is smoother, waiting times when opening and closing resource-intensive applications are reduced, and more processes can run in the background without impacting system performance.
This combination of memory and bandwidth is also important in local AI scenariosThis is because it allows for loading more complex models and running analysis tasks more quickly. Reading and writing large volumes of data in real time is one of the areas that benefits most from this technological leap.
With these figures, the iPad Air ceases to be merely a tool for content consumption and becomes a viable option for remote teams, content creators, students of technical disciplines, or professionals who travel frequently and they need sustained performance in a lightweight format.
Next-generation connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and C1X modem
One of the areas that has evolved the most in this generation is connectivity. The iPad Air M4 debuts the N1 wireless communications chipDeveloped by Apple, this update adds support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The goal is clear: to improve both connection speed and stability, especially in environments where multiple networks compete with each other.
Support for Wi-Fi 7 allows speeds comparable to many fiber optic connectionsWith lower latency and more efficient management of available bands and channels, this translates to fewer interruptions and faster synchronization between devices for video calls, real-time collaboration, or working with files in the cloud.
In models with mobile connectivity, Apple integrates the C1X modem, also of our own designIt promises data speeds up to 50% faster than the iPad Air with M3, as well as up to 30% lower power consumption. The device is compatible with 5G networks, eSIM, and the main bands used in Europe, making it especially appealing for those who often work away from Wi-Fi networks.
The presence of Thread opens the door to a more active role for the iPad Air within the connected home ecosystemThis makes it easy to use as a control center for smart devices without the need for additional accessories. Bluetooth 6, meanwhile, improves stability and range when connecting headphones, keyboards, and other accessories.
For university students, remote workers, and professionals who move between the office, home, and coworking spaces, this connectivity package transforms the iPad Air M4 into a More flexible equipment, better prepared for intensive network usage scenarios.
iPadOS 26 and new Liquid Glass interface
The hardware comes with iPadOS 26, the latest version of the operating system for Apple tablets. One of the most visible new features is the interface called Liquid Glass, which uses translucent materials and smoother animations to give the sensation of "liquid glass" when interacting with windows and panels.
Beyond the aesthetic aspect, iPadOS 26 introduces Improvements to the windowing system, a more flexible menu bar And a more complete Files app, with customizable views and a folder dock that increasingly resembles what you'd find on a traditional laptop. The goal is to make the transition between working on a Mac and an iPad less jarring.
The new version of the system is also ready to take advantage of the Apple Intelligence functionsThis is the AI ​​layer that Apple is rolling out gradually. Among other things, it allows for automatic text summarization, more contextual writing suggestions, improved system search, and smart editing tools in photo and video apps.
This approach reinforces the idea of ​​the iPad Air as device geared towards productivity and creativitywhere both hardware and software push in the same direction: facilitating multitasking, project organization and content creation without depending on a traditional computer.
Compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
As is typical for the range, the new iPad Air continues to rely on an ecosystem of accessories for expand its use according to the needs of each userIn this case, the tablet is compatible with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the more advanced Apple Pencil Pro, as well as the latest Magic Keyboard.
El Apple Pencil Pro includes features such as the squeeze gesture, pencil rotation, and compatibility with the Find appThis makes it easier to locate if lost. These new features are especially useful for illustrators, designers, or any user who regularly makes notes and sketches.
El Magic Keyboard retains its floating design and adds a row of 14 function keysWith shortcuts to brightness, volume, and media controls, plus an integrated trackpad that makes text selection, editing, and precise navigation easier, this accessory brings the iPad Air a step closer to the traditional laptop concept.
Beyond the official accessories, the USB-C port allows you to connect external storage, monitors, microphones and a wide range of peripheralsThis is something many users take advantage of to transform the tablet into a lightweight workstation when they are at home or in the office.
For those who alternate between writing, drawing, and consuming content, this combination of stylus and keyboard transforms the iPad Air M4 into a a fairly versatile device, capable of adapting to different contexts without needing to duplicate equipment.
Price, configurations and availability in Spain and Europe
In economic terms, Apple has opted for maintain a policy of continuity in the evolution of the range, adjusting prices according to the market but without introducing major shocks compared to the previous generation.
In Spain, The 11-inch iPad Air with M4 chip starts at 649 euros in its Wi-Fi version with 128 GB of storage. The 13-inch model starts at 849 euros for the 128 GB configurationIn both cases, it is possible to choose capacities of 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB, as well as Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular versions for those who need mobile connectivity.
The available colors are the usual ones in the range: space gray, blue, purple, and star whiteThe combination of size, connectivity, and storage options allows you to adjust the budget depending on whether the use will be more casual or clearly professional.
Apple has opened the pre-order period through its official website and the Apple Store app, and has confirmed that The first units will arrive at stores and authorized distributors on March 11thIn other European countries, prices are adapted to the particularities of each market, but the configuration structure is essentially the same.
In addition to direct sales, traditional methods such as the following are still in place: discounts for the education sector and the buyback programs for older devices, which allow those who already own an iPad from previous generations to make the switch to this new model cheaper.
The new iPad Air with the M4 chip represents a significant upgrade in power, memory, and connectivity, bringing the Pro range experience even closer to a more affordable price point. Available in two sizes, with compatibility for Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, iPadOS 26, and support for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G, Apple's tablet is a solid option for those seeking a lightweight, AI-ready device with room for future growth, without needing to upgrade to the most expensive model in the lineup.
