Apple has kicked off its product launch week with a refreshed iPad Air powered by the new M4 chip. While the design remains the same, the updated processor brings a noticeable performance jump to Apple’s mid-range tablet.
Faster Performance With M4 Chip
The biggest change comes under the hood. Apple replaces the previous M3 chip with the newer M4, which earlier appeared in the iPad Pro lineup. As a result, users can expect up to 30% faster performance compared to the M3 iPad Air. Moreover, Apple says the new model runs up to 2.3 times faster than the M1 version.
The M4 includes a nine-core GPU with advanced mesh shading and hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Therefore, graphics tasks such as 3D rendering and gaming should feel smoother. Apple also claims the M4 delivers up to four times better graphics performance than the M1 model.
In addition, the 16-core Neural Engine handles machine learning tasks three times faster than before. Apple also increases unified memory from 8GB to 12GB. Memory bandwidth rises to 120GB per second, which supports better multitasking.
Improved Wireless and Cellular Features
Apple adds its new N1 wireless chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Consequently, users should notice faster and more stable connections.
For cellular models, Apple includes its updated C1X modem. The company says it offers 50% faster cellular speeds and uses 30% less power than the previous version.
Same Design, Same Display
Despite the internal upgrades, Apple keeps the same design. The iPad Air still comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. The Liquid Retina displays offer the same resolutions and brightness levels as before.
Touch ID remains in the top button, and battery life stays at up to 10 hours. The tablet also keeps its 12MP rear camera and 12MP front camera with Center Stage. Storage options range from 128GB to 1TB, and colors include Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight.
The M4 iPad Air starts at $599 for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model. Preorders begin March 4, with availability set for March 11.
