El New iPad Air with M4 chip It's now official, and it's positioned as Apple's strong contender in the mid-range tablet market. The company maintains the same core concept as the previous generation but enhances performance, memory, and connectivity without significantly increasing the entry price, something unusual in today's electronics market.
This model is designed for those who need More power than the basic iPad, but they don't want to pay the price of an iPad Pro.It retains a slim and lightweight design, is available in two screen sizes, and adds key improvements in artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity and productivity with iPadOS 26, seeking to fit both educational environments and professional use in Spain and the rest of Europe.
Continuity design and two screen sizes
Apple is sticking with the recipe that has worked for them in recent years: the iPad Air M4 can be chosen in 11 and 13 incheswith a Liquid Retina IPS panel. The resolutions are again 2.360 x 1.640 pixels for the smaller model and 2.732 x 2.048 pixels for the larger one, which translates to a density of 264 ppi in both cases, sufficient for viewing multimedia content and working clearly.
The screen remains limited to 60 Hz refresh rateSo, the high refresh rate remains reserved for the Pro range. Even so, these are some of Apple's best IPS panels, with good color reproduction and brightness suitable for everyday use.
As for the construction, the chassis is repeated from aluminum with flat edges and rounded cornersIt's only 6,1 mm thick and very lightweight, with a difference of more than 150 grams between the 11-inch and 13-inch models. It's a recognizable and proven design that prioritizes lightness and portability.
The new iPad Air will be available at four finishesSpace Gray, Blue, Purple, and Star White. The rear camera remains at 12 megapixels, and the front camera is also 12 MP with a Center Stage function, positioned on the horizontal edge to make video calls look more natural.
For the biometric component, the team continues to rely on Touch ID integrated into the lock button instead of Face ID. It's a reader already known for its speed and accuracy, and it allows you to unlock the device or authorize payments without complications.
M4: a leap in power, memory, and graphics
The great change of this generation is within: the M4 chip manufactured using a 3 nanometer processApple pairs it with an eight-core CPU and a nine-core GPU with second-generation hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, bringing the Air's graphics performance closer to the territory of the Pro models.
According to the company's data, the The iPad Air with M4 performs up to 30% better than the model with M3 and it can be up to 2,3 times faster than the iPad Air with M1. This increase is especially noticeable in video editing processes in Final Cut Pro, compositing in Pixelmator Pro, advanced games, or 3D tasks with ray tracing, where rendering can be more than four times faster compared to the M1 generation.
Another key lies in the memory: the tablet now integrates 12GB unified memory50% more than the previous model, with a bandwidth of 120 GB/s. This provides more headroom for handling heavy projects, opening many apps at once, and working with local AI models without affecting system performance.
All of this is accompanied by Apple's usual battery life in this segment. Although the brand doesn't publish the capacity in mAh, it mentions Up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing or video streaming both the 11-inch and 13-inch models, and up to 9 hours of use on mobile networks in the Wi-Fi + Cellular versions.
Neural Engine and focus on artificial intelligence
The M4 doesn't just boost raw performance; it also enhances everything related to AI. 16-core Neural Engine According to Apple, it is up to three times faster than the one mounted on the M1 chip, which significantly improves the artificial intelligence tasks that run directly on the device.
Among the clearest uses are the advanced search for objects and text in photographsThis includes transcribing classes or meetings, generating and polishing documents, and analyzing video in specialized applications. Apps like Goodnotes, sports analysis tools, and Apple Creator Studio itself take advantage of this extra power.
The increase in memory to 12 GB and the bandwidth of 120 GB/s also facilitate the local execution of heavier AI models, which fits with the strategy of Apple Intelligence integrated into iPadOS 26The idea is that a large part of the processes will be done on the iPad itself, reducing dependence on the cloud and improving privacy.
For those considering upgrading from an older iPad or iPad Air, the combination of M4, more memory, and greater bandwidth translates into superior fluidity in multitasking and window managementas well as shorter export and rendering times in professional apps.
Upgraded connectivity: N1, C1X, Wi-Fi 7 and 5G
The other important aspect of this iPad Air M4 is connectivity. For the first time in an iPad Air, the following are incorporated: Apple's own N1 and C1X connectivity chipswhich aim to improve both network speed and energy efficiency.
The N1 is in charge of the wireless part and adds compatibility with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and ThreadIn addition to being able to take advantage of the latest generation 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, it optimizes the stability and performance of features such as Personal Hotspot and AirDropThis is useful for those who share a connection from their iPhone or work by moving large files between devices.
In the models Wi-Fi + Cellular: the C1X modem comes into playAlso designed by Apple, the brand claims it can offer up to 50% faster data speeds and reduce power consumption by 30% compared to the previous generation M3, while maintaining 5G network support and adding more advanced GPS features.
This set is completed with the possibility of using eSIMThis allows you to activate or transfer mobile data plans without a physical SIM card. It's an attractive option for frequent travelers, students commuting between campus and home, or anyone who needs to stay connected even without Wi-Fi networks available.
iPadOS 26: New windowing system, Liquid Glass, and better apps
The new model debuts with iPadOS 26This version of the system enhances both the visual aspects and the management of multitasking and files. One of the most noticeable changes is the introduction of the new design. Liquid glass, a translucent material that reacts to user interaction and gives more prominence to the content displayed on the screen.
Also noteworthy is the new improved window systemThis allows for more flexible control and organization of multiple open apps, bringing the experience closer to what many users expect from a laptop. In addition, menu bar accessible by swiping up from the topwhich makes it easier to find functions without having to navigate through hidden menus.
La Files app receives an update With an improved list view and additional options for customizing folders. Furthermore, folders are now integrated into the Dock for quick access to downloads, documents, and other content, and you can define which application should open certain file types by default.
In the creative field, the Preview app It adapts to the iPad to serve as a quick workspace for sketching, reviewing and annotating PDFs, or editing images using your finger or Apple Pencil. And in the realm of sound, iPadOS 26 takes advantage of Apple's hardware to offer greater control over the audio input with local captureallowing high-quality recordings to be made while running tasks in the background.
Accessories: Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard and compatibility
One of the strengths of the iPad Air range is that it maintains the compatibility with high-end accessoriesThis model supports both the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the Apple Pencil Pro, as well as the Magic Keyboard with trackpad, placing it very close to the iPad Pro in terms of productivity capabilities.
El Apple Pencil (USB‑C) It is designed for those who need a pencil for everyday tasks such as taking notes, underlining documents, or making simple drawings. Apple Pencil ProFor its part, it incorporates more advanced features, such as pressure gesture detection, rotation to control tools, and integration with the Find My app to locate the stylus if it is lost.
El Magic Keyboard for iPad Air It returns to a laptop-like format, with an integrated trackpad, a full row of 14 function keys, and a "floating" design that magnetically holds the iPad. It connects via the Smart Connector, so Bluetooth pairing isn't required, and its own USB-C port allows you to charge the device while typing.
Beyond the official accessories, the new size and the evolutionary design mean that, in many cases, cases and keyboards, such as the Logitech ComboTouchdesigned to be compatible with previous iPad Air models, especially with the M3 models and even the M2 and M1, which makes the transition easier for those who already have an ecosystem set up.
Models, prices and availability in Spain
Apple has decided to maintain a familiar pricing structure for the new iPad Air with M4, with a slight improvement over the previous generation with M3 in certain models. In Spain, the range is organized according to size, connectivity, and storage capacity.
El 4-inch iPad Air M11 Pricing starts at €649 for the Wi-Fi version with 128GB of storage and reaches up to 1TB in various configurations. Wi-Fi + Cellular versions start at €819. For education, the starting price drops to €579 for the 11-inch version, making it an attractive option for schools and students.
In the case of 4-inch iPad Air M13The price starts at €849 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular version starts at €1.019. There are also discounts for the education sector, with prices starting from €779.
In both sizes you can choose between Capacities of 128, 256, 512 GB and 1 TBand the four colors mentioned (blue, purple, star white, and space gray). Reservations open on March 4th through the Apple website and the Apple Store app in Spain and other European countries, while the first units will arrive in stores and to users on 11 March.
Regarding official accessories, the Magic Keyboard It is priced at €329 for the 11-inch model and €349 for the 13-inch model, with reduced rates for education. Apple Pencil Pro It stands at €149, while the Apple Pencil (USB‑C) It costs €89, with slightly lower prices for the educational sector.
A more sustainable model, designed to last.
Apple has also emphasized how the new iPad Air fits into its Apple 2030 environmental plan. The device is Made with 30% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum in the casing and recycled cobalt in the battery, and 40% of the energy used in its production comes from renewable sources such as solar or wind power.
The packaging uses paper made entirely of recyclable fiberThe product has been designed with repairability and a long lifespan in mind, supported by years of software updates. For those looking to recoup their investment over the long term, these policies, along with the programs of trade-in and AppleCareThey allow the tablet to remain operational for many years and retain some resale value.
With all this in place—the new M4 chip, AI and connectivity improvements, iPadOS 26, compatibility with advanced accessories, and a pricing policy that doesn't skyrocket—the iPad Air M4 positions itself as a balanced option for users in Spain and Europe who need a versatile tablet for studying, working, and consuming content without making the financial leap to the iPad Pro, but with performance that comes very close to that level.
