Apple launches iPad Air with M4 chip, more memory and Wi-Fi 7 support

M4 iPad Air

• Apple unveils iPad Air with M4 chip in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes
• M4 chip boosts speed, graphics, and AI tasks over previous models
• iPad Air supports Wi-Fi 7, 5G, and new Apple Pencil Pro

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Apple has updated the iPad Air lineup with the new M4 chip, bringing a significant jump in performance, expanded memory, and upgraded connectivity — all while maintaining the same starting price.

The new iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, offering users a choice between portability and a larger workspace for multitasking. It comes in four finishes: blue, purple, starlight and space grey.

Performance boost with M4

At the heart of the device is Apple’s M4 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. Apple says the new iPad Air is up to 30 percent faster than the previous M3 model and up to 2.3 times faster than the M1 variant. The upgraded GPU supports second-generation hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, enabling improved graphics performance and more realistic lighting in games and creative applications.

For creators and professionals, tasks such as photo compositing, video editing and 3D rendering are expected to see noticeable speed improvements. Apple also claims up to four times faster 3D rendering performance with ray tracing compared to the M1-based iPad Air.

The new iPad Air now comes with 12GB of unified memory — a 50 percent increase over the previous generation — along with 120GB/s memory bandwidth. A 16-core Neural Engine, said to be three times faster than the one in M1, enhances on-device AI tasks such as transcription, image recognition and advanced app-based AI tools.

Upgraded connectivity

The iPad Air features Apple’s new N1 wireless networking chip, enabling support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Apple says N1 improves performance and reliability, particularly on 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, and enhances features such as AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.

Cellular variants are equipped with the C1X modem, offering up to 50 percent faster cellular speeds and improved energy efficiency compared to the previous generation. The device supports 5G and eSIM, allowing users to activate and manage plans digitally. GPS is also available on cellular models.

Display, accessories and software

Both the 11-inch and 13-inch models retain the Liquid Retina display, aimed at delivering vibrant visuals for streaming, gaming and creative work. The iPad Air continues to offer all-day battery life.

The device supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro. The Pro version adds advanced gestures such as squeeze and barrel roll, along with Find My support. The Magic Keyboard remains compatible as well, featuring a built-in trackpad, a 14-key function row and a floating design with magnetic attachment via the Smart Connector.

The iPad Air ships with iPadOS 26, bringing updated design elements and AI-driven features across system apps and third-party software.

Price and availability

The 11-inch iPad Air starts at Rs 64,900 for the Wi-Fi model and Rs 79,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch version starts at Rs 84,900 for Wi-Fi and INR 99,900 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Education pricing lowers the starting prices to Rs 59,900 for the 11-inch model and Rs 79,900 for the 13-inch variant.

Magic Keyboard, available in black and white, is compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air. The 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for Rs 26900 and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for Rs 29900. With education savings, the 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for Rs 24900 , and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for Rs 27900.

Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) are compatible with the new iPad Air. Apple Pencil Pro is available for Rs 11,900, and Rs 10,900 with education savings. Apple Pencil (USB-C) is available for Rs 7,900, and Rs 6,900 with education savings.

Pre-orders begin March 4, with availability starting March 11. The new iPad Air is offered in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage configurations.