Apple's iPad Air is about to get a major speed boost with the new M4 chip, and it's a game-changer! But is it worth the wait?
Tech enthusiasts, rejoice! If you've been holding off on buying new gadgets, your patience might be rewarded. The tech industry is buzzing with rumors and leaks, and Apple is no exception. Just as we predicted, the new iPad Air is here, and it's packing some serious power under the hood.
You may recall our review of the M3 iPad Air last year, which hinted at the inevitable arrival of its successor. And here it is! The M4 iPad Air is not just a minor refresh; it's an upgrade that Apple fans have been eagerly awaiting.
The highlight? The Apple Silicon M4 chip. While you might not notice a significant difference in everyday apps, the benchmarks tell a different story. Our previous tests have shown that Apple's M-series chips are powerhouses, and the M4 is no exception. It's like having a sports car engine in your tablet.
Performance is key:
| Device | CPU Single Core | CPU Multicore | GPU |
| ------ | -------------- | ------------- | --- |
| iPad Air 5th-gen (2022) | 1723 | 7246 | 21402 |
| iPad Air 6th-gen (2024) | 2645 | 9999 | 41636 |
| iPad Air 7th-gen (2025) | 3061 | 11727 | 44954 |
| iPad Pro 13 (2024) | 3810 | 14645 | 53746 |
The new iPad Air maintains the same screen size options as its predecessor, with 11-inch and 13-inch models. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard case, ensuring a seamless user experience. But here's where it gets interesting: the inclusion of the Apple N1 and C1X chips.
Controversial Opinion: While the M4 chip is impressive, the real stars are the new networking and mobile chips. The Apple N1 brings WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, future-proofing your device for the latest connectivity standards. And the Apple C1X chip introduces eSIM support with 5G, ensuring you're always connected at lightning speeds.
The iPad Air also gets a memory boost to 12GB, and storage starts at a generous 128GB. Pricing begins at $999 AUD for the 11-inch model and $1349 AUD for the 13-inch version. It may not have the flashy screen or ultra-slim design of its iPad Pro sibling, but it's a powerful and more affordable alternative.
And the best part? The M4 iPad Air will be available from March 11, just like the iPhone 17e. So, are you ready to embrace the speed? Will you be upgrading, or is the M4 iPad Air not quite what you were hoping for? Let us know in the comments!
