iPad Air M4 Review: Apple’s Middle Ground Just Got More Interesting

This iPad Air M4 review starts in a familiar place, because at a glance, nothing really stands out. The shape, the thin profile, the flat edges - they all look the same as before. 

However, what changed is inside. Apple moved the iPad Air to the M4 chip, which was previously reserved for the Pro line. And that shift is worth looking into more than the unchanged exterior.

This is still a mid-tier iPad - but it’s a stronger one. The gap between the Air and the Pro isn’t as clear as it used to be, but that’s what makes this update interesting.

Here’s what stands out with the latest iPad Air:

• M4 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU)

• 12GB unified memory (Apple’s version of RAM shared across the system)

• Wi-Fi 7 support

• 11-inch and 13-inch options remain

This is not just a spec update - it changes how the Air fits into Apple’s lineup. For most people, it’s no longer just the lighter alternative - it’s starting to feel like the default choice.

On paper, the M4 upgrade sounds like a big jump. In practice, however, it shows up in smaller ways - mostly in how smooth everything feels as you move through tasks.

You’ll feel the difference when you’re moving between apps. Split View and Stage Manager feel quicker to respond. 

Therefore, switching between tasks is smoother, and there’s less of that slight pause you sometimes notice on older models.

Apps stay stable with heavier files, and you’re less likely to run into slowdowns when layering or scrubbing through timelines. Of course, it still has limits - but it handles more than previous Air models without feeling strained.

If you edit photos, sketch, or work with video, the extra power helps.

The M4 adds hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which shows up in newer games and graphics-heavy apps. If you’re into games or use visual apps often, you’ll notice more stable performance.

For everyday use (browsing, streaming, messaging, etc.), the iPad Air M4 is more than enough. It will hold up well over time, even as apps get more demanding.

The iPad Air M4 keeps the overall look of the previous generation. It’s still one of the easier tablets to carry around, whether you’re holding it for reading or tossing it into your bag at the end of the day.

You’re getting the same two size options:

• 11-inch model

• 13-inch model (for those who want more screen space without going Pro)

Both use a Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360×1640 (11-inch) and 2732×2048 (13-inch). Brightness tops out at 500 nits on the 11-inch and 600 nits on the 13-inch, which is more than enough for indoor and outdoor use.

Color accuracy is solid, with support for P3 wide color and True Tone, so photos and videos look consistent without needing adjustments.

The main limitation is still the refresh rate. The iPad Air M4 sticks to a standard 60Hz display, which means you don’t get the smoother scrolling found on iPad Pro models with ProMotion. This is also one of the most common frustrations among users. As one Reddit user put it:

“Love my iPad Air but the 60Hz thing just sucks man. I don’t want to pay double just for a better screen.” - nomadjackk

Note that the display on the iPad Air M4 holds up well. It’s sharp, bright, and consistent - just not pushing into the Pro-level territory.

The iPad Air M4 sits somewhere between a tablet and a laptop. For everyday use, it can handle a wide range of tasks such as:

• Writing and note-taking

• Emailing and browsing

• Streaming and reading

• Photo editing and sketching

None of the features mentioned above is new, but the difference now is how consistently it handles them. You’re less likely to run into slowdowns or app reloads, even when you’re doing more than one thing at a time.

Accessories also play a big role here. Once you add a keyboard or stylus, the iPad starts to feel like a more flexible setup instead of just a larger screen.

• The Magic Keyboard makes typing and navigation more comfortable

• The Apple Pencil Pro adds precision for drawing and editing.

Note that the iPad Air itself is reasonably priced for what it offers. But once you add these accessories, the total cost starts to approach iPad Pro territory. Apple’s accessories are quite expensive, so that makes deciding a bit harder. One user shared on Reddit:

“I own an iPad Air M3, but even then, I don’t know what to do with it. If only the Magic Keyboard were affordable.” - Eyeshield_sena

The gap between the iPad Air and iPad Pro used to be easy to explain. That’s not as true anymore. With the M4 chip, the Air now delivers performance that overlaps with what most people actually use the Pro for (browsing, multitasking, creative apps, etc.).

Where the Air makes more sense:

• Lower cost

• More than enough performance for most users

Where the Pro still stands out

• Better display with a higher refresh rate

• More headroom for demanding tasks

This is why many reviewers describe the Air as the sweet spot in Apple’s lineup. It hits a balance between price and performance that’s hard to ignore.

For most people, the Air covers everything they need. The Pro is still the better device on paper—but it’s no longer the obvious choice.

As you can see in this iPad Air M4 review, the iPad Air M4 still looks like the same iPad Air. However, internally, the M4 chip and added memory push it much closer to Pro-level performance than previous models.

If you’re using an iPad Air M1 or earlier, or even a standard iPad, this is an easy upgrade. The jump in speed, multitasking, and overall responsiveness is something you’ll actually feel.

If you’re already on a newer Air, it’s a different story. The improvements are real, but they don’t change the experience too much. Your device is likely still handling everything just fine.

What this update really does is narrow the gap. The iPad Air M4 doesn’t replace the Pro, but it gets close enough that most people won’t need to go any further (just yet).

Check it out here: