Katarzyna Petru
Apple has unveiled the new iPad Air with the M4 chip. The tablet offers a significant increase in performance, more RAM, and new AI capabilities, all while maintaining the current starting price. The new model is available in 11-inch and 13-inch versions, in four colours, and with storage options up to 1 TB.
M4 and 12 GB RAM – a real leap in performance
The heart of the device is the M4 chip with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. Apple claims up to 30% higher performance compared to the model with M3 and even 2.3× more power than the iPad Air with M1. The tablet features 12 GB of unified RAM (50% more than before) and memory bandwidth of up to 120 GB/s. The 16-core Neural Engine is said to be 3× faster than the version in M1, which translates to smoother operation of AI features such as image analysis, video editing, or object recognition. The new GPU supports hardware ray tracing and mesh shading, which according to Apple enables up to 4× faster 3D rendering compared to the iPad Air with M1.
Wi-Fi 7, 5G and new connectivity chips
The iPad Air with M4 has received new proprietary communication chips: N1 (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread) and the C1X modem in cellular versions. Apple promises up to 50% faster mobile data transmission and lower energy consumption. 5G and eSIM support remain on board, making the device appealing to those working in the field or frequently travelling.
The new model runs on iPadOS 26, which introduces the Liquid Glass interface with a semi-transparent design that responds to gestures and dynamically highlights key elements. The system also offers a new, more sophisticated window system, a menu bar accessible from the top of the screen, and an improved Files app. The Preview app for working with PDFs also appears on board, along with support for background tasks and advanced audio control.
Accessories and prices in Poland
The tablet works with Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the Magic Keyboard with trackpad and a row of function keys.
Prices in Poland:
iPad Air 11” Wi-Fi: from 2899 zł
iPad Air 13” Wi-Fi: from 3899 zł
Educational versions: from 2599 zł (11”) and 3599 zł (13”)
Pre-sales start on 4 March, and sales begin on 11 March.
The new iPad Air with M4 is one of the biggest leaps in this line for years. With 12 GB of RAM, support for ray tracing, Wi-Fi 7, and stronger AI, it brings it closer to the iPad Pro but at a much lower price. For many users, this could be the most cost-effective tablet in Apple's current portfolio.
Source: apple.com
