99
DadnologyT4Jul 9, 2026
“The iPad Air earns it by being the obvious right answer, every single day, without a single complaint.”
By Patrick W. · Rated 5/5Full review
Tablet
Apple iPad Air M4 (11-inch)
Apple · From $599
Release date Mar 11, 2026
89
Critical Gold
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
13 with a published score, 0 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Jul 9, 2026
8 Rave5 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the M4 iPad Air a modest but welcome refresh and still the best iPad for most people. The M4 chip, 12GB of memory and Wi-Fi 7 arrive at the same $599 starting price, while the design, display and cameras are unchanged. Several reviewers say owners of the M3 Air have little reason to upgrade, but buyers coming from older iPads get a large jump.
What critics loved
- Fast M4 chip with 12GB of memory
- Same $599 starting price as last year
- Wi-Fi 7 and fast cellular option
- Light, slim design and Apple Pencil Pro support
Common gripes
- Still a 60Hz LCD, no OLED or ProMotion
- No Face ID
- Battery life and cameras unchanged
- Keyboard and Pencil accessories are pricey
- Little reason to upgrade from the M3 Air
Critic Scorecard
13 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
98
T3T3Apr 18, 2026
“Still the best tablet option for most users, the iPad Air combines a hugely powerful chip and a great-looking screen – and does it for a very affordable price.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models; the outlet's score is published for the 13-inch model.
By Mat Gallagher · Rated 5/5Full review
96
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 9, 2026
“The iPad Air M4 retains all of what we loved about the M3 iPad Air, but now has a speedier processor and Wi-Fi 7 — all while maintaining its same price.”
By Mike Prospero · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
MashableT2Mar 9, 2026
“It's hard to imagine a thinner or lighter tablet, and I think the 11- and 13-inch sizes are just right for most users.”
By Timothy Beck Werth · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
TechRadarT2Mar 9, 2026
“The iPad Air with M4 isn't a reinvention of the tablet, but it meaningfully improves what was already one of Apple’s best devices.”
Review is headlined and tested on the 13-inch iPad Air; the outlet's score is published for the 13-inch model.
By Jacob Krol · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsT2Mar 9, 2026
“Even though this is another minor spec-based upgrade for Apple’s mid-range tablet, the iPad Air M4 is still impressive.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models.
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 7 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
88
NotebookcheckT3Apr 12, 2026
“While its new processor takes the tablet to new performance heights, and Apple has even lowered the price of its more expensive models by a few dollars, the rest of the device's changes are minor”
By Florian Schmitt · Rated 88%Full review
87
ZDNETT2Mar 9, 2026
“However, the iPad Air is the tablet I'd recommend for anyone willing to spend around $600, as it delivers the best performance value among mainstream tablets.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models.
By Maria Diaz · Rated 4/5Full review
84
Pocket-lintT3Apr 2, 2026
“It's superfast, the display is gorgeous, and it keeps that thin, lightweight design that makes it so easy to carry around and slide into your backpack.”
By Craig Donaldson · Rated 4/5Full review
83
Tech AdvisorT3Mar 9, 2026
“The design and display haven’t changed from the iPad Air (M3), and some long-standing omissions remain, but that doesn’t stop this from being the most compelling iPad Air yet.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models.
By Britta O’Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
83
Cult of MacT3Mar 12, 2026
“Ultimately, 13-inch iPad Air M4 is the most capable mid-range tablet Apple has ever made.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models; the outlet's score is published for the 13-inch model.
By David Snow · Rated 4/5Full review
82
GizmodoT2Mar 9, 2026
“In 2026, it’s the best tablet just short of the iPad Pro.”
By Kyle Barr · Rated 4/5Full review
81
EngadgetT1Mar 9, 2026
“The iPad Air isn't an exciting gadget at this point, but I still think it's the best iPad for most people.”
By Nathan Ingraham · Rated 86/100Full review
99
DadnologyT4Jul 9, 2026
“The iPad Air earns it by being the obvious right answer, every single day, without a single complaint.”
By Patrick W. · Rated 5/5Full review
98
T3T3Apr 18, 2026
“Still the best tablet option for most users, the iPad Air combines a hugely powerful chip and a great-looking screen – and does it for a very affordable price.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models; the outlet's score is published for the 13-inch model.
By Mat Gallagher · Rated 5/5Full review
88
NotebookcheckT3Apr 12, 2026
“While its new processor takes the tablet to new performance heights, and Apple has even lowered the price of its more expensive models by a few dollars, the rest of the device's changes are minor”
By Florian Schmitt · Rated 88%Full review
84
Pocket-lintT3Apr 2, 2026
“It's superfast, the display is gorgeous, and it keeps that thin, lightweight design that makes it so easy to carry around and slide into your backpack.”
By Craig Donaldson · Rated 4/5Full review
83
Cult of MacT3Mar 12, 2026
“Ultimately, 13-inch iPad Air M4 is the most capable mid-range tablet Apple has ever made.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models; the outlet's score is published for the 13-inch model.
By David Snow · Rated 4/5Full review
96
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 9, 2026
“The iPad Air M4 retains all of what we loved about the M3 iPad Air, but now has a speedier processor and Wi-Fi 7 — all while maintaining its same price.”
By Mike Prospero · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 7 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
95
MashableT2Mar 9, 2026
“It's hard to imagine a thinner or lighter tablet, and I think the 11- and 13-inch sizes are just right for most users.”
By Timothy Beck Werth · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
TechRadarT2Mar 9, 2026
“The iPad Air with M4 isn't a reinvention of the tablet, but it meaningfully improves what was already one of Apple’s best devices.”
Review is headlined and tested on the 13-inch iPad Air; the outlet's score is published for the 13-inch model.
By Jacob Krol · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsT2Mar 9, 2026
“Even though this is another minor spec-based upgrade for Apple’s mid-range tablet, the iPad Air M4 is still impressive.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models.
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
87
ZDNETT2Mar 9, 2026
“However, the iPad Air is the tablet I'd recommend for anyone willing to spend around $600, as it delivers the best performance value among mainstream tablets.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models.
By Maria Diaz · Rated 4/5Full review
83
Tech AdvisorT3Mar 9, 2026
“The design and display haven’t changed from the iPad Air (M3), and some long-standing omissions remain, but that doesn’t stop this from being the most compelling iPad Air yet.”
Joint review of 11-inch and 13-inch models.
By Britta O’Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
82
GizmodoT2Mar 9, 2026
“In 2026, it’s the best tablet just short of the iPad Pro.”
By Kyle Barr · Rated 4/5Full review
81
EngadgetT1Mar 9, 2026
“The iPad Air isn't an exciting gadget at this point, but I still think it's the best iPad for most people.”
By Nathan Ingraham · Rated 86/100Full review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 11-inch Liquid Retina LCD, 2360x1640, 60Hz, 500 nits
- Chip
- Apple M4, 8-core CPU, 9-core GPU
- Memory
- 12GB unified memory
- Storage
- 128GB to 1TB
- Cameras
- 12MP rear, 12MP Center Stage front
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, optional 5G, USB-C
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours (Apple rating)
- Weight
- About 460 g
- Price
- From $599 (128GB) to $1,099 (1TB)