$599 M4 iPad Air is a lot like the old one, but with a substantial RAM boost
Ars Technica
by
Andrew Cunningham
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Apple has unveiled a refreshed iPad Air featuring the M4 chip, offering modest updates while retaining its familiar design. The key improvement is an upgrade to 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in previous models. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for users leveraging iPadOS 26's multitasking features, though the tablet remains priced starting at $599 and $799 for the 11-inch and 13-inch versions respectively. While storage options now include up to 1TB, entry-level models still only offer 128GB, which may disappoint some users.
The M4 iPad Air continues to mirror its predecessor's design from the 2024 M2 model, with no significant changes to its appearance or layout. The most notable update is the switch to the M4 chip, delivering improved performance and efficiency for everyday tasks and creative workflows. This marks Apple’s second year of incremental updates to the iPad Air lineup, following last year’s introduction of the M3 processor.
A key highlight of this refresh is the RAM upgrade, which should significantly enhance multitasking capabilities in iPadOS 26. The move to 12GB of RAM aligns with trends in mobile computing where higher memory allocations are becoming standard for smoother performance and better responsiveness. While the display sizes remain unchanged at 11-inch and 13-inch, the improved hardware ensures that the tablet remains competitive in the mid-range category.
Despite these improvements, some users might feel let down by the lack of additional upgrades like a faster refresh rate or new design elements. The $599 starting price keeps it accessible as an affordable option within Apple’s tablet lineup, while higher storage options cater to those seeking more capacity for apps, photos, and files. Preorders begin on
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 3/2/2026