Tablets
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Overview
The Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) is a mid-range tablet running iPadOS 26, built around Apple's M4 chip and targeting students, creative professionals, and general users who want Pro-class processing without the Pro price. It ships with 12 GB of unified memory, Wi-Fi 7, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity, separating it from the previous generation on both speed and networking capability. The key trade-off versus the iPad Pro is the 60 Hz IPS LCD display rather than a high-refresh OLED panel.
Pros
- The M4 chip, built on a 3nm process with 12 GB of unified memory and 120 GB/s memory bandwidth, gives this tablet substantially more processing headroom than most Android competitors in its price range.
- Wi-Fi 7 support via Apple's N1 chip puts the Air ahead of many tablets still shipping with Wi-Fi 6E, translating to higher theoretical throughput and lower latency on compatible routers.
- USB-C at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds (10 Gb/s) allows fast transfers to external drives and direct connection to compatible displays, a meaningful step up from the USB 2-limited ports found on older iPad Air models.
- Storage scales up to 1 TB, an option that was previously restricted to iPad Pro, making the Air a viable choice for users who store large media libraries or work with heavy creative files locally.
- The front camera is positioned in landscape orientation and supports Center Stage, which keeps subjects framed automatically during video calls, a practical advantage for horizontal use on a desk stand or keyboard folio.
- Apple Intelligence support is included out of the box with iPadOS 26, giving access to on-device AI writing tools, image generation, and summarisation features that require at least an M1 chip to run.
Cons
- The display is capped at 60 Hz, while competing tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and the iPad Pro both offer 120 Hz ProMotion or equivalent high-refresh panels, making scrolling and animation look comparatively less smooth.
- There is no Face ID; authentication relies on Touch ID built into the power button, which some users find less convenient than facial recognition, particularly when the device is lying flat on a surface.
- The display uses IPS LCD technology rather than OLED or mini-LED, meaning blacks are less deep and contrast ratios are lower than what the iPad Pro's Tandem OLED panel delivers.
- No 3.5mm headphone jack means wired audio requires a USB-C adapter, adding an accessory cost and reducing compatibility with standard headphones.
- Apple Pencil Pro magnetic charging works only with the Pro model stylus; users who opt for the Apple Pencil (USB-C) must charge it via cable rather than magnetically attaching it to the tablet.
- LiDAR is absent, which limits augmented reality measurement accuracy and some professional scanning applications that the iPad Pro supports natively.
Specifications
| Display Size | 11 inches |
| Display Type | Liquid Retina (IPS LCD) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Color Gamut | P3 wide color |
| Display Features | True Tone, fully laminated, anti-reflective coating |
| Processor | Apple M4 |
| C P U Cores | 8-core (3 performance + 5 efficiency) |
| G P U Cores | 9-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core |
| Fabrication Node | 3nm (TSMC N3E) |
| R A M | 12 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 120 GB/s |
| Storage Options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Front Camera | 12 MP, Center Stage, landscape orientation |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP wide, 4K video, Smart HDR 4 |
| Li D A R | No |
| Wi- Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) via Apple N1 chip |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 |
| Cellular | Optional 5G + LTE via Apple C1X modem |
| U S B | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gb/s) |
| 3.5mm Jack | No |
| Thread | Yes |
| Battery Life (claimed) | Up to 10 hours (video playback), up to 9 hours (wireless web) |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| Stylus | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Stylus Magnetic Charging | Yes (Apple Pencil Pro) |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (with trackpad) |
| Biometrics | Touch ID (integrated in top/power button) |
| Face I D | No |
| Operating System | iPadOS 26 |
| Colors | Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Grey |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes |
Specifications should be verified from official manufacturer sources. Details may vary by region or configuration.
Notes: Available in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular configurations. Cellular models use Apple's C1X modem and support 5G where available; band compatibility varies by region. Storage options span 128 GB to 1 TB across both configurations. Ships in four colours: Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Grey.
Disclaimer: Specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change.
Please verify all information from the official manufacturer website before purchasing.