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Apple Brings M4 and Wi‑Fi 7 to iPad Air Without Raising the Price

The update prioritizes faster on‑device AI and improved connectivity over any redesign or pricing change.

Overview

  • Apple says the M4 iPad Air is up to 30% faster than the M3 model, pairing an 8‑core CPU, 9‑core GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine with support for hardware‑accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading.
  • Unified memory rises to 12GB with 120GB/s bandwidth to better power iPadOS 26 multitasking and on‑device AI workloads.
  • The new N1 wireless chip adds Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, while the C1X modem in cellular models delivers up to 50% faster data with up to 30% lower energy use.
  • Pre‑orders open March 4 with deliveries and in‑store availability starting March 11.
  • Design, displays, cameras, colors, accessory support, and storage tiers remain the same, with pricing starting at $599 for 11‑inch and $799 for 13‑inch Wi‑Fi models.