Apple iPad Air M4 review: Still the best tablet | Tech News

There’s a new iPad Air on the town, however you most likely gained’t discover any distinction the subsequent time you stroll into an Apple Store. This newest tablet appears to be like an identical to its predecessor, with the similar aluminium design, colors that haven’t modified and the option to buy both 11 or 13-inch screen sizes. The rear 12MP digital camera hasn’t been upgraded, and the tablet nonetheless lasts for round 10 hours on a single charge. So what’s completely different about this newest Air, and do you have to trouble upgrading?

I’ve been testing out this refreshed machine from the group in Cupertino, and while its appears to be like haven’t modified, there may be a lot occurring inside.

Apple has boosted the processor from an M3 to an M4 chip, which principally makes it as fast, if not quicker, than some PC laptops.

There’s additionally more reminiscence, with issues rising from 8GB to a more helpful 12GB, and it will get the newest N1 community and C1X cell chips (should you go for a more costly mobile model), which offer speedy Wi-Fi 7 and improved 5G connectivity.

Add all of it up, and the iPad Air M4 is a very succesful tablet that may breeze gracefully by means of all of your each day digital duties.

In reality, I’ve been taking part in video games, enhancing motion pictures, retouching photographs and multitasking on the Liquid Retina show and never as soon as has the Air began to sweat.

It’s a whole pleasure to make use of, and Apple has added all of this additional grunt with out upping the price. That means the 11-inch model begins from £599, and the 13-inch Air from £799.

If you have been already desirous about shopping for one of Apple’s Air tablets, then you definitely’re getting a first rate energy improve for the similar price as final yr’s fashions.

However, should you already own an M3 model (and even an M2), you actually don’t need to fret about forking out on one thing new, as these are already good tablets that do all the pieces most of us need.

So yes, I’ve completely loved my time with the M4 iPad Air, but it surely’s a disgrace there aren’t more attractive upgrades included.

It would have been good to see new color choices or the bezels round the screen slimmed down a little.

The Air remains to be thicker than the iPad Pro, which has by no means actually made a lot sense, as the title suggests this ought to be the thinnest tablet in Apple’s lineup.

It additionally nonetheless options a 60Hz screen (you’ll need to go Pro to get a slick 120Hz panel), and this show technology actually feels a bit sluggish.

Apple lastly ditched that sluggish 60Hz refresh screen on its newest iPhone 17 gadgets final yr, and I might like to see the Air get the similar therapy.

There’s nonetheless no Face ID, which means you must depend on the old style fingerprint scanner in the energy button, and UK consumers gained’t discover a charging plug included in the box – that’s £20 additional.

That added adapter value leads me properly to the Air’s price.

Yes, Apple hasn’t raised prices this yr, however the iPad Air can nonetheless get extraordinarily costly.

Start including the greater 13-inch screen, more storage, a Magic Keyboard case and Apple Pencil and you’ll finish up with a invoice of over £1,750 – that’s a lot more than a 13-inch MacBook Air.

So, do you have to buy the new M4 iPad Air?

If you have been already desirous about forking out on a new iPad then you definitely’ve simply acquired a huge bonus without cost.

The M4 chip is a beast and can keep the machine future-proofed for years to return. It additionally will get more RAM and improved connectivity.

Other extras embody first rate audio system, a Centre Stage entrance digital camera which tracks you as you make video calls, so that you at all times keep in the body.

It’s totally suitable with the newest Apple Pencil and might be became a mini laptop computer through an elective keyboard case.

It runs iPadOS 26, the newest model, which stays the best tablet working system on the market and now gives improved multitasking, higher file management and Apple’s Liquid Glass person interface aesthetic.

The new Air is a prime tablet. However, if you’re completely proud of what you already own and easily use these gadgets for a bit of web shopping, boxset bingeing and sending emails, there’s not a enormous motive to hurry to your native Apple Store.

The iPad Air stays a stable selection, and it’s now clearly higher than earlier than.

It simply feels about time that it acquired a more eye-catching replace that wasn’t nearly efficiency.