Early reviews say the Apple iPad Air delivers impressive performance gains with the M4 chip, but that doesn't mean existing users should rush to upgrade.
Reviews of Apple's M4 iPad Air began appearing Monday after the company lifted its review embargo. Major publications quickly published hands-on testing of the new tablet.
Coverage focuses largely on the addition of Apple's M4 chip and updated wireless hardware. Apple kept the same overall design and Liquid Retina display found on the previous generation.
Reviewers generally agree the tablet is extremely fast in everyday use. Several outlets note the upgrade will matter most for people coming from older iPads.
Apple announced the updated iPad Air on March 4 with preorders opening the same day and shipments scheduled to begin March 11. The tablet comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes starting at $599 and supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple's keyboard accessories.
The Verge: powerful, but a familiar upgrade
The Verge describes the new iPad Air as a performance-focused refresh built around Apple's M4 processor. Benchmark testing shows roughly 20% to 25% faster CPU performance compared with the previous generation, though everyday use may feel similar unless upgrading from a significantly older iPad.
The publication says the Air still strikes a strong balance between price and performance within Apple's lineup. The Verge concludes the tablet remains the most practical choice for many buyers, though recent iPad Air owners may see little reason to upgrade.
TechRadar: Apple strengthens the Air's position in the lineup
TechRadar focuses on the Air's role as the middle tier in Apple's tablet family. The publication highlights the addition of the M4 chip and newer connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
iPad Air with Magic Keyboard
Additionally, it writes that Apple appears to be prioritizing internal performance improvements rather than introducing a redesigned chassis. The exterior hardware remains largely unchanged from the previous model.
Engadget: strong performance and multitasking gains
Engadget emphasizes the performance improvements the M4 chip brings to multitasking and productivity workflows. The outlet says the processor gives iPadOS features like Stage Manager additional headroom, particularly on the larger 13-inch model.
The publication notes the tablet's power may exceed what most users need for everyday tasks. Engadget nonetheless describes the iPad Air as one of the easiest tablets to recommend for a wide range of buyers.
Tom's Guide: faster performance, but not a major overhaul
Tom's Guide says the Apple iPad Air gets its biggest improvement from the new M4 chip. The publication notes the processor delivers faster CPU and GPU performance that should help with gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
Apple also increased unified memory to 12GB and added Wi-Fi 7 through its new N1 networking chip. Tom's Guide says those upgrades should make multitasking smoother and improve wireless performance.
The outlet adds that the Apple iPad Air is still more of a spec bump than a full redesign. Many of the tablet's core features remain unchanged from the previous generation.
CNET: strong performance and value, but accessories add up
CNET calls the Apple iPad Air the best balance of performance and price in Apple's tablet lineup right now. Reviewer Scott Stein says the Apple iPad Air's M4 processor delivers impressive performance for a device starting at $599 and describes the tablet as "a wonderful little powerhouse" after using the 11-inch model for a week.
M4 iPad Air has great performance
The review notes the Apple iPad Air handles everyday tasks, gaming, and creative work with ease. CNET also argues the Apple iPad Air is a better value than the iPad Pro for most buyers because it delivers similar performance at a much lower price.
The outlet points out that accessories can quickly increase the total cost. Adding a keyboard case and Apple Pencil Pro can push the price close to $1,000 depending on configuration.
MobileSyrup: two generations, two perspectives
MobileSyrup reviews the Apple iPad Air from two perspectives— a tech-savvy son who rarely uses tablets and his mother who relies on it daily. Both testers were impressed by the iPad Air's M4 processor, describing it as a "powerhouse" that handled work, streaming, and even console-style games effortlessly.
The son found the Apple iPad Air powerful enough to replace some laptop tasks with the Magic Keyboard, though accessories significantly increase the price. His mother focused on everyday usability, praising the faster performance and larger 13-inch display for easier reading of apps and websites.
MobileSyrup concludes the Apple iPad Air is great for both productivity and entertainment, no matter your age. They say its speed and screen size make it a worthwhile upgrade, even if you just have basic needs.
Mashable: powerful hardware aimed at creators
Mashable frames the Apple iPad Air as a tablet that increasingly behaves like a lightweight laptop. The publication says the M4 chip, improved Neural Engine, and updated connectivity chips give the Apple iPad Air the performance needed for demanding creative apps and multitasking.
The review highlights how the Apple iPad Air can run multiple apps at once, including software such as Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator, without noticeable slowdowns. Mashable also notes the tablet's thin design and Liquid Retina display remain unchanged from the previous generation.
The outlet acknowledges the performance improvements but still describes the update as iterative. Mashable further mentions that the Apple iPad Air might be too powerful for casual users who mainly browse the web or stream media.
Trusted Reviews: still the best tablet for most people
Trusted Reviews says the Apple iPad Air remains the best tablet for most buyers, even if the latest update is mostly a spec bump. The publication notes the Apple iPad Air keeps the same design and display as recent models while adding the M4 chip, faster connectivity, and more memory.
Reviewers consistently describe the Apple iPad Air as extremely fast and capable
The review highlights the jump to 12GB of RAM and Apple's new N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 support as meaningful improvements. Trusted Reviews says the Apple iPad Air delivers noticeably better performance in demanding tasks like video exports, photo editing, and AI-driven features.
Despite the limited hardware changes, the outlet concludes the Apple iPad Air still strikes the right balance between features and price. Buyers get many of the capabilities of the iPad Pro without paying the higher cost.
Apple iPad Air review roundup: fast upgrade, but little reason to upgrade
Across outlets, reviewers agree the Apple iPad Air with M4 focuses on performance improvements rather than a redesigned device. Apple upgraded the processor, memory, and wireless hardware while leaving the design, display, and overall experience largely unchanged.
Reviewers consistently describe the Apple iPad Air as extremely fast and capable, especially for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and multitasking. Many publications also say the tablet remains the best balance of price and performance in Apple's lineup.
The update makes the most sense for people upgrading from older iPads or A-series models. Owners of a recent Apple iPad Air, however, will likely see fewer reasons to upgrade.
