Apple’s iPad Air Refresh: What to Expect from the M4-Powered Tablet

Apple is poised to update its iPad Air lineup, potentially as early as next week, ahead of a “Special Apple Experience” event for media on March 4th. The refresh is expected to center around the introduction of the M4 chip, bringing performance and efficiency gains to the popular tablet. Here’s a detailed look at what’s anticipated.

Design and Display: Familiar Form Factor

Rumors suggest the iPad Air will retain its current design, meaning users can expect the same 11-inch and 13-inch size options. The device is expected to maintain its thicker profile and heavier weight compared to the iPad Pro and will continue to utilize a standard LCD display rather than the OLED technology found in the higher-finish Pro models. ProMotion technology, offering adaptive refresh rates, is also not expected to be included at this time.

The iPad Air will likely continue to feature USB-C connectivity, a Touch ID top button, and the same front and rear camera systems as its predecessor. Even as a new color option is possible, it isn’t guaranteed with this refresh.

M4 Chip: A Performance Boost

Following Apple’s pattern of equipping the iPad Air with a chip one generation behind the iPad Pro, the new model is set to receive the M4 chip. While both the current M3 and the upcoming M4 are built on a 3-nanometer process, the M4 incorporates an updated process delivering speed and efficiency improvements.

Key enhancements with the M4 chip include up to 10 CPU cores (compared to 8 in the M3), a faster Neural Engine, and increased memory bandwidth. The GPU is also expected to be more power-efficient, potentially leading to improved battery life. Apple claims the M4 CPU is up to 30 percent faster than the M3 CPU, while the GPU sees a performance increase of up to 21 percent. MacObserver

The iPad Air already supports Apple Intelligence, and the next-generation model will continue to do so. Current models feature 8GB of RAM, the minimum requirement for Apple Intelligence, and it remains unclear whether higher storage tiers will receive increased RAM, as seen in some iPad Pro models.

Connectivity and Charging Enhancements

The iPad Air is likely to adopt Apple’s N1 networking chip, first introduced in the iPhone 17 models. The N1 chip offers improvements in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and efficiency compared to previous third-party chips. This could translate to faster Wi-Fi speeds on compatible networks utilizing Wi-Fi 7 and support for Bluetooth 6. MacObserver

Cellular versions of the iPad Air are expected to receive Apple’s C1X modem chip, an upgraded variant of the C1, Apple’s first in-house modem. The C1X offers performance comparable to Qualcomm chips, with 5G connectivity limited to sub-6GHz (mmWave is not supported on the iPad Air). Apple’s modem chips are also more power-efficient and integrate better with other iPad components.

The iPad Pro gained faster charging capabilities with the M5 update, and there is a possibility this feature could trickle down to the iPad Air.

Pricing and Launch Date

Current rumors do not indicate a price increase. The 11-inch iPad Air is expected to continue starting at $599, while the 13-inch model will remain at $799. MacObserver

The iPad Air could be released as early as next week, preceding Apple’s March 4th Special Experience event. 9to5Mac

What to Expect from Apple’s March 4 Event

Apple is hosting a special event for press on March 4th in New York, London, and Shanghai. 9to5Mac The event is described as a “special Apple Experience” and will likely involve hands-on time with new products for media members. Alongside the iPad Air, announcements or releases of new MacBooks and a new iPhone are also anticipated in the days leading up to and including the event. CNET ZDNet