Ruthie Darling/NYT WirecutterUpgrade pickIf you’re willing to pay for laptop power in a tablet but don’t want to break the bank, the iPad Air offers a great compromise.The Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M4) is a great middle-ground option for those who want a tablet that’s more capable than the entry-level iPad but don’t need the power of the iPad Pro. The iPad Air has a bright LCD screen that runs on Apple’s M4 chip (the same one featured in previous-generation MacBooks), along with more RAM than its predecessors. It’s also compatible with plenty of accessories, including Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. And it comes in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. We tested the larger size, which is typically $200 more. But if you don’t need a screen that big, the 11-inch iPad Air is the better option. The M4 iPad Air has a 12-megapixel camera on both the front and back. Ruthie Darling/NYT WirecutterThe iPad Air has an updated M4 processor and more RAM. The latest iPad Air runs on Apple’s custom M4 chip, which is the same processor found in last year’s MacBook Air. It’s not a major difference from the M3 found in its predecessor, but it does offer a bump in performance (you’ll likely notice a difference only if you’re upgrading from a much older iPad). Apple also increased the RAM from 8 GB to 12 GB, allowing it to run iPadOS 26, Apple Intelligence features, and multitasking more smoothly. It also comes equipped with Apple’s own C1X modem, for faster cellular data performance, and an N1 chip that provides support for Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread.We found that it handled basic tasks without any hiccups; on a typical day, we used apps like Slack, Google Docs, Google Meet, Gmail, Spotify, and Telegram simultaneously without any lag or stuttering. It also tackled slightly more demanding tasks, like editing videos in CapCut, smoothly — applying effects, filters, or overlays within seconds. And export times were quick. The M4 iPad Air exported a 5-minute 4K video in 1 minute 25 seconds, while it took the iPad (11th-generation) 3 minutes 35 seconds. The M4 iPad Air also handled graphics-intensive games, like Call of Duty: Mobile, with ease. However, even with a more powerful processor than the entry-level iPad, the iPad Air still has the same battery life of about 10 hours (on both sizes) with everyday use. The iPad Air comes with support for the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Ruthie Darling/NYT WirecutterIt has a nice, bright screen that’s available in two sizes. The 11-inch M4 iPad Air has a 2360-by-1640-pixel LCD screen, while the 13-inch model has a higher-resolution, 2732-by-2048-pixel LCD screen. We tested the latter, which also gets a bit brighter than its smaller counterpart. It’s about $200 more, but it’s the better option if you plan to use the iPad Air for tasks that require extra screen real estate — such as photo or video editing, sketching, and multitasking.The accessory options and software deliver a MacOS-like experience. If you want the full desktop setup, you can attach the iPad Air to an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor. When you turn on Extended Display mode, you can use both the tablet and monitor as separate workspaces, with the ability to control the monitor and drag apps and files between the two using your mouse.It also comes with multitasking features like Windowed Apps and Stage Manager (both of which are also available on the 11th-generation iPad). Using the Windowed Apps feature (which launched with iPadOS 26), you can resize, stack, and arrange multiple windows on the screen, similar to how you would on a standard Mac. Stage Manager similarly lets you manage your windows, plus it groups your open apps and provides access to them via a sidebar. We found that both of these features made it a lot less frustrating to navigate iPadOS and a lot easier to rely on an iPad as a laptop replacement for getting work done. You can attach it to the Magic Keyboard for a laptop-like experience. Ruthie Darling/NYT WirecutterIt’s compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. Unlike the base iPad, the iPad Air can attach to the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro, which are the best keyboard case and stylus Apple offers. The Magic Keyboard comes with a row of function keys and a USB-C port for charging; the Apple Pencil Pro has pressure and tilt sensitivity, built-in sensors that trigger shortcuts when you tap or squeeze it, and support for the Find My app in case you lose it. If you want a less expensive stylus, the iPad Air is also compatible with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). But it does lack pressure sensitivity, so it’s better for those using the stylus strictly for note-taking.It comes with plenty of storage options. The entry-level M4 iPad Air comes with 128 GB, but you can upgrade to 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB — for an extra fee.The FaceTime camera is great for video calls. The M4 iPad Air comes equipped with a 12-megapixel front-facing camera. As with its predecessor, it sits at the center of the tablet when it’s in landscape orientation, which feels more natural during video calls. The image quality tends to look a bit grainy, depending on the lighting around you, but it’s more than ideal for Google Meet and FaceTime calls.Flaws but not dealbreakersIt’s heavier and thicker than the iPad Pro. As its name suggests, the iPad Air is designed to be light and thin. But the current 11-inch iPad Air is 6.1 mm thick, while the latest 11-inch iPad Pro comes in at 5.3 mm. It’s also heavier, at 1.02 pounds, while the iPad Pro weighs under a pound. The iPad Air is still light and thin enough to carry around and fit into your backpack or tote bag, but attaching accessories (like Apple’s Magic Keyboard) makes it even heavier.The display could use an upgrade, especially on the larger model. As with its predecessor, the iPad Air leverages the same display technology as the 11th-generation iPad, with the same brightness and 60 Hz refresh rate. Both sizes have a wider color gamut than the 11th-generation model, but we wish Apple would replace the LCD panel with the same mini LED as the iPad Pro, specifically on the 13-inch iPad Air. This would allow for better color accuracy, which is useful if you’re using the iPad Air with creative apps for editing photos or videos. The higher 120 Hz refresh rate would also create a better mobile gaming experience.It doesn’t have Face ID. The iPad Air comes with Touch ID built into the top button. After adding your fingerprint, you can use it to unlock the tablet, log into apps, and authorize payments. But for a tablet at this price point, we would’ve liked to see the addition of a TrueDepth camera for Face ID (currently reserved for the iPad Pro), allowing you to unlock the tablet, fill in passwords, and approve payments with facial recognition instead. This is a minor gripe, but it’s a lot more convenient on a daily basis.It’s expensive, especially with accessories. The M4 iPad Air costs the same as its predecessor — starting at $600 for the 11-inch model and $800 for the 13-inch version. But this adds up quickly when you’re tacking on the company’s accessories. In terms of cases, the Magic Keyboard starts at $269, while the Smart Folio Case starts at $79. Meanwhile, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) costs $79, and the Apple Pencil Pro costs $129.
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