iPad Air Gets M4 Chip — Apple Puts Pro Power in Its Mid-Range Tablet

The new iPad Air now runs on Apple's M4 chip, the same powerful processor that powered the 2024 iPad Pro models. The upgrade, coming less than two years after the M2 version according to Engadget, solidifies the Air's position as the best overall tablet in Apple's lineup by delivering flagship performance at its familiar $599 starting price.

This isn't just an incremental speed bump. It's a strategic shift that redefines the iPad Air's place in the market. The consensus from reviewers is clear: this is now the default iPad for most people. Engadget calls it Apple's "best overall tablet," while The Guardian labels it the "premium tablet to beat." The message is that you no longer need to pay a Pro-level price for Pro-level performance.

Pro Power at an Air Price

The headline feature is the M4 chip. As both Engadget and The Guardian point out, this is the exact same silicon that was at the heart of the more expensive iPad Pro just a year prior. The result is what The Guardian describes as "laptop-grade power" in a thin tablet form factor. This isn't just for bragging rights; the performance uplift enables smoother, faster multitasking and better handling of demanding apps for video editing, design, and gaming.

Despite the significant internal upgrade, Apple has held the line on cost. The Guardian reports the new iPad Air M4 starts at the same £599/$599 price as the previous generation. This decision makes the value proposition difficult to ignore. You are getting last year's top-tier power for a mid-tier price. This move puts immense pressure on other tablet makers to compete on performance in this price bracket, a challenge given Apple's control over its own chip design and manufacturing scale.

A Faster, More Aggressive Upgrade Cycle

This release also highlights a new pace for Apple. Engadget notes that it has been "less than two years" since the company launched the M2-powered iPad Air. Now, Apple has skipped a generation entirely, jumping from M2 straight to M4 for the Air lineup. This rapid cycle is a direct benefit of Apple's custom silicon strategy. The company is no longer dependent on third-party chip roadmaps and can cascade its high-end processors down to mainstream products faster than ever before.

This pattern suggests Apple is becoming more aggressive in how it segments its products. By giving the Air a recent Pro-level chip, it makes the choice for consumers simpler. The Air is for everyone who wants a powerful, fast, and capable tablet. The Pro is for the niche of users who need the absolute best display technology, the most storage, or other specific professional features—and are willing to pay a significant premium for them.

The only potential downside for consumers is that the rapid cadence could create purchase hesitation or make recently purchased devices feel outdated more quickly. But for those buying now, the deal is undeniable. The line between the Air and Pro has never been blurrier, and the Air is the clear beneficiary.