Apple Gives the iPad Air a Small Power Boost

Published: Monday, March 2, 2026 at 2:36 pm

Apple Refreshes iPad Air with Modest Upgrades

Apple has announced a refresh of its iPad Air lineup, introducing several enhancements while maintaining the same design as the previous generation. The new iPad Air will be available in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with preorders beginning March 4th and shipping starting March 11th.

The most notable changes include the integration of Apple's N1 networking chip, which supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 standards, as well as Thread for smart home control. Cellular models will also feature Apple's custom C1X modem, providing more energy-efficient sub-6 5G support.

The new iPad Air also sees an increase in unified memory, jumping from 8 GB to 12 GB. Despite these upgrades, Apple has maintained the starting prices for the base configurations, with the 11-inch model starting at $599 and the 13-inch model at $799. Storage options range from 128 GB to 1 TB.

Apple is emphasizing the improvements for users upgrading from older models, such as the M1 iPad Air. These include the 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, now positioned along the landscape edge for improved video calls, and enhanced landscape stereo speakers.

The new iPad Air is powered by the M4 chip, offering up to 30% faster performance compared to the previous M3-equipped iPad Air. Apple highlights a 2.3x performance gain over the M1 and a 4x increase in 3D pro rendering capabilities, including ray tracing.

While the base iPad model has not been updated at this time, Apple is expected to make further product announcements this week, including MacBooks, ahead of its Special Apple Experience.

BNN's Perspective:

The updated iPad Air offers a solid set of improvements, particularly in connectivity and performance, without a price increase. While the M4 chip isn't the absolute latest, it still provides a significant performance boost. The focus on features like the landscape-oriented camera and improved speakers suggests Apple is prioritizing user experience. This refresh keeps the iPad Air competitive in the tablet market, offering a compelling option for consumers seeking a balance of performance and value.

Keywords: iPad Air, Apple, M4 chip, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G, tablet, update, new, preorders, release date, specs, price, memory, storage, Center Stage camera, landscape, speakers, M1, M3, MacBook

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