Apple iPad Air M4 review: Incredible power without the Pro price tag
Apple iPad Air M4. Pictures: Apple.
I have been a massive iPad fan since the introduction of the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. My test unit featured 1TB of storage, WiFi, and cellular connectivity.
The M4 iPad Air retains its aluminium chassis, speaker placement, and Touch ID positioning from previous generations. Even the colour options match the M3 models perfectly. If you are upgrading from a recent model, the physical change will feel minimal. It stays solid and premium in the hand. While some might compare it to new laptops like the MacBook Neo, the Air maintains its own identity. Despite what some might suggest, iPads are not laptop replacements, especially since the introduction of the MacBook Neo. The iPad Air M4 is just a great tablet. This consistency makes it a safe purchase for anyone already used to the Apple ecosystem.
The screen uses an LCD panel with P3 wide colour gamut support. This ensures colours look accurate when I edit photos or videos. Apple also included a True Tone display with an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust colour temperature. However, they did not upgrade to 120Hz ProMotion technology, which is disappointing. If you are used to the ultra-smooth scrolling of the Pro models, 60Hz might feel slightly sluggish during heavy use. The bezels are larger than you'd expect for a premium tablet in 2026, which makes the design feel slightly dated.
The glass surface also feels quite slippery to write or draw on. Adding a textured screen protector helps create the necessary friction for more precise writing and sketching, but you will lose some contrast and sharpness.
My 11-inch 1TB review unit feels like overkill for most users, but it's great for all my Procreate files and video projects. Having cellular data makes this device incredibly handy when away from WiFi, but if you have an iPhone, Apple’s seamless hotspot connectivity makes it less important to me.
The Apple Pencil Pro experience is excellent for taking handwritten notes in GoodNotes. However, the screen size presents a trade-off. For professional digital painting or complex workflows in Logic Pro and video editing software, I would recommend the 13-inch model. That larger canvas provides much-needed space for managing intricate layers and long timelines that a smaller screen simply cannot accommodate as easily.
The M4 chip brings immense power to this tablet. It handles demanding applications without any struggle. While the Pro model might hold a slight edge in raw strength, the Air bridges the gap effectively.
You get incredible performance for a much more sensible price than the top-tier models. It provides a level of capability that makes it hard to justify the extra cost of a Pro for most users.
Battery life is what we have come to expect from the iPad Air, and the M4 doesn’t compromise here. I can spend hours of use without having to search for a power outlet. It handles daily tasks like watching videos or general tasks with ease, making it a great companion for long trips or flights. You can rely on it to last through a full day of creative work without much stress.
iPadOS keeps everything simple and intuitive. It feels like a natural extension of my iPhone, making the learning curve almost non-existent. Unlike a traditional laptop, you can quickly switch from browsing the web on your sofa to connecting a Magic Keyboard for typing a review. This flexibility defines why I love this ecosystem. It offers a unique way of working that a MacBook simply cannot replicate, especially if you prefer a responsive, simple interface that works just like your phone.
The iPad Air M4 offers incredible power and functionality at a price point that makes sense for those who want more features and performance than the iPad but who are not willing to pay the premium for the iPad Pro.
From €679 Apple.ie
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