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Read our full review of the Apple iPad Air 2026 (M4).
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The iPad Air is not just the best iPad, it’s the best tablet. It will be your new go-to device for streaming, reading, or creative projects. And if you plan on using your tablet as a substitute for a laptop, it’ll work for that, too, especially when paired with the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air or Apple Pencil. It’s fast, moves smoothly between apps, and has a stunning high-definition display.
While we prefer the iPad Pro for creatives, the iPad Air is a more budget-friendly option that will still handle tough design jobs, and it’s compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.
For all the power this tablet provides, it’s an exceptional value. In 2026, while the iPad Air upgraded to the M4 chip, it didn’t receive a price increase, meaning the iPad Air still starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model.
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To kick off 2026, Apple upgraded the iPad Air to include the M4 chip. While the update didn’t feel necessary in light of the already powerful iPad with M3 chip, we’ll never say no to more computing power, especially with no price increase.
The iPad Air bridges the gap between tablet and laptop, yet it still remains affordable and user-friendly. With the M4 chip upgrade, the iPad Air got a performance boost, now scoring 13,176 on the Geekbench 6 test, up from its previous score of 11,464.
While the iPad Pro is technically slightly thinner and lighter, the iPad Air still lives up to its name. It’s a great tablet to bring on the go due to its light weight, which helps avoid wrist strain when holding the device.
It has a crisp display for brilliant graphics, and one of its most surprising upgrades in the 2026 model is more memory. Now with 12GB of RAM, it’s better equipped as a gaming device, too. For creatives too, the extra memory makes it even more capable of creative tasks, whether that be in Final Cut Pro or while doing design work with the Apple Pencil.
Essentially, it gives you everything you’d want in a starter MacBook, but it costs you just $599 and has a touchscreen.
