M4 iPad Air Hands On: Is The New Chip Worth It!?

I went hands-on with the new M4 iPad Air to figure out whether it’s actually worth buying — especially when older models like the M2 iPad Air are still available at big discounts.

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At first glance, the 2026 iPad Air doesn’t look very different. It keeps the same design, colors, and overall feel as previous generations. But inside, Apple made several key upgrades.

The biggest change is the M4 chip, delivering roughly 25% faster CPU performance and about 20% better graphics performance compared to the M3. Apple also increased the memory from 8GB to 12GB, which should help with multitasking and creative workflows.

There are also some connectivity improvements thanks to Apple’s new N1 networking chip, which adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. Cellular models also get Apple’s C1X modem for improved 5G efficiency and better battery life.

But here’s the real question: does the M4 iPad Air make sense when older iPad Air models are still available for less?

Right now, refurbished M2 iPad Air models can be found for around $399, which is a substantial discount compared to the current M4 version. For many people, that could make the older model the better deal.

In this video, I break down:

• My hands-on impressions of the M4 iPad Air
• The performance improvements from the M4 chip
• Who should buy the iPad Air vs the base iPad
• Whether the refurbished M2 iPad Air is a better value
• Who the M4 iPad Air is actually for

If you’re trying to decide which iPad Air to buy in 2026, this should help you figure it out.

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Chapters ➡
0:00 Intro
0:23 M4 iPad Air VS M3 iPad Air
2:07 eiP
3:43 Is the M4 iPad Air worth buying?

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