Apple iPad Air Apple 13" iPad Air (M4, 1TB, Wi-Fi + 5G, Blue) Review
The 13-inch iPad Air with the M4 chip blurs the line with the Pro. It's a powerhouse, but this top-spec model is a niche pick. We'll tell you if it's the right tablet for your workflow.
The 30-Second Version
The iPad Air M4 is a Pro in disguise, but this maxed-out model is for a tiny audience. Get the base model unless you're a digital nomad with a 1TB photo library.
Overview
The 13-inch iPad Air with the M4 chip is a beast of a tablet that makes you wonder why you'd ever need the Pro. The one thing to know? This is the most powerful 'mid-range' tablet on the planet, and it's basically a laptop replacement for anyone not doing heavy 3D rendering. With 1TB of storage and 12GB of RAM, it's spec'd like a pro machine, but it's wrapped in the Air's more affordable (and colorful) package. Apple's positioning is getting blurry, and that's great for buyers.
Performance
We knew the M4 was fast, but seeing it in the Air is still a surprise. Its CPU and GPU performance land in the 91st and 90th percentiles respectively, which means it shreds through creative apps, gaming, and multitasking without breaking a sweat. The real shocker is the connectivity, hitting the 94th percentile with Wi-Fi 7 and 5G. This thing downloads and streams like it's plugged directly into the internet backbone. The only letdown? The battery life is just average, sitting at the 48th percentile. For a device this powerful, we expected more than 'all-day'—we wanted 'forget-about-it' life.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong storage (95th percentile) 97th
- Strong connectivity (94th percentile) 94th
- Strong screen (91th percentile) 93th
- Strong cpu (91th percentile) 91th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M4 |
| Cores | 10 |
| GPU | Apple (9-Core) |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 1000 GB |
| Expandable | No |
Display
| Size | 13" |
| Resolution | 2732 |
| Panel | IPS |
| Brightness | 600 nits |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Cellular | Yes |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.4 lbs |
| OS | Apple iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At $1,449, this is a serious investment. But here's the take: if you need this much power and storage in a tablet form, it's worth it. You're getting near-Pro performance for several hundred dollars less. If you don't need the 1TB or cellular, the base model is a much better value. This specific config is for power users who are all-in on the iPad-as-a-computer dream.
vs Competition
The obvious rival is the 11-inch iPad Pro with the M5. You trade the Pro's better screen (OLED, 120Hz) and slightly newer chip for the Air's bigger 13-inch display and lower price. If screen quality is everything, go Pro. For everyone else, the Air is smarter. Against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+, you're choosing between iPadOS's polished app ecosystem and Android's desktop-like flexibility. The Tab S10+ often costs less, but app optimization for creative work isn't as consistent. The Microsoft Surface Pro is the real laptop alternative, running full Windows. If you live in desktop apps like Excel or Visual Studio, the Surface is your pick. The iPad Air is for those who prefer a touch-first, app-based workflow.
| Spec | Apple iPad Air Apple 13" iPad Air (M4, 1TB, Wi-Fi + 5G, Blue) | Apple iPad Pro Apple - 11-inch iPad Pro M5 chip Wi-Fi 256GB with | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED Touchscreen - Snapdragon X Elite - 32GB Memory - 1TB SSD - Device Only (11th Ed) - Platinum | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung - Galaxy Tab S10+ - 12.4" 256GB - Wi-Fi - | Lenovo Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | GPD GPD Pocket 4: Mini Laptop with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M4 | Apple M5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Mediatek MT6989 | MediaTek Dimensity | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 32 | 12 | 8 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 1000 | 256 | 1000 | 256 | 256 | 2048 |
| Screen | 13" 2732x2048 | 11" 2420x1668 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 8.8" 2560x1600 |
| OS | Apple iPadOS | iPadOS | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home |
| Stylus | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Cellular | true | false | false | false | false | false |
Common Questions
Q: How's the battery life in real use?
Apple says up to 10 hours for web browsing or video. In our data, that's about right, but it's just average compared to other tablets. Heavy use with the bright screen and cellular on will drain it faster. It's a workday battery, not a weekend warrior.
Q: Is the 1TB of storage necessary?
For most people, no, it's massive overkill. But if you're a pro photographer editing RAW files on the go, a videographer with 4K clips, or someone who wants to download their entire media library for offline use, then yes, it's the reason to buy this specific model.
Q: Does it work with all Apple Pencils?
It works with the new Apple Pencil Pro and the cheaper Apple Pencil (USB-C). It does NOT work with the older 2nd-gen Pencil from the previous iPad Air. If you're upgrading, check your old stylus.
Who Should Skip This
If you're just watching Netflix and browsing the web, this isn't it. You're paying for a sports car to drive to the grocery store. Go get the base model iPad 10th gen instead and save a thousand dollars. Also, if you need a true laptop replacement for complex spreadsheet modeling or coding, skip the iPadOS limits and get a MacBook Air or a Surface Pro.
Verdict
We recommend the 13-inch iPad Air M4, but probably not this exact model for most people. The M4 chip is a game-winner, making this the most capable tablet for artists, designers, and mobile professionals. However, the 1TB + Cellular config is overkill unless you're constantly offline and working with huge files. For 90% of users, the 256GB Wi-Fi model is the sweet spot. This top-tier model is a definitive buy only if your workflow demands that specific combo of power, storage, and always-on connectivity.