iPad Air M4 vs iPad Air M3: One Year Later, 50% More RAM
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Apple refreshed the iPad Air just one year after the M3 model, which is unusually fast even for Apple’s increasingly aggressive update cycle. The iPad Air M4 brings meaningful upgrades — more RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and Apple’s own cellular modem — at the same $599 starting price. But is it enough to justify replacing a one-year-old tablet?
What Changed
| Spec | iPad Air M4 (2026) | iPad Air M3 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $599 (discounted ~$499) |
| Chip | M4 | M3 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | C1X (Apple) | Qualcomm |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB |
| Display | 11” LCD 60Hz | 11” LCD 60Hz |
| Weight | 462g | 462g |
The 50% RAM increase (8GB → 12GB) is the headline. The M4 chip brings ~30% faster performance, and the N1 wireless chip delivers Wi-Fi 7 with better range and lower latency. The C1X modem in cellular models is faster and more power-efficient than Qualcomm’s solution.
Should M3 Owners Upgrade?
No. The M3 iPad Air is still an excellent tablet that’ll last 4+ more years. The performance jump is incremental, and the 8GB RAM is adequate for current iPadOS tasks. Save your money and skip a generation.
Should Older iPad Owners Upgrade?
Yes, if you have an iPad Air M1 or older. The cumulative improvements — M4 chip, 12GB RAM, Wi-Fi 7, better multitasking — make a significant difference over two or more generations.
New Buyers: M4 or Discounted M3?
The M3 is available discounted at $449-499. If the $100-150 savings matters, the M3 is still a great buy. But at full price ($599 vs $599), the M4 is the obvious choice — more RAM, better wireless, and one extra year of software support.
Verdict: New buyers get the M4. M3 owners stay put. Check our iPad Air M4 review for the full assessment.
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