Apple iPad Air „M4” Refresh Review Before Launch in 2026

The current reference point is the „iPad Air” with M3 (2025)

As of 2026-01-01, the „iPad Air” with M4 is not an officially confirmed product. This means that any description of the „M4 Air” is a forecast based on leaks and analysts’ interpretations, rather than a promise from „Apple”.

What we have as a solid foundation: „Apple” introduced the „iPad Air” with M3 (11″ and 13″) on March 4, 2025, alongside a new „Magic Keyboard” and clearly emphasizing compatibility with Apple Intelligence. Sales/deliveries started on March 12 (depending on the region and supply).

In the Lithuanian space, this update was also widely described as a strengthening of the „Air” class without a design revolution: more power, the same clear position between the base „iPad” and „iPad Pro”.

The „M4 iPad Air” is generally associated with spring 2026

Most recent leaks suggest that in early/spring 2026, „Apple” could refresh the „iPad” line with processors while maintaining similar casings. Lithuanian tech portals have summarized that the „iPad Air” is attributed to the M4 chip, with design changes described as minimal (more of a specifications „refresh” rather than a new design).

An important detail: even if specific „internal codes” or planned components are mentioned in leaks, this is still not an official „Apple” timeline. The actual release window may shift, and specifications could change at the last minute.

• What Sounds Consistent: The „Air” remains a price/power balance with a newer chip.
• What Remains Unclear: whether there will be other significant updates (e.g., for the display or cameras), or if it will be almost solely a chip upgrade with minor improvements.

Performance „polishing” and AI/graphics direction, not a „wow” revolution

The M4 family in the „Apple” ecosystem is associated with a direction towards greater AI computational performance and modern graphics architecture. Publicly available M4 technical specifications often highlight several key points: hardware ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, and high memory bandwidth (specific values depend on the device).

However, it is worth realistically assessing the „M3 → M4” leap in the „Air” class. The „iPad Air” with M3 is already very capable (especially when compared to A-series iPads or older M1 models). Therefore, it is likely that the M4 „Air” will appear most attractive to those upgrading from:

• older A-series iPads (a significant leap in both power and features),
• M1 generation (more of a „consistent” improvement, less „wow”),
• or those who prioritize longer „future-proofing” for Apple Intelligence and productivity scenarios.

LCD is likely to remain, while OLED „Air” is more of a 2027 topic

If you’re waiting for OLED, most 2025–2026 predictions for the „Air” line are not encouraging: it is often repeated that the upcoming „iPad Air” update (mentioned for spring 2026) is likely to retain LCD, while OLED „Air” is more realistically associated with a later period (around 2027).

In other words, if the „M4 refresh” occurs, it would be more of an „internal” update (chip/connectivity modules/AI direction), rather than a revolution in displays or casings. This strategy aligns with the positioning of the „Air”: „Pro” gets the most expensive components first, while „Air” follows later.

„iPadOS” direction: more work modes, windows, keyboard/trackpad scenarios

The value of the „iPad” is increasingly shaped not just by the chip, but by how „iPadOS” enables work: multi-window modes, resizing windows, working with keyboards and trackpads, external display scenarios. „Apple” clearly outlines window modes and even the „menu bar” logic in the „iPad” environment in its guides — signaling that the „tablet as a lightweight computer” is becoming an increasingly normal direction.

If in 2026 „iPadOS” further pushes productivity (which is a likely overall ecosystem direction), then the „Air” with a newer chip will be particularly attractive to those who use the tablet as their primary tool: for email, documents, content creation, light editing, studies, and remote work.

The most realistic scenario — the same format + new chip

Summarizing the logic of leaks and „Apple”‘s recent product strategy, the most likely package looks like this:

• 11″ and 13″ „Air” format remains (positioning has been established since the M2/M3 generations),
• the chip is updated to M4 (if „Apple” adheres to the timeline mentioned in leaks),
• design — likely without revolution, only cosmetic improvements possible,
• display — likely LCD, OLED is more of a „later” story.

The biggest intrigue here is maintaining the product „distance” from the „Pro”. „Apple” often carefully doses features so that the „Air” is „almost everything you need” but still leaves a clear reason to choose „Pro” (display, top-tier components, maximum configurations, etc.).

When is it worth waiting, and when should you buy now?

• It’s worth waiting for the „M4 Air” if you have an older iPad and want to be „set for a few more years ahead”, and your current device is already limiting your work (files, editing, multiple apps, AI features).
• It’s worth buying the „Air” with M3 if you need a tablet now, and your scenarios are studies/work/creation without very specific „M4-only” expectations — the M3 model has already been introduced as a powerful, „Apple Intelligence” supporting „Air”.
• Waiting for OLED usually means a longer horizon — if this is a crucial criterion, the „Air” in the OLED line is often associated with ~2027 or later.