Apple just introduced its new iPad Air (8th Gen) as the successor to the M3 model which was introduced last year. It still has 11-inch and 13-inch models, both with Liquid Retina display, integrated Touch ID sensor in the top button, but this replaces the Apple M3 chip in the predecessor with the Apple M4 chip.
The transition to the M4 processor brings notable upgrades to computational, graphical, and memory capabilities:
- Processor Architecture: The M4 chip includes an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. Apple reports performance increases of up to 30% over the M3 iPad Air and up to 2.3x over the M1 model.
- Memory Enhancements: Unified memory has been increased by 50% to 12GB, supported by a memory bandwidth of 120GB/s. This is designed to facilitate faster local AI model processing and improved application windowing.
- Graphics: The 9-core GPU introduces second-generation hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, yielding faster 3D rendering times compared to older models.
- AI Processing: A 16-core Neural Engine is included to accelerate on-device artificial intelligence tasks, running up to three times faster than the M1’s equivalent component.
New Connectivity Hardware
The new iPad Air integrates Apple’s latest silicon dedicated to network and cellular connectivity:
- N1 Wireless Chip: This Apple-designed component enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. It is built to improve 5GHz network performance and stabilize local networking features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
- C1X Cellular Modem: Available strictly on cellular models, this modem supports 5G and eSIM functionality. Apple states it delivers up to 50% faster cellular data speeds while consuming up to 30% less energy than the modem found in the M3 iPad Air. It also features integrated GPS capabilities.
Additional Hardware and Software Features
- Camera and Audio: The front-facing 12MP Center Stage camera is positioned on the landscape edge of the tablet. The device includes landscape stereo speakers, with the 13-inch model featuring enhanced audio output.
- Operating System: The tablets run on iPadOS 26, which includes native integration of Apple Intelligence capabilities.
- Accessories: Both sizes maintain compatibility with existing iPad accessories, including the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.
Apple iPad Air 8th Gen (2026) specifications
- 11-inch (2360 x 1640 pixels) / 13-inch (2732×204 pixels) Retina True Tone display with P3 Color Gamut, 500 nits brightness, 264 PPI
- Apple M4 chip 8-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 5 efficiency cores
9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine - 12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB storage
- iPadOS 26
- 12MP camera with f/1.8 aperture, 5P lens, Smart HDR 4, 4K video recording at up to 60 fps
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with f/2.0 aperture, Centre Stage, Retina Flash with True Tone, 1080p HD video recording at up to 60 fps
- Dual microphones for calls, video recording and audio recording, Landscape stereo speakers
- 5G (via eSIM – optional), Wi‑Fi 7 802.11be 2×2 MIMO; simultaneous dual-band, Bluetooth 6, Built‑in GPS/GNSS, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40 Gbps), USB 4 (up to 40 Gbps), USB 3 (up to 10 Gbps)
- Touch ID on the top
- Dimensions 11″: 247.6 x 178.5x 6.1mm; Weight: 464g (Wi-Fi) / 465g (5G)
- Dimensions 13″: 280.6 x 214.9x 6.1mm; Weight: 616g (Wi-Fi) / 617g (5G)
- 28.93 (11″) / 36.59 (13″)-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery with up to 10 hours (9 hours in 5G) of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi or watching video
Pricing and availability
The new iPad Air comes in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey colours.
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi 128GB – Rs. 64,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi 256GB – Rs. 74,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi 512GB – Rs. 94,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi 1TB – Rs. 1,14,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB – Rs. 79,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 256GB – Rs. 89,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 512GB – Rs. 1,09,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 11″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 1TB – Rs. 1,29,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi 128GB – Rs. 84,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi 256GB – Rs. 94,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi 512GB – Rs. 1,14,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi 1TB – Rs. 1,34,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB – Rs. 99,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 256GB – Rs. 1,09,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 512GB – Rs. 1,29,900
- iPad Air 8th Gen 13″ Wi-Fi + Cellular 1TB – Rs. 1,49,900
The new iPad Air with M3 will be available to order on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 35 countries and regions, including India from March 4th. It will be available through Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 11th.