Apple has refreshed its mid-range tablet lineup once again with the launch of the new iPad Air (2026), marking the third update in as many years. This time around, the headline upgrade is the jump to the Apple M4 chip, along with more RAM and the introduction of Apple’s in-house N1 and C1X wireless chips — making it the first iPad to feature the company’s latest connectivity silicon.
While Apple briefly references last year’s M3-powered iPad Air, it’s clear that the 2026 model is primarily targeted at users still holding onto the 2022 M1 version, as well as those using the standard iPad who are considering a more powerful step up.
Performance-wise, the new iPad Air with M4 delivers around 30% faster speeds compared to the 2025 M3 model. That’s a respectable bump, though perhaps not compelling enough on its own for M3 owners. However, compared to the 2022 M1 variant, Apple claims a significant 2.3x performance boost — a much stronger argument for upgrading.
One of the more meaningful changes this year is the RAM increase. The 2026 iPad Air now comes with 12GB of memory, up from 8GB previously, alongside faster memory bandwidth rated at 120GB/s. That added headroom should benefit multitasking and more demanding creative workflows.
Under the hood, the M4 chip features an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU, paired with a 16-core Neural Engine that delivers up to three times the performance of the M1’s neural processing unit. Combined with the larger and faster memory, this should translate to noticeable gains in on-device AI tasks — not just generative features, but practical tools such as background removal in Final Cut Pro and other pro-level apps.
On the display front, there are no surprises. The new iPad Air continues to use Apple’s Liquid Retina display, which remains an LCD panel running at 60Hz. So those hoping for a ProMotion upgrade will have to look elsewhere.
The iPad Air (2026) is offered in four familiar color options: Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Grey. Pre-orders are now open, and the tablet will officially go on sale in Malaysia starting Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
- 11-inch Wi-Fi
- 128GB: RM2,799
- 256GB: RM3,199
- 512GB: RM4,099
- 1TB: RM4,999
- 11-inch Wi-Fi+5G
- 128GB: RM3,499
- 256GB: RM3,899
- 512GB: RM4,799
- 1TB: RM5,699
- 13-inch Wi-Fi
- 128GB: RM3,699
- 256GB: RM4,099
- 512GB: RM4,999
- 1TB: RM5,899
- 13-inch Wi-Fi+5G
- 128GB: RM4,399
- 256GB: RM4,799
- 512GB: RM5,699
- 1TB: RM6,599
- Accessories
- Magic Keyboard 11″: RM1,299
- Magic Keyboard 13″: RM1,399
- Apple Pencil Pro: RM549
- Apple Pencil: RM349
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