If you want more storage space, Amazon and Walmart are also both selling the 11-inch model with 256GB and Wi-Fi for $649 ($50 off). The larger 13-inch variant, meanwhile, can be found at the same retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, in its base configuration with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage starting at $749 ($50 off).
Admittedly, the new iPad Airs aren’t drastically different from their predecessors, but they do stand out due to their performance gains. They now run on Apple’s M4 chip, which Apple says makes them up to 30 percent faster (and over twice as fast as the M1 Air from 2020). The new models also offer 12GB of RAM instead of 8GB, which should help with multitasking and more demanding apps.
In addition, both sizes feature Apple’s new N1 wireless networking chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for faster connectivity. Said chip also allows for Thread support, meaning it should be easier to connect and control compatible smart home devices from your tablet.
Other than that, though, the new iPad Airs should look familiar. Both support Apple Intelligence, like the 2025 models, along with windowed multitasking and other features unique to iPadOS 26. Battery life looks to be about the same on paper, too, and they’re compatible with the same host of accessories, including the Apple Pencil USB-C, the Apple Pencil Pro, and Apple’s Magic Keyboard.