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Apple announced a redesigned 11-inch iPad Air and its first 13-inch iPad Air on May 7, 2024. Those models used the M2 chip, started at $599 and $799 in the United States, and went on sale May 15, 2024. The current lineup, as of August 18, 2026, keeps both sizes but has moved to Apple’s M4 chip.
The 13-inch Air is best understood as a larger, lower-cost alternative to the iPad Pro: it gives you more room for split-screen work, drawing and documents, but it does not have the Pro’s OLED display or ProMotion high-refresh-rate technology.
What Apple announced in May 2024
Apple’s announcement introduced two related changes: a redesign of the 11-inch iPad Air and the first large-screen iPad Air. Both used the M2 chip and shared the same core feature set.
- 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with the larger model offering 30% more screen area than the 11-inch version according to Apple.
- Four finishes: blue, purple, starlight and space gray.
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options.
- A 12MP Ultra Wide front camera moved to the landscape edge, with Center Stage for video calls.
- Wi‑Fi 6E and optional 5G cellular connectivity.
- Support for Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) and new Smart Folio covers.
Apple’s full announcement is available at Apple Newsroom.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air with the Apple M4 chip packs even more performance into a beautiful design, and it comes in two portable sizes. It features Apple Intelligence* along with a stunning Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, advanced cameras, and Wi-Fi 7.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M4 chip delivers advanced graphics and incredible performance for smooth multitasking and complex AI tasks. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — Run apps and get more done with the game-changing capabilities and intuitive design of iPadOS. The flexible windowing system lets you control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you create, communicate, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
Why the 13-inch Air mattered
Before 2024, the iPad Air was available only in a smaller size. The 13-inch model added a workspace aimed at people who wanted a large iPad without paying iPad Pro prices.
Where the extra space helps
- Two apps side by side are easier to use without constantly resizing windows.
- Illustration and photo-editing canvases have more usable area.
- Long documents, PDFs and spreadsheets are more comfortable to review.
- The on-screen keyboard has room for a less cramped typing layout.
What you give up
The larger tablet is physically heavier and less convenient to hold for long periods. It also costs more, and its display is still an LCD Liquid Retina panel rather than the OLED panel used by contemporary iPad Pro models. Size alone does not make it the better choice for every Air buyer.
2024 M2 display and hardware specifications
| Specification | 11-inch iPad Air (M2) | 13-inch iPad Air (M2) |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised size | 11 inches (10.86-inch diagonal measurement) | 13 inches (12.9-inch diagonal when measured as a rectangle) |
| Resolution | 2360×1640 | 2732×2048 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Panel | Liquid Retina, LED-backlit IPS, P3 wide color, True Tone, fully laminated, antireflective coating | |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 600 nits |
| Stylus features | Apple Pencil hover support; Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) compatibility | |
These specifications come from Apple’s technical information for the M2 13-inch model. Neither size included OLED or ProMotion. If HDR contrast, smoother scrolling or high-end video display work is central to your decision, compare the Air with the relevant iPad Pro generation.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air with the Apple M4 chip packs even more performance into a beautiful design, and it comes in two portable sizes. It features Apple Intelligence* along with a stunning Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, advanced cameras, and Wi-Fi 7.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M4 chip delivers advanced graphics and incredible performance for smooth multitasking and complex AI tasks. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — Run apps and get more done with the game-changing capabilities and intuitive design of iPadOS. The flexible windowing system lets you control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you create, communicate, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
What the M2 enabled
Apple described the M2 Air as substantially faster than the previous M1 Air, with improvements to the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. Those are Apple’s comparisons, not independent benchmark results. In practical terms, the chip is suited to multitasking, modern games, photo and video editing, illustration, external-display use and demanding iPad apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. iPadOS, file management and the availability of specific professional apps still determine whether it can replace a computer for your workflow.
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| 2024 model | Starting price at launch |
|---|---|
| 11-inch Wi‑Fi | $599 |
| 13-inch Wi‑Fi | $799 |
| 11-inch education price | $549 |
| 13-inch education price | $749 |
Apple began taking orders on May 7, 2024, with store availability from May 15. These were U.S. prices before sales tax; they do not represent later retailer discounts, clearance stock or refurbished pricing. Apple’s launch availability notice is at Apple Newsroom.
2026 update: the current iPad Air uses M4
Apple announced an M4 iPad Air on March 2, 2026, and made it available March 11. The two-size strategy remains, but the M2 models from the 2024 announcement are no longer the current generation.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air with the Apple M4 chip packs even more performance into a beautiful design, and it comes in two portable sizes. It features Apple Intelligence* along with a stunning Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, advanced cameras, and Wi-Fi 7.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M4 chip delivers advanced graphics and incredible performance for smooth multitasking and complex AI tasks. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — Run apps and get more done with the game-changing capabilities and intuitive design of iPadOS. The flexible windowing system lets you control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you create, communicate, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
| Current model | Wi‑Fi | Wi‑Fi + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| 11-inch iPad Air (M4) | $599 | $749 |
| 13-inch iPad Air (M4) | $799 | $949 |
Current U.S. starting prices are from Apple’s M4 announcement. Regional prices and taxes can differ.
Current M4 features relevant to buyers
- Eight-core CPU, nine-core GPU, hardware-accelerated ray tracing and a 16-core Neural Engine.
- 12GB unified memory and 120GB/s memory bandwidth.
- Hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW, plus AV1 decoding.
- 12MP wide rear camera with 4K video and a landscape 12MP Center Stage front camera.
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities in blue, purple, starlight and space gray.
- Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Magic Keyboard for iPad Air support.
See Apple’s current technical specifications. Apple Intelligence support depends on the iPadOS version, supported language and region; availability is not identical worldwide.
11-inch or 13-inch: which size fits?
| Consideration | 11-inch Air | 13-inch Air |
|---|---|---|
| Portability | Easier to carry and hold | Better suited to a desk, stand or lap |
| Workspace | Compact for reading, notes and everyday apps | More comfortable for split-screen work, drawing and documents |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 600 nits |
| Current U.S. Wi‑Fi starting price | $599 | $799 |
| Best fit | Travel, reading, handwriting and handheld use | Large canvases, media, keyboards and multitasking |
Choose the 13-inch model when the display will regularly be used for side-by-side apps, artwork, document work or a keyboard. Choose the 11-inch model when you carry the tablet often or spend much of your time reading, browsing and taking handwritten notes.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air is powerful, versatile, and comes in a choice of two sizes. Featuring a stunning Liquid Retina display and the amazing performance of the M2 chip, along with Touch ID, advanced cameras, superfast Wi-Fi 6E, and a USB-C connector.* Plus powerful productivity features in iPadOS and next-generation Apple Pencil Pro experience.*
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- 13-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M2 chip lets you multitask smoothly between powerful apps and play graphics-intensive games. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage depending on the room you need for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* Stage Manager makes multitasking easy with resizable, overlapping apps and external display support. iPad Air comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
13-inch Air versus iPad Pro
The Air offers M-series performance and a large canvas at a lower starting price, but it is not a cheaper Pro in every respect. iPad Pro models provide a higher-end display, including OLED and ProMotion on applicable generations, along with premium camera, speaker and connectivity features. Exact Pro specifications and prices change by generation.
- Choose Air: you want performance per dollar, Pencil Pro support and a large screen without paying Pro prices.
- Choose Pro: display contrast, 120Hz-class smoothness, HDR media work, premium audio or professional connectivity justify the additional cost.
Accessories can change the value calculation
The tablet’s headline price excludes accessories. Apple’s M4 announcement listed the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air at $269 for 11-inch models and $319 for 13-inch models in the United States. Apple Pencil Pro is useful for drawing, handwriting and markup, but it is unnecessary for readers who mainly stream video or browse the web.
A 13-inch Air with a keyboard and Pencil can approach MacBook Air pricing. Check compatibility by exact iPad generation before buying, particularly for keyboard products. Apple lists current accessories through its iPad keyboard store and sells the Pencil Pro at Apple Pencil Pro.
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- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air with the Apple M4 chip packs even more performance into a beautiful design, and it comes in two portable sizes. It features Apple Intelligence* along with a stunning Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, advanced cameras, and Wi-Fi 7.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M4 chip delivers advanced graphics and incredible performance for smooth multitasking and complex AI tasks. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — Run apps and get more done with the game-changing capabilities and intuitive design of iPadOS. The flexible windowing system lets you control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you create, communicate, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
Storage and connectivity choices
- 128GB: reasonable for cloud-first use, schoolwork and general productivity.
- 256GB: a safer middle ground for photos, games and offline media.
- 512GB or 1TB: better for large video libraries, creative projects and long-term local storage.
- Wi‑Fi: lower cost when you normally use home, office or phone hotspot connections.
- Wi‑Fi + Cellular: costs more but adds mobile-data connectivity; it does not come standard.
Apple can change regional configurations and pricing, so verify the live U.S. store page before purchase.
When another Apple device makes more sense
| Need | Consider | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost Apple tablet | Base iPad | Lower entry price for basic tablet use |
| Maximum portability | iPad mini | Easier handheld reading and travel |
| Premium display and high-end media work | iPad Pro | OLED/ProMotion and higher-end features on applicable generations |
| Desktop software and conventional file management | MacBook Air | macOS, full desktop multitasking and broader desktop-app support |
Bottom line
The 13-inch iPad Air solved a specific problem: users who wanted a genuinely large iPad workspace without moving to the Pro range. The 2024 M2 launch model is historically important, but the current purchase is the M4 version, still priced from $799 for 13-inch Wi‑Fi in the United States. Buy it for the screen area and Air value; choose the 11-inch model for portability, an iPad Pro for display quality, or a MacBook when you need macOS.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
