The M4 iPad Air is easiest to choose by opening the sort of document you work with most. An 11-inch Air travels well from class to class. The 13-inch Air gives a drawing, a reference image, or two app windows more space on a desk. Both run the same generation of iPad software and accept the same Pencil models.

Display & Pen

60 Hz

The laminated Liquid Retina display brings the picture close to the glass, a useful quality when tracing a fine line. Pencil Pro supports pressure and squeeze controls in compatible apps. The larger model lets you keep tools around the canvas without shrinking the drawing quite as much. For notes written while standing, the smaller one is easier to support.

Performance

Apple M4, 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU
12 GB unified memory

M4 gives the Air headroom for layered illustrations, editing, and work spread across several apps. The choice between M3 and M4 matters less if the older Air already runs your specific project comfortably. A larger canvas or more local storage could change that project more than a chip upgrade alone.

Connectivity

USB-C up to 10 Gbps · external display up to 6K at 60 Hz

Wi-Fi 7 support depends on the network you join. The cellular models add a way to stay online away from Wi-Fi, with a compatible plan. A Wi-Fi Air can still be a useful field sketchbook with local files, so decide whether access to shared documents is an occasional convenience or an everyday requirement.

Battery life

Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi web browsing or video (Apple rating)

Notebookcheck’s 11-inch M4 Air ran for 11 hours 59 minutes in its Wi-Fi browsing loop. Use that figure when considering the smaller model. The 13-inch Air has its own screen and battery. ¹

Alternatives

The A16 iPad handles everyday iPad apps with a lower starting tier. The iPad Pro is the one to compare if OLED contrast or smoother pen and screen motion matters more than keeping the price of the complete kit down.

Verdict

The Air is a good place to spend for the pencil and screen size you want. Someone already using an M3 Air should have a specific workload or size problem in mind before replacing it.

Apple iPad Air (M4) review

Pros

Cons