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iPad Air Q&A
Published April 9, 2026
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What are all the differences between the iPad Air M4 models?
There are six iPad Air M4 models released in 2026. Three with 11" displays -- the iPad Air M4 11" (Wi-Fi Only), M4 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M4 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China) -- and three with 13" displays -- the iPad Air M4 13" (Wi-Fi Only), M4 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M4 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
These six iPad Air M4 models vary by display size, location sold, connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price.
Device Similarities
Each iPad Air M4 tablet shares the same basic design with rounded corners and flat sides, a black glass front and a choice of a (light) Blue, (light) Purple, warm gray "Starlight", or darker "Space Gray" aluminum back. The 11" models weigh about a pound and the 13" models weigh 1.36 lbs.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M4 Color Options)
Each iPad Air M4 uses an antireflective, LED-backlit "Liquid Retina" display (264 ppi, 500 nits) surrounded by a thin black bezel. These displays support "wide color" (DCI-P3) and Apple's "True Tone" technology. They do not support ProMotion (120 Hz refresh rate). The 11" models have a 2360x1640 resolution and the 13" models have a 2732x2048 resolution.
All iPad Air M4 tablets also share the same eight core 4.1 GHz Apple M4 processor, 9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 12 GB of RAM. They can be configured with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB of integrated flash storage. In addition to a USB-C port, other shared connectivity includes 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) and Bluetooth 6.
Each have a landscape oriented (horizontal) front-mounted 12 megapixel camera that supports "Center Stage" to automatically pan and zoom and shoots up to 1080p video. Each also has a rear-mounted 12 megapixel "Wide" camera that shoots up to 4K video, dual microphones, and stereo speakers.
Other significant features include "Touch ID" authentication built into the top button as well as support for both the Apple Pencil Pro that conveniently charges via a magnetic connection on the side and the cheaper Apple Pencil (USB-C) that charges awkwardly via USB-C cable.
iPadOS Support Similarities
The iPad Air M4 models all initially shipped with iPadOS 26.3.1 (23D8133) and support Apple Intelligence, too.
Identification Differences
When next to one another, the Wi-Fi only and cellular iPad Air M4 models can be spotted easily because Wi-Fi only ones have a solid aluminum back and the cellular capable models have a subtle antenna line at the top of the back of each device. Naturally, it is straightforward to tell the different sizes apart, too.
However, it is not possible to visually distinguish the two cellular-capable iPad Air M4 models of the same display size and it is easy to mix up all of these tablets with any number of other iPad models, as well.
Consequently, one of the best methods for identification is via Model Number:
iPad Air |
Model No |
Initially, the mainland China-only iPad Air M4 likely mostly will stay on its side of the great firewall, but over time, it inevitably will travel around the world on the used market.
Each iPad Air can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be found by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iPadOS. For example, the cellular-equipped configuration of the 13" iPad Air M4 in Purple with 128 GB of storage sold in the United States is MH9G4LL/A.
To track down a particular iPad Air M4 by a variety of other different identifiers, use the Ultimate iLookup feature.
Connectivity & Battery Life Differences
The iPad Air M4 models have substantial differences in connectivity. Each iPad Air M4 supports 802.11be with 2x2 MIMO (Wi-Fi 7) simultaneous dual band as well as Bluetooth 6.
All cellular iPad Air M4 models support A-GPS, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), as well as 4G LTE and 5G NR, but LTE support varies slightly between the global and mainland China models:
iPad Air |
Model |
4G LTE |
5G NR |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 | n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 | n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 | n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 | n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79 |
For battery life, Apple estimates that all iPad Air M4 models, regardless of size, provides up to ten hours of runtime on Wi-Fi and the cellular-equipped models provide up to nine hours using a cellular network.
Each cellular iPad Air M4 model ships unlocked. Some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network, though. The cellular iPad Air M4 models, regardless of location sold, only support eSIM. They do not support physical SIM cards.
Pricing Comparison Chart
Each iPad Air M4 color option costs the same amount. Original pricing is differentiated simply by display size, capacity, and connectivity:
| Capacity: | 128 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB | 1 TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11" Wi-Fi Only: | US$599 | US$699 | US$899 | US$1099 |
| 11"Wi-Fi/Cellular: | US$749 | US$849 | US$1049 | US$1249 |
| 13" Wi-Fi Only: | US$799 | US$899 | US$1099 | US$1299 |
| 13"Wi-Fi/Cellular: | US$949 | US$1049 | US$1249 | US$1449 |
For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, the iPad Air M4 models are differentiated by display size, connectivity, and battery life. Like earlier iPad Air models for many years now, the iPad Air M4 is a "mid-range" tablet offered between the inexpensive entry-level "regular" iPad and the high-end iPad Pro. We think it is the best iPad for most users; offering the ideal balance of price and performance.
If you're trying to choose a specific iPad Air M4 model to buy, display size and cellular connectivity very much are personal decisions. We prefer smaller devices that are easier to tuck in a bag and lighter to tote around, and would select an 11" model accordingly. The cellular connectivity is useful, but it does add US$150 to the upfront sticker price as well as extra ongoing costs for cellular service.
If you prefer to use your iPad Air M4 while out and about, it is going to be your only computer, and you can fit the monthly costs into your budget, the cellular option probably makes sense for you. On the other hand, if you will mostly use the tablet at home or in the office and the occasional coffee shop (and don't mind tethering your iPad Air to a cellular-equipped device like an iPhone or Android mobile every so often) and/or you are on a tighter budget, one of the Wi-Fi only models could be more than enough for you.
In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
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