Apple iPad (11th Gen) vs Apple iPad Air (M4)
Buy the iPad (11th Gen) if you want a capable tablet for streaming, browsing, notes and light games at the lowest price. Buy the iPad Air (M4) if you need more power, a laminated display and support for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. As of November 4, 2026, the 11th Gen starts at $399.99 at Amazon and the Air (M4) at $649.99 at eBay, about $250 apart.
Today the Apple iPad (11th Gen) costs $299.01 less at its best price.
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Apple iPad (11th Gen)
Choose the iPad (11th Gen) if you want the essentials done well and would rather keep the $250 difference.
- Lowest entry price for a current iPad
- Enough power for streaming, browsing and note-taking
- 128 GB base storage is generous at this price
- Landscape front camera suits video calls
- Non-laminated screen shows more glare
What separates them
| Apple iPad (11th Gen) | Apple iPad Air (M4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (best new) | $399.99 at Amazon as of November 4, 2026 | $649.99 at eBay as of November 4, 2026 |
| Chip | A16, 6 CPU cores, 4-core GPU, 6 GB RAM | M4, 8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, 8 GB RAM |
| Display | 10.9 in LCD, 2360 x 1640, non-laminated | 11 in Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640, P3 wide color, laminated |
| Storage options | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB up to 1 TB |
| Accessories | Works with USB-C Apple Pencil and older keyboards | Works with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard with trackpad |
| Weight | 16.8 oz | About 1.02 lb (16.3 oz) for Wi-Fi |
| Battery | 10 hours, 10,000 mAh | 10 hours, 28.93 Wh |
Price history
- Apple iPad (11th Gen): lowest $399.00 on Oct 30 at Amazon; $399.99 on Nov 4.
- Apple iPad Air (M4): lowest $638.00 on Nov 3 at PC Richard & Son.
Prices at every store
Apple iPad (11th Gen)
- WalmartPre-owned
In stockSold by Reebelo
$389.00Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 9:44 AM - eBayNew
In stock
$449.99Observed Nov 3, 2026, 9:44 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.
$399.99Free shippingObserved at 8:07 AM - plsusa.comNew
Availability unknown
$525.00Observed Nov 3, 2026, 10:33 AM
Also available at
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- AppleCheck price at Apple
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
Specs compared
| Spec | Apple iPad (11th Gen) | Apple iPad Air (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2360 x 1640 |
| Rear Camera Resolution | 12 MP rear camera | 12 MP |
| Front Camera Resolution | 12 MP front camera | 12 MP |
| Battery Life | 10 hours battery | All-day battery life |
| Battery Capacity | 10,000 mAh | 28.93-watt-hour |
| With Wi-Fi Only | Yes | — |
| Screen Size | 10.9 in screen | — |
| CPU clock speed | 2.02 GHz to 3.46 GHz | — |
| CPU cores | 6 cores | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 6 GB | — |
What reviewers say
Apple iPad (11th Gen)
Owners of the 11th-gen iPad generally call it the sensible default tablet: fast enough for schoolwork, streaming and video calls, with a screen that looks good for the price. Complaints center on the 60 Hz display and the cost of accessories rather than performance.
- Smooth everyday performance for browsing, notes and games
- Bright, sharp 10.9-inch screen
- Long battery life for a day of classes or travel
- Landscape front camera is better for calls
- Display feels less smooth than 120 Hz rivals
- Storage upgrades and keyboards push the total up
- No headphone jack
Apple iPad Air (M4)
Owners generally praise the M4 Air as fast, light and a good value in the middle of Apple's lineup. Most criticism centers on the 60Hz display and the high price of the larger storage tiers.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for students?
- The iPad (11th Gen) covers notes, reading and video calls for less. Pick the Air (M4) if you draw with Apple Pencil Pro or type long papers on a Magic Keyboard.
- Is the iPad Air (M4) worth the extra $250?
- Yes if you want the M4 chip, laminated P3 screen and pro accessories. No if you mostly stream and browse.
- Which lasts longer?
- Both list 10 hours of battery life. The Air (M4) has more RAM and a newer chip, so it should stay fast for more years of software updates.
- Can I use the same keyboard and pencil on both?
- No. The Air (M4) takes the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. The 11th Gen uses the USB-C Apple Pencil and older keyboard cases.
- Which is better for drawing?
- The Air (M4). It supports Apple Pencil Pro with squeeze and barrel roll, and its laminated display reduces the gap between pencil and image.
- How do their prices compare right now?
- The 11th Gen is $399.99 at Amazon and the Air (M4) is $649.99 at eBay, both as of November 4, 2026.