iPad Air 11-inch (M4) vs iPad (11th-gen)
Buy the iPad (11th-gen) if you want a capable 11-inch iPad at the lowest price. At $320.00 at Walmart as of November 4, 2026, it costs about half the iPad Air's $649.99 at Amazon. Buy the iPad Air 11-inch (M4) if you need M4 performance, 12GB of memory, Apple Pencil Pro support, or Wi-Fi 7.
Today the iPad (11th-gen) costs $329.99 less at its best price.
Ask our shopping agent
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
5Choose the iPad Air 11-inch (M4) if you need M4 speed, 12GB of memory, Apple Pencil Pro support, or Wi-Fi 7.
- M4 chip and 12GB of memory handle heavy multitasking and AI tasks.
- Apple Pencil Pro support adds squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback.
- Wi-Fi 7 and the Apple N1 chip for faster wireless.
- Storage up to 1TB for large files and apps.
- Landscape 12MP Center Stage front camera for video calls.
What separates them
| iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | iPad (11th-gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M4 | Apple A16 |
| Memory | 12GB unified memory | 6GB or 8GB RAM |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 with Apple N1 | Wi-Fi with 5G cellular option |
| Weight | About 1 lb (not listed) | 16.8 oz |
| Battery | All-day battery life | 10 hours |
| Price | $649.99 at Amazon as of November 4, 2026 |
Price history
- iPad Air 11-inch (M4): lowest $649.99 on Nov 4 at Amazon.
- iPad (11th-gen): lowest $320.00 on Nov 1 at Walmart; $320.00 on Nov 4.
Prices at every store
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
- Apple Education StoreNew
In stock
$699.00Free shippingObserved at 8:08 AM - ExpercomNew
In stockReturn policy
$719.00Verified - WalmartNew
In stock
$749.00Free shippingObserved at 8:08 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.
$649.99Free shippingObserved at 8:07 AM
Also available at
- B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
- BrandsMart USACheck price at BrandsMart USA
- Sam's ClubCheck price at Sam's Club
Specs compared
| Spec | iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | iPad (11th-gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 2360-by-1640-pixel resolution at 264 ppi | 2360 x 1640 |
| Display brightness | 500 nits brightness | — |
| Height | 9.74 inches (247.6 mm) | — |
| Width | 7.02 inches (178.5 mm) | — |
| Depth | 0.24 inch (6.1 mm) | — |
| Capacity | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | — |
| Chip | Apple M4 chip | — |
| Unified memory | 12GB unified memory | — |
| Rear camera | 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture | — |
| Front camera | Landscape 12MP Center Stage camera | — |
What reviewers say
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
Owners rate it 5 out of 5 from 64 ratings. Most praise the M4 speed, the light build and the landscape front camera for calls. Complaints center on the 60Hz display and the cost of accessories.
- Fast, smooth performance from the M4 chip
- Light and easy to carry
- Center Stage camera is good for video calls
- Good value compared with the iPad Pro
- Display refresh rate is only 60Hz
- Accessories add a lot to the total price
- Base 128GB storage is tight for some
iPad (11th-gen)
Reviewers generally praise the 11th-gen iPad for its larger screen, doubled storage, and dependable performance at a reasonable price. Common criticisms include the non-laminated display and the lack of a headphone jack.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for drawing and note-taking?
- The iPad Air 11-inch (M4). It supports Apple Pencil Pro, which adds squeeze and barrel roll, and its M4 chip keeps large canvases smooth. The 11th-gen iPad works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) only.
- Is the iPad Air worth the extra money?
- Only if you need the speed and features. At $649.99 at Amazon versus $320.00 at Walmart as of November 4, 2026, the Air costs about $330 more. That buys the M4 chip, 12GB of memory, Wi-Fi 7, and Pencil Pro support.
- Which lasts longer?
- The iPad Air 11-inch (M4) is the safer long-term buy. Its M4 chip, 12GB of memory, and 1TB storage ceiling will stay useful for demanding apps longer than the 11th-gen iPad's A16 chip and 256GB cap.
- Which is better for students?
- The iPad (11th-gen) covers most student needs at half the price. Pick the iPad Air 11-inch (M4) if your course load involves heavy design, video, or AI apps.
- Do they have the same screen?
- Both are 11-inch with 2360 x 1640 resolution. The Air's Liquid Retina panel is rated at 500 nits. The 11th-gen iPad's brightness is not listed in the specs given.
- Which has better cameras?
- Both have 12MP front and rear cameras. The Air's front camera is landscape-oriented with Center Stage, which frames you better on video calls.