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Apple iPad Air (M4) vs Apple iPad (11th-gen)

Buy the iPad Air (M4) if you want a tablet that can replace a laptop for real work: the M4 chip, 8GB-class memory, laminated display, Wi-Fi 7 and Apple Pencil Pro support put it well ahead of the base iPad. The 11th-gen iPad is the better pick for a child, a kitchen or couch tablet, or a first iPad, because the A16 handles streaming, browsing and notes fine and it is the cheaper way into iPadOS. Reviewers consistently praise the Air's screen and speed and call the base iPad good value but dated in display and accessory support.

  • Choose the iPad Air (M4) if you will type, draw, edit video or run several apps at once and want the tablet to last through several years of heavy use.
  • Choose the iPad (11th-gen) if you mainly stream, read, browse and take notes, or you are buying for a kid or a shared household tablet.

Prices

  • Apple iPad Air (M4): $638.00 at PC Richard & Son (last seen Nov 9)
  • Apple iPad (11th-gen): $389.00 at PC Richard & Son (checked today)
  • Difference: the Apple iPad (11th-gen) is $249.00 cheaper than the Apple iPad Air (M4) at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 10)
Apple
iPad Air (M4, 2026)

Apple iPad Air (M4)

iPad Air (M4, 2026)

$638.00at PC Richard & SonChecked 21 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit PC Richard & Son
Pros
  • M4 chip handles video editing, large spreadsheets and games without stutter
  • Laminated display with P3 color and True Tone looks better in bright rooms
  • Apple Pencil Pro adds squeeze, barrel roll and hover for drawing
  • Wi-Fi 7 and 5G keep it current for years
  • Magic Keyboard turns it into a usable laptop substitute
Cons
  • Costs noticeably more than the base iPad
  • Accessories like Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard add significant cost
  • Overkill if you only stream and browse
Apple
iPad (11th-gen)

Apple iPad (11th-gen)

iPad (11th-gen)

$389.00at PC Richard & SonChecked 45 min ago
See all prices and details
Visit PC Richard & Son
Pros
  • A16 chip is smooth for streaming, browsing, email and note apps
  • Familiar iPadOS with the same App Store and Apple Intelligence basics
  • USB-C Pencil support covers handwriting and simple sketching
  • Light enough to hold one-handed for long reading sessions
  • Widest choice for a first tablet or a kid's tablet
Cons
  • Non-laminated screen reflects more and looks less crisp at angles
  • No Apple Pencil Pro and no Magic Keyboard support
  • 6GB RAM limits heavy multitasking
  • Older Wi-Fi standard and slower chip will age faster

What separates them

Apple iPad Air (M4)Apple iPad (11th-gen)
ChipApple M4, desktop-class performance for video editing, gaming and AI tasksApple A16, fine for apps and streaming but far slower under load
Memory8GB, enough for heavy multitasking and Apple Intelligence6GB, adequate for everyday apps
Display11-inch Liquid Retina, laminated, P3 wide color, True Tone, low reflectivity10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD, not laminated, more reflective
Pencil supportApple Pencil Pro and USB-C Pencil, with squeeze and hover featuresUSB-C Pencil and first-gen Apple Pencil only
KeyboardMagic Keyboard for iPad Air, laptop-style typing and trackpadNo Magic Keyboard option; keyboard cases only
WirelessWi-Fi 7 and 5G with Apple's own modem chipsWi-Fi 6 and 5G
Storage ceilingUp to 1TBUp to 512GB
Weight and sizeSlightly thinner and lighter for its screen size16.8 oz, a bit heavier and thicker

Price history

$732.00$41.66
Nov 1Nov 11
  • Apple iPad Air (M4): lowest $41.66 on Nov 10 at Verizon; $732.00 on Nov 11.
  • Apple iPad (11th-gen): lowest $320.00 on Nov 1 at Walmart; $389.00 on Nov 11.

Prices at every store

Apple iPad Air (M4)

  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $638.00Free shippingChecked 21 h ago
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • UCLA StoreNew

    In stock

    $699.00+ $8.95 shippingChecked 21 h ago
    Visit UCLA Store
  • VerizonNew

    Availability unknownPrice may need a phone plan

    $41.66Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit Verizon
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $649.99Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit Amazon
All 32 stores and price history →

Apple iPad (11th-gen)

  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $389.00Free shippingChecked 45 min ago
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $399.99Free shippingChecked 45 min ago
    Visit Target
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    Availability unknown

    $389.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by tkhrawesh (100% positive, 127 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $399.00+ $7.65 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 23 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple iPad Air (M4)Apple iPad (11th-gen)
Display Size11 in—
Operating System—iPadOS
Display Resolution—2360 x 1640
Color—Silver, Blue
With Stylus—Yes
Language / Region—English / United States
Storage—128 GB Storage, 256 GB Storage
Screen Size—11 in screen
Weight—16.8 oz
Battery Life—10 hours battery
Rear Camera Resolution—12 MP rear camera
Front Camera Resolution—12 MP front camera
Show all 30 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple iPad Air (M4)Apple iPad (11th-gen)
Network Connectivity—5G
RAM—RAM: 6 GB, RAM: 8 GB
Battery Capacity—10,000 mAh
Estimated battery—up to 10 hours
Chip—A16
Display—10.9-inch, 2360x1640 pixels, Liquid Retina (LCD)
Pencil support—USB-C Pencil, Apple Pencil 1
Storage options—128/256/512GB
Processor—Quad Core
RAM Size

What reviewers say

Apple iPad Air (M4)

Owners and reviewers treat the M4 Air as the sensible middle of the iPad line: fast, light and good with the Pencil, but not a match for the Pro's screen. Most complaints center on the display and the cost of accessories rather than performance.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M4 chip keeps up with heavy apps and split-screen work without stutter.
  • DisplayCriticisedReviewers call the LCD screen a step down from the Pro's OLED, with weaker contrast and no 120Hz.
  • WeightPraisedBuyers like that it stays light enough to hold one-handed for reading and sketching.
  • AccessoriesMixedThe Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard work well, but owners note they are extra purchases.

Apple iPad (11th-gen)

Most praise it as a fast, reliable everyday tablet at a fair price; the main complaints are the unchanged design and the cost of accessories.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the A16 keeps apps, video and split-screen use running smoothly.
  • DisplayMixedReviewers call the screen sharp and bright but note it is LCD without the Air's laminated, 120Hz panel.
  • BatteryPraisedBuyers report the rated 10 hours holds up for a full day of mixed use.
  • AccessoriesCriticisedShoppers complain the Pencil and keyboard are extra purchases that push up the total cost.
Reviews
  • Best iPad of 2026: How to Choose, and Should You Wait? - CNET
  • Best iPad
  • What's the Best iPad to Buy in 2026?
  • The 5 best iPads of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed - ZDNET
  • What's the Best iPad to Buy in 2026?
  • Best Tablet 2026: Top Tablets From Apple, Samsung, Amazon and More - CNET

Questions and answers

Which is better for drawing and note-taking?
The iPad Air (M4). Apple Pencil Pro adds pressure, tilt, squeeze and hover, and the laminated screen reduces the gap between pencil tip and image. The base iPad works with the USB-C Pencil for basic notes but lacks those pro features.
Is the iPad Air (M4) worth stepping up to from the base iPad?
Yes if you type, edit video, draw seriously or keep many apps open. The M4 chip, 8GB of memory, laminated display and Magic Keyboard support are real gains. For streaming and reading, the base iPad is enough.
Which lasts longer?
The iPad Air (M4) should stay useful longer. Its chip, memory and Wi-Fi 7 are newer, and iPadOS updates tend to favor devices with more RAM. The base iPad will still get years of updates but will feel slow sooner.
Which is better for kids or a shared family tablet?
The iPad (11th-gen). It handles games, videos and school apps well, is lighter, and you won't mind it being dropped or handed around as much. Save the Air for the person doing real work on it.
Do both work with a keyboard?
The iPad Air (M4) works with the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, which has a trackpad and laptop-style keys. The base iPad only takes third-party keyboard cases, which are less sturdy and lack a proper trackpad experience.
Which has the better screen?
The iPad Air (M4). Its laminated Liquid Retina panel with P3 wide color, True Tone and low reflectivity looks sharper and handles glare better. The base iPad's LCD is fine indoors but reflects more and loses contrast at angles.

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—
2 GB
Dimensions—9.45x6.67x0.3 in
Internet Connectivity—Wi-Fi + 4G
Processor Speed—2.34 GHz
Display Type—IPS LCD
Maximum Resolution—1536 x 2048
Processor Model—Apple A10 Fusion
Connectivity—Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Storage Capacity—128 GB