New iPad Air (2026) UAE Price Starts at Dhs 2,499: M4 Chip, Specs, and How It Compares to iPad Air M3 and iPad Pro

The iPad Air gets the M4 chip, 12GB of RAM, and Wi-Fi 7 — all at the same starting price. Pre-orders open March 4, UAE launch on March 11.

Apple just announced the new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip, and for once, the upgrade story is straightforward: more power, more memory, faster connectivity, same price. The 11-inch model starts at Dhs 2,499 and the 13-inch at Dhs 3,299 in the UAE, with pre-orders opening March 4 and availability from March 11.

Here's what's actually changed, what hasn't, and whether it's worth your money.

iPad Air M4 UAE pricing

Colour options: space grey, blue, purple, and starlight. All models are available for pre-order from March 4 and launch March 11 at Apple Store, Sharaf DG, Jumbo Electronics, and other authorized retailers across the UAE.

iPad Air M4 key specs

What's actually new in the iPad Air M4?

Let's cut through Apple's marketing language and focus on what matters.

The M4 chip is the headline. It replaces the M3 with an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU, delivering up to 30 percent faster performance. For context, that's the same chip family that powers the iPad Pro (though the Pro gets the full M5 now). If you're editing video in Final Cut Pro, working with layered projects in Pixelmator, or running demanding games, you'll notice the difference in rendering and multitasking.

Memory jumps to 12GB. The previous iPad Air M3 shipped with 8GB. That 50 percent increase matters for Apple Intelligence features, running larger AI models locally, and keeping more apps active in memory without reload. Memory bandwidth also increases to 120GB/s.

The 16-core Neural Engine is up to 3x faster than M1's. This drives on-device AI tasks like transcription, photo recognition, background removal, and Apple Intelligence features including Clean Up, Writing Tools, and Genmoji.

Connectivity gets a full overhaul. The new N1 wireless chip brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. That means faster downloads, lower latency on compatible networks, and better reliability for AirDrop and Personal Hotspot. Cellular models get Apple's C1X modem with up to 50 percent faster 5G speeds and 30 percent lower power consumption compared to the Qualcomm modem in the M3 iPad Air.

Everything else stays the same. Same Liquid Retina LCD display (not OLED). Same 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion). Same 12MP front and rear cameras. Same Touch ID. Same design. Same accessory compatibility.

How does the iPad Air M4 compare to iPad Air M3 and iPad Pro M5?

This is the comparison that actually matters for most buyers in the UAE.

The iPad Air M4 closes a significant performance gap with the Pro. The M4 chip, 12GB RAM, and Wi-Fi 7 bring it much closer to Pro-level hardware — the things keeping the Pro ahead are now primarily the OLED display, ProMotion 120Hz, Face ID, Thunderbolt, LiDAR, and the more powerful M5 chip.

If you're on an M1 or M2 iPad Air, the M4 is a compelling upgrade: you're getting up to 2.3x faster performance, 50 percent more RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and a faster cellular modem. If you're on the M3 iPad Air, the 30 percent speed bump and extra 4GB of RAM are nice, but probably not enough to justify upgrading unless you're hitting memory limits regularly.

Is the 60Hz display a problem in 2026?

Yes and no. Apple now ships 120Hz ProMotion on every iPhone 17 model, the iPad Pro, and even the MacBook Pro line. The iPad Air remains stubbornly locked to 60Hz, which makes scrolling, Apple Pencil input, and animations feel noticeably less smooth compared to Pro-level devices.

For most people watching content, browsing, or doing light creative work, 60Hz is perfectly fine. But if you use Apple Pencil heavily for drawing or note-taking, the lack of ProMotion is noticeable — there's visible latency between your stylus movement and the on-screen response. It's the single biggest reason to step up to the iPad Pro if pen input matters to your workflow.

The LCD panel itself is solid — bright, colour-accurate, and perfectly usable. But the iPad Pro's OLED display with deeper blacks and higher contrast is in a different league for media consumption and photo editing.

Who should buy the iPad Air M4?

Upgrade now if: You're on an M1 iPad Air or older. The jump to M4 is substantial — faster performance, double the RAM, modern connectivity, and full Apple Intelligence support. At the same price point as its predecessor, there's no reason to buy an older model.

Wait if: You already own the M3 iPad Air. The M4 is incrementally better, but you're unlikely to feel a dramatic difference in day-to-day use unless you're regularly pushing the 8GB memory ceiling.

Consider the iPad Pro if: You need ProMotion for Apple Pencil work, want an OLED display for colour-critical work or media consumption, or require Thunderbolt connectivity for external displays and fast storage. That's a Dhs 2,000+ premium for the 11-inch model, but it's a genuine generational leap in display and I/O.

Consider the base iPad if: You just need a tablet for browsing, streaming, and light productivity. The new A18-powered iPad (also announced today) handles these tasks well at a lower price point.

Pre-orders open Wednesday, March 4. The new iPad Air launches in the UAE on March 11 at Apple Store, Sharaf DG, Jumbo Electronics, and Noon.

iPad Air M4 FAQ

How much does the new iPad Air cost in the UAE? The 11-inch iPad Air M4 starts at Dhs 2,499 (Wi-Fi) and the 13-inch starts at Dhs 3,299 (Wi-Fi). Cellular models start at Dhs 3,099 and Dhs 3,899 respectively.

When does the iPad Air M4 launch in the UAE? Pre-orders open March 4. It goes on sale March 11 at Apple Store and authorized retailers including Sharaf DG, Jumbo Electronics, and Noon.

What colours does the iPad Air M4 come in? Space grey, blue, purple, and starlight.

Does the iPad Air M4 have an OLED display? No. It uses the same Liquid Retina IPS LCD panel as previous iPad Air models. OLED with ProMotion is exclusive to the iPad Pro.

Does the iPad Air M4 support Apple Pencil Pro? Yes. It's compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C).

What's the biggest upgrade over the iPad Air M3? Three things: the M4 chip (30% faster), 12GB RAM (up from 8GB), and Wi-Fi 7 via Apple's N1 chip. The design, display, and cameras are unchanged.

Is the iPad Air M4 worth upgrading from the M3? For most users, no. The 30 percent speed bump and extra RAM are incremental improvements. It's a much stronger upgrade for anyone on an M1 or M2 iPad Air.

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