The 2024 iPad Air is a fantastic tablet, but if you’re holding out for the next generation, exciting news awaits. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports the next iPad Air could launch with a powerful M4 chip as early as this spring. This is a significant leap, considering the current model features the M2 chip, effectively skipping the M3 altogether for Apple’s mid-priced tablet.
Performance Boost and Feature Parity with iPad Pro
Gurman suggests the upcoming iPad Air will focus on internal upgrades rather than a redesign, which makes sense given the 2024 model’s recent May release. The inclusion of the M4 chip aligns the iPad Air more closely with the 2024 iPad Pro, also powered by the M4. This shouldn’t be surprising, Gurman notes, as many Macs utilize the same chip family, and iPads seem to be following suit.
This begs the question: what will differentiate the 2025 iPad Air from the 2024 iPad Pro if they share the same chip? Based on current differences, we anticipate variations in display quality, RAM, storage options, audio performance, authentication methods, and other features will justify the price gap. Currently, the iPad Air starts at $599, while the 11-inch iPad Pro begins at $999.
Apple M4 chip.Apple
The M4 Chip: A Powerhouse for Performance and Efficiency
The M3 series debuted with the 2023 MacBook Pro, later powering the updated MacBook Air the following spring. The M4 chip first appeared in the 2024 iPad Pro and subsequently in the 2024 MacBook Pro. Besides the anticipated 2025 iPad Air, the M4 is also expected to feature in the upcoming MacBook Air, likely to be revealed this spring alongside the new iPad Air.
The M4 chip offers substantial performance improvements over the M3, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks, graphics processing, and machine learning. It also provides better power efficiency and enhanced media capabilities. This performance jump is partly due to the M3 utilizing TSMC’s first-generation 3-nanometer process (N3B), while the M4 leverages the more advanced second-generation 3-nanometer process (N3P).
Looking Ahead to the Spring Release
The potential M4 upgrade positions the 2025 iPad Air as a compelling option for those seeking pro-level performance at a more accessible price point. While the exact specifications and pricing remain unknown, the predicted spring release has us eagerly anticipating the next generation of Apple’s popular tablet.
