Apple launches iPad Air with M4 chip, price starts at Rs 64,900 in India: Here’s what’s new

In an exciting announcement just days before its anticipated launch event, Apple has introduced two highly awaited devices: the iPhone 17e and the new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. This latest iPad Air boasts impressive performance enhancements, improved connectivity, and a host of features from iPadOS 26, all starting at a competitive price of ₹64,900. The new iPad Air retains its 11-inch and 13-inch display options while being equipped with Apple's cutting-edge M4 processor, which includes an 8-core CPU, a 9-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This combination delivers a significant performance boost, being up to 30% faster than its predecessor, the M3 iPad Air, and offering a staggering 2.3 times the speed of the M1 model. Apple has emphasized that users will experience remarkable speed enhancements in various tasks, from utilizing Apple Creator Studio to editing videos in Final Cut Pro. Moreover, the M4 iPad Air includes a unified memory capacity of 12GB and features increased memory bandwidth of 120GB/s, which is designed to optimize the performance of AI models. Connectivity is also a highlight, with the inclusion of the N1 chip that supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread technology. Additionally, it features a 12MP Centre Stage camera positioned at the top center of the display, enhancing video calling and photography. On the software front, the iPad Air operates on the new iPadOS 26, introducing features aimed at boosting productivity. Users will benefit from a new windowing system that simplifies app management and navigation. The Files app has been revamped with a fresh List view and new folder customization options. The Preview app now allows for sketching, viewing, editing, and annotating PDFs and images using the Apple Pencil or touch gestures. The M4 iPad Air will also support the Magic Keyboard and both the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), which will be available for purchase separately. In terms of color options, the M4 iPad Air will be offered in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey. For pricing, the 11-inch model starts at ₹64,900 for the Wi-Fi version and ₹79,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. The 13-inch variant will commence at ₹84,900 for the Wi-Fi model and ₹99,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular edition. Pre-orders will open on March 4 through apple.com and the Apple Store app, with sales commencing on March 11 in both online and authorized retail outlets.