Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4) vs Apple iPad Air (5th generation)
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4) ($949) vs Apple iPad Air (5th generation) ($237) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right tablet.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4) | Apple iPad Air (5th generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $949 | $237 |
| Weight | 616g | 461g |
| Chip | M4 | M1 |
| Display | 13" Liquid Retina | 10.9" Liquid Retina, 60Hz |
| Security | Touch ID top button | — |
| Accessories | Apple Pencil Pro, Magic Keyboard | — |
| Weight | 616 g (Wi-Fi) | 461g (Wi-Fi, Apple published) |
| Ports | — | USB-C |
| Pencil | — | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) |
| Audio | — | Landscape stereo speakers |
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4)
- 13-inch screen at $550 under the Pro
- M4 is ample for everything iPadOS allows
- Apple Pencil Pro support included in the line
- Same accessory ecosystem as the Pro
- Heaviest iPad in the lineup at 616 g
- LCD after you've seen the Pro's OLED
- 60Hz — no ProMotion
Apple iPad Air (5th generation)
- M1 for around two hundred dollars
- 461g and a laminated display
- USB-C
- Still fully supported by iPadOS
- 60Hz
- Only 64GB on the base model, which is tight
- Second-generation Pencil, not Pencil Pro
- Single rear camera
Apple iPad Air (5th generation) is the better value at $237. Both are part of our curated tablet index — tap through to check current pricing.
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