Apple iPad Air 11" (2026)

The iPad Air 11" (2026) has been available since March 11, 2026, and is the more sensible iPad for most users: It incorporates the M4 chip from the Pro generation, offers 12 GB of RAM, and fully supports Apple Intelligence. New is Apple's N1 chip, which provides WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6. However, one has to forgo the most expensive display features: no OLED, no ProMotion, no Face ID. In return, Apple has lowered the entry price compared to its predecessor to €649.

Classification and Target Audience

The Air is the tablet for those who want more than the basic iPad but do not need the Pro features. It handles note-taking, image editing, split-screen work, and media consumption competently. The price difference to the iPad Pro 11" is €450 – for that price, one gets OLED, ProMotion, Face ID, and Thunderbolt 5. Those who do not miss these four points make a sensible saving here.

Display and Housing

The Liquid Retina display is an IPS panel with 11 inches, 2,360 x 1,640 pixels at 264 ppi, and 600 Nits brightness. It operates at 60 Hz – when compared directly to ProMotion, scrolling feels noticeably less smooth, and 600 Nits are barely sufficient for outdoor use. The aluminum housing measures 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm and weighs 460 grams, making it comfortable to hold.

Performance and Hardware

The M4 delivers performance that is practically never limited in everyday tablet use, and with 12 GB of RAM, demanding multitasking is also well covered. The storage ranges from 128 GB to 1 TB. With the N1 chip, WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 are available, while cellular models use Apple’s in-house C1X modem. Thunderbolt 4 with up to 40 Gbit/s is unusually fast for this price range and allows for external displays. Apple claims around ten hours of battery life on WiFi.

Productivity and Accessories

The Air is fully compatible with accessories, thus making it genuinely productive:

• Pencil: Apple Pencil Pro is supported – unlike the basic iPad.
• Keyboard: Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio.
• Desktop Mode: Stage Manager with Split View and Slide Over.
• Connection: Thunderbolt 4 for external monitors and fast storage devices.

As with all iPads, no accessories are included in the delivery.

Software Status

The Air runs on iPadOS and fully supports Apple Intelligence – the most significant difference from the basic iPad, which is excluded from this feature. Software support typically lasts over five years, ensuring a long-term investment.

Conclusion and Price-Performance Ratio

At €649 for 128 GB and €849 for the 13-inch variant (as of July 2026), the iPad Air has become cheaper rather than more expensive – unusual for Apple and a strong argument. For users transitioning from older iPads, the performance leap is noticeably significant. The most frequently mentioned criticism remains the 60 Hz display, which many do not expect at this price point.