Is the iPad Air 13 with M4 worth the money? What the large Apple tablet 2026 has to offer.

The iPad Air 13 (2026) with M4 chip positions itself as a strong competitor to the iPad Pro - and comes from the company itself. And it is significantly cheaper than the Pro models.

Performance: M4 chip makes the iPad Air a powerhouse

The heart of the tablet is the new M4 chip, which has eight CPU cores (three performance cores, five efficiency cores) and a 9-core GPU. The iPad Air delivers enough power for demanding applications, from image editing to complex multitasking scenarios.

Our benchmarks confirm this: The M4 clearly sets itself apart from its predecessor, the M3, and closes the gap to the iPad Pro. A particularly positive aspect is that Apple installs 12 GB of RAM despite high memory prices on the global market - a clear plus point for future-proofing.

Display: Large, sharp, but without ProMotion

The 13-inch Liquid Retina display impresses with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels and a pixel density of 265 ppi.

Colors appear vivid and the brightness is sufficient for most purposes. However, as with its predecessor, it lacks ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates and more than 60 Hz, which is particularly noticeable during fast movements or scrolling.

The design remains largely unchanged, which is an advantage for fans of the simple Apple aesthetic, but a disappointment for fans of innovation.

Suitability for everyday use: Battery, accessories and iPadOS

In everyday use, the iPad Air 13 shines with fast Wi-Fi 7 and a solid camera.

The combination with the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil (Pro) makes the tablet a real work tool, even if iPadOS 26 still has some limitations for desktop use.

The large display is a real benefit, especially for creative professionals and students who travel a lot.

Price-performance ratio: Fair, but basic memory is scarce

Apple has slightly reduced the price of the iPad Air 13 compared to its predecessor: the 128 GB version starts at around 849 euros, but is already available for less on the internet. In view of the performance, the price seems fair, but overall the iPad Air 2026 is not a cheap pleasure either.

However, the basic memory of 128 GB is not enough for a device in this price range - it is worth opting for the 256 GB version, which costs correspondingly more.

Conclusion: Is the upgrade worth it?

The iPad Air 13 (2026) is worth the money if you're looking for a large, powerful tablet that is significantely cheaper than a Pro model. However, those who already own an iPad Air with M3 will find little reason to upgrade.

For many others - especially newcomers or users of older models - the iPad Air 13 can be a worthwhile investment that leaves little to be desired.

For a detailed insight into the device before you buy, we recommend our test report on the iPad Air 13 2026.