The first wave of “reviews” for the 2026 M4 iPad Air has arrived, and the verdict is clear: while the exterior hasn’t changed, the internal upgrades makes this the most capable mid-range tablet Apple has ever produced. Reviewers across the board are highlighting that for most users, the gap between the Air and the high-end Pro has never been thinner.

Here’s a roundup of M4 iPad Air reviews released today after Apple’s embargo lifted for early media testers (the usual suspects):

• Mashable: M4 iPad Air review: A tablet that thinks its an AI laptop
• Tom’s Guide: Apple iPad Air M4 review: Small tweaks to the gold standard
• The Verge: Apple iPad Air M4 review: a little bit faster now
• ZDNET: iPad Air (M4, 2026) review: I benchmarked Apple’s tablet with the Pro model, and it’s very close
• Gizmodo: M4 iPad Air Review: The ‘Better’ iPad Is Now Really That Good
• CNET: iPad Air M4 Review: The Best Option for the Moment
• Tech Advisor: Apple iPad Air (2026) review: More power, same formula
• TechRadar: I tested the iPad Air with M4, and Apple just stretched the value proposition even further
• HardwareZone Singapore: Apple M4 iPad Air review: Pricey, but good
• Trusted Reviews: Apple iPad Air M4 Review

Apple can make the iPad Air as fast as it wants, but until it can run macOS and offer full productivity, I still think iPadOS is like a giant iPhone for getting real work done (besides note taking and sketches). Unless you’re upgrading from an ancient iPad Air, it’s the software that is holding back Apple’s tablet. If the MacBook Neo (priced also at $799 CAD) and its A18 Pro chip can run macOS, why can’t an M4 iPad Air? Help me understand this.

The 2026 M4 iPad Air starts from $799 CAD and launches this week on March 11.