Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) worth it?
Yes — the best tablet for most people.
The M4 chip makes it far faster than anything most people will ask of it, from drawing and photo editing to games, and it runs Apple Intelligence. The 11-inch screen is bright and sharp, and it works with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. It keeps a 60Hz screen rather than the Pro's smoother 120Hz OLED, unlocks with a Touch ID button rather than Face ID, and battery life is unchanged at around ten hours. Apple raised its price in June 2026, so look for a deal.
92%of 50 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Fast M4 chip
- Works with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
- Light, with a sharp screen
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What owners say
Owners love how fast it is, how easy it is to set up and use, and its light, slim design. Complaints are rare.
Good to know
- 60Hz screen, so scrolling isn't as smooth as on the Pro.
- Touch ID only, no Face ID.
- The keyboard and Pencil cost a lot extra.
- Battery life is about the same as the last model.
From 50 buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US) and Otto (Germany), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- FastMentioned a lot
- Easy to set up and move data acrossMentioned a lot
- Easy to useMentioned a lot
- Light, slim and good-lookingMentioned often
- Well madeMentioned often
What they complain about
Hardly any: just 4 of 50 owners gave it 3 stars or fewer, and no complaint came up often enough to list.
Get it if…
- You want one tablet for everything: films, notes, drawing, games and some work.
- You want the Apple Pencil Pro or a proper keyboard.
Skip it if…
- You just stream and browse: the basic iPad does that for less.
- You own an M2 or M3 Air: it's barely an upgrade.
How we reached this verdict
Tom's Guide (4.5/5) calls it the best tablet for most people, and Trusted Reviews (4.5/5) says the same. TechRadar gives the M4 Air 4.5/5 for its performance and sharp screen. All three note the unchanged design, no 120Hz screen and battery life no better than before. Their reviews came before Apple's June 2026 price rise.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, Apple, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide