Official manufacturer render.
Apple
iPad Air 13 M4
- 13-inch Liquid Retina
- Apple M4 · 9-core CPU
- 616 g
- From $799
Available colors
Selected: Blue
Physical specifications
13"
Display size
616 g
Weight
280.6 mm
Height
214.9 mm
Width
6.1 mm
Thickness
4:3
Aspect ratio
Release and pricing
- Announced
- May 7, 2024
- Released
- May 15, 2024
- Starting price
- $799
- Market
- US
- Configuration
- 128 GB Wi‑Fi
Display
- Display size
- 13"
- Display technology
- Liquid Retina IPS
- Resolution
- 2732 × 2048
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Peak brightness
- 500 nits
- Protection
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Performance
- Chipset
- Apple M4
- CPU
- 9-core CPU
- GPU
- 10-core GPU
- RAM
- 8 GB, 16 GB
- Storage
- 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1024 GB
- Expandable storage
- No
Cameras
- Rear cameras
- Wide · 12 MP · ƒ/1.8
- Front cameras
- Landscape · 12 MP · ƒ/2.4
- Video recording
- 4K video recording at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps
Build & durability
- Frame
- Aluminum
- Back
- Aluminum
- Ingress protection
- None published
Connectivity
- Cellular
- Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi + Cellular (5G)
- Wi‑Fi
- Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- USB
- USB-C
- NFC
- No
- eSIM
- Yes
Sizometry Analysis
Overall Score
8.0
out of 10
A large, dependable iPad Air with excellent desk-first canvas, battery, and 12GB RAM strengths, appealing strongly to older-iPad upgraders who need screen area — held back by incremental M4-over-M3 daily feel, unchanged 60Hz LCD, accessory cost, and portability trade-offs versus the 11-inch Air.
Category scores
Camera
7.0
Adequate scanning and strong front-camera Center Stage for desk calls, with imaging unchanged and secondary to screen workflows.
Battery and charging
9.0
Among the strongest Air options for all-day endurance; C1X efficiency adds travel value on cellular models.
Performance
8.5
Fast routine use with occasional warmth under sustained load.
Handling and portability
7.0
Manageable daily carry with familiar reach and pocket trade-offs for the size class.
Build quality
8.0
Solid large-format aluminum chassis, with Magic Keyboard weight, cost, and aging design as recurring debates.
Value
8.0
Balanced capability for the price with deliberate omissions versus higher tiers.
Strengths
- Large 13-inch canvas for productivity and Pencil work
- Excellent all-day battery for typical desk and study routines
- M4 silicon and 12GB RAM for heavier multitasking and software longevity
- Pro-sized screen area without Pro OLED pricing
Weaknesses
- Incremental upgrade over 13-inch M3 Air with same display and accessories
- 60Hz LCD more noticeable on a large panel versus Pro tablets
- Keyboard-plus-tablet cost approaches laptop territory without macOS depth
- Handheld and bag portability trail the 11-inch Air
Best for
- Desk-first buyers who need a large split-view and markup canvas
- Upgraders from smaller or older iPads seeking M4 speed and 12GB RAM at 13 inches
- Pencil users who value drawing and note scale over maximum portability
- Cellular travelers who benefit from C1X speeds and modem efficiency
Less suitable for
- 13-inch M3 Air owners expecting a meaningful daily upgrade
- Transit and sofa readers who prioritize handheld comfort
- Buyers who want the most portable Air — the 11-inch M4 fits better
- Shoppers when discounted 13-inch M3 units offer identical ergonomics
Upgrade recommendation
Current device: 11-inch Air, base iPad, or Air 4 and older
Recommendation: Strongly recommendedNotes: Large canvas, M4 speed, 12GB RAM, and Pencil Pro support address screen-size, memory, and performance limits of smaller or aging hardware.
Current device: iPad Pro models before M1 at smaller sizes
Recommendation: Worth consideringNotes: Strong when buyers want large Air value more than Pro display features they rarely used.
Current device: 13-inch M1 Air generation
Recommendation: Worth consideringNotes: Meaningful efficiency and 12GB RAM gains with same canvas; a clearer step than M3 offered over M2.
Current device: 13-inch M3 Air generation
Recommendation: Probably unnecessaryNotes: Same display, design, and accessories with incremental silicon — owners rarely describe a must-upgrade case unless C1X or RAM matters.
Current device: 11-inch Air owners needing more screen area
Recommendation: Depends on prioritiesNotes: Productivity and Pencil scale improve; handheld comfort, bag fit, and weight worsen — a personal workflow trade.
Current device: Shoppers comparing to iPad Pro 13-inch
Recommendation: Depends on prioritiesNotes: Air wins on price for large LCD canvas; Pro wins on 120Hz OLED, Thunderbolt, and floating keyboard unless value dominates.
Everyday usability
Estimated from device dimensions and weight.
Handling
Two-handed preferredTwo-handed use is generally the more natural way to hold this device.
Bag portability
LimitedNot intended for pocket carry; plan on a bag, sleeve, or hand carry.
Carry comfort
BalancedWeight sits in a balanced range for everyday holding and carrying.
Reading and media
Roomy for documents, media, and side-by-side layouts.
Gaming
High-endIts processor and graphics hardware are suited to demanding games and higher visual settings.
Bottom line
The iPad Air 13-inch M4 earns respect through a spacious, battery-strong canvas for desk-first study and remote work rather than handheld portability or display leadership. Its strongest appeal is Pro-sized screen area paired with M4 future-proofing, 12GB RAM, Pencil Pro support, and C1X cellular gains for travelers — at Air pricing when buyers do not need OLED or Thunderbolt. The dominant trade-offs are weight and bag bulk versus the 11-inch Air, keyboard-plus-tablet cost approaching laptop territory, iPadOS limits on pro workflows, and the same incremental large-Air story with unchanged 60Hz LCD and older Magic Keyboard. Shoppers upgrading from smaller or older iPads gain the clearest benefits; 13-inch M3 Air owners should treat M4 as optional unless memory, connectivity, or software longevity justifies full retail over discounted M3 stock.
Models and configurations
- Storage
- 128 GB256 GB512 GB1 TB
- Connectivity
- Wi‑FiWi‑Fi + Cellular (5G)
- Colors
- BluePurpleStarlightSpace Gray
- RAM
- 8 GB16 GB
- SIM configuration
- eSIM
Compare this device at its real-world size.
Use the Sizometry Tool to compare dimensions, thickness, and weight with other devices.
Open Tool →
