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iPad vs iPad Air: which one should you choose?

Luca24 AUGUST 2026
Two iPads face one another against a purple backdrop, with a bold pink “VS” between them and distinctly different screen designs.

Do you want to buy a new Apple iPad and wonder about the differences between iPad and iPad Air? Compare iPad and iPad Air here to find out which tablet suits you best.

iPad (2025) vs. iPad Air (2026)

A white iPad and a dark grey iPad Air are displayed side by side on white, with their names and Apple logos beneath each device.

iPad and iPad Air M4 are suitable for different types of use. Below, you can find the key features to compare before making your choice:

  • Chip: iPad has the A16 chip, while iPad Air has the M4 chip. iPad Air is therefore better suited to demanding tasks.
  • Apple Intelligence: iPad Air with M4 chip supports Apple Intelligence. iPad with A16 chip does not support these features.
  • Display: iPad Air with M4 chip has a laminated display, an anti-reflective coating and a P3 wide colour gamut. This is useful when you often view photos and videos or use your tablet in a bright room.
  • Screen size: both models are available with an 11-inch display. iPad Air is also available with a 13-inch display.
  • Storage: iPad is available with 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB of storage. iPad Air is also available with 1 TB of storage capacity.
  • Wi-Fi: iPad Air with M4 chip supports Wi-Fi 7. Combined with a compatible router and suitable network, this can provide a faster wireless connection.
  • Accessories: both iPad models are compatible with accessories, but the supported Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard versions differ by model.

iPad or iPad Air: what are the differences?

A young person relaxes on a brown leather sofa, holding a pink iPad and wearing a green and cream striped cardigan in warm light.

The comparison between iPad and iPad Air is based on several criteria:

  • The Liquid Retina display.
  • The design.
  • The processor.
  • Storage capacity and memory.
  • Wi-Fi and 5G support.
  • Compatibility with accessories.

Which iPad should you choose?
A pink iPad displays video-editing software, showing a leaping skateboarder, vivid doodles and a timeline along the bottom.

Liquid Retina displays with different image quality

iPad and iPad Air M4 both feature a Liquid Retina display. The main difference lies in colour reproduction and the screen coating. iPad Air M4 supports the P3 colour gamut, while iPad uses the sRGB colour space. Compatible photos and videos can therefore display a wider range of colours on iPad Air. iPad Air M4 also has an anti-reflective coating. This can make the screen more comfortable to view in a bright room, near a window or outdoors. The standard iPad doesn’t have an anti-reflective coating.

Five iPads in silver, yellow, pink and blue fan out on white; one stands upright with a keyboard and brightly coloured display.

Design: 4 different colours and sizes

iPad and iPad Air have a similar design but differ in size and colour options. Both models are available in an 11-inch format, while iPad Air is also available with a 13-inch display. Choose the 11-inch format if you want to take your tablet with you easily. With the 13-inch iPad Air, you benefit from a larger display, which is useful when you work with several apps at the same time or watch videos.

iPad is available in these colours:

  • Blue
  • Pink
  • Yellow
  • Silver

Four slim iPad Air models overlap on a white background, showing glossy abstract displays in silver, gold, purple and blue tones.

iPad Air M4 is available in these colours:

  • Blue
  • Purple
  • Starlight
  • Space Grey

Two black chips bearing Apple logos sit on a pale background: A16 Bionic on the left and M4 on the right, comparing processors.

The processor: Apple M4 or A16?

iPad has the A16 chip, while iPad Air uses the M4 chip. Both models are suitable for everyday tasks, such as browsing the internet, watching videos, viewing documents and using apps. However, iPad Air M4 has a more advanced chip designed for applications that require more processing power. It’s particularly suitable when you work with several apps at the same time or use creative software. iPad Air with M4 chip also supports Apple Intelligence. iPad with A16 chip doesn’t support these features. Choose iPad Air if you want to use Apple’s AI features on your tablet.

What is iPadOS?
Two iPads float at angles on white: a blue home screen above and a colourful site-plan design with a messages panel below.

Storage and memory

iPad and iPad Air are available with 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB of storage capacity. Choose the capacity based on the content you want to store on your tablet, such as apps, documents, photos and videos. iPad Air M4 is also available with 1 TB of storage. This capacity is suitable if you store many large files or want to avoid regularly deleting or moving files. It has 12 GB of memory, compared to 6 GB for iPad. Thanks to this additional memory, iPad Air handles several open apps and more demanding tasks more smoothly.

An iPad above a white keyboard shows a German presentation about bismuth, with a large title, photos, diagrams and notes.

Wi-Fi support and 5G

iPad supports Wi-Fi 6, while iPad Air M4 is compatible with Wi-Fi 7. With a compatible network and devices, Wi-Fi 7 can provide a faster and more stable wireless connection. Both Wi-Fi standards are sufficient for browsing the internet, watching videos or reading your emails.

Both models are also available in a Wi-Fi + Cellular version with 5G support. This lets you connect to the mobile network when Wi-Fi is unavailable, for example while travelling. The availability and speed of the 5G connection depend on your provider and network coverage.

A side view shows a dark iPad on a black keyboard case with a hinge, large trackpad and a white Apple Pencil placed in front.

Compatibility with accessories

iPad and iPad Air M4 are compatible with several accessories. With the 11-inch iPad, you can use Apple Pencil USB-C and Magic Keyboard Folio. iPad Air M4 is compatible with Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil USB-C and Magic Keyboard for iPad Air. Always check whether an accessory is compatible with your iPad model before buying it. With a keyboard, you can type documents and emails more comfortably. With an Apple Pencil, you can take notes, edit documents or draw.

The main similarities between iPad Air and iPad Pro

An iPad with a black keyboard shows a video call: a smiling couple sit outdoors while a third person appears in the top left.

iPad Air and iPad Pro have several features that are useful for everyday use:

  • Speakers: both models have built-in speakers for listening to music, watching videos or joining calls.
  • USB-C: both tablets have a USB-C port for connecting compatible accessories and peripherals.
  • Battery life: both models offer up to 10 hours of battery life when browsing the internet or watching videos.
  • Cameras: iPad Air and iPad Pro have a rear camera and a front camera for taking photos, recording videos and making video calls.

iPad Air vs iPad Pro

iPad Air (M4) or iPad (A16): choose your favourite model

Advice from MediaMarkt: should you choose iPad or iPad Air?

A woman sits among lush plants, holding a pale blue iPad and drawing or writing on it with a white stylus in soft daylight.

iPad and iPad Air M4 are both suitable for everyday tasks, such as browsing the internet, watching videos, viewing documents and using apps. Choose iPad if you are looking for a tablet for these uses and an 11-inch format is enough for you. Would you like a larger display? Then iPad Air M4 is a suitable choice, as it is also available in a 13-inch format. iPad Air M4 also has a P3 colour gamut and an anti-reflective coating. This is useful when you often view photos and videos or use your tablet in a bright room. iPad has an A16 chip, while iPad Air has the M4 chip. iPad Air M4 also has 12 GB of memory, compared to 6 GB for iPad. It’s therefore better suited if you use several apps at the same time, work with creative software or want to use Apple Intelligence. Both models are available with 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB of storage. iPad Air M4 is also available with 1 TB of storage, so you can keep more photos, videos and large files. For wireless connectivity, iPad supports Wi-Fi 6, while iPad Air M4 is compatible with Wi-Fi 7. Both models are also available in a Wi-Fi + Cellular version with 5G support. Finally, both tablets are compatible with keyboards and Apple Pencil models, but the accessories you can use vary by model.