It’s easy to get sucked into the Apple marketing vortex. Every year, a new shiny slab of glass arrives, and suddenly the one you’re holding feels like a prehistoric relic. But honestly? The 4th gen iPad Air—released back in late 2020—is one of those rare devices that hasn't aged nearly as much as the tech specs might suggest. It was the first "modern" Air, ditching the chunky bezels and the home button for a design that basically looks identical to the newest models. If you’re looking at one on the used market or digging yours out of a drawer, you’re probably wondering if that A14 Bionic chip can still keep up with the chaos of 2026.
It can. Mostly.
Here is the thing about the iPad Air 4: it was a massive pivot. Before this, the Air was basically just a "iPad Plus." This model turned it into a "Pro Lite." You get the flat edges, the USB-C port, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. It’s a workhorse. But it isn't perfect.
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The A14 Bionic in 2026: Speed vs. Reality
Let's talk about the brain. The A14 Bionic was the first 5nm chip in a commercial device. At the time, it was a monster. Now? It’s a solid mid-ranger. If you are browsing Safari with twenty tabs open, editing a few photos in Lightroom, or watching a 4K stream on YouTube, it feels snappy. You won't notice a lag.
However, there is a wall.
That wall is 4GB of RAM.
Apple is notoriously stingy with memory. The 4th gen iPad Air has half the RAM of the M-series iPads. This matters because of Stage Manager. If you want that fancy windowed multitasking that makes an iPad feel like a "real" computer, you’re out of luck here. The Air 4 doesn't support external display integration in the way the M1 or M2 models do. It’s a tablet first, a laptop second. If you try to push heavy video editing in DaVinci Resolve or 3D modeling in Shapr3D, you’ll see the cracks. It’ll get warm. Apps might refresh more often. It’s just the nature of the hardware.
That Liquid Retina Display (and what it's missing)
The screen is a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It’s beautiful. 500 nits of brightness is plenty for an office or a coffee shop, though you’ll struggle a bit on a sunny balcony. The colors are accurate thanks to P3 wide color gamut support.
But we have to talk about ProMotion.
Once you use an iPad Pro with a 120Hz refresh rate, going back to the 60Hz screen on the 4th gen iPad Air feels... slow. It’s not actually slow, but the animations look a bit "jittery" in comparison. It's like watching a movie at 24fps after playing a high-end video game. Most people don't care. If you haven't been spoiled by a Pro, you won't even notice. But for artists using the Apple Pencil, that tiny bit of latency matters. The line follows the tip of the pencil just a fraction of a second slower than it does on the Pro models.
The USB-C Revolution and Accessories
The move to USB-C was the best thing to happen to the Air line.
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Seriously.
It means you can plug in a standard thumb drive, a USB hub, or even a MIDI controller without hunting for a proprietary dongle. It turns the 4th gen iPad Air into a legitimate tool for photographers and musicians.
Then there’s the Magic Keyboard. It’s expensive. It’s heavy. But it is also arguably the best typing experience on any tablet ever made. Because the Air 4 shares the same chassis dimensions as the 11-inch iPad Pro, all those high-end accessories fit perfectly. You can turn this tablet into a tiny, floating typewriter in seconds. It’s great for students or writers who want to work in a park without lugging a MacBook around.
A Note on Touch ID
Unlike the Pro, which uses Face ID, the 4th gen iPad Air hides its biometric sensor in the power button. Some people hate this. I actually kind of like it. It’s fast. It’s reliable. It works even if you’re wearing a mask or if the tablet is sitting flat on a desk at an awkward angle where Face ID would fail to see your face.
Battery Life: The Elephant in the Room
Apple claims "up to 10 hours" of battery life. In the real world?
Expect about 7 or 8 if you’re actually doing work.
The lithium-ion battery in these devices degrades over time. If you’re buying a used unit, check the cycle count if you can. A 4th gen iPad Air from 2020 might only hold 85% of its original capacity by now. That translates to a device that needs a charger by mid-afternoon if you're using it heavily. It’s something to keep in mind if you plan on using it for long flights or back-to-back lectures.
Software Longevity: When does the clock stop?
Apple usually supports iPads for about 6 to 8 years. Given the A14 chip inside, the 4th gen iPad Air is likely safe for iPadOS updates until at least 2027 or 2028. You’ve still got a good runway. But keep in mind that "supporting" an OS and "running all the features" are two different things.
Apple has started gating the coolest AI features and multitasking tools behind the M-series chips. You'll get the security updates. You'll get the new emojis. You might not get the high-end neural engine tricks.
Is it better than the iPad (10th Gen)?
This is the big question. The "budget" 10th gen iPad looks almost identical to the Air 4. They even use the same A14 chip. So why get the older Air?
- The Screen: The Air 4 has a laminated display. The base iPad has a gap between the glass and the pixels. It sounds minor, but the gap makes the screen feel hollow and look less vibrant.
- Anti-Reflective Coating: The Air 4 has it. The base iPad doesn't.
- Pencil Support: The Air 4 uses the 2nd gen Pencil (magnetic charging). The 10th gen iPad uses the USB-C pencil or the old 1st gen one with a weird adapter.
The Air 4 is a more "premium" experience, even if it's older.
Real World Verdict
The 4th gen iPad Air sits in a sweet spot. It is the cheapest way to get the modern iPad design without feeling like you're using a "budget" device. It handles the basics with ease. It’s a fantastic digital notebook for students. It’s a great companion for a digital artist on a budget.
Just don't expect it to be a laptop replacement for heavy workloads.
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If you find one for under $300 in good condition, it’s a steal. If you’re looking at paying close to $500, you’re better off looking for a refurbished iPad Air 5 with the M1 chip. That M1 chip is a massive jump in longevity.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you are currently looking at a 4th gen iPad Air, follow this checklist before hitting the "buy" button:
- Check the Screen for "White Spots": Some older iPad Air models developed tiny bright spots on the LCD. Open a white background and look closely.
- Verify the Battery Health: If buying used, ask the seller for a screenshot of the battery cycle count (using a tool like CoconutBattery on Mac or 3uTools on PC). Aim for a cycle count under 400.
- Match your Pencil: Remember, this only works with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil or the USB-C Pencil. Don't buy the 1st Gen Pencil with the silver cap.
- Storage Management: The base model is 64GB. That is very small for 2026. If you plan on downloading movies or hoarding photos, look specifically for the 256GB version.
- Update Immediately: Once you get it, jump straight to the latest iPadOS. The security patches alone are worth the download time, and Apple has optimized the A14 performance in later builds.