Honestly, the tech world moves way too fast. One minute you're holding the "future of computing," and the next, it’s a paperweight. Or is it? I’ve been looking at the iPad Air 4 generacion lately, and it’s in this weird, fascinating sweet spot. Launched back in 2020, this was the tablet that basically killed the "pro" vibe for the Pro line by bringing that gorgeous, all-screen design to the masses.
But we're in 2026 now.
Apple Intelligence is the big thing everyone's talking about, and the M-series chips are supposedly mandatory for a good life. If you're scouring the used market or digging one out of a drawer, you've probably wondered if the A14 Bionic can actually handle iPadOS 26 without bursting into flames.
The short answer? It’s complicated. The long answer involves RAM limits, battery wear, and why some people are actually preferring this over the newer, more expensive "A16" base models.
The Hardware Reality Check
When you hold an iPad Air 4, it doesn't feel old. At all. It has that flat-edge design that Apple is still using today. You’ve got the USB-C port, which is a lifesaver if you hate carrying five different cables. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is still crisp, though it lacks the 120Hz ProMotion smoothness of the Pro models.
Here is the thing: it looks identical to the iPad Air 5.
If you put them side-by-side, most people couldn't tell the difference until they tried to open a heavy app. The screen is laminated, meaning there’s no air gap between the glass and the display. That’s a huge deal for artists. The base iPad (like the 10th gen or the A16 version) often skips this, making the screen feel hollow when you tap it with an Apple Pencil.
What about the A14 Bionic?
It’s a 5nm chip. In 2020, it was a beast. In 2026, it’s a solid middle-manager. It handles Netflix, Zoom, Slack, and even Procreate without much fuss.
But there’s a bottleneck.
🔗 Read more: 10 -1 -9 3 Explained: Why This Specific Sequence Matters in Modern Math
The iPad Air 4th generation only has 4GB of RAM. While Apple is great at memory management, iPadOS 26 is a heavy beast. If you’re the type of person who keeps 50 Safari tabs open while trying to Stage Manager your way through a project, you’re going to see some reloads. It’s just physics.
The Elephant in the Room: Apple Intelligence
We have to talk about the AI stuff. Apple has drawn a very firm line in the sand. If you want the full suite of "Apple Intelligence" features—the advanced writing tools, the smarter Siri, the image generation—you generally need an M-series chip or later.
The iPad Air 4 is on the wrong side of that line.
If you don't care about AI, this is great news for your wallet. Because it doesn't support the latest AI gimmicks, the resale value has stayed remarkably low. You can find these refurbished for anywhere between $230 and $270. Compare that to a new iPad Air with an M3 chip starting at $599, and you start to see why people are still buying the 4th gen.
It’s basically the "budget Pro" for people who just want to draw and watch movies.
Real World Usage: The Good and the Laggy
I’ve seen a lot of chatter on Reddit and support forums about how the iPad Air 4 handles the latest updates. It’s a mixed bag.
For note-taking? It’s still perfect. The 2nd Gen Apple Pencil support is the real hero here. It sticks to the side, it charges wirelessly, and it just works. Students are still buying this model specifically because it’s the cheapest way to get the "magnetic pencil" experience without the awkwardness of the USB-C Pencil or the old first-gen "lollipop" charging method.
However, gaming is where the age shows.
If you’re trying to run Genshin Impact or whatever the latest 2026 AAA mobile port is on high settings, you’re going to get some frame drops. The A14 is powerful, but it's not a miracle worker.
Battery Life and Aging
If you're buying one used, check the battery. Most of these units are now 4-5 years old. Lithium-ion batteries degrade. A "brand new" iPad Air 4 should get you about 10 hours of video. A 2020 unit that's been used every day for school? You might be looking at 6 or 7 hours.
Check for "screen bleed" too. Some early units had minor light leakage around the edges when the brightness was cranked up in a dark room. It's not a dealbreaker for most, but if you're a photographer using it for edits, it'll drive you crazy.
Comparing the Alternatives
You might be looking at the iPad Air 4th generation and wondering if you should just spend $30 more for the Air 5. Honestly? Yeah, you probably should.
The Air 5 jumped to the M1 chip and 8GB of RAM. That extra 4GB of RAM is the difference between a tablet that feels "snappy" and one that feels "usable." Plus, the Air 5 gets the AI features.
But if your budget is strictly under $250, the Air 4 destroys the base-model iPads. The screen is better, the design is sleeker, and it feels like a premium tool rather than an education-market toy.
Is the iPad Air 4 Still Worth It?
It depends on your "why."
🔗 Read more: How Do You Listen to Amazon Audiobooks? The Best Ways to Actually Use Your Library
If you are an artist on a budget, a student who needs to take handwritten notes, or someone who just wants a really nice screen for flights, the iPad Air 4 generacion is a steal in 2026. It still runs the latest iPadOS 26, and based on Apple's history, it’ll likely get security patches for another two or three years.
Just don't expect it to be a productivity powerhouse.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Serial Number: Before buying used, use Apple’s coverage tool to see the original purchase date. This gives you a hint at how tired the battery might be.
- Prioritize 256GB: The 64GB base model is a trap in 2026. System files and "System Data" now take up a huge chunk of that. If you can, find a 256GB version.
- Avoid Overpaying: Do not pay more than $280 for this tablet. If the price creeps toward $300, you are officially in iPad Air 5 (M1) territory, which is a significantly better long-term investment.
- Inspect the USB-C Port: Since this was one of the first non-Pro models with USB-C, some older units have "loose" ports from years of tugging. Give the cable a little wiggle to make sure it’s a solid connection.
The iPad Air 4 isn't the shiny new toy anymore, but it's definitely not obsolete. It’s just matured into the best budget tablet Apple ever accidentally made.