Apple has been busy launching a ton of new products lately, and one of those is none other than a new iPad Air, now powered by an M4 chip. The M4 isn’t the latest and greatest Apple chip – that would be the M5 – but this is the first iPad Air model to be upgraded to the fourth-gen M-Series silicon processor. Fans are able to pre-order the new device just days after its reveal.

As part of the big announcement, iPad Air M4 pre-orders were announced alongside the new iPhone 17e. If you’re looking to buy one, the official Apple store will be the most obvious place to turn your attention to, but it’s always worth checking out alternatives, too. We’ve already seen listings appearing on other popular online retailers ahead of release.

When do iPad Air M4 pre orders start?

The new iPad Air powered by M4 was announced on the same day as the iPhone 17e, so it may come as no surprise to hear that both of these products will follow the same pre-order and release pattern. The iPad Air M4 will be available to pre-order on March 4 at 6:15 AM, Pacific Time. Wide availability arrives a week later on the 11th; a specific time has not been made known yet.

• Los Angeles – 6:15 AM (PST)
• New York – 9:15 AM (EST)
• London – 2:15 PM (GMT)
• Berlin – 3:15 PM (CET)
• Mumbai – 7:45 PM (IST)
• Tokyo – 11:15 AM (JST)
• Sydney – 1:15 AM (AEDT, March 5)
• Auckland – 3:15 AM (NZDT, March 5)

How much does the M4 iPad Air cost?

There are a bunch of models and variants to consider here, so there’s not just one single cost for the new iPad Air M4. Apple offers the device in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, in storage capacities ranging between 128GB and 1TB. There are also four different colors (Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight), though those hold no bearing on the cost.

Here’s how the starting prices look in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada – excluding extra accessories:

• iPad Air M4 (11-inch)
  • 128GB: $599 USD / £599 GBP / $799 CAD
  • 256GB: $699 USD / £699 GBP / $949 CAD
  • 512GB: $899 USD / £899 GBP / $1,229 CAD
  • 1TB: $1,099 USD / £1,099 GBP / $1,509 CAD
• iPad Air M4 (13-inch)
  • 128GB: $799 USD / £799 GBP / $1,099 CAD
  • 256GB: $899 USD / £899 GBP / $1,249 CAD
  • 512GB: $1,099 USD / £1,099 GBP / $1,529 CAD
  • 1TB: $1,299 USD / £1,299 GBP / $1,809 CAD

The price difference between Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular models should be noted, too. The latter option allows you to connect to the internet via mobile data (like you would on a smartphone) when you don’t have access to a Wi-Fi connection, hence a higher price tag. In the US, there is a $150 difference between the two.

What regions will sell the M4 iPad Air?

While the iPhone 17e will be available in over 70 countries and regions, this number halves for the iPad Air M4. Apple says it will be available for pre-order “at apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 35 countries and regions” on March 4. Of course, this includes the regions we’ve included within this guide – the US, UK, and Canada – many more are supported.

Apple will also be running a trade-in program, which allows consumers to trade in their current iPad and earn store credit towards the purchase of the new M4 model. Best Buy is running a similar promotion. Customers in the US get an exclusive offer that allows those shopping with Apple Card to pay in monthly instalments with 0% APR, with 3% Daily Cash back; you can read more about that here.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.