New M4 iPad Air likely launching this week

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published March 3, 2025

The Apple iPad Air (2024)'s camera and volume buttons. — Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

We may be just days away from the launch of the first new iPad of 2025. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, an M4 iPad Air could be revealed this week. This new version is expected to arrive less than a year after the release of the M2 iPad Air (2024). The new tablet has long been anticipated, but little is known besides its likely chipset.

The M4 chip, which is also expected to appear on a new MacBook Air, which could also launch this week, was first introduced on the iPad Pro (2024). Since then, the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips have appeared on last year’s MacBook Pro.

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The Apple M4 provides significant performance improvements compared to the M3, especially in CPU-intensive tasks, graphics performance, and machine learning capabilities. Additionally, it features enhanced power efficiency and better media capabilities.

While the M3 was manufactured using TSMC’s first-generation 3-nanometer process (N3B), the M4 is built on TSMC’s second-generation 3-nanometer process (N3P). There won’t be an M3 iPad Air.

As we mentioned in January, there could be some confusion if the iPad Air (2025) and the iPad Pro (2024) are equipped with the same chips, especially given the significant price difference between the two product lines. If Apple maintains the distinctions seen in the current iPad Air and iPad Pro, we can expect variations in display quality, RAM, and storage options. Additionally, the two models will likely differ regarding audio performance, authentication methods, and other features.

The current iPad Air is available in both 11-inch and 13-inch versions, marking the first time Apple has offered the Air in the larger size. As with previous iterations, the 2024 iPad Air comes in a range of vibrant colors, including Blue, Purple, and Starlight, in addition to the more traditional Space Gray.

The current iPad Air starts at $599, while the entry-level 11-inch iPad Pro is priced at $999.

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Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Mobile

iPad Pro with next-gen M5 silicon could arrive later this year

Magic Keyboard and iPad Pro.

It seems tablets are increasingly becoming the unofficial launch testbed for Apple’s next-gen silicon. The 2024 iPad Pro marked the debut of Apple’s M4 chip, ahead of its appearance inside the Mac hardware.
Carrying forward the torch, the next iPad Pro refresh could be “one of the first devices” to get a M5 series processor. According to Bloomberg, the next-gen iPad Pro has progressed into the advanced stages of internal testing. Moreover, it is expected to hit the shelves later this year, likely in the Fall season.
Apple gave the M4 series refresh to the Mac lineup, including the MacBook Air, Pro, and Studio models, earlier this year. The M4 Pro and M4 Max processors were only introduced late last year, so it seems increasingly plausible that the baseline M5 would arrive later this year, followed by its Pro, Max, or Ultra variants.
Given the “freshness” status of the current Mac hardware, the upcoming iPad Pro seems like the first candidate to get a taste of the next-gen M5 processor. “The new versions of that model, code-named J817, J818, J820 and J821, are in late testing within Apple and on track for production in the second half of this year,” adds the report.
What to expect from M5 iPad Pro?

Starting with the design , Apple is not expected to make any notable changes, given the company’s history. The iPad Pro got a major design overhaul in 2024, embracing a super-sleek look, one fewer camera, and a new keyboard accessory to go with it.
As far as the silicon goes, the M5 series will reportedly be based on the 3nm process and built atop ARM’s next-gen CPU architecture. In addition to the 2025 iPad Pro, Apple is also expected to launch new MacBook Pro models later this year, armed with an M5-tier processor.

Mobile

The iPad doesn’t need AI, but Apple must fix something else

Top view of the rear shell on the 11th Gen iPad.

I just finished testing the new entry-level iPad, and so far, I am fairly impressed by the tablet. You can’t get a better value than this slate for $349. From the external hardware to the innards, there is hardly any alternative from the Android side that can deliver a superior experience.
This year, Apple delivered a couple of surprises, in addition to the expected chip upgrade. You now get twice the storage for the same ask, and the RAM has also been bumped up. In a nutshell, it’s faster, better at multi-tasking, and without any storage headaches, even if your budget is tight.
Apple, however, hasn’t fixed the software situation with iPadOS, which continues to bother with its fair share of quirks in tow. This year, however, the software gulf is even wider between the baseline iPad and every other tablet in Apple’s portfolio. Stage Manager has been the big differentiator so far, but in 2025, we have another deep chasm.

A good riddance with AI

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Here’s a big reason the ‘iPhone Fold’ will look like an iPad

Concept render of a foldable iPhone in a fully open state.

Apple is expected to launch its first “iPhone Fold” in 2026, several years after rival companies like Samsung and OnePlus have already released their own foldable devices. The reason for Apple’s delay in entering the foldable market is not entirely clear. However, one plausible explanation is that Apple has focused on ensuring the device offers a seamless transition between the outer and inner displays.

This week, it was reported that Apple plans to use a liquid metal hinge in the iPhone Fold. This innovation aims to enhance durability and reduce the visibility of the display crease. Creasing was a significant issue for early foldable devices, such as the first Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, but it has improved considerably over the years.

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