iPad vs iPad Air (2026): Which One Should You Buy?

Apple sells a lot of iPads, but for most people the choice comes down to two: the plain iPad and the iPad Air. Both have an 11-inch screen. Their prices have drifted well apart.

The short answer: the iPad is enough for most people, and the Air is the better tablet if you draw, write by hand, type a lot or want to keep it for years. Here’s how to decide.

The short list

	iPad (A16)	iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
Launch price	$349 (March 2025)	$599 (March 2026)
List price after June 2026 rise	$449	$749
Chip	A16	M4, 12GB memory
Screen	60Hz, not fully laminated	Laminated, anti-reflective
Apple Pencil	USB-C and 1st gen	USB-C and Pencil Pro
Apple Intelligence	No	Yes
Best for	Streaming, browsing, kids, light study	Notes, drawing, multitasking, long-term use

A note on prices

These are launch prices, and they aren’t what you’ll pay now. Macworld reports that Apple raised iPad prices in June 2026, citing component costs: the iPad now starts at $449 and the 11-inch iPad Air at $749. The Air costs about $300 more than the iPad both at launch and after the rise. Prices vary by country and retailer, so check your local store and current offers before you decide.

iPad (A16)

This is the sensible default. The A16 chip handles video, web browsing, email, schoolwork and most games. Tech Advisor called it “an excellent tablet” that does the basics well for far less than Apple’s other options, and said battery life is good.

The compromises are mostly on the screen. Tech Advisor found it isn’t fully laminated and has no anti-reflective coating, which makes Apple Pencil feel less responsive than on the Air or Pro. It runs at 60Hz and, as both Macworld and Tech Advisor note, it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. It also works only with the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the 1st-generation Pencil.

Keep in mind: if you’ll buy at today’s price, the gap to the Air is the same $300 as at launch, but the base iPad costs more than it did when reviewers praised its value.

iPad Air 11-inch (M4)

The Air is the one Macworld recommends for most people. The M4 chip comes with 12GB of memory, up 50% over the previous Air, and Apple says it’s up to 30% faster than the M3 model. It adds Wi-Fi 7 and works with Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard.

Macworld notes the Air’s screen is laminated and anti-reflective, which is the biggest day-to-day difference from the iPad. Tom’s Guide called the update “small tweaks to the gold standard” and measured about 9 hours 44 minutes of battery life, about the same as the M3 model.

Keep in mind: it still doesn’t have a ProMotion high-refresh screen, according to Macworld, and the base model still has 128GB of storage. Apple also raised the price to $749 in June 2026.

Who should buy which

Buy the iPad (A16) if you want a tablet for streaming, reading, browsing, video calls or a child’s schoolwork, and you’d rather keep the money.

Buy the iPad Air (M4) if you take handwritten notes, draw, work with a keyboard, run several apps side by side, want Apple Intelligence, or want a tablet that stays current for several years.

Skip both if you need a high-refresh screen. Neither has one, and you’d need to look at a higher tier.

How we chose

We compared Apple’s published specifications and prices with findings from Macworld, Tom’s Guide, Tech Advisor and others. We haven’t handled either tablet ourselves. Scores reflect value for typical buyers, and prices are official launch prices unless stated.