The iPad Air with the M3 chip was already an excellent tablet, and the best option for a ton of people. But the M4 iPad Air is here, and it’s somehow even better. There’s no question that both of them are some of the best tablets on the market right now, especially if you don’t need Apple’s more premium iPad Pro model. In fact, we even nicknamed the M3 an iPad Pro Lite. But since Apple just released the all-new M4 iPad Air, there’s a new player in the game.
The new M4 iPad Air has an eight-core CPU and a nine-core GPU, giving you faster performance. It also uses the new N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air with M4 come in blue, purple, starlight and space gray, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options. The 11-inch starts at $599, while the 13-inch starts at $799.
Here’s how you can save on the newest M4 iPad Air, as well as the now previous-gen M3 models.
Best M4 iPad Air deals
The new M4 iPad Air is now available at Apple. If you qualify for the education discount, you can save $100. Otherwise, you can save up to $670 with a trade-in. Savings depend on what you’re trading in. Finally, if you use your Apple Card,* you can get 3% back.
You can save a nice $40 at B&H when you buy the M4 iPad Air. This brings the 128GB 11-inch model down to $559. However, not every model/color is on sale, so make sure to check before purchasing.
You can also get your sales tax back as cash back if you use a B&H Payboo Credit Card.*
Best Buy also has the M4 iPad Air available. You can save up to $350 off with an eligible trade-in.
You’ll get some freebies thrown in, too. This includes three free months of Apple TV, Apple Music and Apple Fitness. You’ll also get Apple Arcade for two months.
Also, Best Buy Plus or Total members can save $50 on this new machine.
There are a few ways to save at Verizon on the M4 iPad Air. You can save $140 if you add a new line on an Unlimited plan. Since this is the cellular model, it starts at $949. With the $140 savings, that’ll drop the price to $809. You’ll get the discount across bill credits.
If you have a device to trade in, you can potentially save up to $500, but most trade-ins won’t net you that much.
Best M3 iPad Air deals
M3 iPad Air (256GB with cellular) at Amazon: $749
Amazon is currently is out of stock of the 128GB 11-inch M3 Air, but if you opt for the 256GB model with both Wi-Fi and cellular, it’s down to $749. That’s a $00 discount. Other configurations are still available, but stock and pricing are volatile currently, so be sure to double-check that the one you want is in stock and that you’re not buying from an unverified, third-party seller.
Best Buy has some models discounted by $100, like the 11-inch 128GB purple model that is $100 off, down to $499. Make sure the one you want is discounted before placing your order.
Plus, Best Buy has its own trade-in program. Exchanging your old tablet from Apple, Samsung, Google or another brand could save you up to $350.
Take $100 off the M3 iPad Air at Target. This brings the starting price down to $499. Both the 11- and 13-inch models are discounted, but not all models are in stock.
M3 iPad Air at PC Richard
Right now, you can take $111 off the M3 11-inch 128GB in all colors at PC Richard. This drops the starting price to just $488.
M3 iPad Air at Adorama: From $599 (Unavailable)
There aren’t any direct discounts at Adorama right now, and stocks seem to have run dry. However, if they return, you can save 5% when you use the Adorama Edge Credit Card,* and the retailer has a rewards program that allows you to earn points to redeem as credit on future purchases.
What is the best iPad Air deal right now?
If you’re looking for straightforward discounts, PC Richard is your best bet, as the M3 tablet is available for $111 off, though the exact discount may vary by color and storage size. If you’re looking to exchange an older model, Apple is offering significant trade-in discounts that can save you over $600.
*All information about the Apple Card, B&H Payboo Credit Card and Adorama Edge Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuers.
How we choose iPad Air deals at CNET
Discounts on the latest Apple devices can be hard to come by, but CNET’s dedicated deals team has years of experience helping readers score savings on top tech. Above, we’ve rounded up any straightforward discounts currently available on the iPad Air, as well as some additional ways to save. These include any trade-in offers, exclusive discounts when you pay with a specific credit card and any free services you may get with the purchase. We also ensure that all featured deals are sourced from a trustworthy retailer, so you never have to wonder if a bargain is too good to be true.
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