In case you missed it, Apple
announced a host of new devices
this week, including both a
new phone
and a
cheaper laptop
. It also unveiled the
M4-powered iPad Air,
which is already receiving a preorder discount ahead of its March 11th debut. Right now, the 128GB / Wi-Fi model is available at
Amazon
,
Best Buy
, and
Walmart
starting at $559 ($40 off), while the LTE config is selling for $709 ($40 off) at
Best Buy
.
If you want more storage space,
Amazon
and
Walmart
are also both selling the 11-inch model with 256GB and Wi-Fi for $649 ($50 off). The larger 13-inch variant, meanwhile, can be found at the same retailers, including
Amazon
and
Walmart
, in its base configuration with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage starting at $749 ($50 off).
11-inch iPad Air M4
Where to Buy:
$599
$559 at
Amazon (128GB, Wi-Fi)
$599
$559 at
Best Buy (128GB, Wi-Fi)
$599
$559 at
Walmart (128GB, Wi-Fi)
13-inch iPad Air M4
Where to Buy:
$799
$749 at
Amazon (128GB, Wi-Fi)
$799
$749 at
Walmart (128GB, Wi-Fi)
$709 at
Best Buy (128GB, LTE)
Admittedly, the new iPad Airs aren’t drastically different from
their predecessors
, but they do stand out due to their performance gains. They now run on Apple’s M4 chip, which
Apple says
makes them up to 30 percent faster (and over twice as fast as the M1 Air from 2020). The new models also offer 12GB of RAM instead of 8GB, which should help with multitasking and more demanding apps.
In addition, both sizes feature Apple’s new N1 wireless networking chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for faster connectivity. Said chip also allows for Thread support, meaning it should be easier to connect and control compatible smart home devices from your tablet.
Other than that, though, the new iPad Airs should look familiar. Both support Apple Intelligence, like the 2025 models, along with
windowed multitasking
and other features unique to
iPadOS 26
. Battery life looks to be about the same on paper, too, and they’re compatible with the same host of accessories, including the
Apple Pencil USB-C
, the
Apple Pencil Pro
, and Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
A few more gadget deals
You can grab Microsoft’s official
Xbox Wireless Controller
at Amazon in
white
or
black
for around $43 ($22 off), which is $5 shy of the all-time low we saw in December. The comfortable gamepad is
the one we recommend for most Xbox gamers
given its tight sticks and triggers, along with its dish-shaped D-pad, which offers a satisfying clickiness. It runs on AA batteries, too, which adds a level of flexibility since you can swap in rechargeable AAs or a battery pack; it also works as a wired controller over USB-C.
Now through March 8th,
Verge
readers can pick up
Garmin’s 42mm Forerunner 265
at
Wellbots
for $339 ($111 off) with code
THEVERGE110
. The terrific wearable features dual-frequency GPS and impressive battery life for an OLED watch, allowing you to eke out up to two weeks on a single charge. It’s also great for runners and offers a wide range of training metrics, from form-related data like stride length to a Race Predictor feature, which estimates how long you might take to finish a marathon or 5K based on your training history.
Anker’s Soundcore AeroFit 2
are available from
Amazon
,
Best Buy
, and
Soundcore
(with code
WS7DV2TVUB9E
) for around $79.98 ($50 off), which is $10 more than their best price to date. The open-ear headphones make it easy to stay aware of your surroundings, and come with four adjustable ear hooks to help them stay securely in place. They also offer an IP55 rating for water resistance, wireless charging, and up to 10 hours of battery life. What’s really neat, though, is that they support AI-powered translation, allowing you to translate over 100 languages in real-time.
— Source: The Verge (https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/890389/apple-ipad-air-m4-xbox-wireless-controller-deal-sale)