At a look
Skilled’s Ranking
Execs
- Wonderful efficiency
- Premium design
- Nice battery life
- Moveable, light-weight construct
Cons
- Gradual charging
- No Face ID
- Solely 60Hz LCD show
- Equipment not included
Our Verdict
The Apple iPad Air (M3) is an outstanding pill and one you’re impossible to remorse shopping for. There’s implausible construct high quality, a stunning show, wonderful efficiency and a strong battery life, whereas Apple’s iPadOS software program continues to be the smoothest and slickest expertise within the pill market. There’s no denying it’s an enormous funding, but when it’s energy and portability you need, the iPad Air (M3) received’t allow you to down.
Value When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Greatest Pricing Immediately
Value When Reviewed
$599
Greatest Costs Immediately: Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3, 2025)
Apple first introduced the iPad Air line again in 2013, three years after the introduction of the iPad. It was designed to be a slimmer and lighter model of the iPad, and whereas there’s much less to distinguish it from the usual mannequin today, it nonetheless has these traits 12 years later.
The iPad Air (M3) sits in the midst of Apple’s pill portfolio, changing the iPad Air (M2) which solely launched in Might 2024, and sitting between the common iPad (A16) and the all-singing, all-dancing iPad Professional (M4). In 2023, Apple launched a 13-inch mannequin of the iPad Air, matching the sizes accessible within the iPad Professional line, and whereas nothing has modified on the design entrance for this yr, a brand new Magic Keyboard was introduced for the Air and it’s had an influence improve.
With a beginning value of just about double that of the common iPad (A16) nevertheless, is it price upgrading to the iPad Air (M3)? I’ve been utilizing it for over a month to search out out.
Design & Construct
- Identical design
- 4 colors
- Aluminium construct
The iPad Air (M3) is equivalent to its predecessor, the iPad Air (M2), however don’t mistake that for a criticism. There was little or no incorrect with the iPad Air (M2)’s design, with a slim and slender construct, a premium aluminium unibody and uniform bezel surrounding the show, all combining to make a great-looking pill.
The design has remained just about the identical for the iPad Air since 2020, however a couple of tweaks have been launched in these 5 years. A kind of is the 13-inch dimension possibility I discussed above, which is pictured on this overview, and the opposite is the repositioning of the entrance digital camera to a panorama orientation. Each of these tweaks have been new for the 2024 mannequin moderately than the iPad Air (M3), however naturally, they’ve made their means onto this mannequin too.
Britta O’Boyle
The color choices – Starlight, Purple, Blue and House Gray – additionally switch throughout from the 2024 mannequin, as does USB-C for charging and the Contact ID fingerprint sensor throughout the energy button. If I had any criticism of the iPad Air (M3), it will be that it’s about time Face ID was launched on this mannequin, matching the dearer iPad Professional (M4).
In any other case, even the 13-inch mannequin is moveable by way of weight, hitting the scales at 616g, whereas the 11-inch mannequin is 460g. The flat-edged, 6.1mm slim body is comfy to carry, even for prolonged durations of time, whereas the bezel across the show makes an incredible resting place on your thumbs when watching content material. There’s no IP ranking as there may be on Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs, however until you’re planning on swimming along with your iPad or taking it within the tub, that received’t be an excessive amount of of a problem.
Britta O’Boyle
When you invested within the iPad Air (M2), there’s completely no purpose to improve to the iPad Air (M3) from a design perspective, however in case you’re trying on the 2025 mannequin with contemporary eyes, it has a stunning design and a very good construct high quality that’s onerous to fault.
Display & Audio system
- 11-inch or 13-inch choices
- IPS LCD
- Pencil Professional help
- Stereo audio system
The iPad Air (M3) both has an 11-inch Liquid Retina show, or a 13-inch Liquid Retina show, relying on the mannequin you select. There was a time when the bigger mannequin of the iPad Professional line provided a mini-LED panel, whereas the smaller iPad Professional retained an LCD display screen. That’s not the case with the iPad Professional (M4) and the iPad Air doesn’t give any particular remedy to the bigger mannequin both.
Britta O’Boyle
I might like to have seen the previous iPad Professional’s mini-LED panel transcend to the iPad Air, however the IPS LCD display screen on supply right here nonetheless does an incredible job. It’s not so good as the iPad Professional (M4) and its Tandem OLED panel, with these fashions noticeably brighter and punchier by way of color illustration, however the iPad Air has first rate distinction, sharp element, and nice color and vibrancy.
Every part from the most recent TV sequence I used to be watching to the morning information seemed sensible
Every part from the most recent TV sequence I used to be watching to the morning information seemed sensible and, whereas the iPad Air (M3) would profit from upping the refresh charge from 60Hz for a smoother gaming and scrolling expertise, you possibly can nearly forgive that shortcoming for now.
It’s a completely laminated show and there’s an anti-reflective coating too, each of which make a distinction in use. The usual iPad (A16) has neither and the iPad Air’s show is considerably extra pure to work together with because of the lamination, and higher exterior due to anti-reflective coating. Certain, the anti-reflective coating doesn’t have something on the Nano-texture glass possibility you’ll discover on the iPad Professional and MacBook Professional, nevertheless it nonetheless helps to minimise glare from the spring solar.
Britta O’Boyle
The iPad Air can also be appropriate with the Apple Pencil Professional, which is beautiful to make use of. Once I’ve returned to utilizing the Apple Pencil (USB-C) on the usual iPad, I’ve missed the squeeze gesture on the Professional mannequin.
There are two audio system on the sting of the iPad Air (M3) when held in a horizontal orientation and whereas I’d at all times suggest utilizing headphones for the very best expertise, there’s good efficiency from the inbuilt stereo providing right here. Flip them up too loud and issues get slightly distorted however at a low or mid-volume, you’ll don’t have any drawback catching up on the most recent episode of no matter you’re presently into.
Specs & Efficiency
- Apple M3 processor
- 128GB beginning storage
- Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
With the design and show remaining the identical because the iPad Air (M2), most of the causes for this iPad Air (M3) to exist in any respect lie beneath the hood. The iPad Air (M3) runs on Apple’s M3 silicon chip, which is constructed on a 3nm course of and it’s made up of an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU.
Britta O’Boyle
It’s rather less highly effective than the iPad Professional (M4), which runs on the M4 processor with as much as a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, however for almost all of individuals, the iPad Air (M3) could have extra energy than they’ll want. It makes gentle work of something you throw at it, from streaming content material and enjoying video games, to searching the net and dealing on the transfer.
Multitasking is easy, with the iPad Air (M3) operating two apps side-by-side with none indicators of wrestle, whereas switching between apps is seamless. It will possibly deal with heavier-duty duties too, from picture enhancing to graphics-intensive video games.
Britta O’Boyle
There’s 128GB of storage within the entry-level mannequin, although there are alternatives of 256GB, 512GB and 1TB do you have to want to improve. Needless to say iPads don’t have microSD help for storage enlargement so in case you’re somebody who downloads massive apps or desires to retailer your film assortment in your pill, you’ll have to issue that in.
Elsewhere, there’s help for Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and there’s the choice of Wi-Fi solely or Wi-Fi and Mobile utilizing eSIM, all of which utilized to the iPad Air (M2) too.
Cameras
- 12Mp rear, f/1.8
- 12Mp entrance, f/2.0
- Middle Stage
I can’t say I’d suggest taking images with a pill in case you can keep away from it. Smartphones supply a considerably higher expertise general, however do you have to actually need to take a couple of snaps utilizing the iPad Air (M3)’s rear digital camera, it’s going to supply ok outcomes.
It will possibly turn out to be useful for scanning paperwork or taking a fast image so as to add to a observe for instance, however I actually would suggest utilizing your smartphone for any images you may want significantly good high quality from.
Britta O’Boyle
The entrance digital camera is a barely completely different story on an iPad (in comparison with the rear) as that would be the one used for any video calls you may make, whether or not with household, pals or work colleagues. As I discussed, the entrance digital camera is now positioned in a panorama orientation because it was on the iPad Air (M2), which makes far more sense than the earlier portrait place.
Extra individuals match within the body while you’re on a gaggle name, whereas on an expert name, extra of your surrounding atmosphere suits in, moderately than exhibiting solely your physique and the ceiling. The entrance digital camera on the iPad Air (M2) is sweet, supporting 1080p video, and it presents Apple’s Middle Stage function, protecting you in body even in case you transfer round.
Battery Life & Charging
- 10 hours
- 20W charging
Apple touts 10 hours of battery life for all of its iPad fashions. It doesn’t matter if it’s the iPad mini 7, or the iPad Professional (M4) you’re speaking about, all are claimed to ship 10 hours of video watching and 9 hours searching the net. What’s fairly amusing is that the declare is just about on the cash for the all iPad fashions too, together with the iPad Air (M3).
For informal searching, checking emails, streaming content material and making notes, you’ll get nicely over a working day trip of the iPad Air (M3)
When you spend money on the brand new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air (M3) with its bigger trackpad and new row of operate keys and also you begin typing for a few hours, one can find the battery depletes sooner. However, for informal searching, checking emails, streaming content material and making notes, you’ll get nicely over a working day trip of the iPad Air (M3). It’s a strong performer, like Apple’s different iPads, whether or not you’re engaged on the transfer or watching content material on a long-haul flight.
Britta O’Boyle
What you do want to think about is that when the battery is flat, there’s no help for quick charging as you’ll get on some Android tablets, together with the Oppo Pad 3 Professional or the OnePlus Pad 2. The iPad Air (M3) additionally doesn’t include a charging brick within the field, so if you wish to profit from its help for 20W charging, you’ll want to purchase your individual charging block to ship that.
The shortage of quick charging isn’t a deal-breaker – and it’s higher for the battery lifespan general – however simply ensure you cost this pill the evening earlier than you’re taking it someplace moderately than 10 minutes earlier than you permit your own home.
Software program & Apps
- iPadOS 18
- Apple Intelligence
The iPad Air (M3) runs on iPadOS 18, which is an outstanding expertise by way of pill interfaces. There are some methods through which Android is best – predominately by way of permitting for extra apps to run concurrently – however iPadOS remains to be the higher expertise on the entire, with extra apps within the App Retailer optimised for bigger screens too.
Britta O’Boyle
The newer software program additionally launched extra customisation, with the power to maneuver icons within the Management Centre round extra freely and get faster entry to extra settings you may want, in addition to the choice to use a color tint to all apps do you have to need to make your iPad House Display extra uniform.
There’s help for Apple Intelligence right here too
There’s help for Apple Intelligence right here too – one thing you received’t discover on the usual iPad (A16) and, whereas Apple Intelligence remains to be discovering its ft by way of precise usefulness, there are a few options price having.
I’m an enormous fan of the Precedence Notifications, which places crucial notifications on the prime of the stack within the Notification Centre, whereas Clear Up in Pictures means I not must ship a photograph to my Google Pixel if I need to take away somebody or one thing from the background of a picture.
Britta O’Boyle
Apple Intelligence isn’t the only real purpose to spend money on the iPad Air (M3), however because it improves over the subsequent couple of years, it is perhaps one thing you’ll need to have entry to. Apple doesn’t specify precisely for a way lengthy it’s going to supply common software program help, nevertheless it’s normally round seven years, so this iPad Air (M3) ought to proceed to get new software program options till at the least 2030, if not past that.
I’m not simply speaking about Apple Intelligence options both: a few of the finest software program options launched final yr are exterior of Apple Intelligence, together with Good Script, which tidies up your handwriting in actual time and the Calculator app, which has come to iPad for the primary time.
Value & Availability
The iPad Air (M3) begins at £599/$599, which is for the 11-inch mannequin with 128GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity. The 13-inch mannequin with the identical storage and connectivity prices £799/$799. Each may be upgraded to incorporate 5G connectivity, in addition to to storage choices of 256GB, 512GB or 1TB.
The high quality iPad Air (M3) with 1TB of storage and Wi-Fi and Mobile prices £1,249/$1,249 for the 11-inch mannequin and £1,449/$1,449 for the 13-inch mannequin. Including equipment will set you again £129/$129 for the Apple Pencil Professional and from £299/$269 for the Magic Keyboard.
Apple merchandise are not often discounted however sometimes you may discover a small quantity off the iPad Air (M3) itself, or the equipment. You should buy an iPad Air (M3) from the same old locations together with Amazon, Currys and Argos within the UK. Discover it on Amazon and BestBuy within the US.
Take a look at our suggestions for the very best iPads and finest tablets to see extra choices.
Britta O’Boyle
Must you purchase the iPad Air (M3)?
The Apple iPad Air (M3) is an outstanding pill and in case you purchase one, I don’t assume you’ll remorse it. In its favour is its construct high quality, show, efficiency and a strong battery life, all elevated by Apple’s iPadOS software program.
There’s no denying the iPad Air (M3) is a big funding – particularly contemplating the common iPad (A16) is almost half the worth – so it’s price contemplating how a lot energy you really want and whether or not this iPad is overkill. You’ll additionally want to think about how a lot storage you’ll want and whether or not you need equipment, such because the Apple Pencil Professional, all of that are bought individually, driving up the fee.
If energy and portability are prime of your want checklist nevertheless, the iPad Air (M3) is a pill I’ve completely no hesitation in recommending. It’s sensible.
Specs
- iPadOS 18
- 11in or 13in IPS LCD show
- 11in: 2360 x 1640 (264ppi) / 13in: 2732 x 2048 (264ppi)
- Stereo audio system
- Contact ID
- 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB storage
- Apple M3
- 5G mobile (non-compulsory)
- eSIM
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.3
- 12Mp Panorama front-facing digital camera with Middle Stage
- 12Mp rear digital camera
- USB-C port
- 28.93Wh battery (11in) / 36.59Wh battery (13in)
- Out there in House Gray, Starlight, Blue, Purple
- 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm (11in) / 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1mm (13in)
- 460g (11in, Wi-Fi) / 616g (13in, Wi-Fi)