It was easy to miss in Apple’s explosion of launches last week – which also included the new MacBook Air M4 – but Apple recently launched a new iPad Air M3.
Alongside a fresh processor, the Mid-Range tablet got a new, pro-level Magic Keyboard Companion. For such a powerful tablet, it also remains pricing at a tempting level starting at $ 599 / £ 599 / AU $ 999 (for the 11-inch model) and $ 799 / £ 799 / AU $ 1,299 (for 13-inch version).
But are you going to buy iPad Air M3? Or is it a meaningless middle ground between the refreshed base iPad and the more powerful OLED gasket iPad Pro M4?
We have rounded off all the biggest reviews from the entire Internet below to see if there is a consensus and help you decide the best iPad for you. Of course, start with Techradar’s experiences with Apple’s latest air …
IPad Air M3 reviews
TECHRADAR: “stretching the value further with more power at the same price”
The good
- M3 -chip’s power
- Living screen
- Strong battery life
- Impressive sound
The bad
- No promotion display
- Known design
Our iPad Air M3 review concludes that it is an even better value setting than before – and potentially a reason to skip the iPad Pro (2024). The air lacks Pro’s best-in-class screen and (ironically) ultra-thin design, but we “really noticed and need speed” from its M3 chip.
This means, as our review concludes that the new iPad Air “blurs the line between who this is for and who the iPad Pro is for.” It rattled through most tasks we threw on it, from photo and video editing to work apps and games. Although not far ahead of the M2 chip’s performance, we found it “almost impossible” to even slow it down.
In short, the iPad Air M3 is definitely a worthy upgrade “if you have an M1 iPad Air or older, an iPad on entry-level or another tablet” and need more power.
The Verge: “An excellent tablet and I wish Apple would use iPados to make it a more versatile one”
The good
- Faster M3 -CHIP
- Large magic keyboard upgrade
The bad
- No Facial Id
- Apple Intelligence is limited
- Much more expensive than base iPad
Verge’s iPad Air M3 review chimes with most of our findings means it concludes that it is a great opportunity if you want a slightly more future-proof tablet than the more affordable base iPad.
Unlike us, Verge reviewed the 13-inch version. The conclusion was, “If you want a larger model, I would encourage you to consider 13-inch pro instead”. We thought the same thing after crushing the numbers on the iPad Air M3’s various configuration options.
Another small difference was that the brim didn’t notice any real difference from M3-Chip compared to its predecessor. This means that it recommends that the “2024 Air Plus 2025 Magic Keyboard” may be the combination to go for if you can find it for sale.
Cnet: “Once again, Pro iPad for most”
The good
- Speedy M3 processor
- No price increase
- New magic keyboard
The bad
- No OLED screen
- Can get expensive
Unlike The Verge, Cnet does not think the iPad Pro is now worth upgrading compared to the new air (unless you are considering an advanced air as the 1TB model).
What is the difference between the two? Pro gets you an OLED screen, thinner design, face -id camera and a lidar scanner along with an M4 chip. But as we also concluded, the lines between the air and Pro are now even more blurred – and it depends on how much you want these extra features.
Similarly, CNET’s review concluded that there are two major reasons to get the new air above the base iPad – its M3 chip and compatibility with pencil pro. It also praises the magic keyboard, as it says is “a better option now than it was,” and in an running theme say that the 11-inch model “would be the one I would consider.”
The cable: “Now an opportunity for creative and players, but lacks exciting upgrades”
The good
- Small performance boost
- New magic keyboard house
- 5G connection
- Advanced graphics forces
The bad
- Heavier than iPad Pro
- Basic LCD screen
- No new color settings
- iPados is still limited
Wired settled on a medium -sized 7/10 rating for iPad Air M3, with the most important recommendation to wait for the price of it if you need the M3 stream. “It delivers a great experience, but it doesn’t bring anything important to the table that guarantees to pay full price,” concludes Wired’s review.
Its comparison side by side with M1 and M2 iPad expatriates showed that “it was difficult to see a distinction in the performance between all three,” except for the m3 feeling “a bit snappers” but not noticeably.
The other most important criticism is Air’s design (“It’s comical that iPad Air is still a few grams heavier and almost a full millimeter thicker than the iPad Pro”) Plus the lack of battery life and screen improvements. Wired believes Apple should have replaced its LCD panel with the Mini -LED -en -seen on the iPad Pro in 2021 and 2022.
In short, while Wired believes the Air M3 is still a solid option, it expects “we are at the bottom of an even thinner, faster and better model” in the near future.
Engadget: “A modest update that is still easy to recommend”
The good
- Affordable iPad on large screen
- Improved, cheaper keyboard
- Powerful M3 chip
The bad
- Aging screen technology
- No Facial Id
- Colors could be lighter
- Can get expensive fast
Like most iPad Air M3 reviews here, Engadget did not notice much of a real effect of the new M3 chip (despite Geekbench scores showing an improvement of 16% over M2). However, it points out that the chip makes the tablet a little more future -proofed.
Like Wired, Engadget thinks Apple should have upgraded Air’s Screen Tech to iPad Pro’s Mini LED panel a few years ago. The combination of a 120Hz update speed and 1,000 nits (1,600 NITs for HDR content) would, it says, “be a great improvement” considering how popular iPads are to watch video. Then it also admits that “iPad Air’s screen remains quite nice.”
In conclusion, Engadget says, “The air remains a clear upgrade over base pad,” thanks to its “improved screen, stronger performance, more robust multitasking experience and better accessories.” But also that most people who want “just a good iPad” probably wouldn’t miss the air’s upgrades.
IPad Air M3 judgment
Despite some minor differences of opinion, there is a clear consensus in the iPad Air M3 reviews-all reviewers think it is a fine medium-sized tablet if a slightly dull, step-by-step upgrade.
The new air can also potentially be caught between two stools. The updated base iPad remains better value for those who simply want an Apple tablet (and don’t care about Apple Intelligence), while the cost of iPad Air M3 configurations can mount to the point where the iPad Pro M4 may be better (especially if you need a 13-inch screen).
The main reasons for choosing an iPad air above the base iPad are its M3 -Chip and Apple Pencil Pro compatibility. The iPad Pro M3 meanwhile offers a much better OLED screen, an M4 chip, face -id, a Lidar sensor and better speakers.
But most reviews also concluded that if the latter is not important to you, the new air remains a fine tablet where the 11-inch model is the sweet place for size and price.
