By Mia Chen, Tablet Tech Reviewer
Apple’s iPad Air M3, launched in 2025, refines an already impressive formula, blending powerful performance with a sleek design that’s hard to resist. While it’s more of an iterative update than a revolutionary leap, the M3 chip, improved display options, and enhanced Apple Pencil support make it a versatile choice for students, creatives, and professionals. After hands-on testing, we found the iPad Air M3 remains a standout in the tablet market, offering premium features at a more accessible price than the iPad Pro. Here’s our full review of why it’s still easy to recommend.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Blazing-fast M3 chip for seamless multitasking.
- Vibrant 11-inch and 13-inch Liquid Retina displays.
- Enhanced Apple Pencil Pro support for creatives.
- Long-lasting battery life for all-day use.
- Sleek, lightweight design in new color options.
Cons:
- Incremental upgrades over the M2 model.
- No 120Hz ProMotion display, unlike the iPad Pro.
- Accessories like the Magic Keyboard add significant cost.
Design and Hardware
The iPad Air M3 retains Apple’s signature minimalist aesthetic, with a slim aluminum chassis that feels premium yet portable. Available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, it weighs 1.02 pounds and 1.36 pounds, respectively, making it easy to carry for school or work. New color options—Space Gray, Starlight, Blue, and a vibrant Purple—add a touch of personality. The flat edges and USB-C port maintain a modern look, while the side-mounted Touch ID button ensures quick, secure unlocking.
The Liquid Retina display delivers crisp visuals with a 2360×1640 resolution (11-inch) or 2732×2048 (13-inch), supporting True Tone and P3 wide color. While bright and sharp, it lacks the 120Hz ProMotion of the iPad Pro, which can make scrolling feel slightly less fluid. The front-facing 12MP Ultra Wide camera, now in landscape orientation, enhances video calls with Center Stage, and the rear 12MP camera captures solid photos and 4K video. Stereo speakers with spatial audio provide immersive sound, though bass is less robust than high-end competitors.
Performance and Features
Powered by the M3 chip, the iPad Air M3 is a performance beast, boasting an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. It handles everything from demanding apps like Adobe Photoshop to 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro with ease. Multitasking with Stage Manager is smooth, even with multiple apps open, and gaming titles like Genshin Impact run flawlessly at high settings. With 8GB of RAM and storage options from 128GB to 1TB, it’s well-equipped for most users, though heavy creators may want more RAM.
Running iPadOS 18, the Air M3 introduces smarter Siri interactions, customizable home screens, and enhanced Notes app features like live audio transcription. Apple Pencil Pro support adds precision for artists, with new gesture controls and haptic feedback for tasks like sketching or annotating. Wi-Fi 6E ensures faster connectivity, and optional 5G keeps you connected on the go. Battery life remains stellar, offering up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback, with USB-C charging that’s quick but not as fast as the Pro models.
Comparison and Value
Priced starting at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch, the iPad Air M3 sits comfortably between the base iPad ($349) and iPad Pro ($999+). Compared to the M2 iPad Air, the M3 offers a 20% faster CPU and better GPU performance, but the upgrades are subtle for casual users. Against competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 ($799), the Air M3 wins with its smoother ecosystem integration and app optimization, though Samsung’s OLED display is a draw for media lovers.
Accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro ($129) and Magic Keyboard ($299) elevate the experience but push the total cost closer to iPad Pro territory. For students, professionals, or creatives seeking a balance of power and affordability, the Air M3 delivers exceptional value, especially with its larger display option and long-term software support.
Final Thoughts
The iPad Air M3 may not reinvent the wheel, but its M3 chip, vibrant display, and Apple Pencil Pro support make it a compelling choice for 2025. Whether you’re studying, creating, or streaming, this tablet handles it all with style and efficiency. While the lack of a 120Hz display and pricey accessories are minor drawbacks, its performance and versatility make it easy to recommend. Ready to upgrade your tablet game? Check out the iPad Air M3 at Apple, Amazon, or Best Buy, and explore our tablet guides for more tech insights!
