If you’ve got an iPad in the last five years or so, New iPad Air You wouldn’t be surprised. It’s the same as the iPad Air Apple released last spring, and is identical in every respect. The only difference is that the latest iPad Air has an M3 chip inside, not the M2 that it already handles. Even the (very calm) colours look the same this year. In addition to the 13-inch screen options that Apple added last spring, the iPad Air is almost different from the one released in 2020.
This makes this iPad very easy to check. Everything I wrote last May when I reviewed my 13-inch iPad Air M2 applies here. I love the long-term battery, ample power, a reasonable amount of base storage and a landscape edge front camera. The 13-inch model is still quite large, but it’s thin and light enough to hold it without any problems. However, although I recommend using it on a keyboard, it’s probably better to use the 11-inch model. Released last year, the Apple Pencil Pro is a great upgrade for serious visual artists. I don’t like the fact that they rely on Touch ID instead of Face ID, so I think it’s a better time to display iPad Air.
It’s worth a bit more attention given that the M3 chip is the main change here. The Geekbench 6 score shows that the M3’s iPad Air is about 16% stronger in both single-core and multi-core scores. Considering that the M2 iPad Air is under a year, it is very impressive, but it does not fundamentally change the way you use the device. But that means it’s a bit more of a future grounds, and I’m always happy about it. In fact, the iPad Air handled multitasking throughout my work day, played games, transcoding videos, and didn’t try out the various Apple Intelligence features.
For several years, Apple has been actively working on putting extremely strong chips in its iPad Air and Pro lineup. Basically, it’s great that you don’t have to worry about slowing down. Additionally, the new chips did not adversely affect battery life. I easily earned 8 hours while working with a magic keyboard connected all the way through.
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Apple also fixed one of my two major complaints about the last iPad Air. There is a new magic keyboard modeled after the much improved keyboard introduced along with the iPad Pro M4. It’s thinner and lighter than an older iPad Air keyboard, with a convenient row of feature keys and the trackpad is a little larger. These aren’t major changes, but this year’s keyboard experience is enough to make me happier. However, the iPad Pro Magic keyboard doesn’t have some great things. The top case is smooth plastic rather than aluminum, the keys are without backlight, and the trackpad has physical clicks rather than tactile feedback. However, this keyboard is $30 cheaper than the keyboard you replace. It’s still very expensive – 11-inch air costs $269, and 13-inch model costs $319.
The iPad Pro M4 on the left and the iPad Air M3 on the right. The iPad Pro keyboard has a slightly larger trackpad.
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In fact, this The whole package What I’m trying to do is very expensive. The 13-inch iPad Air with 1TB of storage and 5G connection costs $1,449 and does not include a keyboard. However, the equivalent iPad Pro cost is $2,099 without a keyboard. 13-inch air starts at $799 with 128GB of storage. This is a fair price for me. Similarly, the $599 11-inch air feels like a great value, with more meaningful improvements than a basic iPad.
With the new iPad Air similar to last year’s model, we’ve started thinking about compromises that Apple would compromise to keep air prices at a more accessible level. In 2025, I started thinking about whether they were reasonable or not. The iPad ProM4 has the following advantages over the iPad Air M3: Lighter design, rider sensor, and some additional photo and video capture features. The iPad Pro also offers 1TB and 2TB models of Nano-Texture windshield options (to reduce screen glare). Also, models with more storage have 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB.
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In almost every case I have no problem with these features remaining exclusively for the iPad Pro. However, after a bit of using the iPad Air, I think it’s time for Apple to find a way to improve the screen. In fact, I think there’s a solid solution waiting on the wing: From 2021 and 2022, we’ll be rolling out the mini-driven displays that Apple used on the iPad Pro. That screen is up to 120Hz, the same as everyone else who can handle promotions, and the same as the biggest brand you’ll be watching movies. This is a huge improvement given that brightness is popular for watching videos when you’re not watching videos that are maximizing videos on 600 knits like the iPad Air.
Between the higher refresh rate and brightness improvements, Apple may find the mini-driven screen still too close to the OLED panel on the iPad Pro (this is surprisingly nice and perhaps the best portable screen I’ve ever seen). Also, Apple has never created a mini-driven display for the 11-inch iPad Pro, so it will need to develop something new for the smaller iPad Air.
There are many reasons do not have To do that, however, I think the iPad Air deserves a better screen. In fact, I’m quite pleased if Apple gave me the same screen at a higher refresh rate. The company still reserves the capabilities of its most expensive “Pro” devices, but 2025 is very different from 2025. Many mid-range phones have a 90Hz or 120Hz screen. Of course, Apple never really cared about what other manufacturers do. There are fairly consistent rules about which devices get which technology. The iPad Air screen is essentially the same as the MacBook Air screen, but the more expensive iPad Pro, MacBook Pro and iPhone Pro Lines all get advanced refresh rates. That’s where we are, but I’m ready to change it.
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Of course, you need to admit that the iPad Air screen remains very nice. Apple has fine-tuned LCD technology within an inch of life, showing with vibrant colors, overall sharpness and fantastic viewing angles. Certainly, I’ve noticed that black people aren’t “really black” like OLED or mini-driven, but when I’m watching movies or playing games, I’m not thinking about it. I enjoy what I’m doing without making a fuss about the screen specifications.
The lower refresh rate is more pronounced in daily use – it’s not fluid as you constantly touch, swipe and scroll through content on your iPad. My main devices are MacBook Pro, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPad Pro. All of these use promotions. It’s only a little bit to get off to the iPad Air. And while Apple clearly feels that it doesn’t always need to be on the rise of the bigger industry, it’s hard to imagine sticking to a 60Hz screen on most products.
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My other major quiz with the iPad Air is my Touch ID. At this point, Face ID doesn’t actually feel like a “Pro” feature. Except for the iPhone SE lineup, all new iPhones since 2018 had Face IDs, but you’ll need to spend over $1,000 to get them on your iPad. That feels a little extreme! Touch ID is fine, but there are many sites and services that require you to log in for work, and you always need to reach out and touch the top button. Especially compared to making sure my face is on the frame with the front camera. This probably felt more painful during my review as the iPad Air is brand new and requires logging in to various apps to set up. Still, Face ID definitely doesn’t feel like a feature that needs to be locked to a pro device at this point.
Nathan Ingraham of Engajit
Everything else you need to know New iPad Air As explained in my review 10 months ago, I will put it all together. I think the Air will remain a clear upgrade on the base iPad. We appreciate the improved display, a stronger performance, a more robust multitasking experience, and better accessories. Needless to say, 13 inch air is the only way to get a big screen iPad without breaking the bank. I’m glad Apple has built a better keyboard too. If you have an older iPad Air, the new keyboard will work.
However, as Apple has fixed many issues since 2022, the new iPad with the A16 chip is also better than its predecessor. Prices are low, storage is doubled, and stupid lightning pencil charging status is gone. If you don’t mind Apple Intelligence, more advanced multitasking, better or bigger screens, many people looking for a “just good iPad” won’t miss out on an air upgrade, especially if you’re saving $250.
But for those who want more from an iPad, the air is as easy as I would recommend last year. It can make the iPad Pro experience much less than 80%, and the majority of buyers won’t miss out on the extras of the Pro feature.
My main warning is that this iPad Air feels like a slightly upgraded stopgap, just like the 2022 one, ahead of a larger redesign. The iPad went from the M1 to the M2 and got some great software updates, but it was pretty much the same as its predecessor. The iPad Air M3 feels like it’s in a similar location, just waiting for a big refresh. I don’t think it’s too long before Apple updates some of the old bits, especially the display. If you’re the kind of person who really loves good screens, it might be worth a second year to see if Apple ultimately brings a faster refresh rate to more iPads.
This article was originally published at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-air-m3-review-a-modest-update-thats-thats-easy-till-easy-to-recommend-130045196.html?src=rss
