Apple iPad Air review (M3, 2025): making the Pro look like total overkill

With the further powering up of Apple’s iPad Air tablet – now with an M3 chip – the Air is essentially an iPad Pro, just without a few bells and whistles like Face ID support and with larger bezels around the display.

But it also shares a lot with the base level 10.9in 10^th and 11th generation iPads, such as Touch ID and the largish bezels. Once again Apple’s iPad range makes sense, with a classic good, better, best scenario – even if the argument for buying an iPad Pro is weakened by the Air.

It is quite significantly more expensive than the standard iPad, after all, starting at $599/£599 for the base level 11in and $799/£799 for the 13in.

The cellular versions of each now cost $150/£150 more than the Wi-Fi-only versions. And that’s before you factor in extras like a keyboard. But, as you’ll hear, if you you want a thin-and-light iPad without the Pro-level pricing… look no further.

Design and display: a familiar tale

Much has been made of the 2024 iPad Pro M4’s 5.1mm thickness, but the Air isn’t far behind at 6.1mm. Each model is heavier, but not by a great deal – a 13in cellular model is a mere 35g heavier than its Pro equivalent.

The iPad Air is at least available in more attractive hues than the Pro, with blue, purple and starlight joining space grey (which is the ‘colour’ of our review model). It’s not exactly iMac-levels of colourful joy, though. And you’d have to say that because of cases, most buyers simply don’t seem to care about colour. Because if they did, Apple would surely make them.

The display is the same as previously, which means its still 60Hz rather than the 120Hz ProMotion display in the iPad Pro. Apple must be relying on the fact its customers aren’t fussed here, because you’d expect more performance at this price point, though colours are punchy and vibrant in that typical retina display way.

Specs and performance: too much for you?

The processor is the key factor why this iPad is more expensive than the basic model. But does it provide too much? After all, the standard iPad 11th gen’s A16 chip is still pretty modern. It’s from 2022 when it was first employed in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max before resurfacing in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.

Even if you decided to find a remaining M2 iPad Air from last year, you certainly wouldn’t be lacking in power for the stuff that most of us are going to be using an iPad for. So you really need to be sure you need the power of this model before you plump for it. If you want something future-proof then there’s certainly an argument for that, but given the performance of the earlier M1 and M2 chips, you’re going to have to be going to some to tax this at all.

The iPad Air M3 does boast compatibility with Apple Intelligence which the standard iPad doesn’t, but with Siri still being fairly rudimentary, a core piece of the AI – a highly functional assistant – is very much missing.

The camera setup on the Air on the front is the same as on the Pro; a single 12MP ultrawide on the front that keeps you in the frame thanks to Apple’s Center Stage tech. There’s also a 12MP wide cam on the back with support for HDR and 4K video – plenty of capability should you need it.

Touch ID is once again employed, just as with the entry-level iPad. Coming from a Face ID iPad Pro I find this quite a disruption in a smooth iPad experience, but it’s a minor point really if you don’t think you’ll mind it. And it does work well if you have your different fingerprints enrolled. You’ll probably need a couple if you use the iPad in both portrait and landscape.

Keyboard and pencil options: pricey but great performers

A new Magic Keyboard with a function key row is compatible with the Air, but it is expensive at $269/£269 or $319/£299 depending on size – it is pretty decent to type on, equivalent to the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard (no surprise as they seem virtually the same). But unless you’re typing very regularly, we’d recommend picking up a third-party case for a lot less.

As with last year’s short-lived iPad Air, this model is compatible with the $129/£129 Pencil Pro for design work, but if you don’t need at level of features, it’ll work just fine with the $79/£79 Apple Pencil USB-C, too , for notes and so on. Both magnetically attach, but only the Pro charges on the side of the device – you will need to use a USB-C cable to charge it.

Last year Apple redesigned the way the Apple Pencil charges vs the older Air – but I was hard-pressed to notice the difference.

Apple iPad Air M3 verdict

In addition to the more powerful processor, there are two reasons for going for the Air over and above the standard model. Firstly, you want a bigger display – like the Pro, this iPad is available in 11 and 13in sizes. Secondly, you want the support for the Apple Pencil Pro for design work.

So the iPad Air is a great ‘cheaper Pro’ but you really need to be sure you need that extra extra screen real estate and power before you buy.

If you’re thinking of buying the Magic Keyboard, then stop and think first – adding a keyboard to the cost means you’re very rapidly into MacBook Air-level pricing and I’d choose the laptop every time. And if the base level 11th generation model is enough for you, it certainly won’t let you down.

Apple iPad Air M3 specifications