iPad Air M3 review: A modest update that's still easy to recommend
If you've picked up an iPad in the last five years or so, the new iPad Air will not surprise you. It is, in every way but one, identical to the iPad Air that Apple released last spring. The only difference is that the latest iPad Air has the M3 chip inside, instead of the already-capable M2. Even the (extremely muted) colors appear identical this year. Besides the 13-inch screen option Apple added last spring, the iPad Air is barely different from the one that was released way back in 2020.
That makes this iPad exceedingly easy to review — everything I wrote last May when I reviewed the 13-inch iPad Air M2 applies here. I like that it has a long-lasting battery, plenty of power, a reasonable amount of base storage and a front-facing camera on the landscape edge. The 13-inch model is still fairly large, but it's thin and light enough to hold without issue — though if you prefer holding an iPad to using it with a keyboard, you're probably better off with the 11-inch model. The Apple Pencil Pro released last year is a nice upgrade for serious visual artists. I don't like that it still relies on Touch ID instead of Face ID, and I think it's time the iPad Air had a better display.
Apple/Engadget
89
100
Expert Score Apple iPad Air (M3, 13-inch display)
The iPad Air still hits the sweet spot in Apple's tablet lineup, offering a lot of additional features over the basic iPad while keeping a relatively affordable price.
Pros Apple's most affordable large-screen iPad
Powerful M3 chip
Better screen, performance and multitasking capabilities than the base iPad
Better and cheaper keyboard
Cons Screen is starting to show its age
No Face ID
Can get expensive quickly, especially with accessories
The colors could be brighter! $749 at Amazon
Explore More Buying Options $749 at Walmart$799 at Adorama
Given that the M3 chip is the main change here, it's worth giving it a little more attention. Geekbench 6 scores show that the iPad Air with the M3 is about 16 percent more powerful in both single- and multi-core scores. That's pretty impressive given that the M2 iPad Air is less than a year old, but it's not something that'll radically change how you use the device. It does mean it's a little more future-proof, though, and I'm always happy about that. In real use, the iPad Air handled multitasking through my workday, playing games, transcoding video and trying out various Apple Intelligence features with absolutely no hiccups and slowdowns.
Advertisement
Apple has been aggressive about putting extremely powerful chips in the iPad Air and Pro lineups for a few years now, and it's nice that you basically never have to worry about slowdowns. And the newer chip had no ill effects on battery life — I easily got eight hours during a workday with the Magic Keyboard connected the whole time, and close to the 10 hours Apple promises when doing more causal activities or watching video.
Apple iPad Air (M3)
Apple also fixed one of my two major complaints about the last iPad Air. It has a new Magic Keyboard modeled after the much-improved one that was introduced alongside the iPad Pro M4. It's thinner and lighter than the old iPad Air keyboard, has a row of useful function keys and the trackpad is a bit bigger. These aren't major changes, but they are enough to make me much happier with the keyboard experience this year. It doesn't have a few niceties you'll find on the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard, though: The top case is smooth plastic rather than aluminum, the keys aren't backlit and the trackpad has a physical click rather than haptic feedback. However, this keyboard is also $30 cheaper than the one it replaces. It's still wildly expensive — $269 for the 11-inch Air and $319 for the 13-inch model.
The iPad Pro M4 on the left and the iPad Air M3 on the right. The iPad Pro's keyboard has a slightly bigger trackpad.
In fact, this whole package I'm trying is wildly expensive. The 13-inch iPad Air with 1TB of storage and 5G connectivity costs $1,449, and that's not including the keyboard. However, a comparably specced iPad Pro costs, wait for it, $2,099 without its keyboard. The 13-inch Air starts at $799 with 128GB of storage, a price that seems fair to me. Similarly, the 11-inch Air at $599 feels like a great value and has numerous meaningful improvements over the basic iPad.
With the new iPad Air so similar to last year's model, I started thinking about the compromises that Apple makes to keep the price of the Air at a more approachable level, and whether those are reasonable in 2025. The major advantages the iPad Pro M4 has over the iPad Air M3 are: a much better OLED display with a higher refresh rate, more storage space on the base model, a more powerful chip, better speakers and microphones, Face ID instead of Touch ID, a thinner and lighter design, a LiDAR sensor and a few extra photo and video capture capabilities. The iPad Pro also offers a nano-texture front glass option (to reduce screen glare) on the 1TB and 2TB models, and those models with more storage also have 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB.
Apple iPad Air (M3)
In almost all cases, I don't have any issue with those features staying exclusive to the iPad Pro. But after using the iPad Air for a bit, I think it's time Apple finds a way to improve on the screen. In fact, I think there's a solid solution waiting in the wings: deploy the mini-LED display that Apple used in the iPad Pro from 2021 and 2022. That screen refreshes at up to 120Hz, the same as others that Apple brands as ProMotion-capable, and max brightness when watching movies was 1,000 nits — and could jump up to 1,600 nits for HDR content. Brightness when not watching video maxed out at 600 nits, like the iPad Air, but given how popular iPads are for watching video, this would be a major improvement.
Advertisement
Chances are that between the higher refresh rate and improved brightness, Apple feels the mini-LED screen would still be too close to the iPad Pro's OLED panel (which remains shockingly nice, probably the best portable screen I've ever seen). And Apple never made a mini-LED display for the 11-inch iPad Pro, so it would have to develop something new for the smaller iPad Air.
There are plenty of reasons not to do it, but I think the iPad Air deserves a better screen. In fact, I'd be happy enough if Apple just gave me the same screen with a higher refresh rate. The company still reserves that feature for its most expensive 'Pro' devices, but the landscape is a lot different in 2025 than it was in 2020. Plenty of midrange phones have 90Hz or 120Hz screens. Of course, Apple has never really cared about what other manufacturers do; it has pretty consistent rules about what devices get what tech. The iPad Air's screen is essentially the same as the one on the MacBook Air, while the more expensive iPad Pro, MacBook Pro and iPhone Pro lines all get higher refresh rates. That's just where we're at, but I'm ready for it to change.
Apple iPad Air (M3)
Advertisement
Of course, I also need to admit that the iPad Air's screen remains quite lovely. Apple has fine-tuned its LCD tech to within an inch of its life, and it shows in the vibrant colors, overall sharpness and great viewing angles. Sure, I notice that blacks aren't as 'truly black' as they could be with an OLED or mini-LED, but I'm not sitting around thinking about that when I watch movies or play games. I just enjoy what I'm doing without fussing over screen specs.
The lower refresh rate is more noticeable in day-to-day usage — you're constantly touching, swiping and scrolling through content on an iPad, and it just does not feel as fluid. My main devices are a MacBook Pro, iPhone 14 Pro and iPad Pro, all of which use ProMotion. Stepping down to the iPad Air is just a bit of a bummer. And while Apple clearly feels it doesn't always have to respond to larger industry trends, it's hard to imagine it sticking with 60Hz screens for most of their products much longer.
Apple iPad Air (M3)
My other major quibble with the iPad Air is Touch ID. At this point, Face ID really does not feel like a 'Pro' feature. Excluding the iPhone SE lineup, every new iPhone since 2018 has had Face ID, but you still need to spend $1,000 or more to get it on an iPad. That feels a little extreme! Touch ID is fine, but there are a lot of sites and services I often need to log in to for work and having to constantly reach up and touch the top button is a bit of a hassle. Especially compared with just making sure my face is in frame with the front camera. This probably felt like more of a pain during my review, since the iPad Air is brand new and setting up requires a ton of logging in to various apps. Still, Face ID definitely does not feel like a feature that needs to be locked to Pro devices at this point.
Apple iPad Air (M3)
Everything else you need to know about the new iPad Air is covered in my review from 10 months ago, but I'll sum it up. I think the Air remains a clear upgrade over the base iPad — I appreciate its improved display, stronger performance, more robust multitasking experience and better accessories. Not to mention the 13-inch Air is the only way to get a big-screen iPad without breaking the bank. I'm glad Apple built a better keyboard too, and if you have an older iPad Air, the new keyboard will work with it.
Advertisement
But the new iPad with the A16 chip is also better than its predecessor because Apple has fixed a number of issue with it since 2022. The price is lower, storage is doubled and the dumb Lightning Pencil charging situation is now gone. If you don't care about Apple Intelligence, more advanced multitasking and a better or bigger screen, a lot of people looking for "just a good iPad" won't miss the Air's upgrades, especially if they're saving $250.
However, for people who want more from their iPad, the Air is just as easy for me to recommend as it was last year. You can get 80 percent of the iPad Pro experience for a lot less money, and the vast majority of buyers aren't going to miss the Pro's extra features.
My main caveat is that this iPad Air feels like a slightly-upgraded stopgap ahead of a bigger redesign, much as the iPad Pro was in 2022. That iPad went from an M1 to an M2 and got some nice software updates, but was largely the same as its predecessor — and then Apple gave it a massive update a year and a half later. The iPad Air M3 feels like it's in a similar place, just waiting for a big refresh. I don't think it'll be too long before Apple has to update some of its older bits, particularly the display. If you're the kind of person who really loves a good screen, it might be worth waiting another year to see if Apple finally brings faster refresh rates to more iPads.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Circle Internet (CRCL) Soars 20.4% as Firm Gets 'Buy' Reco
Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) is one of the Circle Internet jumped by 20.39 percent on Friday to end at $240.28 as investor sentiment was boosted by an investment firm's upgraded rating. On Friday, Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) earned its first 'buy' recommendation from Seaport Global following the Senate's passage of a legislation that would allow the wide usage of Stablecoins by banks, fintech, and retailers, among others. The news followed Circle Internet Group's (NYSE:CRCL) announcement earlier this week that its USDC stablecoins are being adopted by retail giants Amazon and Walmart, as well as e-commerce operator Shopify. According to Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL), Shopify began rolling out its feature that enables merchants to accept USDC stablecoins—a cryptocurrency founded by its founders Jeremy Allaire and Sean Neville—for payments and order fulfillment flows. Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) also said that it partnered with blockchain firm Ripple to bring USDC stablecoins to the latter's XRP Ledger blockchain as well as with digital identity company World for the addition of USDC and CCTP V2 (Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol) on World Chain. Circle Internet jumped by 20.39 percent on Friday to end at $240.28 as investor sentiment was boosted by an investment firm's upgraded rating. On Friday, Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) earned its first 'buy' recommendation from Seaport Global following the Senate's passage of a legislation that would allow the wide usage of Stablecoins by banks, fintech, and retailers, among others. The news followed Circle Internet Group's (NYSE:CRCL) announcement earlier this week that its USDC stablecoins are being adopted by retail giants Amazon and Walmart, as well as e-commerce operator Shopify. According to Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL), Shopify began rolling out its feature that enables merchants to accept USDC stablecoins—a cryptocurrency founded by its founders Jeremy Allaire and Sean Neville—for payments and order fulfillment flows. A wide angle view of a bustling cityscape, capturing the potential of the consumer internet. Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) also said that it partnered with blockchain firm Ripple to bring USDC stablecoins to the latter's XRP Ledger blockchain as well as with digital identity company World for the addition of USDC and CCTP V2 (Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol) on World Chain. While we acknowledge the potential of CRCL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Amazon Is Selling a 'Must Have' $200 Magnetic Charger for $25
The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Amazon Is Selling a 'Must Have' $200 Magnetic Charger for $25 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Amazon has a limited-time offer on a fantastic magnetic power bank with reliable, fast charging, and it's yours for the taking if you hurry. The e-commerce giant is currently selling the Aobbow magnetic portable charger for only $25 – a whopping 88% discount from the regular list price of $200. The black one (pictured below) is available at this discount, and the light gray one costs an extra $3. With a 10,000mAh battery capacity and equipped with 20W fast-charging technology, this portable power bank is capable of powering up to five devices simultaneously. The best part is that it's compatible with all your favorite USB devices, including iPhones, tablets, Android phones, earbuds, and smartwatches. It also comes with built-in cables, so you won't need multiple cords that get tangled. The small and exquisite power bank has slightly over 70 ratings on Amazon, with 4.8 stars out of five. Over the past month, over 50 pieces have been sold, and customers are delighted. 'I'm thrilled with how seamlessly it charges my device. The magnetic attachment works flawlessly, and the 20W PD fast charging is a game-changer,' one reviewer wrote. 'My phone (4000mAh battery) charges from 0% to 100% in under an hour and a half, and the power bank easily tops it up more than twice on a single charge,' another said. 'I can grab this charger and top off everything and still have juice left in the charger for another round! I love that it has built-in charger cords, a mag charger, and a USB port,' added a third customer. Its strong magnetic attachment keeps your phone secure, even when moving, and once the phone is attached to the power bank, charging begins instantly. There's a built-in LED digital screen that displays your real-time battery percentage, freeing you from the anxiety of not seeing how much power you have left. The manufacturer has also included advanced multi-level protection to protect against any electrical hazards. Say goodbye to battery anxiety with this lightweight battery pack that comfortably fits in your pocket. If you spend over $35 on your order, Amazon offers free shipping. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
7 Most Valuable Vintage Apple Products — Could Yours Be Worth Thousands?
Now that Apple sells over hundreds of millions of iPhones a year, it's easy to forget that it all began with two college dropouts in a garage with some trademark old Apple computers. Since 1976, Apple has seen its share of ups and downs, but the company's nearly 50-year-long resume is packed with tech milestones. Discover More: Find Out: To the untrained eye, obsolete or antiquated products should be put in the bin rather than distributed for sale. The term vintage typically doesn't come with as much of a resale value when applied to electronics as opposed to designer clothing. However, some vintage Apple products have fetched over $100,000 at auction. Though not every used Apple device you have will get this much, the value of certain products collecting dust in your closet might be worth more than a pretty penny. From the very first Macintosh to the MacBook Pro or even iPhone 16, Apple is known just as much for high price tags as it is for innovation. Here's a look at the most significant products Apple has introduced over the years — what they cost then and what they could be worth today. Cost then: $1,298 Potential resale value: $35,655 Compared to 1976's Apple I, the Apple II was a revelation. While the first Apple lacked a monitor, separate keyboard or casing, the Apple II included the whole package, complete with the introduction of five-color on-screen graphics. Adjusted for inflation, you could buy a used car for what the Apple II costs, but its price tag had brought the budding company $7.8 million in sales by 1978 — about $40 million in today's money. Read Next: Cost then: $2,495 Potential resale value: $150,075 This is when the world started calling Apple computers 'Macs' and the company stopped not being a household name. While dropping more than six grand on a computer today is cringeworthy, the original Macintosh was considered the first relatively affordable computer with a graphical interface at the time. Its specs included a whopping 128 KB of RAM, 400 KB of storage, a floppy disk drive and a nine-inch monochrome display. The original 128K prototype was auctioned for $150,075. Cost then: $700 Potential resale value: $2,520 Developed while legendary Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs was away from the company — and famously derided by him — the tablet-like touchscreen Newton paved the way for the success of the PDA and, later, the iPad. This small, hand-held product didn't catch on at the time, but it played a role in inspiring today's 'all-in-one' device design and even featured ahead-of-its-time handwriting recognition capabilities. Cost then: $1,299 Potential resale value: $1,299.99 The introduction of the iMac in 1998 marked the first time Apple used its 'i' branding. At the time, the 'i' in 'iMac' stood for 'internet,' as the all-in-one desktop computer featured a built-in modem, which was uncommon when it launched. The first model came in a blue-green hue, called 'bondi blue and ice' by Apple, but it was later available in a rainbow of colors. It marked the first major Apple work by iconic designer Jony Ive. The iMac line looks a lot different — and less colorful — today, but it's still kicking. Cost then: $1,799 Potential resale value: $1,799 The Power Mac G4 Cube's beautiful design couldn't offset the high price tag, which, consequently, led to its marketplace struggles. By 2001, its entry-level price had been slashed to $1,299. The cube-shaped brains of the box live today in the form of the Mac Mini series, however. Though the Mini doesn't include a monitor, keyboard or speakers like the G4 Cube, it starts at a much more reasonable $599 and the used vintage model can sell for just under that. Cost then: Starting at $399 Potential resale value: $29,000 From 2001 to 2011, Apple sold 300 million original iPods. Though the idea of a dedicated MP3 player seems outdated today, the at-the-time appeal of carrying 1,000 songs on the original, scroll-wheel-equipped model's 5 GB hard drive cannot be overstated. The iPod line eventually included a wide variety of models — from the Nano to the Shuffle — but Apple discontinued it in 2022. However, nostalgic collectors tend to scoop up the rare 1st Generation models if they have never been used or are in like-new condition. Cost then: Starting at $499 Potential resale value: $190,353 Before you can sell a billion, you've got to start with one. The iPhone might not have been the first all-in-one handheld device, but its mainstream appeal and standard feature set established the baseline for the modern smartphone. If your current device has Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth, a camera, a glass screen, an accelerometer and multi-touch, you probably can thank the iPhone. The vintage first edition can sell for thousands of dollars online to enthusiastic gearheads. Caitlyn Moorhead, Andrew Lisa, Ruth Sarreal and Jennifer Taylor contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 10 Used Cars That Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle Clever Ways To Save Money That Actually Work in 2025 This article originally appeared on 7 Most Valuable Vintage Apple Products — Could Yours Be Worth Thousands?
