Apple iPad Air M3 review: The smallest of upgrades

Published: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 9:00 am

Apple iPad Air M3 Review: A Minor Upgrade with Major Potential

Apple's latest iPad Air, now featuring the M3 chip, offers a familiar experience with a boost in performance. While the exterior design remains unchanged from last year's model, the new M3 chip unlocks enhanced capabilities, including support for Apple Intelligence, the company's AI assistant. This upgrade positions the iPad Air as a more powerful device, especially for AI-driven tasks.

The iPad Air (M3) is available in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch, with the 13-inch model tested for this review. Pricing starts at $599 for the 11-inch and $799 for the 13-inch, with storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB. Key specifications like the Liquid Retina display, 12MP cameras, stereo speakers, and single USB-C port remain consistent with the previous generation.

The most significant change is the M3 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This translates to faster performance for everyday tasks and improved efficiency for AI-related functions. The optional Magic Keyboard has also received an upgrade, boasting a larger trackpad, function keys, and pass-through charging. However, the keyboard's price remains a significant factor.

While the display's 60Hz refresh rate is a slight drawback compared to the 120Hz found on the iPad Pro, the iPad Air's performance is impressive. Battery life has seen a slight improvement, with the review clocking in at nearly 15 hours in a standard test. Overall, the iPad Air (M3) is a solid upgrade, especially for those coming from older models. However, existing owners of the M2 iPad Air may not find the improvements substantial enough to warrant an upgrade.

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