Apple iPad Air M3 11-inch vs Apple iPad Pro M4 13-inch
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Apple's M3 iPad Air offers excellent value for mainstream users, delivering strong performance with the M3 chip, a crisp 11-inch Liquid Retina display, and up to 1TB storage at $599. Its 462g weight and 6.1mm profile make it highly portable for everyday tasks. However, the iPad Pro M4 13-inch targets professionals with its stunning Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display featuring 120Hz ProMotion, superior color accuracy, and the more powerful M4 chip with optional 16GB RAM—though at $1299 with no cellular option and 579g weight, it demands premium commitment. For students, casual creators, and general consumption, the iPad Air M3 is the smarter choice. Creative professionals and those needing maximum screen real estate should invest in the Pro M4, where its display quality and performance justify the premium.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPad Air M3 11-inch | Apple iPad Pro M4 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 18 | iPadOS 17 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 462 g (Wi-Fi) / 469 g (cellular) | 579 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm | 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing | Up to 10 hours web on Wi-Fi |
| Capacity | 7526 mAh | — |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 4K video | 12 MP wide |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide with Center Stage | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 13 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2752 x 2064 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB (256GB/512GB) / 16 GB (1TB/2TB) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Apple M4 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C (USB 3.2) | Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Air M3 11-inch
Pros
- M3 chip delivers desktop-class CPU and GPU performance
- Apple Intelligence AI features supported
- Thin 6.1 mm chassis with premium aluminum build
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
- Available in 1 TB storage configuration
Cons
- No ProMotion — still 60Hz refresh rate
- No OLED or mini-LED display
- Accessories (Pencil, keyboard) add significant cost
- No headphone jack
Apple iPad Pro M4 13-inch
Pros
- Stunning Tandem OLED display with deep blacks and 1600 nits HDR peak
- Incredibly thin and light for a 13-inch tablet at just 5.1mm
- Blazing-fast Apple M4 chip rivals many laptops
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 supports external displays and fast accessories
- Supports the new Apple Pencil Pro with haptics and squeeze gestures
Cons
- Very expensive, especially with Magic Keyboard and Pencil Pro
- iPadOS still limits true desktop-class workflows
- No headphone jack
- Storage is not user-expandable
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