This year’s release of the iPad Air truly caught me off guard, as I was not expecting Apple to introduce a new model so soon after the last one. Apple had launched the previous Air model less than a year ago, and it was already a remarkable device that boasted the capability to support Apple Intelligence, which has become a focal point in many of Apple’s recent product upgrades.
Given this context, I initially thought that Apple might focus on enhancing the existing model by introducing a better Magic Keyboard for the Air, which they indeed did, and I also anticipated that we would witness some exciting new software innovations during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this year. However, the announcement of an entirely new model was something I certainly did not see coming.
In all fairness, when we examine the new model closely, it becomes clear that there is really only one significant change that sets it apart from its predecessor: it is now powered by the new M3 chip, replacing last year’s M2 chip. Therefore, rather than considering this as a completely new iteration of the iPad Air, it might be more accurate to describe it as a mid-cycle refresh that reflects Apple’s ongoing advancements in chip production and technology. As a result, the new iPad Air, much like the previous version, starts at a price point of $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch variant, and it continues to be offered in the same very light and appealing color options. You get the general idea of what to expect.
Having had the opportunity to use a
13-inch M2 Air for several months now, I have also been testing the
11-inch M3 Air on my desk for the past few days. The overall experience remains consistent with what I have come to expect from Apple’s tablets: it is an excellent device that performs admirably in various tasks. However, I find myself wishing that Apple would take advantage of the capabilities of iPadOS to make the iPad a more versatile and multifunctional tool. Nevertheless, we don’t need to delve into a debate about the fundamental reasons for the existence of tablets in today’s tech landscape — what you are likely most interested in is whether this new iPad Air is the right tablet for you to consider purchasing
New iPad Air Performance Review: M3 Chip Shows Modest Improvements
In recent testing of the newly released iPad Air, which is powered by Apple’s latest M3 chip, several observations have emerged that provide valuable insight into its performance capabilities and overall user experience. After extensive hands-on testing, I have compiled a series of thoughts that collectively contribute to a clearer understanding of what this new model offers.
Firstly, it is crucial to highlight that there is no significant performance upgrade when compared to its predecessor, the iPad Air featuring the M2 chip. Benchmarks reveal that the M3 chip delivers a performance increase of approximately 12 to 15 percent over the M2 found in last year’s model. While this improvement is indeed a respectable enhancement, it falls short of the 2x performance jump that Apple had previously promised over the M1 chip introduced in 2022. Unfortunately, I do not have access to an M1 model at the moment, so I am unable to directly test and verify that particular claim.
In practical terms, however, I have not noticed any discernible difference in performance during everyday use. Applications open at the same speed, gaming experiences remain consistent, and even creative applications such as Procreate and Logic exhibit similar responsiveness to their predecessors. This observation is not necessarily a critique of the M3 chip; rather, it serves as a testament to the impressive capabilities of the M2 chip, which was already a high-performing processor.
Overall, I would characterize the M3 chip as being closer in performance to the M2 than to the M4 chip found in the iPad Pro, which continues to demonstrate a slight edge in speed across various tasks.
When it comes to graphics performance, testing on an iPad can be somewhat challenging, as there are relatively few games designed to truly push the limits of the device. For instance, when playing Call of Duty: Mobile and setting all graphics options to maximum, I believe I can detect a subtle difference in visual details, particularly in the rendering of shadows. However, this difference is quite subtle at best and may even be attributed to a placebo effect rather than a significant enhancement in performance.
In conclusion, while the new iPad Air with the M3 chip does offer some improvements, users may find that the enhancements are not as pronounced as they might have hoped, especially when compared to the already impressive capabilities of the M2 chip.
But the keyboard is significantly better. The addition of a row of function keys — for controlling volume and playback, opening the app switcher, and quickly locking the device — immediately makes the Air a more credible laptop replacement. (Until now, the Air’s keyboard was the only dock that didn’t have function keys, which was just weird.) Apple claims that passthrough charging with the new Magic Keyboard charges the iPad as fast as plugging the tablet in directly, making it a really useful dock. It’s too expensive an accessory, starting at $269, but it’s a very good one. The Pro keyboard is still the best, though: it’s made of aluminum, has backlit keys and more feedback in the trackpad, and just feels nicer to tap on.
Another nice thing: the new keyboard is backwards compatible, so if you have an M2 Air, it’ll work just fine with the new keyboard. In fact, if you can find one on sale, the 2024 Air plus 2025 Magic Keyboard might be the Air combo I recommend most.
This device really should support Face ID. To me, Touch ID always made more sense on phones, which you hold in the same way all the time, compared to a tablet where the concepts of “top” and “bottom” can change frequently. With the Face ID iPad Pro, you rarely need to use the power button; just tap the screen, and it wakes up and unlocks. However, on this Air, like other Touch ID iPads, it’s frustrating to have to sweep your thumb around the edges searching for the power button where the sensor is located. In terms of everyday usability, Face ID is the Pro feature I most want to see on the Air.
Size matters. It might sound trivial to say that a 13-inch iPad is very different from an 11-inch iPad, but those two extra inches of screen really do make a difference. When I use a 13-inch iPad, which is what I’ve mostly been testing lately, I hardly ever pick it up; it’s more of a desk-bound device that stays attached to a keyboard. In contrast, the 11-inch model is much easier to hold with two hands (or even one), so I find myself carrying it around much more often.
If you’re looking for a larger model, I’d recommend considering the 13-inch Pro instead. If you view the iPad as a productivity tool rather than just a portable device for consumption, you’ll really benefit from the Pro’s superior Magic Keyboard, its 120Hz screen, and its performance enhancements. If you want something that can essentially serve as your main computer, the iPad Pro is the way to go if your budget allows. However, if you appreciate the versatility of a smaller screen, the 11-inch Air is a fantastic choice. You do sacrifice some screen space, and the keyboard attachment is a bit more cramped, but I often recommend the smaller models for their portability alone. I’m convinced that nearly every iPad user would be best served by either the standard iPad or the 11-inch Air.
However, there are a few things that the base model can’t do, such as Stage Manager (which isn’t a big deal) and the Pencil Pro (which could be a concern!). It’s also the only current iPad that doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. At the moment, this doesn’t really matter at all. Honestly, I can’t think of a single reason why Apple Intelligence would influence your decision to choose one device over another in the near future. But if you’re optimistic about the future of AI and believe that Apple Intelligence will improve before you’re ready to upgrade your iPad again, you might want to consider the Air. I can’t predict how likely it is that AI will advance significantly before your iPad becomes outdated — especially since Apple has once again postponed the Siri improvements that could make Apple Intelligence more appealing. Regardless, that’s currently the most significant difference between the devices.
The Air is still a bit of a middle ground, but it’s a solid option. Speaking of longevity, most studies and surveys indicate that iPad users tend to keep their devices for at least three years — and often it’s more like five or even seven. If you plan to hold onto your next iPad until around 2030, I’m confident that the M3 Air will last that long. Apple’s M-series chips are excellent and perform well over time. This Air is compatible with a great Magic Keyboard and the best Apple Pencil available, and aside from Face ID and the 120Hz screen, you won’t be missing out on any features by opting for the Air instead of the Pro. (The Pro simply excels in every area.) I still believe that the base iPad is more than sufficient for most users, but if you’re looking for a better screen, a bit more processing power, and greater assurance that your device will last into the next decade, the Air is an excellent choice.
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