Apple iPad Air M3 Specifications: Full Specs, Price and Key Features

The 11-inch iPad Air with the M3 chip, with its Settings screen confirming the model name and 128 GB of storage.

The Apple iPad Air M3 is the seventh-generation iPad Air, and it brings Apple's laptop-class M3 chip to the company's thinnest and lightest full-size tablet line.

Apple announced the tablet on March 4, 2025, and it went on sale on March 12, 2025, in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes.

The headline upgrade is the M3 chip itself, which delivers faster performance and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic graphics in games.

The new model also supports Apple Intelligence, works with the Apple Pencil Pro, and pairs with a redesigned and cheaper Magic Keyboard.

Prices stayed exactly where they were before, which makes the extra speed feel like a free upgrade for new buyers. Here are the full specifications, key features, and price.

Key Highlights of Apple iPad Air M3

1. Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU.

   The M3 processor combines an 8-core CPU with a 9-core GPU, and Apple says it delivers up to 35 percent faster multithreaded CPU performance than the M1 model.

2. Two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch.

   Buyers can pick the compact 11-inch model for portability or the larger 13-inch version for split-screen work, and both share the same chip, cameras, storage options, and colours.

3. Liquid Retina display with P3 colour.

   The fully laminated screen supports wide P3 colour and True Tone, reaching 500 nits of brightness on the 11-inch model and 600 nits on the bigger 13-inch.

4. Built for Apple Intelligence.

   A faster 16-core Neural Engine powers Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, Clean Up in Photos, and Image Wand, all running directly on the device itself.

5. Apple Pencil Pro and new Magic Keyboard.

   The Air supports Apple Pencil Pro with squeeze and hover gestures, plus a redesigned Magic Keyboard that adds a 14-key function row at a lower starting price.

6. Fast Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G.

   Wi-Fi 6E delivers quicker wireless speeds on supported networks, Bluetooth 5.3 handles accessories, and optional cellular models add sub-6 GHz 5G for working away from home.

Design and Display

The iPad Air M3 keeps the slim aluminium design of the previous generation, measuring just 6.1 mm thin in both sizes with flat sides and rounded display corners.

The 11-inch model weighs just 461 grams in its Wi-Fi version, while the 13-inch model weighs 617 grams, so both stay comfortable to hold for reading.

Four finishes are available this year, namely Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray, and Touch ID stays built into the top button for fast unlocking.

The Liquid Retina display uses an LED-backlit IPS panel with a 2360 by 1640 resolution on the 11-inch model and 2732 by 2048 on the 13-inch.

An antireflective coating and full lamination keep the image close to the glass, which makes drawing with the Pencil feel natural, precise, and direct.

Two screen sizes, one slim aluminium body, and a colour-accurate display keep the iPad Air easy to carry and easy on the eyes.

Performance and Apple Intelligence

Performance is the whole point of this generation, because the M3 brings Apple's advanced graphics architecture to the Air line for the first time ever.

Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading make lighting, reflections, and shadows in supported games look far more realistic than on the older M1 model.

Every configuration includes 8 GB of unified memory and storage choices of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or a roomy 1 TB.

In everyday use that means fast app launches, smooth split-screen multitasking, and quick exports in demanding video editors such as Final Cut Pro for iPad.

The 16-core Neural Engine runs Apple Intelligence features on the device, including Writing Tools for polishing text and Clean Up for removing objects from photos.

Stage Manager support also lets the Air drive an external display, so the tablet can double as a small desktop when a monitor is nearby.

Cameras and Audio

The rear camera is a single 12-megapixel wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture, digital zoom up to 5x, and Smart HDR 4 for balanced photos.

Video recording reaches 4K at up to 60 frames per second, with slo-mo support at 1080p and cinematic stabilisation for smoother handheld clips and document scans.

The front camera is a 12-megapixel ultra-wide unit placed on the landscape edge, and Center Stage keeps you framed during video calls while the tablet is propped up.

Stereo speakers in landscape orientation give movies and calls clear, wide sound, and the dual microphones keep your voice clean on recordings and online meetings.

Battery and Charging

Apple rates both sizes for up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or video playback, matching the battery life of previous Air models.

The 11-inch model carries a 28.93-watt-hour battery, while the larger 13-inch model fits a bigger 36.59-watt-hour cell to power its larger and brighter display.

Charging happens over the USB-C port, which also supports DisplayPort video output and USB 3 transfer speeds of up to 10 Gb/s for accessories.

Accessories: Pencil and Magic Keyboard

The new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air adds a larger trackpad and a 14-key function row, and it costs less than the keyboard it replaces.

The keyboard is priced at $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch model, and it attaches magnetically with a floating cantilever design.

Apple Pencil Pro support brings squeeze gestures, barrel roll, haptic feedback, and hover previews, while the cheaper Apple Pencil (USB-C) covers basic notes and sketches.

Tips for Choosing and Using the iPad Air M3

Choose the 13-inch model if you split the screen often, because the extra space makes two full apps side by side genuinely comfortable to use.

Pick at least 256 GB of storage if you edit video or keep large photo libraries, since the Air offers no way to expand storage later.

Turn on Stage Manager when working with a keyboard and trackpad, because resizable windows and an external display make the Air feel like a laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the iPad Air M3 come out? Apple announced it on March 4, 2025, pre-orders opened the same day, and the tablet officially went on sale on March 12, 2025.

How much does the iPad Air M3 cost? The 11-inch model starts at $599 and the 13-inch model starts at $799 in the United States, with cellular versions adding $150 to either size.

Does the iPad Air M3 support Apple Pencil Pro? Yes, it works with both Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), including hover previews, and the Pro adds squeeze gestures and haptic feedback.

Is the iPad Air M3 good for gaming? Yes, the M3 chip adds hardware-accelerated ray tracing, so supported games show more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows than on the earlier M1 model.

Apple iPad Air M3 Full Specifications

Price and Availability

The iPad Air M3 was announced on March 4, 2025, and it went on sale on March 12, 2025 through Apple Stores and authorised retailers in many markets.

In the United States, the 11-inch model starts at $599 with 128 GB of storage, while the 13-inch model starts at $799, and cellular versions add $150 to either size.

Students and educators paid less at launch through Apple's education store, where the 11-inch model started at $549 in the United States.

For most buyers, the 11-inch Wi-Fi model with 256 GB offers the best balance of price, portability, and performance for study, work, and entertainment.

Shoppers who draw, edit video, or multitask heavily will appreciate the bigger 13-inch screen, and both sizes deliver years of fast and reliable service.