iPad Air (M3) Review Roundup [Video]

Early reviews of the new iPad Air (M3) have arrived ahead of the tablet's official release on March 12, 2025.

The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air with M3 are available to order in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations. The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $749 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $949 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

You can learn more about the iPad Air (M3) here:
● Apple Announces New iPad Air With M3 Chip


Check out our review roundup below!




The Verge
If you're planning to keep your next iPad until 2030 or so, I'm confident the M3 Air will last that long. Apple's M-series chips are terrific and hold up well over time, this Air supports a good Magic Keyboard and the best Apple Pencil you can buy, and other than Face ID and the 120Hz screen, there are no features you're missing by not buying the Pro. (The Pro is just better at everything.) I still think the base iPad is plenty of iPad for just about everybody, but if you want a nicer screen, a little more processor, and a little more confidence that this thing will last you into the next decade, the Air is a great choice.


CNET
Apple removed the "iPad Air" from the back of this iPad Air. There's just an Apple logo now. Maybe it's a sign. Air doesn't mean anything right now in Apple's iPad universe. The Air is very good, and at the right config, this could very well be the futureproofed, more affordable iPad that's perfect for you -- especially if you're interested in pushing the iPad hard for tools that will need the M3 performance. Don't overspend, and you'll be happy.



Engadget
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.


Tom's Guide
My only real complaint isn't with the iPad Air itself, but with its pricey peripherals. Sure, you don't technically need the Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil Pro. But they're vital tools, especially if you're an artist. If price isn't a concern, however, then the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro are well worth the investment. Complaints aside, the iPad Air M3 is one of the best tablets you can buy and the one I'd now recommend to anyone interested in an Apple slate.




TechRadar
Given that it's not a huge leap over the M2-powered iPad Air, I don't see any need for folks who bought that model last year to rush out and upgrade. But if you have an older standard iPad, and find your needs pushing past its capabilities, or even an M1-powered iPad Air or older, the iPad Air with M3 makes a whole lot of sense, offering power and performance that will last you for many years to come.


Brian Tong
The M3 iPad Air is the best mid-tier tablet you can get with an incremental chip upgrade, new graphics capabilities and the benefits of the Apple Ecosystem and its App Store. The biggest change? The new iPad Air Magic Keyboard. So who does it make sense for to upgrade, or should you look to jump up to the M4 iPad Pro? Or maybe you don't need to upgrade at all!




Christopher Lawley



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