If an iPad Pro seems too expensive, or simply like overkill, which of the two new iPads should you consider? While the Air is technically superior in several ways, it's important to gauge whether its features are really worth spending an extra $250 or more before any add-ons.
The iPad Air (M3) is Apple's mid-range tablet powered by the M3 chip. It offers laptop-like performance in a lightweight design and is available in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch.
Apple iPad 11
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
CPU
A16 chip
Operating System
iPadOS 18
Ports
USB-C
Size
11-inch
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 6
Colors
Blue, Pink, Yellow, Silver
Front Camera
12-megapixel center stage camera, ƒ/2.4 aperture
Rear Camera
12-megapixel wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
The 11th gen iPad starts at $349 for a 128GB Wi-Fi model, but as with all iPads, there are a number of configuration options. You can upgrade to 256 or 512GB of storage, and add 4G/5G cellular connectivity if you need to stay online 24/7. A fully-equipped model will set you back $799 before any accessories. Note that many accessories are off-limits -- the tablet only supports the USB-C and 1st gen Apple Pencils, not the Apple Pencil Pro, and Apple's official keyboard is the scaled-back Magic Keyboard Folio. You may be able to find better third-party keyboards.
The 7th gen iPad Air is sold in 11- and 13-inch versions, starting at $599 and $799 respectively for their 128GB Wi-Fi configurations. There are 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage tiers, once again spiced up with the option of 4G/5G cellular. A top-of-the-line 13-inch Air will set you back $1,449 before accessories, that price being comparable to a MacBook Air.
Design-wise, there's relatively little to distinguish the two products. They're mostly identical, in fact, down to including USB-C and Smart Connector ports, as well as a Touch ID sensor integrated into the sleep/wake button. Even their camera systems are the same -- both use 12-megapixel front and rear cameras, the front cameras being landscape-oriented ones with Center Stage automatic panning. As always, iPad cameras are primarily intended for video calls and scanning documents.
Where things really diverge is with the option of a 13-inch display for the Air. I'll talk more about that in the next section, but here I'll note that while the 13-inch model offers a better view of apps, it may not be the best choice for some travelers. Its size makes it harder to pack and unpack, especially during security screenings, and it's going to dominate your seat tray on planes and trains. The sacrifice might be worth it, but only as long as you're prepared for a tablet to occupy as much room as a MacBook.
The 11th gen is the more colorful tablet, with vibrant yellow, pink, blue, and silver options. The Air does come in blue, purple, starlight, or space black, but all of its shades are subdued.
Let's cut to the chase -- if you want an iPad that can truly replace a laptop, the 13-inch Air is your cheapest option short of an iPad Pro. An extra two diagonal inches might not sound like much, but it enables superior multitasking, particularly if you use Display Zoom to cram more text onscreen.
You can put two full-sized apps side-by-side, whereas on the 11-inch Air and 11th gen iPad, you'll have to use apps in fullscreen mode or make compromises. Photographers, illustrators, and video editors will most appreciate the extra screen space, though even someone writing a research paper will appreciate being able to sit a fully-legible web browser or notes app next to their text editor.
If you want an iPad that can truly replace a laptop, the 13-inch Air is your cheapest option short of an iPad Pro.
There are some additional benefits to the Air regardless of which size you pick. These include a wider P3 gamut for more accurate colors, and anti-reflective coating, which should make the tablet more readable in sunlight. Realistically, however, most people will enjoy the 11th gen iPad's display, and may not even notice the difference under typical conditions.
There's a pretty considerable performance gap between the base iPad and the Air. The A16 processor in the 11th gen iPad is the same one used in 2022's iPhone 14 Pro. It should be reasonably snappy for most apps, but the 7th gen Air is equipped with an M3 chip, which also powers some MacBooks and iMacs. It's considerably faster, and in fact some higher-end iPadOS apps -- like Final Cut Pro -- will refuse to run on the 11th gen iPad. You also need an M-series iPad to move Stage Manager windows to an external display without mirroring your entire screen.
Because it uses an A16, the 11th gen iPad does not and will never support Apple Intelligence, unlike the Air. While I personally feel like Apple Intelligence is overrated, it could be a big deal to some people, particularly once Siri gets contextual awareness and more advanced conversational abilities. The tablet isn't very futureproof, in other words, but you may or may not care about that future depending on how much you use AI tools elsewhere.
Because it uses an A16, the 11th gen iPad does not and will never support Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence compatibility also suggests that the Air has more RAM, which could make for even smoother performance, but Apple tends not to publish memory specs. Something that is public is superior USB bandwidth -- while the Air supports true USB 3 speeds up to 10Gbps, the 11th gen is capped at USB 2.0 levels, no more than 480Mbps. That makes the Air the instant choice if you want to transfer large files, but of course, many people operate entirely over Wi-Fi or the cloud, and the Wi-Fi 6 on the 11th gen iPad isn't going to be noticeably slower than the Wi-Fi 6E on the Air, in most situations.
Verdict: How does the 7th gen iPad Air stack up against the 11th gen iPad?
Don't let FOMO rule the day
Apple
The iPad Air is the clear choice if you want a flexible, futureproof device with access to all the best apps and accessories. It should hold up for many years to come, no matter what you want to run on it. Indeed, as mentioned, the 13-inch Air is the cheapest iPad you should consider if you want something that can serve as a laptop replacement. Anything less will be awkward at multitasking.
The iPad Air is the clear choice if you want a flexible, futureproof device with access to all the best apps and accessories.
Both versions of the Air provide a slick experience. I'd even argue that most people should choose an Air instead of the 2024 iPad Pro, since the features that set the Pro apart -- like an M4 chip, a 120Hz OLED display, and faster ports -- are mostly creature comforts unless you're doing serious video production or 3D modeling. The savings may be better spent on apps, accessories, or storage upgrades.
Apple
Apple iPad Air (M3)
Top pick
Brand
Apple
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
The 7th gen iPad Air comes in 11- and 13-inch sizes, and is faster than ever, upgrading from an M2 processor to an M3.
If you're only concerned about casual media browsing, however, or light tasks like checking your email, don't feel pressured to spend more. The 11th gen iPad is perfectly competent at those tasks, and will probably still impress you if you're coming from an older tablet or no tablet at all. Just realize that some apps and accessories will be out of reach, as will Apple Intelligence features.
Apple
Apple iPad 11
For lighter use cases
Brand
Apple
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Apple's entry-level iPad now offers a faster A16 chip and 128GB or more of storage.
My own needs put me firmly in the iPad Air camp, and imagine many people will want to upgrade to an Air anyway, given its niceties and the perception of better value. You might regret spending the cash, though, if you find yourself using it as little more than an iPhone with a larger screen.
