Let’s say, you’re in the Apple Store. You’ve already convinced yourself you need a new iPad (we’ve all been there). You see the sleek, sexy iPad Pro M4 looking like it just walked off a tech runway in Paris.
And then your eye catches the gorgeous, slightly less expensive iPad Air M3 that still has that Apple sparkle… but you’re thinking: Do I go all in, or play it smart?
Let’s break this down.
Table of Contents
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: The Verdict
Let’s skip the fluff and give you the real tea first. This is for those of you standing in line at the Apple Store trying to make a last-minute decision before checkout.
Best for Performance
iPad Pro M4. It’s running on Apple’s absolute beast—the M4 chip. Think butter-smooth multitasking, heavy-duty creative work, and more power than you’ll probably use… unless you’re editing a full Marvel movie on your tablet.
Best Camera
iPad Pro M4, again. It’s not just about taking pretty pics—this thing was practically built for content creators, AR developers, and people who treat Zoom calls like cinematic events.
Best by Price
iPad Air M3. And honestly? This is where it punches above its weight. It runs on the very capable M2 chip, handles most tasks effortlessly, and gives you that Apple magic without needing to sell your kidney.
Best for Most People
iPad Air M3. Unless you’re a creative professional, a hardcore gamer, or someone who simply needs to have the best of the best (and I see you, I am you), the Air M3 is the golden middle.
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: Detailed Comparison
| Category | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro M4 | Winner |
| Performance & Chipset | M2 chip: 50% faster than previous Air, handles multitasking and Final Cut Pro | M4 chip: Optimized for AI, 3D rendering, and display engine for OLED screen | iPad Pro M4 |
| Display Quality | 11-inch Liquid Retina display | Tandem OLED display (11″ or 13″), compared to IMAX/cloud experience | iPad Pro M4 |
| Camera System | 12MP rear, Center Stage front camera | 12MP wide + LiDAR, TrueDepth front camera for AR/spatial computing | iPad Pro M4 |
| Storage Options | 128GB to 1TB | 256GB to 2TB | iPad Pro M4 |
| Battery Life | ~10 hours Wi-Fi; slightly more efficient for casual users | ~10 hours Wi-Fi; OLED display more power-hungry at max brightness | iPad Air M3 (slightly) |
| Apple Pencil Compatibility | Supports Pencil Pro/USB-C with squeeze/haptic features | Same as Air + hover functionality for artists/designers | iPad Pro M4 |
| Build & Design | Playful pastel colors (Purple, Blue, etc.); lightweight | Sleek, professional (Silver/Space Black); thinnest Apple device | Depends on preference |
| Portability | Lighter, ideal for travel/bed use | Slightly heavier but portable | iPad Air M3 |
| Gaming & Creative Work | Handles games, photo/video editing, hobbyist creators | Optimized for Pro apps (Logic Pro, Final Cut) and massive canvases | iPad Pro M4 |
| Price | Starts at $599 | Starts at $999 (11″)/$1,299 (13″) | iPad Air M3 for affordability |
Time to go deeper than your screen time app wants you to. This is where we dig into every little detail and expose who’s really slaying the iPad game.
Performance & Chipset
iPad Air M3: Powered by the M2 chip, this little dynamo is no joke. It’s 50% faster than the previous Air, handles multitasking like a dream, and can even run Final Cut Pro. Unless you’re trying to simulate the next Mars rover, it’s more than enough.
iPad Pro M4: Enter the M4 chip. Apple’s latest silicon masterpiece. It’s optimized for AI tasks, drawing, 3D rendering, and anything else you can throw at it. Also has a brand-new display engine that works with that dazzling OLED screen.
Winner: iPad Pro M4 (but let’s not pretend the Air M3 isn’t insanely capable too).
Display Quality
iPad Air M3: 11-inch Liquid Retina display. It’s crisp, bright, and beautiful. For Netflix binges, drawing, note-taking, or doom-scrolling Reddit, it’s stunning.
iPad Pro M4: Tandem OLED. I mean—come on. It’s the iPad equivalent of watching your favorite show in an IMAX theatre while being hugged by a cloud. Also available in 11 and 13 inches, which is fabulous if you need that big screen energy.
Winner: iPad Pro M4, but if you don’t stare at gradients for a living, the Air’s display will still melt your heart.
Camera System
iPad Air M3: 12MP rear camera, center-stage front camera. Does the job for photos, scanning documents, FaceTime, etc. Great for most.
iPad Pro M4: 12MP wide camera with LiDAR and an upgraded front-facing camera with TrueDepth. Great for AR, spatial computing, and generally being a show-off in virtual meetings.
Winner: iPad Pro M4, but unless you’re a developer or in love with AR, you’ll rarely notice the difference.
Storage Options
iPad Air M3: 128GB to 1TB. That new 1TB option is chef’s kiss for students, professionals, and people who hoard PDFs.
iPad Pro M4: Starts at 256GB and goes all the way to 2TB. That’s terabytes with a “T,” baby. Also: faster storage on higher-end models.
Winner: iPad Pro M4, for that absolutely ridiculous upper ceiling. But again, most of us are not storing the Library of Congress on our tablets.
Battery Life
Both claim around 10 hours on Wi-Fi, a little less on cellular. Real-world usage? Both are pretty close, but the OLED display on the Pro is slightly more power-hungry when pushed to max brightness.
Winner: iPad Air M3 (slightly more efficient for casual users).
Apple Pencil Compatibility
iPad Air M3: Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Pencil USB-C. That means access to the new squeeze, haptic, and barrel roll features.
iPad Pro M4: Same deal—but you also get hover with Apple Pencil, which is a godsend for artists and designers.
Winner: iPad Pro M4, especially if you’re drawing detailed illustrations or using Pro apps.
Build & Design
iPad Air M3: Comes in playful, pastel colors like purple and blue. Thin, lightweight, and feels very “cool kid in class who also gets straight As.”
iPad Pro M4: Slimmer than ever (thinnest Apple device yet), more squared off, and all business. Only available in Silver and Space Black, like a tech CEO’s mood board.
Winner: Depends on your vibe. Personally? The colors on the Air give me joy, but the Pro’s sleekness is hard to deny.
Portability
Both are portable, but the Air M3 is lighter, especially the 11-inch model. Perfect for travel, commuting, or using in bed while ignoring your responsibilities.
Winner: iPad Air M3, no question.
Gaming & Creative Work
iPad Air M3: Can handle most games, photo editing, even some video editing. Perfect for hobbyist creators and students.
iPad Pro M4: This is where Apple wants creatives to live. If you use apps like Logic Pro, Final Cut, Procreate with massive canvas sizes—this is your new digital soulmate.
Winner: iPad Pro M4, but Air M3 isn’t far behind for casual creators.
Price
iPad Air M3: Starts at $599, which is kind of shocking considering how much it offers.
iPad Pro M4: Starts at $999 (11″) and $1,299 (13″). That’s a spicy price tag, especially once you throw in a Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
Winner: iPad Air M3, unless you’re made of money or claiming it as a “business expense.”
Top 3 Alternatives for iPad Air M3 and iPad Pro M4
Let’s say neither one feels exactly right. Maybe you want Android. Maybe you want a foldable. Maybe you just love being different. Here are three options to check out.
Galaxy S25 Ultra (Preorder Now)
If you’re craving something new and powerful with Galaxy AI magic sprinkled on top, this beast might be your next obsession. The S25 Ultra is shaping up to be Samsung’s smartest and boldest move yet—with AI-enhanced productivity, creativity tools, and (probably) a killer camera.
Why it’s an alternative: It’s not a tablet, but with DeX Mode and a stylus, it’s basically a mini computer in your pocket. If portability and smart features are your priority, this is your glow-up.
MacBook Air M2 (13-inch)
If you were eyeing the iPad Pro M4 for productivity reasons, hear me out: a MacBook Air might make more sense. Same chip as iPad Air M3, but with a real desktop OS. Also, no expensive accessories needed to get work done.
Why it’s an alternative: For writing, multitasking, and serious work, it might actually be a better investment than an iPad + Magic Keyboard combo.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
The Surface Pro 9 is the only Windows device that tries to be an iPad… and kind of succeeds. A real laptop that doubles as a tablet, with a built-in kickstand and optional keyboard.
Why it’s an alternative: Great if you need Windows apps or work in an ecosystem that isn’t Apple’s.
Conclusion: Which iPad Should You Choose?
If you’re reading this on your cracked iPad mini from 2016, bless your soul—you deserve an upgrade.
Here’s the deal:
- Go with the iPad Air M3 if you want a powerful, stylish, budget-friendly iPad that can handle nearly everything. Perfect for students, creatives-on-a-budget, and everyday users.
- Splurge on the iPad Pro M4 if you’re a digital artist, video editor, or just someone who wants the absolute best Apple has to offer—OLED display, M4 chip, and all.
But at the end of the day? Either one will give you buttery-smooth performance, beautiful design, and enough power to make your laptop jealous.
You really can’t go wrong—but knowing what you actually need (and what you’re willing to pay for) will make all the difference.
