Apple iPad Air 13" M3 2025, 8GB, 1TB, Cellular, Blue

The iPad Air M3 is the iPad Pro for people who don't want to pay iPad Pro prices. Fast, gorgeous, and the battery just won't quit.

The M3 chip here is no slouch. Our database puts the GPU in the 94th percentile and storage at a ridiculous 98th, which means this thing chews through 4K video edits and graphics-heavy games without breaking a sweat. What surprised us is how much headroom 8GB of RAM still gives you in iPadOS. Sure, it's only 66th percentile for RAM, but Apple's memory management is so tight that you'd never notice unless you're running a dozen pro apps at once. The 60Hz display is the one spec that feels dated next to the 120Hz ProMotion on the iPad Pro, but for most people, it's a non-issue.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra has a bigger 14.6-inch screen and a 120Hz panel, but iPadOS still beats Android for tablet apps and longevity. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the real alternative if you need a full desktop OS, but it's heavier and the battery doesn't touch this iPad. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus is cheaper but feels like a toy next to the Air's build quality. If you want the best tablet experience period, the iPad Air M3 is the one. If you need a laptop replacement, get the Surface.

Here's the thing: this 1TB config lists anywhere from USD 950 to USD 1,549 depending on where you look, and that spread is wild. Best Buy consistently has the lowest everyday price in our data, so start there if you're buying new. At the low end, this is a fantastic deal for a 1TB M3 tablet. At the high end, you're paying iPad Pro money for an Air, and that's a mistake. Shop around, don't pay list price.

The 13-inch iPad Air M3 is Apple's sweet spot tablet, and honestly, it's closer to the Pro than the price gap suggests. You get the same M3 chip that powers MacBooks, a gorgeous 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and 1TB of storage in this config. The one thing to know? This is the iPad most people should buy, not the Pro.

If you need a real laptop with a full desktop OS, this isn't it. Go get a Microsoft Surface Pro 11 or a MacBook Air instead. And if you're a digital artist who needs the smoothest possible drawing experience, the 60Hz screen here will bug you. The iPad Pro's ProMotion display is the better tool for that job.

Buy the iPad Air M3 if you want a tablet that does everything well and will last you five years. The display, performance, and battery are all top-tier, and the 1TB storage means you'll never delete an app to make room. Skip the Pro unless you absolutely need ProMotion or the LiDAR camera. This is the iPad for 90% of people.