iPad Air M3 vs iPad Air M4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Deciding between one generation and the next? The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air M4 are exactly that pair. You won’t find a dramatic mismatch here: the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air M4 are close on nearly every line that counts.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPad Air M4 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display1.7
- Performance10.0
- Memory & Storage5.0
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.5
- Display1.7
- Performance10.0
- Memory & Storage10.0
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPad Air M4 has 4 GB more RAM
A clear win for the iPad Air M4: 12 GB against 8 GB. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Extra memory also helps a tablet stay usable as apps grow heavier over the years.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M3 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Air M4 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
Their dimensions are close enough that size should be one of the last things you weigh.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.24 in |
| Weight | 16.23 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to display. Net result on display: level.
Performance
Too close to call
If performance matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Treat performance as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Memory & Storage
iPad Air M4 leads
In this area the iPad Air M4 has a lead the iPad Air M3 can’t close. The iPad Air M4 brings 4 GB more RAM. More RAM lets a tablet keep more apps and browser tabs active, which matters for split-screen multitasking. Prioritize memory & storage, and the iPad Air M4 is where you should land.
RAM
iPad Air M3: 8 GB iPad Air M4: 12 GB Pro apps for photo, video and music work lean heavily on memory, so the iPad Air M4 has more room to breathe.
Accessories & Productivity
Names, not numbers: the accessories & productivity rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Cameras
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on cameras. The takeaway: cameras is not where these two differ.
Battery & Connectivity
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t battery & connectivity. Either tablet will serve you equally well on battery & connectivity.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Liquid Retina (LCD) |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2360 x 1640 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M3 | M4 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 9 | 9 |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB Least RAM in class | 12 GB (winner) |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M3) | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 18 | N/A (not specified) |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Landscape edge | Landscape edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.9 Wh | 28.9 Wh |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.24 in |
| Weight | 16.23 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 | $599 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Same launch price, which makes the spec differences the whole story.
Launch prices (US) as of March 2026. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M3 if…
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
Choose the iPad Air M4 if…
- you want more memory headroom for pro apps (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you find that the improvements in the iPad Air M4 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Air M4?
The iPad Air M4 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you already own the iPad Air M3.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Air M3 to the iPad Air M4?
Only if the changes matter to you. Compared with the iPad Air M3, the iPad Air M4 offers 4 GB more RAM, which is useful but not essential for everyone.
Does the iPad Air M3 last longer on a charge than the iPad Air M4?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air M4 are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Air M4?
The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air M4 are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Executive Summary
The iPad Air M4 arrived to replace the iPad Air M3, and I’ve spent a good while with both spec sheets. The biggest reason I lean toward the iPad Air M4 is simple: it has 4 GB more RAM.
If your days lean on the things a spec sheet can’t capture, I’d pick the iPad Air M3; if they lean on memory & storage, the iPad Air M4.
My pick: the iPad Air M4, unless you’re already on the iPad Air M3 and happy with it.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.