iPad Air M3 vs iPad Air 5
Both the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air 5 come from Apple, but they belong to different lines with different goals. Taken area by area, the iPad Air M3 wins 2 of 5. That doesn’t make the iPad Air 5 a bad choice, but it does set the baseline.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance iPad Air M3 wins
- Memory & Storage iPad Air M3 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display1.7
- Performance10.0
- Memory & Storage10.0
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.5
- Display1.7
- Performance9.0
- Memory & Storage3.3
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.3
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 M3 has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB
The iPad Air M3 clearly leads on base storage, and 128 GB versus 64 GB is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Base storage decides how many movies, games and projects you can keep on the tablet without paying for an upgrade.
-
The iPad Air M3 has a bigger top storage option
On max storage, the iPad Air M3 posts 1 TB against 256 GB for the iPad Air 5, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. A bigger top storage option matters for people who keep large video projects or media libraries on the device.
-
The iPad Air M3 has 1 more GPU cores
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the iPad Air M3 leads with 9 to 8. More GPU cores mean more graphics muscle for games, video editing and 3D apps.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M3 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Air 5 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air 5 take up almost exactly the same space. If weight matters to you, good news: neither is noticeably heavier.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 16.26 oz |
Display
Too close to call
The differences on display are small enough to ignore in daily use. Don’t let display decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Performance
iPad Air M3 leads
This area is close, with the iPad Air M3 just ahead of the iPad Air 5. The iPad Air M3 steps ahead thanks to 1 more GPU cores. If you mainly read, browse and stream, the GPU gap is unlikely to affect you much. In short, the iPad Air M3 is the better-equipped tablet for performance.
GPU cores
iPad Air M3: 9 iPad Air 5: 8 The iPad Air M3’s extra GPU cores are most noticeable in demanding games and pro creative apps.
Memory & Storage
iPad Air M3 leads
The memory & storage numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the iPad Air M3. The iPad Air M3 answers with 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. Downloaded shows and large creative files fill space fast, so the iPad Air M3’s bigger starting capacity is a practical win. Anyone shopping mainly on memory & storage should start with the iPad Air M3.
Base storage
iPad Air M3: 128 GB iPad Air 5: 64 GB If you mostly stream and use cloud storage, the base tier matters less; if you work offline, it matters a lot.
Max storage
iPad Air M3: 1 TB iPad Air 5: 256 GB The iPad Air M3 can be configured with more room, which suits heavy creative work.
Accessories & Productivity
The accessories & productivity data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Cameras
Too close to call
Call the cameras round a draw. The takeaway: cameras is not where these two differ.
Battery & Connectivity
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the battery & connectivity section; the two are too close to separate. For battery & connectivity, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 10.9 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 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M3 | M1 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 9 (winner) | 8 |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB Least RAM in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Base storage | 128 GB (winner) | 64 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 256 GB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M3) | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 18 | iPadOS 15 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Landscape edge | Portrait edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.9 Wh | 28.6 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 6 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 16.26 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Air 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Price is a tie: both launched at the same figure.
These are US launch prices, recorded March 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M3 if…
- you want more room without paying for an upgrade (128 GB vs 64 GB)
- you work with big files and want the larger top option (1 TB vs 256 GB)
- you play demanding games or edit video (9 vs 8 GPU cores)
- you want the changes the iPad Air M3 brings over its predecessor
Choose the iPad Air 5 if…
- you rarely use the areas where the newer model improves
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Air 5?
On the specs compared here, the iPad Air M3 makes more sense for most buyers; the iPad Air 5 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Air 5 to the iPad Air M3?
The iPad Air M3 makes a solid case for upgrading, with 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB, a bigger top storage option and 1 more GPU cores over the iPad Air 5.
Does the iPad Air M3 last longer on a charge than the iPad Air 5?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air 5 land in almost the same place.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Air 5?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air 5 is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Air 5?
Going by the specs, the iPad Air M3 comes out ahead: it offers 1 more GPU cores.
Is the iPad Air M3 lighter than the iPad Air 5?
Neither by much. The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air 5 weigh almost the same.
Executive Summary
Let’s talk about the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air 5. Same family, but I don’t think they’re made for exactly the same person. Here’s what matters most to me: the iPad Air M3 offers 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. And the iPad Air M3 doesn’t stop there; it also offers 1 more GPU cores.
I’d steer performance fans toward the iPad Air M3 and the things a spec sheet can’t capture fans toward the iPad Air 5.
My pick: the iPad Air M3.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.