iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4
The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Pro M4 are variations on one theme; the trick is working out which variation suits you. Across 5 compared areas, the iPad Pro M4 takes 4. The widest gap shows up under display. There’s also a launch price gap of $400 in favor of the iPad Air M3.
At a glance
- Display iPad Pro M4 wins
- Performance iPad Pro M4 wins
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M4 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity iPad Pro M4 wins
- Price iPad Air M3 wins
- Display1.4
- Performance6.7
- Memory & Storage2.3
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.1
- Display8.6
- Performance8.8
- Memory & Storage5.0
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.8
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 Pro M4 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
It’s a lopsided result (120 Hz for the iPad Pro M4, 60 Hz for the iPad Air M3) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Once you’ve seen a high-refresh tablet, standard-rate scrolling can feel a little choppy.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has 100% higher brightness
The spread here is large: 1,000 nits on the iPad Pro M4 versus 500 nits on the iPad Air M3. Expect to notice it. Higher brightness keeps the screen readable next to bright windows, on a balcony or on a sunny train ride.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the iPad Pro M4 makes its strongest case: 256 GB against 128 GB. Downloaded shows and large creative files fill space fast, so the iPad Pro M4’s bigger starting capacity is a practical win.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has a 0.03 in slimmer body
The iPad Pro M4 clearly leads on thickness, and 0.21 in versus 0.24 in is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. A slimmer tablet is easier to slip into a bag and feels more elegant in the hand.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has a bigger top storage option
On max storage, the iPad Pro M4 posts 2 TB against 1 TB for the iPad Air M3, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. The iPad Pro M4 can be configured with more room, which suits heavy creative work.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M3 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Pro M4 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
Neither is the “big one” here; the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Pro M4 are matched on size. Both land at nearly the same weight, so this isn’t a deciding factor. A thickness gap of 0.03 in separates them, with the iPad Pro M4 on the thin side.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.21 in (winner) |
| Weight | 16.23 oz | 15.66 oz |
Display
iPad Pro M4 leads
This section belongs to the iPad Pro M4. In display, it leads the iPad Air M3 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The iPad Pro M4 pulls ahead with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. If you draw, take handwritten notes or play games, the iPad Pro M4’s smoother display is a real advantage. Weighing only display, the iPad Pro M4 comes out ahead.
Refresh rate
iPad Air M3: 60 Hz iPad Pro M4: 120 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate.
Peak brightness (SDR)
iPad Air M3: 500 nits iPad Pro M4: 1,000 nits The iPad Pro M4’s brighter panel also gives HDR video more punch.
Performance
iPad Pro M4 leads
Here the iPad Pro M4 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The iPad Pro M4 has the edge with 1 more CPU cores. For browsing and streaming, core count rarely matters; for creative work, the iPad Pro M4’s extra cores give more headroom. On performance alone, the iPad Pro M4 gets the nod.
CPU cores
iPad Air M3: 8 iPad Pro M4: 9 Core count is only part of the picture, since chip design and clock speeds also shape performance.
GPU cores
iPad Air M3: 9 iPad Pro M4: 10 More GPU cores mean more graphics muscle for games, video editing and 3D apps.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M4 leads
The memory & storage numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the iPad Pro M4. The iPad Pro M4 scores with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. Base storage decides how many movies, games and projects you can keep on the tablet without paying for an upgrade. For memory & storage, the iPad Pro M4 is the one to beat.
Base storage
iPad Air M3: 128 GB iPad Pro M4: 256 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 Pro M4: 2 TB Most buyers won’t need the maximum, so this is a niche advantage rather than an everyday one.
Accessories & Productivity
The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Pro M4 differ on accessories & productivity in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Cameras
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the cameras section. So cameras is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery & Connectivity
iPad Pro M4 leads
Call it a small but real win for the iPad Pro M4 in this area. Here the iPad Pro M4 offers 8.2% more battery capacity. Capacity is only half of the story, since screen size and chip efficiency also shape real endurance. The takeaway: on battery & connectivity, the iPad Pro M4 is the stronger tablet.
Battery
iPad Air M3: 28.9 Wh iPad Pro M4: 31.3 Wh A bigger battery usually means more hours of reading, streaming and working between charges.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2420 x 1668 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | 1,000 nits (winner) |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M3 | M4 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 9 (winner) |
| GPU cores | 9 | 10 (winner) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB Least RAM in class | 8 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 2 TB (winner) |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro 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 Pro (M4) |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 18 | iPadOS 17 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro 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 Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.9 Wh | 31.3 Wh (winner) |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4) |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.21 in (winner) |
| Weight | 16.23 oz | 15.66 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 (winner) | $999 |
“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
This is not a small price difference: $400, or 67%, separates the two launch prices. Step up by $400 to the iPad Pro M4 and you gain a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 100% higher brightness.
Launch prices in the US as of March 2025; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M3 if…
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($400 less)
- you find that the improvements in the iPad Air M3 match what you need
Choose the iPad Pro M4 if…
- you want smoother scrolling and pen strokes (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you use your tablet near bright windows or outdoors (1,000 nits vs 500 nits)
- you want more room without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you want the slimmer tablet (0.21 in vs 0.24 in)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Pro M4?
The iPad Pro M4 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d rather keep $400 for something else.
Is the iPad Air M3 worth it over the iPad Pro M4?
Think about how you use your iPad Pro M4. If a handful of small refinements would make a real difference, the iPad Air M3 is worth it; if not, keep what you have.
Which has better battery life, the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Pro M4?
On paper, the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Pro M4 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M3 or the iPad Pro M4?
Neither by much. The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Pro M4 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the iPad Air M3 perform better than the iPad Pro M4?
On paper, the iPad Pro M4 is the stronger performer, with 1 more CPU cores and 1 more GPU cores.
Is the iPad Air M3’s display better than the iPad Pro M4’s?
The iPad Pro M4 has the edge here, offering a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 100% higher brightness.
Executive Summary
The iPad Air M3 and the iPad Pro M4 sit next to each other in the same lineup. Here’s my honest read on which one makes more sense. I keep coming back to one thing: the iPad Pro M4 gets a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. I also like that the iPad Pro M4 brings 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
If your days lean on price, I’d pick the iPad Air M3; if they lean on display, the iPad Pro M4.
My pick: the iPad Pro M4 for most people, with the iPad Air M3 as the smarter choice if you want to keep that $400 difference in your pocket.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.