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Price & Availability
The iPad Air M3, is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. The 11-inch Wi-Fi model starts at ₹59,900 for the 128GB variant, going up to ₹1,09,900 for the 1TB option. The Wi-Fi + Cellular models range from ₹74,900 (128GB) to ₹1,24,900 (1TB). The 13-inch iPad Air M3 starts at ₹79,900 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model and goes up to ₹1,29,900 for the 1TB Wi-Fi version. The Wi-Fi + Cellular 13-inch models are priced from ₹94,900 (128GB) to ₹1,44,900 (1TB). These models are available in Purple, Blue, Starlight, and Space Grey finishes and can be purchased through Apple’s official stores, authorized resellers like iStore, Imagine Store, and major online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart across India.
Design & Display
We have the 11-inch variant of the iPad Air M3, and it perfectly lives up to the “Air” in its name—super lightweight, yet solid in hand. The aluminum casing gives it a premium feel without adding unnecessary bulk, making it ideal for long usage whether you’re sketching, streaming, or typing away. The flat edges not only give it a modern aesthetic but also improve grip, making it easier to hold for extended periods without fatigue.
That said, the design hasn’t changed at all compared to the previous generation. Apple has stuck to the same form factor, which still looks sleek and premium, but if you were hoping for a visual refresh, this isn’t it.
While it feels incredibly well-built, it’s worth noting that the iPad Air M3 doesn’t come with an official IP rating. So, even though the construction is sturdy, we wouldn’t recommend pushing your luck around water or dust. I also travelled with iPad Air in the last month with it being my primary device for entertainment, the ergonomics make it a worthy travel mate.
We have the purple variant with us—a refreshing choice that’s subtle yet different enough to stand out. If that’s not your vibe, there are other finishes to choose from, including space grey, blue, and starlight.
As for usability, Apple has nailed the button placement. The volume rockers and the power button are positioned just right, and since there’s no Face ID on the iPad Air, the power button doubles up as a Touch ID sensor. It’s fast, reliable, and a nostalgic nod to older Apple devices—one that many users will still appreciate. That said, we did find ourselves missing Face ID at times, especially when trying to unlock the iPad in different orientations—Touch ID isn’t always as seamless in those moments.
Also worth mentioning: while the 13-inch variant offers more screen real estate, it can be a bit too large for people with smaller hands. Holding it for extended periods can get slightly uncomfortable, especially without a case or stand. If portability and ease of handling matter to you, the 11-inch model might be the sweet spot.
Display
The iPad Air M3’s 11-inch display hits a sweet spot—it’s bright, sharp, and impressively accurate when it comes to color reproduction, making it a reliable screen for both everyday use and more creative workflows. Whether we were watching videos, scrolling through notes, or jumping between apps, the display remained responsive and vibrant.
We also used it as an extended display with our MacBook Air M4, for editing and it worked flawlessly.
We spent a good amount of time working on Adobe Suite, especially designing thumbnails, jotting down notes, and crafting colorful presentations—and we found ourselves reaching for the iPad Air more often than not. The screen size is also just right for editing short-form videos—cutting timelines, adding effects, and exporting projects felt intuitive after a bit of a learning curve. If you’re into Reels, Shorts, or quick edits, this display has you covered.
What really elevates the display experience, especially for creatives, is using it in tandem with the Apple Pencil Pro. This variant supports pressure sensitivity and app-specific gestures, which really enhances precision work. Whether it’s sketching, photo editing, or using custom tool sets in apps, the Pencil adds a whole new layer of usability. It’s a game-changer for digital artists and designers looking for a portable, powerful canvas.
Beyond creative work, the display shines in day-to-day tasks like streaming content. Paired with the iPad’s stereo speakers, the experience is immersive—sharp visuals and solid audio, all packed into a device light enough to carry everywhere.
Of course, no display is perfect. While the iPad Air M3 is capable of running games at high visual quality (more on that in the performance section), the 60Hz refresh rate might be a sticking point for purists or those used to smoother 120Hz panels. In our experience, that’s the only real limitation in an otherwise excellent display setup.
Software & Performance
The biggest upgrade with the new iPad Air is under the hood—it now runs on Apple’s M3 chip, the same one that powered the MacBook Pro in late 2023 and was holding it down in the MacBook Air until the M4 took over earlier this year.
Now sure, the M3 isn’t Apple’s absolute latest, but let’s put things in perspective: people are still happily using the MacBook Air with the M1 chip from 2020, and it’s holding up just fine for most day-to-day and even creative tasks. That’s how efficient Apple’s silicon really is. So, the M3 in the iPad Air? It’s more than enough.
Compared to the outgoing M2 model, you’re looking at a 10–20% performance bump, and that translates into a seriously smooth experience. Whether it’s gaming, working on Affinity Photo, sketching in Procreate, or editing in Adobe Lightroom, the iPad Air M3 handles it all like a champ. It’s fast, reliable, and punches well above what most people need in a tablet.
With a solid battery life of nine to ten hours, the iPad Air M3 easily doubles as a laptop replacement—especially when paired with accessories like Apple’s upgraded Magic Keyboard case.
This is something that we would like to emphasize with the entire iPad line-up. If you are buying the iPad just for content, then you are not doing justice to either the investment or the prowess of this machine. We seriously recommend having a clarity of thought before buying it since, getting either the keyboard folio case or the Apple Pencil is a must according to us for this device. It’s with either or both of these accessories, according to your requirement that the iPad Air will make the most sense to you.
As for software, the iPad Air runs on iPadOS 18.4, which brings a suite of multitasking tools to the table. Plus, it can connect to an external monitor via the USB-C port, giving you that laptop-like experience. But where the M3 really stands out is with the added Apple Intelligence features, which aren’t available on the standard iPad A16. You get access to powerful AI tools for image editing and generation, writing and proofreading assistance, and even ChatGPT integration into Siri. These capabilities make the iPad Air M3 feel like a more advanced device, elevating its functionality for both productivity and creativity.
What really adds to its appeal, though, are the Apple ecosystem benefits. If you’re already in the Apple world, you’ll love the seamless continuity and enhanced security across devices. Whether it’s starting a project on your Mac and picking it up on your iPad, or easily switching between your iPhone and iPad without losing your flow, the integration between devices adds a layer of convenience that’s hard to beat.
Verdict
The iPad Air M3 offers impressive performance with the M3 chip, a vibrant display, and solid battery life, making it ideal for creative work and multitasking. While it doesn’t replace the iPad Pro, especially with factors like a better display on the Pro, it’s certainly catching up and a great alternative for those seeking pro-level performance. Perfect for users in the Apple ecosystem, just be sure to invest in accessories like the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard for the best experience.
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