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Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4 vs iPad Air 11" (M3)

The iPad Air M4 is the newer, faster tablet and the better buy for most people. Its M4 chip, Wi-Fi 7 and USB4 port put it ahead of the M3 model on performance and connectivity, while the screen, cameras and Pencil Pro support are effectively the same. The M3 Air is still a capable tablet and a reasonable pick if you find it at a lower price or want more storage for the same outlay. Both share the same 11-inch Liquid Retina panel, 12MP front and rear cameras, and 10-hour battery life, so the real gap is the chip and the ports.

  • Choose the 11-inch iPad Air M4 if you want the fastest chip, Wi-Fi 7 and a 40Gbps USB4 port, and you plan to keep the tablet for years.
  • Choose the iPad Air M3 if you want the same screen and Pencil Pro support and would rather put the difference toward more storage or a keyboard.

Prices

  • Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4: $579.00 at iPowerResale (checked today)
  • iPad Air 11" (M3): $249.50 at bkstr.com (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the iPad Air 11" (M3) is $329.50 cheaper than the Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4 at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 12)
Apple
11-inch iPad Air M4, Built for Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 128GB

Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4

11-inch iPad Air M4, Built for Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 128GB

4.4(930 ratings)
$579.00at iPowerResaleChecked 3 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit iPowerResale
Pros
  • M4 chip is the fastest in the Air line
  • Wi-Fi 7 and USB4 give faster wireless and wired transfers
  • Same bright Liquid Retina screen and Pencil Pro support
  • Touch ID and 12MP Center Stage front camera
  • Long iPadOS update support
Cons
  • 128GB base storage fills quickly with apps and video
  • No water resistance
  • Accessories like the Magic Keyboard are sold separately
Apple
iPad Air 11" (M3)

iPad Air 11" (M3)

5(10 ratings)
$249.50at bkstr.comChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit bkstr.com
Pros
  • M3 chip still handles multitasking and games well
  • Same 11-inch Liquid Retina display and 264 ppi
  • Works with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
  • Comes in four colors including Space Gray and Purple
  • 10-hour battery life
Cons
  • Older Wi-Fi 6E and slower USB-C data
  • M3 is a step behind the M4 on heavy workloads
  • 128GB base storage is tight for creative work

What separates them

Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4iPad Air 11" (M3)
ChipApple M4, octa-coreApple M3, 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6E
USB portUSB4 at 40GbpsUSB-C, slower data transfer
Display11-inch Liquid Retina, 2360x1640, 264 ppi11-inch Liquid Retina, 2360x1640, 264 ppi, 500 nits
Cameras12MP front and 12MP rear, 4K video12MP front and 12MP rear
Weight16.4 oz16.2 oz
Stylus and keyboardApple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard for iPad AirApple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
CellulareSIM5G

Price history

$749.00$249.50
Nov 7Nov 12
  • Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4: lowest $579.00 on Nov 11 at iPowerResale; $579.00 on Nov 12.
  • iPad Air 11" (M3): lowest $249.50 on Nov 9 at bkstr.com; $721.90 on Nov 12.

Prices at every store

Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4

  • NFMNew

    In stock

    $648.99Checked Nov 10
    Visit NFM
  • University of Alabama Supply StoreNew

    In stock

    $699.00+ $5.99 shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit University of Alabama Supply Store
  • iPowerResaleNew

    Availability unknown

    $579.00Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit iPowerResale
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $649.99Free shippingChecked 16 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 20 stores and price history →

iPad Air 11" (M3)

  • bkstr.comNew

    In stock

    $249.50Checked Nov 9
    Visit bkstr.com
  • Delaware State BookstoreNew

    In stock

    $499.00Checked 54 min ago
    Visit Delaware State Bookstore
  • Bethune-Cookman University BookstoreNew

    In stock

    $499.00Checked 3 h ago
    Visit Bethune-Cookman University Bookstore
  • ShopCGXNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $589.99Checked 54 min ago
    Visit ShopCGX

Also available at

  • Improvemint FinancialCheck price at Improvemint Financial
All 15 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple 11-inch iPad Air M4iPad Air 11" (M3)
screen_size11 in11 in screen
colorBlueSpace Gray, Blue, Purple, Starlight
Depth (")0.20.24 inch (6.1 mm)
Height (")9.79.74 inches (247.6 mm)
Operating SystemiPadOSiOS, iPadOS
Storage Capacity128 GB128GB
Wi-FiYesWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Width (")7.07.02 inches (178.5 mm)
RAM12 GBRAM: 8 GB
hard_drive_capacity128 GB—
actual_colorBlue—
size11-inch—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple 11-inch iPad Air M4iPad Air 11" (M3)
ConnectionsUSB-C—
BluetoothYes—
Camera Resolution (front) (MP)12.0—
Active Digitizer (Stylus pen)Yes—
System on Chip (SoC)Apple M4—
Pixel Density (PPI)264—
SIM CardeSIM—
No. of Back Cameras1—
USB VersionUSB4 Gen 3x2 (40Gbps)—
No. of Front Cameras

What reviewers say

Apple 11-inch iPad Air M4

  • 4.4 / 5930 ratings

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 930 ratings. Owners praise the M4 speed, the display and the value against the iPad Pro; the most common complaints are the 128GB base storage and the cost of accessories.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M4 chip keeps apps and multitasking smooth.
  • DisplayPraisedReviewers call the Liquid Retina screen sharp and good for notes and video.
  • StorageCriticisedBuyers say 128GB fills up fast with apps, photos and downloads.
  • AccessoriesMixedPencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support is welcome, but buyers dislike paying extra for them.

iPad Air 11" (M3)

  • 5 / 510 ratings

Owners rate it very highly, praising the M3 speed, the light build and the landscape camera for calls. The most common complaints are the 60Hz screen and the modest base storage.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M3 chip keeps apps and games running smoothly with no stutter.
  • DisplayMixedReviewers like the color and sharpness but call the 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits a step behind the Pro.
  • WeightPraisedBuyers note it is light and comfortable to hold for reading and long video calls.
  • Front cameraPraised

Questions and answers

Which is better for note-taking?
Both work equally well with Apple Pencil Pro, and the screens are identical. The M4 model has more headroom for large PDFs and split-screen apps, so pick it if you keep many notebooks open at once.
Is the M4 worth stepping up to over the M3?
Yes for most buyers. The M4 adds a faster chip, Wi-Fi 7 and USB4, which matter if you edit video, use external drives or keep the tablet for several years. If you mainly browse, stream and take notes, the M3 is enough.
Which lasts longer?
The M4 should stay useful longer because of its newer chip and connectivity. Both get the same iPadOS updates and have similar 10-hour batteries, so the difference is performance headroom, not build quality.
Do both work with the same accessories?
Yes. Both take Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, so accessories carry over between them.
Which is better for video calls?
They are close. Both have a 12MP front camera, and the M4 adds Center Stage framing that keeps you in view as you move.
Is the M3 model still a good buy?
It is a solid tablet with the same screen and cameras as the M4. Choose it if the M4's extra speed and ports would go unused.

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More comparisons

  • 11-inch iPad Air M4, Built for Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 128GB vs Apple 11-inch iPad Air M3 Tablet, Built for Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 128GB
  • 11-inch iPad Air M4, Built for Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 128GB vs iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi
  • 11-inch iPad Air M4, Built for Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 128GB vs Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro chip) Wi-Fi 128GB Blue

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best iPad Air tablets
1
—
Video Resolution (max)2160p (4K)—
Water ResistantNo—
Fingerprint ReaderYes—
Processor CoresOcta Core—
Weight (oz)16.4—
Release Year2026—
Battery TechnologyLi-Ion—
Screen Resolution2360x1640—
Manufacturer ColorBlue—
Camera Resolution (MP)12.0—
SeriesApple iPad Air—
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)—
No. of USB-C (pcs)1—
Screen TypeIPS, Retina—
Display resolution—2360-by-1640-pixel resolution at 264 ppi
Display brightness—500 nits brightness
Chip—Apple M3 chip
CPU cores—8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 effic…
The landscape 12MP camera is singled out for keeping you centered on FaceTime and meetings.