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Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3 vs Apple 11" iPad Air M3

Both are M3 iPad Airs with the same chip, cameras, Wi-Fi 6E and Apple Pencil Pro support, so the real choice is screen size and weight. The 13-inch gives you a much larger canvas for split-screen work, drawing and video, while the 11-inch is easier to hold one-handed and to carry. Reviewers of the 13-inch praise the big display and fluid multitasking; expect the same performance from the 11-inch. Buy the 13-inch for desk work and creative apps, the 11-inch for portability.

  • Choose the 13-inch iPad Air if you want the biggest screen for split-screen apps, drawing, editing and watching video, and mostly use it on a desk or lap.
  • Choose the 11-inch iPad Air if you want the same M3 performance in a lighter tablet you can hold in one hand and slip into a bag.

Prices

  • Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3: $559.30 at CTT Home & Culinary (last seen Nov 3)
  • Apple 11" iPad Air M3: $249.50 at bkstr.com (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Apple 11" iPad Air M3 is $309.80 cheaper than the Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3 at the latest prices (Nov 3 and Nov 9)
Apple
Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3 chip Built for Apple Intelligence Wi-Fi 128GB

Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3

Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3 chip Built for Apple Intelligence Wi-Fi 128GB

4.8(3,500 ratings)
$559.30at CTT Home & CulinaryChecked Nov 3
See all prices and details
Visit CTT Home & Culinary
Pros
  • Large 13-inch display suits split-screen work and drawing
  • M3 chip handles creative apps and games smoothly
  • Same cameras, Wi-Fi 6E and Pencil Pro support as the 11-inch
  • Reviewers call it a good middle ground between tablet and laptop
Cons
  • Heavier and more awkward to hold for long periods
  • Takes up more room in a bag
  • Ships with pre-installed apps some owners never use
Apple
Apple 11" iPad Air M3

Apple 11" iPad Air M3

$249.50at bkstr.comChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit bkstr.com
Pros
  • Same M3 performance in a lighter body
  • Easy to hold one-handed for reading and notes
  • Fits smaller bags and trays
  • Supports the same Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
Cons
  • Less room for side-by-side apps
  • Smaller canvas for drawing and video editing
  • Cellular version costs more than Wi-Fi only

What separates them

Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3Apple 11" iPad Air M3
Screen size13-inch Liquid Retina11-inch Liquid Retina
WeightAbout 21.8 oz, heavier to holdLighter and easier to hold one-handed
Chip and Apple IntelligenceM3, same platformM3, same platform
Cameras12MP Center Stage front, 12MP back with 4K video12MP Center Stage front, 12MP back with 4K video
WirelessWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6E, cellular option listed
AccessoriesApple Pencil Pro, Magic Keyboard, Smart FolioApple Pencil Pro, Magic Keyboard, Smart Folio
Battery lifeAbout 10 hoursAbout 10 hours
Multitasking roomMore space for two or three apps side by sideTighter split-screen layouts

Price history

$926.99$249.50
Nov 3Nov 10
  • Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3: lowest $559.30 on Nov 3 at CTT Home & Culinary; $926.99 on Nov 10.
  • Apple 11" iPad Air M3: lowest $249.50 on Nov 9 at bkstr.com; $599.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3

  • eBayPre-owned

    Availability unknownSold by paymore_riverton (99.7% positive, 2,400 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $429.99Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • CTT Home & CulinaryNew

    Availability unknown

    $559.30Checked Nov 3
    Visit CTT Home & Culinary
  • Macpro-laNew

    Availability unknown

    $699.00Free shippingChecked Nov 7
    Visit Macpro-la
  • MelroseMACNew

    Availability unknown

    $799.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit MelroseMAC

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 12 stores and price history →

Apple 11" iPad Air M3

  • JeffreyKolberNew

    In stock

    $245.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit JeffreyKolber
  • bkstr.comNew

    In stock

    $249.50Checked Nov 9
    Visit bkstr.com
  • BenmosNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $389.99Checked 11 h ago
    Visit Benmos
  • Reebelo USANew

    In stock

    $594.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Reebelo USA
All 13 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple 13-inch iPad Air M3Apple 11" iPad Air M3
Operating SystemiOS, iPadOSiPadOS
Display Resolution1920 x 10802360 x 1640
ColorSpace Gray, Blue, Purple, StarlightPurple
Weight21.8 oz16.2 oz
Battery Life10 hours battery10 hours battery
Rear Camera Resolution12 MP rear camera12 MP rear camera
Battery Capacity7,606 mAh28.93-watt-hour
Front Camera Resolution12 MP front camera12 MP front camera
Language / RegionEnglish—
Screen Size13 in screen—
RAMRAM: 8 GB—
ConditionNew—
Show all 39 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple 13-inch iPad Air M3Apple 11" iPad Air M3
Capacity512GB—
OS Version—iPadOS 17, iPadOS 18
Main Storage—256 GB
Storage Interface—NVMe
Battery Run Time—10 hrs
Battery Type—Rechargeable lithium‑polymer battery
Max Supported Memory—256 GB
Memory Speed—50% more memory bandwidth (than previous genera…
Memory Technology—Lpddr3 RAM
Processor Brand

What reviewers say

Apple 13-inch iPad Air M3

  • 5 / 5Google Shopping · 1,481 ratings

Owners of the M3 iPad Air generally praise the fast M3 chip, the bright 13-inch screen and the long battery life. Common complaints are the price of accessories, the lack of a 120Hz display for the money, and unused pre-installed apps.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M3 chip keeps apps and games running smoothly.
  • DisplayPraisedThe 13-inch Liquid Retina screen is called bright and colorful.
  • BatteryPraisedReviewers report it lasting a full day of mixed use.
  • Refresh rateCriticisedSome owners wish it had the 120Hz ProMotion display of the iPad Pro.

Apple 11" iPad Air M3

Reviewers and owners consistently praise the M3 iPad Air as fast, well built and a strong value in Apple's lineup. Most say it handles creative apps and games without strain and that the display and speakers are good for the size. Common complaints center on the 60Hz screen, the cost of accessories and the modest upgrade over the previous generation.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M3 chip keeps apps, games and split-screen multitasking running smoothly.
  • DisplayMixedReviewers like the color and brightness but call the 60Hz refresh rate a step behind the iPad Pro.
  • AccessoriesCriticisedBuyers note that the Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard are separate purchases that raise the overall cost.
  • BatteryPraisedUsers report getting through a full day of mixed work and streaming on a charge.
Reviews
  • Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M3) review

Questions and answers

Which is better for note-taking and drawing?
The 13-inch gives you more canvas, which helps with sketching and long handwritten notes. The 11-inch is easier to hold while writing with the Pencil. Both support Apple Pencil Pro.
Is the 11-inch fast enough for video editing?
Yes. Both use the M3 chip, so editing and exporting 4K video perform similarly. The 13-inch mainly wins on screen space for timelines and previews.
Which is easier to carry every day?
The 11-inch. It is lighter and fits more bags, while the 13-inch is better left on a desk or used on a lap.
Do they use the same accessories?
Yes. Both work with Apple Pencil Pro, the Magic Keyboard and the Smart Folio, though each size needs its own keyboard and folio.
Which lasts longer?
Battery life is rated at about 10 hours on both, and both run the same iPadOS updates. Longevity comes down to storage and care, not size.
Is the 13-inch worth stepping up to?
Only if screen space matters to you. If you mostly read, take notes and browse, the 11-inch does the same job in a lighter package.

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Apple
Graphics Memory—Shared
Number Of Processor Cores—8-core CPU (with 4 performance cores and 4 effi…
Integrated GPU—Yes
Highlighted Performance Features—Video encode engine, Hardware-accelerated H.264…
Processor Chipset—Apple M2
Processor Chipset Features—Media Engine, 16-core Neural Engine, Video enco…
64-Bit Computing—Yes
Cache—Dynamic Caching
Input Type—Touch ID sensor
Input Features—Touch ID in top button, Apple Pencil hover
Ports And Interfaces—Magnetic connector, Smart Connector, USB-C port
Wireless Communications—Wi-Fi
Cellular Technology—Cellular
Network Interface—Wi-Fi 6E
Energy Star—Yes
With Wi-Fi Only—Yes
Storage—512 GB Storage