What are all the differences between the iPad Air 3 models?

The iPad Air 3 models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS details and more and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these tablets on the used market.

There are four iPad Air 3rd Gen models -- also referred to as the iPad Air 3 -- the iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi Only), iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular US/CA/AU/NZ), iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular Global), and iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi+Cellular China). These four models vary by location sold, connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 3rd Gen)

Device Similarities

All iPad Air 3 tablets share the same thin case design with gently rounded corners and sides, weigh around a pound and have either a white front and silver colored back, a white front and gold colored back, or a black front and a "Space Gray" back.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 3rd Gen Color Options)

All iPad Air 3 models share the same "fully-laminated" 10.5" IPS LED-backlit 2224x1668 (264 ppi) "Retina" display with an antireflective coating, "wide color" (DCI-P3) support, and Apple's "True Tone" technology. They do not support ProMotion (120 Hz refresh rate).

Each iPad Air 3 also shares the same six core, 64-bit 2.49 GHz Apple A12 "Bionic" processor and M12 coprocessor, 3 GB of RAM, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi (HT80 with MIMO) on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (dual band) as well as Bluetooth 5.0. All four tablets are available with either 64 GB or 256 GB of storage, as well.

All iPad Air 3 models also sport a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the "Home" button, have two cameras -- a rear 1080p 8 megapixel "iSight" camera with a f/2.4 aperture and a front 1080p 7 megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera -- and have a "Lightning" port for power as well as connectivity to a computer, if desired. All support the original Apple Pencil (A1603, MK0C2AM/A), too.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad Air 3 models first shipped with iOS 12.2, they later shipped with iOS 13 (iPadOS), and they are compatible with current version of the iOS, iOS 14 (iPadOS), as well.

The iPad Air 3 models also support Apple Pay, but only within apps. They do not support Apple Pay within retail stores.

When running iOS 14 (iPadOS), the iPad Air 3 does not support the ARKit Depth API, but it otherwise is fully compatible.

Identification Differences

The Wi-Fi only and cellular-equipped iPad Air 3 models -- when side-by-side -- can be differentiated visually because the iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi Only) has a solid aluminum back. The cellular iPad Air 3 models, on the other hand, have an antenna line toward the top of the back of each device:

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 3rd Gen - Back, Cellular Models)

However, it is not possible to visually distinguish between the three different cellular-capable iPad Air 3 models and it is easy to mix up all of these with other iPad devices, as well. Consequently, one of the best methods for external identification is via Model Number.

Model numbers are listed in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad Air:

iPad Air	Model No
iPad Air 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi Only)	A2152
iPad Air 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA/AU/NZ*)	A2153
iPad Air 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell Global)	A2123
iPad Air 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A2154

*This model was believed to have been sold only in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, although it is compatible with carriers worldwide.

Initially, these cellular-equipped models likely will not cross paths because of their different geographic distribution, but over time, they will inevitably find their way around the world.

All iPad models can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi only configuration of the iPad Air 3 in Space Gray with 256 GB of storage is MUUQ2LL/A.

To pinpoint an exact iPad Air by a number of different identifiers -- including its Serial Number -- please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

As noted in the first sentence of this Q&A, the iPad Air 3 models have significant differences in connectivity. All iPad Air 3 devices support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (dual band) as well as HT80 with MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0.

All cellular iPad Air 3 models support A-GPS, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), but Gigabit-class LTE cellular connectivity varies accordingly:

iPad Air	Model	4G LTE Bands
3 (Wi-Fi Only)	A2152	None
3 (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA)	A2153	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71
3 (Wi-Fi+Cell Global)	A2123	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
3 (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A2154	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66

For battery life, Apple estimates that all iPad Air 3 models provide up to ten hours of runtime on Wi-Fi whereas the cellular-capable models provide up to nine hours when using a cellular network.

All cellular iPad Air 3 models shipped unlocked. In the United States, the applicable tablet works with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, but some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.

In the US and UK, if purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller -- like site sponsor Adorama -- the cellular-capable iPad Air 3 also shipped with an "Apple SIM" that is designed to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card.

Pricing Comparison Chart

All iPad Air 3 color options cost the same amount. Original pricing was differentiated by capacity and connectivity alone:

Capacity:	64 GB	256 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$499	US$649
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$629	US$779

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Summary

Ultimately, the iPad Air 3 tablets are differentiated from one another by connectivity and battery life. The iPad Air 3 falls between its regular iPad and iPad Pro contemporaries in performance and capability and would be a solid choice if you find the regular iPad too slow or otherwise insufficient but the iPad Pro is too expensive.

Ignoring subsequent iPad Air models, and choosing between a Wi-Fi only or cellular iPad Air 3 is a personal decision as to whether or not the A-GPS and cellular capability is worth the extra US$130 upfront plus the extra ongoing costs for cellular connectivity. Particularly if the iPad Air 3 is your only device and you plan to be frequently on the go, the cellular connection could be particularly worthwhile. On the other hand, if you plan to use your iPad just in your Wi-Fi equipped home, office, and coffee shop (and don't mind occasionally tethering your iPad Air to a cellular-equipped device like an iPhone or Android mobile), the Wi-Fi only model could be sufficient for your needs.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Air models with free shipping for all.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City may have used iPad models in stock, as well. All Macs and devices are available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Site sponsor GoRoostr can buy your older iPad in the US. GoRoostr has an A+ rating with the BBB, offers an instant price quote, free and insured FedEx shipping, and provides same day payouts 95% of the time.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.