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iPad Air Q&A
Published April 23, 2025
All Apple Q&As >> iPad Air Q&A (Home) | Also see: All iPad Specs
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What are all the differences between the iPad Air M3 and the iPad Air M2 it replaced? How much faster is the iPad Air M3?
There are six iPad Air M2 models, released in 2024, and six iPad Air M3 models, released in 2025 as replacements for the iPad Air M2 line. Both lines have three 11" models and three 13" models.
The iPad Air M2 with 11" displays are the iPad Air M2 11" (Wi-Fi Only), M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M2 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China). Those with 13" displays are the iPad Air M2 13" (Wi-Fi Only), M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M2 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
The iPad Air M3 models with 11" displays are the iPad Air M3 11" (Wi-Fi Only), M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China). Those with 13" displays are the iPad Air M3 13" (Wi-Fi Only), M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
For simplicity, this EveryiPad.com Q&A primarily refers to these lines collectively as the iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M2 & M3 Color Options)
With even a detailed inspection of the iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3, it is nearly impossible to tell them apart; the dimensions and even the colors are the same.
In fact, for all practical purposes, the iPad Air M3 essentially is the iPad Air M2 with a newer processor. Benchmarks show that the iPad Air M3 is around 17% faster than its predecessor.
However, it is still useful to know the internal technical differences, accessory differences, and the identifiers than can be used to tell them apart. It is worthwhile to know the similarities, too. A detailed comparison can be especially helpful, accordingly.
External Design & Color Differences
Each iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 tablet shares the same general housing design with rounded corners and flat sides, a black glass front and the same color choices -- a (light) Blue, (light) Purple, warm gray "Starlight", or darker "Space Gray" aluminum back.
The iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 models use the same displays. These are antireflective, LED-backlit "Liquid Retina" displays (264 ppi, 500 nits) surrounded by a thin black bezel. They provide "wide color" (DCI-P3) support and Apple's "True Tone" technology. They do not support ProMotion (120 Hz refresh rate). The 11" models have a 2360x1640 resolution and the 13" models have a 2732x2048 resolution.
Both lines support "Touch ID" capability built into the power button on the top of the device and have stereo speakers and dual microphones.
The iPad Air M3 models technically weigh a little less, but all of these 11" models weigh about a pound and the 13" models weigh about 1.3 pounds:
 iPad Air M2 |
iPad Air M3 |
|
| Colors: | Space Gray Starlight Blue Purple |
Space Gray Starlight Blue Purple |
| Height x Width (In.): | 9.74 x 7.02 (11") 11.04 x 8.46 (13") |
9.74 x 7.02 (11") 11.04 x 8.46 (13") |
| Depth (In.): | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Weight (Lbs.): | 1.02 (11") 1.36 (13") |
1.01 (11") 1.36 (13") |
Accessory Support Differences
The iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 both support the Apple Pencil Pro that conveniently charges via a magnetic connection on the side as well as the less expensive Apple Pencil (USB-C) that charges awkwardly via USB-C cable.
The 11" iPad Air M2 supports an Apple Magic Keyboard 11" and the 13" iPad Air M2 supports a larger Apple Magic Keyboard 13".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M2 with Magic Keyboard)
The iPad Air M3 models can use the same Apple Magic Keyboard options as the iPad Air M2 models.
However, Apple also introduced new "Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air" options -- a Magic Keyboard 11" (M3) and Magic Keyboard 13" (M3) -- that include a 14-key function row and a larger trackpad. Only available in white, this keyboard does not have backlit keys or haptic feedback.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M3 with Magic Keyboard for iPad Air)
Camera Differences
The cameras in the iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 are identical:
iPad Air M2 |
iPad Air M3 |
|
| Front Camera | ||
| Alignment: | Landscape | Landscape |
| Megapixels: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/2.4 | f/2.4 |
| Video: | 1080p | 1080p |
| Center Stage: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Camera | ||
| Megapixels: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Video: | 4K | 4K |
Identification Differences
It is easy to confuse the iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 models with each other and with any number of other iPads. Accordingly, visual identification is not a good method for differentiation.
Instead, one of the best methods for identification is via Model Number; externally displayed toward the bottom on the back of each device:
iPad |
Model No |
EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPad models by its specific Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About).
Internal & Connectivity Differences
The iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 models use different processors, but otherwise essentially are the same:
iPad Air M2 |
iPad Air M3 |
|
| Clockspeed: | 3.49 GHz | 4.05 GHz |
| Processor: | M2 | M3 |
| Processor Cores: | Eight | Eight |
| Graphics Cores: | Nine | Nine |
| Neural Engine: | Yes | Yes |
| RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage: | 128/256 GB 512 GB/1 TB |
128/256 GB 512 GB/1 TB |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 4G/LTE Bands: | 29-31 Bands | 29-31 Bands |
| 5G Bands: | 26 Bands | 26 Bands |
| Bluetooth: | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Port Type: | USB-C | USB-C |
To reiterate, with the newer processor design and a faster clockspeed, the iPad Air M3 delivers about 17% more performance in benchmark tests.
Apple estimates around ten hours of runtime for all of these devices on Wi-Fi and around nine hours of runtime for cellular models when using a cellular network.
iOS Support Differences
The iPad Air M2 models first shipped with iPadOS 17.5. The iPad Air M3 models first shipped with iPadOS 18.3 (22D2062).
Both lines fully support iPadOS 18 including the Apple Intelligence (AI) feature.
iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 Comparison Chart
The above differences between the iPad Air M2 and iPad Air M3 -- as well as original US pricing details -- are summarized below:
iPad Air M2 |
iPad Air M3 |
|
| Display: | 10.9" / 12.9" | 10.9" / 12.9" |
| Resolution: | 2360x1640 2732x2048 |
2360x1640 2732x2048 |
| Clockspeed: | 3.49 GHz | 4.05 GHz |
| Processor: | M2 | M3 |
| Processor Cores: | 8 | 8 |
| Graphics Cores: | 9 | 9 |
| RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage: | 128/256 GB 512 GB/1 TB |
128/256 GB 512 GB/1 TB |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 4G/LTE Bands: | 29-31 Bands | 29-31 Bands |
| 5G Bands: | 26 Bands | 26 Bands |
| Apple Pencil: | Apple Pencil Pro | Apple Pencil Pro |
| eSIM: | Yes | Yes |
| Colors: | Space Gray Starlight Blue Purple |
Space Gray Starlight Blue Purple |
| Original iPadOS: | iPadOS 17.5 | iPadOS 18.3 |
| Maximum iPadOS: | Current | Current |
| Height x Width (In.): | 9.74 x 7.02 (11") 11.04 x 8.46 (13") |
9.74 x 7.02 (11") 11.04 x 8.46 (13") |
| Depth (In.): | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Weight (Lbs.): | 1.02 (11") 1.36 (13") |
1.01 (11") 1.36 (13") |
| Orig. Price (Wi-Fi): | US$599-US$1299 | US$599-US$1299 |
| Orig. Price (Cell): | US$749-US$1449 | US$749-US$1449 |
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPad as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPad.com.
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, the iPad Air M3 is 17% faster than its predecessor and introduces the option of a newer keyboard with function keys and a larger trackpad.
Obviously, more speed for the same price always is welcomed, but the iPad Air M2 certainly remains quite capable and is an especially good value on the used market, accordingly.
iPad Air Purchase & Sale Options
There are many companies that sell the iPad Air. However, buying from a quality company with significant Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
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.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).
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