What are all the differences between the iPad Air M3 models?

There are six iPad Air M3 models released in 2025. Three with 11" displays -- the iPad Air M3 11" (Wi-Fi Only), M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China) -- and three with 13" displays -- the iPad Air M3 13" (Wi-Fi Only), M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China).

These six iPad Air M3 models vary by display size, location sold, connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M3)

Device Similarities

Each iPad Air M3 tablet shares the same general design with rounded corners and flat sides, a black glass front and a choice of a (light) Blue, (light) Purple, warm gray "Starlight", or darker "Space Gray" aluminum back. The 11" models weigh about a pound and the 13" models weigh 1.36 lbs.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air M3 Color Options)

All iPad Air M3 models use antireflective, LED-backlit "Liquid Retina" displays (264 ppi, 500 nits) surrounded by a thin black bezel. These displays offer "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.

All iPad Air M3 models also share the same eight core 4.05 GHz Apple M3 processor, 9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 8 GB of RAM. They can be configured with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB of integrated flash storage. In addition to a USB-C port, other shared connectivity includes 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) as well as Bluetooth 5.3.

Each have a landscape oriented (horizontal) front-mounted 12 megapixel camera that supports "Center Stage" to automatically pan and zoom and shoots up to 1080p video. Each also has a rear-mounted 12 megapixel "Wide" camera that shoots up to 4K video as well as dual microphones and stereo speakers.

Other significant features include "Touch ID" authentication built into the top button in addition to support for both the Apple Pencil Pro that conveniently charges via a magnetic connection on the side and the less expensive Apple Pencil (USB-C) that charges awkwardly via USB-C cable.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad Air M3 models all initially shipped with iPadOS 18.3 (22D2062) and fully support the operating system including the Apple Intelligence (AI) feature.

Identification Differences

When next to one another, the Wi-Fi only and cellular iPad Air M3 models can be differentiated visually because Wi-Fi only options have a solid aluminum back and the cellular capable models have a subtle antenna line at the top of the back of each device. Naturally, it is straightforward to tell the different sizes apart, too.

However, it is not possible to visually distinguish the two cellular-capable iPad Air M3 models of the same display size and it is easy to mix up all of these tablets with any number of other iPad models, as well.

Consequently, one of the best methods for identification is via Model Number; externally displayed toward the bottom on the back of each device:

iPad Air	Model No
iPad Air M3 11" (Wi-Fi Only)	A3266
iPad Air M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A3267
iPad Air M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A3270
iPad Air M3 13" (Wi-Fi Only)	A3268
iPad Air M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A3269
iPad Air M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A3271

Initially, the mainland China-only iPad Air M3 likely mostly will stay on its side of the great firewall, but over time, it inevitably will pop up around the world on the used market.

Each iPad Air 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 cellular-equipped configuration of the 11" iPad Air M3 in "Blue" with 512 GB of storage sold in the United States is MCG54LL/A.

To track down a specific iPad Air M3 by a variety of other different identifiers, use the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

The iPad Air M3 models have major differences in connectivity. All iPad Air M3 models support 802.11ax with 2x2 MIMO (Wi-Fi 6E) on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (simultaneous dual band) as well as Bluetooth 5.3.

All cellular iPad Air M3 models support A-GPS, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), as well as 4G LTE and 5G NR, but LTE support varies slightly between the global and mainland China models:

iPad Air	Model	4G LTE	5G NR
iPad Air M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A3267	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
iPad Air M3 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A3270	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
iPad Air M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell)	A3269	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
iPad Air M3 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China)	A3271	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79

For battery life, Apple estimates that each iPad Air M3 model, regardless of size, provides up to ten hours of runtime on Wi-Fi and the cellular-equipped models provide up to nine hours using a cellular network.

All cellular iPad Air M3 models ship unlocked. Some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network, though. The cellular iPad Air M3 models, regardless of location sold, only support eSIM. They do not support physical SIM cards.

Pricing Comparison Chart

All iPad Air M3 color options cost the same amount. Original pricing is differentiated simply by display size, capacity, and connectivity:

Capacity:	128 GB	256 GB	512 GB	1 TB
11" Wi-Fi Only:	US$599	US$699	US$899	US$1099
11"Wi-Fi/Cellular:	US$749	US$849	US$1049	US$1249
13" Wi-Fi Only:	US$799	US$899	US$1099	US$1299
13"Wi-Fi/Cellular:	US$949	US$1049	US$1249	US$1449

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 M3 models are differentiated by display size, connectivity, and battery life. Like earlier iPad Air models in recent years, the iPad Air M3 is a "mid-range" tablet offered between the inexpensive entry-level "regular" iPad and the high-end iPad Pro.

Display size and cellular connectivity both are personal decisions. We're fans of small devices, and would choose an 11" model (it also is US$200 cheaper), but you should choose based on your intended usage. The A-GPS and cellular capability adds US$150 to the cost upfront as well as extra ongoing costs for cellular usage.

If you plan to use your iPad Air M3 on the go, it is going to be your only computer, and you can fit the monthly costs into your budget, the cellular option probably makes sense. By contrast, if you plan to mostly use the tablet at home or in the office along with a coffee shop or two (and don't mind occasionally tethering your iPad Air to a cellular-equipped device like an iPhone or Android mobile) and/or you are on a tighter budget, one of the Wi-Fi only models could be more than enough for your needs.

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 model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.