The M3 iPad Air 13-inch was announced on March 4, 2025, and was described as being up to 2x faster than the M1 iPad Air. The press release also touted:
“iPad Air with M3 brings Apple’s advanced graphics architecture to iPad Air for the first time—taking its incredible combination of power-efficient performance and portability to a new level… Available in two sizes and four gorgeous finishes that users love, the 11-inch iPad Air is super portable while on the go, and the 13-inch model provides an even larger display for more room to be creative and productive.”
Apple mentioned that “The faster Neural Engine in M3 means iPad Air [is]…up to 60 percent faster for AI-based workloads…and support for advanced accessories, including the new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro.”
The 11-inch and 13-inch M3 iPad Air devices were available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB configurations. This example is the 13-inch version of the iPad Air in Space Gray with 128 GB storage.
This 13-inch iPad Air Wi-Fi is 11.04 inches (280.6 mm) x 8.46 inches (214.9 mm), is 0.24 inch (6.1 mm) thick, and weighs 1.36 pounds (616 grams).
The Liquid Retina display is 2732 x 2048 pixels at 264 ppi and can display up to 600 nits brightness. It is powered by Apple’s M3 chip (8-core CPU with 4 performance cores; 4 efficiency cores; 9-core GPU). It has a 16-core Neural Engine.
The back camera is a 12MP Wide camera with ƒ/1.8 aperture that allows digital zoom up to 5x using a 5-element lens. It can capture Panorama photos up to 63 MP. It can record video up to 4K at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps. The front camera is a landscape 12 MP Center Stage camera with ƒ/2.0 aperture that can record video at up to 1080p (HD) at 25, 30, or 60 fps.
Its dual microphones can be used for calls, video recording, and audio recording and has landscape stereo speakers.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO5 and Bluetooth 5.3. Its sensors include Touch ID, 3‐axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, and an ambient light sensor.
This iPad Air is using the Symmetry Series Folio case (for iPad Air 13-inch M2 and M3) by OtterBox in their “Starry Night” (black, clear, grey) color. The hinged folio design provides an adjustable stand, screen protection, magnetic sleep/wake, and protects the Apple Pencil while allowing charging while in storage.
Sources: Apple (newsroom, specs, product page), OtterBox
