iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio
256GB · 2025
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi + Cellular
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio lands at 88 and iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular at 95. That puts iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio if…
- ✓Portable creative canvas
- ✓Strong SoC
- ✓App ecosystem matures per year
Pick iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular if…
- ✓M5 performance in a tablet
- ✓Tandem OLED display
- ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio | iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| Release year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Chip | — | M5 |
| Display size | — | 13" |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi + Cellular |
iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio
- +Portable creative canvas
- +Strong SoC
- +App ecosystem matures per year
- −Keyboard/pen extra cost
- −RAM often soldered
- −Mid-tier cameras
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
- +M5 performance in a tablet
- +Tandem OLED display
- +Apple Pencil Pro support
- −iPadOS multitasking still limited
- −Keyboard sold separately
- −Pricey for casual use
FAQ: iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio vs iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
Which is better, iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio worth the price? +
At $878, iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in performance.
Is iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular worth the price? +
At $1,499, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in display.
Does iPad Air 11 (M3) · 256GB (Space Gray) · with Smart Folio or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.