Apple
iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro
128GB · 2025
90
/ 100
From $1,028
VS
Apple
iPad Air 13" (M3)
M3 · 13″ · Apple Pencil Pro · $799
90
/ 100
From $799
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro lands at 90 and iPad Air 13" (M3) at 90. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro if…
- ✓Portable creative canvas
- ✓Strong SoC
- ✓App ecosystem matures per year
Pick iPad Air 13" (M3) if…
- ✓M3 speed at Air price
- ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
- ✓Bigger 13″ canvas
iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro 90
vs 90 iPad Air 13" (M3)
Score breakdown
iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro
90 performance 90
display 88
battery 86
portability 88
software 86
iPad Air 13" (M3)
90 performance 94
display 86
battery 90
portability 92
software 82
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro | iPad Air 13" (M3) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 128GB | 128 GB – 1 TB |
| Release year | 2025 | — |
| Chip | — | Apple M3 |
| Display | — | 13″ Liquid Retina 60Hz |
| Weight | — | 617 g |
iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro
Pros
- +Portable creative canvas
- +Strong SoC
- +App ecosystem matures per year
Cons
- −Keyboard/pen extra cost
- −RAM often soldered
- −Mid-tier cameras
iPad Air 13" (M3)
Pros
- +M3 speed at Air price
- +Apple Pencil Pro support
- +Bigger 13″ canvas
Cons
- −Still iPadOS multitasking limits
- −No OLED, no 120Hz
- −Keyboard sold separately
FAQ: iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro vs iPad Air 13" (M3)
Which is better, iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro or iPad Air 13" (M3)? +
Both score 90 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro worth the price? +
At $1,028, iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in performance.
Is iPad Air 13" (M3) worth the price? +
At $799, iPad Air 13" (M3) delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in performance.
Does iPad Air 13 (M3) · 128GB (Starlight) · with Apple Pencil Pro or iPad Air 13" (M3) 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.