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iPad Air 13" (M3) — M3 · 13″ · Apple Pencil Pro · $799
Apple

iPad Air 13" (M3)

M3 · 13″ · Apple Pencil Pro · $799

90
/ 100
From $799
VS
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular wins by 5
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi + Cellular
Apple

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular

M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi + Cellular

95
/ 100
From $1,899
Specdex verdict

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Air 13" (M3) lands at 90 and iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular at 95. That puts iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick iPad Air 13" (M3) if…

  • ✓M3 speed at Air price
  • ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
  • ✓Bigger 13″ canvas

Pick iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular if…

  • ✓M5 performance in a tablet
  • ✓Tandem OLED display
  • ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Performance

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular

Compared on the performance sub-score

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on performance (97 vs 94).

Display

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular

Compared on the display sub-score

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on display (98 vs 86).

Portability

Tie

Compared on the portability sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

iPad Air 13" (M3)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

iPad Air 13" (M3) more score per dollar ($799 vs $1,899).

iPad Air 13" (M3) 90
vs
95 iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular

Score breakdown

iPad Air 13" (M3)
90
performance 94
display 86
battery 90
portability 92
software 82
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
95
performance 97
display 98
battery 88
portability 92
software 82

Specs side-by-side

iPad Air 13" (M3) versus iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — full spec comparison
Spec iPad Air 13" (M3) iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
Chip
Apple M3
M5
Display
13″ Liquid Retina 60Hz
—
Storage
▲ 128 GB – 1 TB
1TB
Weight
617 g
—
Display size
—
13"
Connectivity
—
Wi-Fi + Cellular
Release year
—
2025

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

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular

Pros
  • +M5 performance in a tablet
  • +Tandem OLED display
  • +Apple Pencil Pro support
Cons
  • −iPadOS multitasking still limited
  • −Keyboard sold separately
  • −Pricey for casual use

FAQ: iPad Air 13" (M3) vs iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular

Which is better, iPad Air 13" (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular? +

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is iPad Air 13" (M3) worth the price? +

At $799, iPad Air 13" (M3) delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in performance.

Is iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular worth the price? +

At $1,899, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in display.

Does iPad Air 13" (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · 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.

Which is better for performance, iPad Air 13" (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular? +

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — leads on performance (97 vs 94). Compared on the performance sub-score.

Which is better for display, iPad Air 13" (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular? +

iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — leads on display (98 vs 86). Compared on the display sub-score.