iPad Air 13" (M3)
M3 · 13″ · Apple Pencil Pro · $799
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi
M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Air 13" (M3) lands at 90 and iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi at 95. That puts iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi 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) · 256GB · Wi-Fi if…
- ✓M5 performance in a tablet
- ✓Tandem OLED display
- ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPad Air 13" (M3) | iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M3 | M5 |
| Display | 13″ Liquid Retina 60Hz | — |
| Storage | 128 GB – 1 TB | ▲ 256GB |
| Weight | 617 g | — |
| Display size | — | 13" |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
iPad Air 13" (M3)
- +M3 speed at Air price
- +Apple Pencil Pro support
- +Bigger 13″ canvas
- −Still iPadOS multitasking limits
- −No OLED, no 120Hz
- −Keyboard sold separately
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi
- +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 13" (M3) vs iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi
Which is better, iPad Air 13" (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi 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) · 256GB · Wi-Fi worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in display.
Does iPad Air 13" (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi 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.