Apple iPad Air (M3, 2025) Assessment: A Highly effective Pill That Feels Stale

It seems like it was simply yesterday that Apple launched the M2-powered iPad Air. Actually, it has been 10 months, however that is nonetheless far too quickly for a brand new model in my ebook. But right here we’re, with a brand new iPad Air—this time with an M3 chip. The pill delivers a minor increase in efficiency in comparison with its predecessor, but it surely does include options like ray tracing, mesh shading, and dynamic caching to energy graphics-intensive duties. It is a first for the iPad Air, making it probably the most reasonably priced approach into these superior capabilities for individuals who want it—like inventive professionals or players—who do not wish to splurge on the iPad Professional.

However that is it so far as new options go for the seventh-generation iPad Air. Apple used the identical chassis, so you may have a alternative between the 11-inch and 13-inch show sizes. Whereas it is a completely fantastic pill when it comes to usability, Apple failed to handle the foremost critiques from final 12 months’s mannequin: its density, battery life, and lack of an OLED (and even mini LED) panel. All of those are elements that will’ve helped justify a next-generation iPad Air so quickly.

Reuse and Recycle

In my evaluate of the M2-powered iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends), I described the design as stale in comparison with the redesigned iPad Professional (6/10 WIRED Assessment). Now, seeing Apple recycle the identical chassis as final 12 months’s mannequin, my emotions have not modified. It is comical that the iPad Air continues to be just a few grams heavier and virtually a full milimeter thicker than the iPad Professional. The pill feels light-weight and slim regardless, but it surely’s not as impressively skinny as its costlier counterpart—particularly whenever you add equipment to it. And, whereas Apple did not take away coloration choices this time (we misplaced the pink final 12 months and the inexperienced earlier than that), it did not add any, both. You may have a alternative between blue, purple, starlight, and house grey.

You even have a alternative between an 11-inch show or a 13-inch show. Apple despatched me the latter, which I want because the further display actual property makes it that rather more comfy to make use of as a secondary show and to observe TV. It is barely brighter than the smaller mannequin, with 2,732 x 2,048 decision (264 ppi) and hits 600 nits of peak brightness in Normal Dynamic Vary. It will get a lot vivid for probably the most half, however you may have to extend it to full brightness in direct daylight. I had to do that whereas watching an episode of Maintaining Up With the Kardashians in entrance of my bed room window. In any other case, I sometimes hold it at a little bit beneath 50 p.c brightness.

As with final 12 months’s pill, I proceed to query why Apple did not nix the LCD panel and substitute it with mini LED (as seen on the iPad Professional from 2021 and 2022), no less than on the bigger mannequin. This seems like a no brainer for a number of causes along with the truth that it will enable for a good brighter display).

For starters, it goes hand in hand with the M3 chip’s graphics structure. This iPad will entice much more creatives who’re out there for a robust pill (and a big display). To totally leverage the processor, it is meant for use with apps like Adobe Photoshop or Last Lower Professional—the place enhancing content material requires a sure consideration to paint accuracy.

{Photograph}: Brenda Stolyar