What are the upgrades compared to the previous generation?

iPad Air M3 has just been launched on the scale with iPad Air M2 in terms of design, performance, screen, accessories to help you decide to upgrade

Apple has officially introduced iPad Air M3 on March 4, 2025, just 9 months after the iPad Air M2 launched. With such a short distance, many users are wondering whether the iPad Air M3 will bring improvements big enough to consider upgrading from iPad Air M2. Let’s compare details of these two versions through important aspects such as design, performance, screen, accessories and overall value.

Compare specifications iPad Air M3 and iPad Air M2

Looking at the parameters, the biggest difference lies in the chip: iPad Air M3 uses M3 chip, while iPad Air M2 uses M2 chip. Let’s analyze in detail each aspect.

Design and complete

In terms of design, iPad Air M3 has not changed compared to iPad Air M2. Both maintain a thin, light, modern style with flat borders, two 11 -inch and 13 -inch options, and four familiar colors: blue, purple, yellow and gray. This means that if you expect a new look, the iPad Air M3 will not meet the expectation. However, the design of the iPad Air M2 is inherently optimal for mobility and aesthetics, so keeping the same is not a big problem.

The remarkable point is that iPad Air M3 still uses USB-C port with USB 3 speed, supporting fast connection and compatible with many accessories. If you already own iPad Air M2, you will not need to buy new shells or new accessories when upgraded to M3, because the size and layout are constant.

Screen

Both iPad Air M3 and iPad Air M2 are equipped with the Liquid Retina LCD screen, with two 11 -inch sizes (500 nits) and 13 inches (600 nits), 60Hz scan frequency. There is no upgrade of display technology such as mini-led or promotion 120Hz-the exclusive features on the iPad Pro line. This can be disappointed for those who want to experience smoother images, especially when both models are aimed at users to create content and entertainment.

However, the Liquid Retina screen of both is still very impressive with good brightness, accurate colors and supports Apple Pencil, suitable for daily work and entertainment.

Performance

This is the biggest difference between iPad Air M3 and iPad Air M2. iPad Air M3 is equipped with M3 chip – Apple’s latest chip on 3nm process, bringing outstanding performance compared to M2 chip (5nm process) on iPad Air M2. According to Apple, the M3 chip is about 15-20% faster in CPU and GPU, while improving energy efficiency thanks to the power-saving design.

An important highlight is that iPad Air M3 is optimized to run Apple Intelligence – Apple’s new AI feature set. Although iPad Air M2 also supports Apple Intelligence through iPados 18 update, M3 chip with Neural Engine is 60% faster than M2 will bring a smoother AI experience, from smart photo editing, image creation in Image Playground to processing complex tasks.

With 8GB RAM on both models, iPad Air M3 still has an advantage in heavy tasks such as 4K video editing, high graphics game or multitasking with many Pro applications. If you are a basic user, this difference may not be too obvious, but for those who need maximum power, M3 is a significant step forward.

Camera

There is no upgrade of camera on iPad Air M3 compared to iPad Air M2. Both have a 12MP rear camera (F/1.8) and 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage feature, meet the needs of photography, 4K video recording and call Facetime. If you do not use the iPad as the main photography device, this is not the factor to consider when choosing between the two versions.

Battery and charging

Apple has not published details of the battery capacity of iPad Air M3, but with the duration of use about 10 hours similar to the iPad Air M2, and the power saving efficiency of the M3 chip, it is likely that M3 will be slightly better in actual use time. Both support fast charging via USB-C, but no Magsafe or improvement in wireless charging is noticeable.

Accessory

A big plus of the iPad Air M3 is the new Magic Keyboard, adding function keys (Function Key) – the previous feature only on the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard. This makes iPad Air M3 closer to the laptop experience, ideal for users to work in office or content creation. iPad Air M2 is also compatible with Magic Keyboard, but it is only the old version without function keys.

Both support Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C, there is no difference in pen compatibility.

Is the iPad Air M3 worthy of you?

Launched after only the predecessor iPad Air M2, iPad Air M3 is an upgrade focused on internal strength. Despite keeping the design, screen and camera similar to the previous version, the new M3 chip is an important highlight that brings outstanding performance and comprehensive Intelligence Apple support, along with an improved Magic Keyboard to enhance working experience.

• If you are using iPad Air M2: This is a good time to upgrade if you want to take advantage of the stronger processing power for intensive work or want to experience Apple’s advanced AI features early.
• If you do not own iPad Air: iPad Air M3 is definitely an excellent choice thanks to the new chip and long-term support, especially when you plan to invest in a device that can accompany you in the next 3-5 years.

Conclude

iPad Air M3 is a remarkable step in terms of performance compared to iPad Air M2, but not a big leap like from M1 to M2 before. With an estimated starting price, iPad Air M3 is more attractive for new buyers or those who are using older equipment. However, if you are satisfied with the iPad Air M2, waiting for a larger design or screen upgrade in the future can be a reasonable choice.