Is it worth it to buy the M3 iPad Air? The new tablet is a stellar upgrade to a fine line of iPads. The M3 chip brings even more power to the mid-range offering.
If you have an older iPad Air with a Home Button, it’s time to upgrade to the new class of iPad. It can be a laptop replacement, with an attachable keyboard and trackpad, and desktop-style multitasking. For those considering a high-performance alternative, check out this M3 iPad Pro review to compare features. Add the new Apple Pencil and it becomes an advanced drawing tablet.
Is it worthwhile to upgrade? We have a guide below with helpful charts and a video to help you decide.
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Is the 2025 M3 iPad Air worth it?
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Time to upgrade from a 2019 iPad Air
If you have an iPad Air with a Home Button, the time has come for you to upgrade.
The new iPad Air is a whole new beast. The full edge-to-edge screen alone will delight you. It has a desktop-class M3 chip that runs Stage Manager, the iPad’s advanced multitasking mode. You can pair it with the Magic Keyboard for a laptop-style keyboard and trackpad.
Consider upgrading from a 4th-generation iPad Air
If you have a fourth-generation iPad Air, you should consider upgrading if you can afford it.
The iPad Air M3 enables Apple Intelligence, and brings Stage Manager for powerful multitasking. It’s likely compatible with the same Magic Keyboard (if you have that) although you’ll need to buy a new Apple Pencil.
Unfortunately, the colors are still pretty muted — and you have one less option than before. Green has bitten the dust.
Don’t upgrade from an M1 or M2 iPad Air
If you already have an M1 or M2 iPad Air, you can sit this upgrade cycle out. You’ve already got a super-powerful iPad with an M-series chip. It will continue to serve you well for many years to come.
The midrange iPad is the perfect all-around tablet for students, work and casual living room use.
Pair with the Magic Keyboard for a laptop-style keyboard and trackpad. Works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro.
- Powerful, desktop-class M3 chip
- Lightweight, all-screen design
- Optional keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories
- Does not have Face ID
More upgrade guides
If you have a lot of old tech, check out our other upgrade guides for the latest Apple products:
D. Griffin Jones is a writer, podcaster and video producer for Cult of Mac. Griffin has been a passionate computer enthusiast since 2002, when he got his first PC — but since getting a Mac in 2008, he hasn’t turned back. His skills in graphic and web design, along with video and podcast editing, are self-taught over 20+ years. Griffin has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and has written several (unpublished) apps for Mac and iOS. His collection of old computers is made up of 40+ desktops, laptops, PDAs and devices, dating back to the early ’80s. He brings all of these creative and technical skills, along with a deep knowledge of Apple history, into his work for Cult of Mac.
