iPad Air 13 M3 vs iPad Pro M5
Verdict: The iPad Pro M5 outperforms the iPad Air 13 M3 with its 120Hz tandem OLED display and stronger M5 chip, delivering measurable gains in video editing and drawing responsiveness per Notebookcheck and Geekbench data. The Air M3 remains competitive for general use at a lower cost but lacks the Pro's advanced display and camera features. For users needing top-tier screen quality and future-proofing, the Pro M5 is the clear winner.
How we scored it
Spec verificationOwner sentimentLive pricing (4h refresh)Editorial review
Our methodology
Winner: iPad Pro M5
iPad Air 13 M3: 7.5/10
iPad Pro M5: 9/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| iPad Air 13 M3 | iPad Pro M5 | |
|---|---|---|
| display | 13-inch Liquid Retina, 60Hz | 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR, 120Hz ProMotion |
| chip | Apple M3 | Apple M5 |
| ram_storage | 8GB / 128GB-1TB | 16GB / 256GB-2TB |
| battery | 28.6 Wh | 38.9 Wh |
iPad Air 13 M3
What works
- Lower starting price than Pro models
- M3 chip handles multitasking and creative apps efficiently
- Lightweight aluminum design at 1.35 lbs
What doesn't
- 60Hz display with lower peak brightness
- Single rear camera only
iPad Pro M5
What works
- 120Hz ProMotion display with up to 1600 nits brightness
- M5 chip delivers significantly higher multi-core performance
- Ultra-thin 5.1mm design with tandem OLED
What doesn't
- Higher starting price
- Overkill for basic tasks
Bottom line
Our pick: iPad Pro M5.
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