Apple iPad Air (M3) vs Apple iPad Air (M4)
Too close to call. The critic scores are 1 point apart, well inside the usual difference between two critics. Pick on features, not score.
Critics score the Apple iPad Air (M3) 85 (one dissenter) and the Apple iPad Air (M4) 84 (general agreement) out of 100, from 6 and 11 professional reviews. 4 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPad Air (M3) higher and 3 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Apple iPad Air (M3) 3 points ahead.
Image: AppleApple iPad Air (M3)
6 professional reviewers tested the Apple iPad Air (M3), and 4 recommend it. Most praised: performance and battery life. Most common complaint: battery life.
All 6 reviews of the Apple iPad Air (M3) →
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Image: AppleApple iPad Air (M4)
10 of 11 reviewers who tested the M4 iPad Air recommend it, and their scores sit within 20 points. They call it fast enough for almost anything and the sensible choice over the iPad Pro. The design hasn't changed, and there is still no Face ID.
All 11 reviews of the Apple iPad Air (M4) →
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Where every review landed
Each mark is one professional review, converted to 0–100Which one is for you?
Pick the Apple iPad Air (M3) if
- “Best all-round Apple tablet” is what you’re after
- battery life matters most: 4 of 6 critics praise it, against 2 of 11 for the Apple iPad Air (M4)
The catch: The keyboard and Pencil are costly, and it barely changes from the M2 model.
Pick the Apple iPad Air (M4) if
Critics name no clear edge for it over the other.
The catch: Still no Face ID.
In our words, from what the critics praise and complain about. It never changes a score.
What critics praise and fault
How many of each product's reviews mention the topic| Topic | Apple iPad Air (M3) | Apple iPad Air (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 of 6 praise | 11 of 11 praise |
| Battery life | 4 of 6 praise 2 of 6 fault | 2 of 11 praise 1 of 11 fault |
| Price | 2 of 6 fault | 5 of 11 fault |
| Picture quality | 3 of 6 praise | 3 of 11 praise |
| Design | 2 of 6 praise | 3 of 11 praise |
| Build quality | not mentioned | 2 of 11 praise |
| Value for money | not mentioned | 2 of 11 praise |
Critics who reviewed both
The fairest comparison: the same reviewer, the same standards| Outlet | iPad Air (M3) | iPad Air (M4) | Who scored higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tech Advisor | 90 | 80 | iPad Air (M3) +10 |
| Tom's Guide | 90 | 90 | Same |
| Trusted Reviews | 90 | 90 | Same |
| WIRED | 70 | 70 | Same |
Scores converted to 0–100. Tiles with a dashed border are estimated from the verdict. Tap a score to read that review.
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Common questions
Which is better, the Apple iPad Air (M3) or the Apple iPad Air (M4)?
It's too close to call on critic score: Apple iPad Air (M3) 85 (one dissenter), Apple iPad Air (M4) 84 (general agreement). 4 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPad Air (M3) higher and 3 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Apple iPad Air (M3) 3 points ahead.
Do critics agree about the Apple iPad Air (M3) and the Apple iPad Air (M4)?
The Apple iPad Air (M3): one dissenter, scores from 70 to 90. The Apple iPad Air (M4): general agreement, scores from 70 to 90.