Official manufacturer render.
Apple
iPad Air 13 M3
- 13-inch Liquid Retina
- Apple M3 · 8-core CPU
- 616 g
- From $799
Available colors
Selected: Blue
Physical specifications
13"
Display size
616 g
Weight
280.6 mm
Height
214.9 mm
Width
6.1 mm
Thickness
4:3
Aspect ratio
Release and pricing
- Announced
- May 7, 2024
- Released
- May 15, 2024
- Starting price
- $799
- Market
- US
- Configuration
- 128 GB Wi‑Fi
Display
- Display size
- 13"
- Display technology
- Liquid Retina IPS
- Resolution
- 2732 × 2048
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Peak brightness
- 500 nits
- Protection
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Performance
- Chipset
- Apple M3
- CPU
- 8-core CPU
- GPU
- 10-core GPU
- RAM
- 8 GB
- Storage
- 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1024 GB
- Expandable storage
- No
Cameras
- Rear cameras
- Wide · 12 MP · ƒ/1.8
- Front cameras
- Landscape · 12 MP · ƒ/2.4
- Video recording
- 4K video recording at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps
Build & durability
- Frame
- Aluminum
- Back
- Aluminum
- Ingress protection
- None published
Connectivity
- Cellular
- Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi + Cellular (5G)
- Wi‑Fi
- Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- USB
- USB-C
- NFC
- No
- eSIM
- Yes
Sources and measurement notes
Sizometry compares published specifications and calculates differences. These are not hands-on measurements or tests of comfort, performance or pocket fit.
Check the exact model, year, region and configuration on the linked page. References may cover several variants. Folded and unfolded dimensions differ; cases and camera protrusions may change the space a device needs. Drawings share a relative scale and are not calibrated to life size on your screen.
Sizometry Analysis
Overall Score
8.0
out of 10
A large, dependable iPad Air with excellent desk-first canvas and battery strengths, appealing strongly to older-iPad upgraders who need screen area — held back by incremental M3 silicon and unchanged 60Hz LCD, accessory, and portability trade-offs versus the 11-inch Air.
Category scores
Camera
7.0
Adequate scanning and strong front-camera Center Stage for desk calls, with imaging unchanged and secondary to screen workflows.
Battery and charging
9.0
Among the strongest Air options for all-day endurance in typical study and remote-work patterns.
Performance
8.0
Fast routine use with occasional warmth under sustained load.
Handling and portability
7.0
Manageable daily carry with familiar reach and pocket trade-offs for the size class.
Build quality
8.0
Solid large-format aluminum chassis, with Magic Keyboard weight and aging design as recurring debates.
Value
8.0
Balanced capability for the price with deliberate omissions versus higher tiers.
Strengths
- Large 13-inch canvas for productivity and Pencil work
- Excellent all-day battery for typical desk and study routines
- M3 silicon and 8GB RAM for multi-year software confidence
- Pro-sized screen area without Pro OLED pricing
Weaknesses
- Incremental upgrade over 13-inch M2 Air with same display and accessories
- 60Hz LCD more noticeable on a large panel versus Pro tablets
- Handheld and bag portability trail the 11-inch Air
- Magic Keyboard weight approaches laptop territory without Pro keyboard design
Best for
- Desk-first buyers who need a large split-view and markup canvas
- Upgraders from smaller or older iPads seeking M-series speed at 13 inches
- Pencil users who value drawing and note scale over maximum portability
- Remote workers satisfied with 60Hz LCD for document-heavy workflows
Less suitable for
- 13-inch M2 Air owners expecting a meaningful daily upgrade
- Transit and sofa readers who prioritize handheld comfort
- Buyers who want the most portable Air — the 11-inch M3 fits better
- Shoppers when discounted 13-inch M2 units offer identical ergonomics
Upgrade recommendation
Current device: 11-inch Air, base iPad, or Air 4 and older
Recommendation: Strongly recommendedNotes: Large canvas, M3 speed, 8GB RAM, and Pencil Pro support address screen-size and performance limits of smaller or aging hardware.
Current device: iPad Pro models before M1 at smaller sizes
Recommendation: Worth consideringNotes: Strong when buyers want large Air value more than Pro display features they rarely used.
Current device: 13-inch M1 Air generation
Recommendation: Worth consideringNotes: Meaningful future-proofing with same canvas; less urgent if current speed and accessories already satisfy.
Current device: 13-inch M2 Air generation
Recommendation: Probably unnecessaryNotes: Same display, design, and accessories with incremental silicon — owners rarely describe a must-upgrade case.
Current device: 11-inch Air owners needing more screen area
Recommendation: Depends on prioritiesNotes: Productivity and Pencil scale improve; handheld comfort, bag fit, and weight worsen — a personal workflow trade.
Current device: Shoppers comparing to iPad Pro 13-inch
Recommendation: Depends on prioritiesNotes: Air wins on price for large LCD canvas; Pro wins on 120Hz OLED, Thunderbolt, and floating keyboard unless value dominates.
Everyday usability
Estimated from device dimensions and weight.
Handling
Two-handed preferredTwo-handed use is generally the more natural way to hold this device.
Bag portability
LimitedNot intended for pocket carry; plan on a bag, sleeve, or hand carry.
Carry comfort
BalancedWeight sits in a balanced range for everyday holding and carrying.
Reading and media
Roomy for documents, media, and side-by-side layouts.
Gaming
High-endIts processor and graphics hardware are suited to demanding games and higher visual settings.
Bottom line
The iPad Air 13-inch M3 earns respect through a spacious, battery-strong canvas for desk-first study and remote work rather than handheld portability or display leadership. Its strongest appeal is Pro-sized screen area paired with M3 future-proofing, Pencil Pro support, and endurance — at Air pricing when buyers do not need OLED or Thunderbolt. The dominant trade-offs are weight and bag bulk versus the 11-inch Air, plus the same incremental M3-over-M2 story with unchanged 60Hz LCD and older Magic Keyboard. Shoppers upgrading from smaller or older iPads gain the clearest benefits; 13-inch M2 Air owners should treat M3 as optional unless software longevity justifies full retail over discounted M2 stock.
Models and configurations
- Storage
- 128 GB256 GB512 GB1 TB
- Connectivity
- Wi‑FiWi‑Fi + Cellular (5G)
- Colors
- BluePurpleStarlightSpace Gray
- RAM
- 8 GB
- SIM configuration
- eSIM
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