Apple’s New M3 iPad Air: A Comprehensive Review and User Experience

Apple’s latest iteration of the iPad Air, powered by the M3 chip, has been available for a little over a month now, and the response has been varied. While many reviewers quickly dismissed this new release as a minor update, some even calling it “boring” and “not substantial enough,” I find this opinion to be quite narrow. In reality, this iPad is likely to be the one most people, from students and artists to business professionals, choose. But does it truly meet the diverse needs of all these users? Is it enough to get work done without the need to upgrade to a more expensive model like the iPad Pro?

Having used every iPad model from the most affordable to the premium iPad Pro and even the iPad Mini, I have a good understanding of what you gain and what you give up when opting for the iPad Air. One of the key factors I considered in my review was the display—an aspect central to the iPad experience.

Display: The Elephant in the Room

The display on this iPad Air is identical to last year’s model, meaning it still uses the same LCD technology with a 60Hz refresh rate. While it’s not a bad display—by any means—it is a missed opportunity. The iPad Air is an excellent device, but when compared to the competition, particularly the iPad Pro with its 120Hz ProMotion display, the limitations of the 60Hz screen become apparent.

For most devices, a 60Hz refresh rate is fine, and I’ve expressed before that I don’t mind it on laptops like the MacBook Air. However, the iPad is different. The iPad’s large display makes the low refresh rate more noticeable. This is especially true when using the device with the Apple Pencil. On the 120Hz display of the iPad Pro, the Apple Pencil’s interactions feel instantaneous and fluid, almost like writing on paper. But on the iPad Air, the lag is noticeable. I can see the digital ink trail slightly behind the Apple Pencil’s tip, creating a less seamless experience.

Despite my preference for a higher refresh rate, I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker. Upgrading to a 120Hz display on the Air would cost a significant amount more, and for many users, the price difference may not be worth the upgrade, especially if performance isn’t directly impacted by the refresh rate. That said, Apple could have offered the option to add a higher refresh rate display without compromising the overall cost too much. A 120Hz refresh rate would be a much-appreciated upgrade and would have made the iPad Air a much more competitive option in the market. The 2017 iPad Pro featured a 120Hz display for just $50 more than the current iPad Air, so Apple could have easily included it.

Apple’s Display Technology: The Gap with the Pro

The iPad Pro’s display is a significant step forward in terms of quality, offering an OLED display with improved contrast and more vibrant colors. The gap between the iPad Air’s LCD and the iPad Pro’s OLED is clear. While the iPad Pro’s display is perfect for professionals and content creators who need the best display available, the iPad Air, with its older LCD technology, lags behind.

It’s time for Apple to make the Air’s display a priority and offer something better. A high-quality, matte display could also be a good option for users who want to reduce reflections and improve writing experiences, especially with the Apple Pencil. Fortunately, there are solutions to make the iPad Air’s display better, such as the Paperlike screen protector. This innovative product helps reduce glare, prevents smudges, and even makes writing or drawing feel like you’re using actual paper. Paperlike’s Nano Dot technology enhances the writing experience by adding a slight texture to the screen, making it ideal for artists and professionals alike.

Performance and Features: The M3 Chip

Despite the disappointment with the display, the iPad Air comes packed with the M3 chip, Apple’s latest and greatest in-house processor. This update makes the iPad Air feel fast and responsive. While the M2 chip in last year’s model was already excellent, the M3 brings even more power under the hood. For general users, students, and artists, the performance boost is a welcome addition. Apps load faster, multitasking feels more fluid, and overall, the iPad Air remains a snappy device for most tasks.

This is an iPad that does not feel slow, even when running resource-intensive apps, such as design or video editing tools. Although it doesn’t match the iPad Pro’s high-end specs, the performance gap is not as noticeable in real-world use. The M3 chip makes this iPad Air feel like a high-end device, handling most daily tasks with ease.

Usability: iPadOS and Software Features

The iPad Air runs iPadOS, which has evolved over the years to provide a rich and intuitive user experience. Apple has made a concerted effort to enhance the tablet’s multitasking abilities, allowing users to split the screen and run multiple apps simultaneously. These features make the iPad a powerful productivity tool for business users, students, and creatives. One of the standout features on the iPad Air is the Center Stage camera, which automatically adjusts the frame during video calls, keeping you centered even as you move around. This feature, along with the excellent 12MP rear camera, provides a robust set of imaging capabilities.

However, one thing that may annoy some users is the lack of Face ID. While Touch ID in the power button works fine, it doesn’t feel as quick or as seamless as Face ID, especially when using the iPad with a keyboard. Face ID’s convenience is undeniable, and its absence on the iPad Air is a notable omission.

The New Magic Keyboard: A Game Changer

One of the biggest changes with the M3 iPad Air is the redesigned Magic Keyboard. This new version is a significant upgrade over previous models, offering improved functionality and design. The new keyboard has an expanded viewing angle and a redesigned hinge that makes using the iPad Air much more comfortable and intuitive. It also includes a row of function keys, which makes managing settings like brightness, volume, and media playback much quicker. This addition enhances the overall usability of the device, and Apple’s decision to add function keys to every iPad keyboard is long overdue.

While the new Magic Keyboard is a significant improvement, the trackpad could have been better. Unlike the haptic trackpad on the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard, the one on the iPad Air still uses a physical mechanism. Though it’s functional and responsive, it doesn’t provide the same premium feel as the Pro model. Still, it’s a great addition, and the larger trackpad makes gestures and navigation more fluid.

Portability and Size: The Sweet Spot

As someone who opted for the 11-inch iPad Air, I was concerned about whether the smaller screen would feel cramped compared to the larger iPad Pro. However, after using it extensively, I can say that the 11-inch iPad is incredibly portable without compromising on usability. The iPad Air and Magic Keyboard combination is one of the most portable setups Apple offers, making it an excellent choice for anyone who needs a portable work device.

The lightweight design makes the iPad Air easy to carry around, whether you’re commuting to work or traveling. Despite the smaller form factor, typing on the iPad Air feels surprisingly comfortable, almost identical to the experience on the larger 13-inch iPad Pro keyboard.

Final Thoughts: Who Is This iPad For?

The M3 iPad Air is a solid device that strikes a balance between performance, portability, and price. It’s not the most powerful iPad in Apple’s lineup, but it offers enough performance for the average user. It is the perfect device for students, artists, and business professionals who need a reliable, high-performance tablet without the hefty price tag of the iPad Pro.

The lack of a 120Hz display, Face ID, and premium speakers may be disappointing to some, but they don’t detract from the overall experience. The M3 chip ensures that the iPad Air is fast and responsive, making it a capable device for everyday use. Additionally, the redesigned Magic Keyboard makes the iPad Air feel more like a traditional laptop, which enhances its productivity capabilities.

If you’re in the market for a new tablet and don’t need the absolute best display or advanced features of the iPad Pro, the M3 iPad Air offers incredible value. It’s an excellent all-around device for most users and a great choice for anyone who needs an iPad that can get work done, entertain, and help with creativity.

In conclusion, the M3 iPad Air is a significant update for the Air line, even if it isn’t the major leap some expected. With solid performance, an improved keyboard, and portability, it remains one of the best tablets available for general consumers. While it may not suit the most demanding professional users, it’s an ideal fit for many others. If you need a reliable, versatile tablet that can handle a wide range of tasks, the M3 iPad Air should be at the top of your list.