Based on our overall comparison score, Apple iPad Air 11 M3 rates higher at 61/100 versus 58/100 for Apple iPad (A16) — a 3-point lead. Apple iPad Air 11 M3 is the stronger overall pick, though the right choice still depends on which specs matter most to you; the full spec table above breaks down every difference.
Apple iPad Air 11 M3 vs Apple iPad (A16)
Updated Nov 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score
For most buyers the Apple iPad Air 11 M3 is the better pick — it scores 68/100 to the Apple iPad (A16)'s 56, leading on Performance and Memory & Storage. Choose the Apple iPad (A16) instead if you want to spend less.
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple iPad Air 11 M3 leads Apple iPad (A16) overall by 12 points (68 vs 56 out of 100).
- Apple iPad Air 11 M3 stands out on Performance Chipset: Apple M3, Performance Antutu score: 2,045,290 (45% more), Memory & Storage RAM: 8 GB (33% more).
Apple iPad Air 11 M3 leads overall
Apple iPad Air 11 M3
68
Apple iPad (A16)
56
Why it stands out
- Performance Chipset: Apple M3
- Performance Antutu score: 2,045,290 (45% more)
- Memory & Storage RAM: 8 GB (33% more)
Watch-outs
Compromises to know before you buy
Apple iPad Air 11 M3
- 60 Hz display — less smooth than 120 Hz tablets.
Apple iPad (A16)
- 60 Hz display — less smooth than 120 Hz tablets.
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Nov 2026.
Apple iPad Air 11 M3
The 11-inch Apple iPad Air (7th generation) is a mid-tier tablet driven by the Apple M3 processor and equipped with 8 GB of unified memory. It features a fully laminated 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of max brightness and P3 wide color support. Built for portable productivity and digital creation, it integrates with Apple Intelligence features and supports advanced accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro.
Best for Digital illustration and design work using the Apple Pencil Pro on a fully laminBest for Mobile productivity relying on on-device AI features like contextual writing too
Pros
- Apple M3 processor adds hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading for high-end gaming and 3D rendering
- Upgraded Neural Engine and 8 GB of unified memory enable smooth execution of on-device Apple Intelligence tasks
- Supports modern input accessories including the Apple Pencil Pro and an updated Magic Keyboard with a dedicated function row
Cons
- The redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory removes key backlighting present in the previous generation
- Display panels in this series are susceptible to jelly scrolling effects
Apple iPad (A16)
The 11th-generation Apple iPad is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic processor built on TSMC's N4P process. It features a 6-core CPU with two high-performance and four energy-efficient cores, paired with 6 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Positioned as Apple's core entry-level tablet, it delivers capable computational and graphics performance for everyday applications, digital media, and light creative tasks.
Best for Everyday app usage, web browsing, and high-definition video streamingBest for Light digital illustration and casual video editing tasks requiring hardware-acc
Pros
- Equipped with 6 GB of fast LPDDR5 memory for high bandwidth during multitasking
- Includes a 16-core Neural Engine capable of up to 17 trillion operations per second
- Hardware support for encoding and decoding HEVC, H.264, and ProRes video codecs
Cons
- Uses a binned variant of the A16 chip with one GPU core disabled, leaving it with 4 graphics cores instead of 5
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Enter today's price for each product to see which offers better value. Use the same currency for both.
Apple iPad Air 11 M3
Apple iPad (A16)
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple iPad Air 11 M32,045,290
Apple iPad (A16)1,414,489
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Apple iPad Air 11 M3Apple iPad (A16)
Apple iPad (A16) is 17 g (4%) heavier than Apple iPad Air 11 M3.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple iPad Air 11 M3 vs Apple iPad (A16) comparison
Apple iPad Air 11 M3 and Apple iPad (A16) are compared side by side above across every spec in the tablets category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 61/100 for Apple iPad Air 11 M3 and 58/100 for Apple iPad (A16).
If you want the higher-rated tablets option overall, Apple iPad Air 11 M3 (61/100) edges out Apple iPad (A16) (58/100). But if Apple iPad (A16) is cheaper or stronger on the specific specs you care about, it can still be the better buy — use the spec table and strengths profile above to decide.
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