Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 vs Apple iPad Air 11 M3

Updated Nov 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 is the better pick — it scores 69/100 to the Apple iPad Air 11 M3's 55, leading on Display and Performance. Choose the Apple iPad Air 11 M3 instead if build matters most to you, where it comes out ahead.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 leads overall

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4

Apple iPad Air 11 M3

Why it stands out

Display Refresh Rate: 120 Hz (100% more)
Display Peak Brightness: 1,600 nits (220% more)
Memory & Storage Storage Options: 256 GB (100% more)

Watch-outs

Compromises to know before you buy

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4

No notable compromises found.

Apple iPad Air 11 M3

60 Hz display — less smooth than 120 Hz tablets.

Winner by category for Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 vs Apple iPad Air 11 M3
Category	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 11 M3	Winner
Display	69	35	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Performance	86	77	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Memory & Storage	55	47	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Cameras	50	50	Tie
Battery	63	37	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Build	62	73	Apple iPad Air 11 M3

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Nov 2026.

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4

The Apple iPad Pro 13 is a high-end tablet designed for users demanding top-tier processing power and display technology. Powered by the Apple M4 chip, this generation features a tandem OLED screen and a redesigned 5.1 mm thin chassis. It also introduces a landscape-oriented front camera while streamlining its rear camera array.

Best for High-end mobile video editing and digital illustration requiring precise HDR…Best for Professional video conferencing where a centered, landscape-oriented camera is…Best for Working in bright environments when equipped with the glare-reducing…

Pros

Dual-stack tandem OLED display delivers high contrast alongside 1000 nits of SDR and 1600 nits of HDR brightness.
Remarkably slim 5.1 mm design makes it exceptionally portable for a 13-inch device.
Repositioned landscape front-facing camera provides a more natural angle during video calls.
High-speed Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 support allows for rapid data transfer and flexible accessory expansion.

Cons

Drops the ultra-wide secondary rear camera found on previous generations, leaving only a single 12 MP wide camera.
Maximum performance benefits, such as 16 GB of RAM and the anti-glare nano-texture glass, are locked behind the more expensive 1 TB and 2 TB storage tiers.
Incompatibility with older accessories forces users to upgrade to the new Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil Pro.

Source

iPad Pro (M4) - WikipediaProvided core hardware specifications, dimensions, chip configurations, display capabilities, and release details.

Video — reviews used (3)

Offered hands-on context regarding the real-world design, display quality, and companion accessories.

Generated Jun 30, 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

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4

Check Price on Amazon

Apple iPad Air 11 M3

Check Price on Amazon

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple iPad Pro 13 M42,716,980

Apple iPad Air 11 M32,045,290

See the raw benchmark values →

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Battery capacity

Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life

Apple iPad Pro 13 M410,290 mAh

Apple iPad Air 11 M37,606 mAh

Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.

Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4Apple iPad Air 11 M3

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 is 119 g (26%) 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

Display

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 11 M3
Display Size	13 in18% more	11 in
Resolution	2752 × 2064 px	2360 × 1640 px
Display Type
Refresh Rate	120 Hz100% more	60 Hz
Peak Brightness	1,600 nits220% more	500 nits
Pixel Density	264	264
Screen-to-body ratio	86%	83%

Performance

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 11 M3
Chipset
Antutu score	2,716,98033% more	2,045,290
Operating System	iPadOS 17	iPadOS 18

Memory & Storage

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 11 M3
RAM	8 GB	8 GB
Storage Options	256 GB100% more	128 GB

Cameras

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 11 M3
Rear Camera	12 MP	12 MP
Front Camera	12 MP	12 MP

Battery

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 11 M3
Battery Capacity	10,290 mAh35% more	7,606 mAh
Fast Charging	N/A	N/A

Build

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 11 M3
Stylus Support	Apple Pencil Pro	Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Keyboard Support	Yes	Yes
Biometrics	Face ID	Touch ID
Weight	579 g	460 g21% less
Water Resistance	No	No
Dimensions	21.55 × 28.16 × 0.51 cm	17.85 × 24.76 × 0.61 cm

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 vs Apple iPad Air 11 M3 comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 rates higher at 80/100 versus 66/100 for Apple iPad Air 11 M3 — a 14-point lead. Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 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 Pro 13 M4 and Apple iPad Air 11 M3 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 80/100 for Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 and 66/100 for Apple iPad Air 11 M3.

If you want the higher-rated tablets option overall, Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 (80/100) edges out Apple iPad Air 11 M3 (66/100). But if Apple iPad Air 11 M3 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.