Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 vs Apple iPad Air 13 M3

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

For most buyers the Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 is the better pick — it scores 71/100 to the Apple iPad Air 13 M3's 54, leading on Display and Performance. Choose the Apple iPad Air 13 M3 instead if battery matters most to you, where it comes out ahead.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 leads overall

Apple iPad Pro 11 M5

Apple iPad Air 13 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 11 M5

No notable compromises found.

Apple iPad Air 13 M3

60 Hz display — less smooth than 120 Hz tablets.

Winner by category for Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 vs Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Category	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5	Apple iPad Air 13 M3	Winner
Display	71	37	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5
Performance	87	78	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5
Memory & Storage	66	36	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5
Cameras	50	50	Tie
Battery	42	58	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Build	75	60	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5

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 11 M5

The 11-inch Apple iPad Pro M5 is a high-end tablet designed for power users and creative professionals seeking desktop-class performance in a portable form factor. Powered by the Apple M5 chip, it features a Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display with adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz and standard memory starting at 12 GB. The hardware retains a slim 5.3 mm profile while incorporating modern connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

Best for High-demand graphics processing and resource-intensive multitasking on a portablBest for Low-light reading and media viewing using the 1-nit minimum screen brightness se

Pros

Apple M5 chip delivers 45% faster graphics performance and increased 153 GB/s memory bandwidth
Base configurations feature an upgraded baseline of 12 GB RAM
Tandem OLED display offers adaptive refresh rates and dims down to 1 nit for dark environments
Supports fast charging up to 50% in approximately 30 minutes with a compatible high-wattage power adapter

Cons

Entry-level 256 GB and 512 GB configurations feature a 9-core CPU and less RAM than the 1 TB and 2 TB versions
Anti-glare nano-texture glass is restricted to high-capacity 1 TB and 2 TB models
Rear and front camera hardware remains unchanged from the previous M4 generation

Apple iPad Air 13 M3

The Apple iPad Air 13 M3 is a large-screen tablet designed for users seeking high-tier performance without upgrading to the Pro lineup. Powered by the Apple M3 chip, this device features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display and 8 GB of unified memory to support demanding workflows, gaming, and local machine learning tasks. It serves as a capable bridge between lightweight media consumption and serious mobile productivity.

Best for Split-screen multitasking and productivity work that benefits from a larger…Best for Running graphics-intensive games and local AI-driven software featuresBest for Creative professionals and students utilizing stylus-based workflows with the…

Pros

Equipped with the Apple M3 processor, which brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing and a much faster Neural Engine for local AI processing.
Expansive 13-inch Liquid Retina screen provides excellent canvas space for creative tasks and split-screen multitasking.
Compatible with the updated Magic Keyboard, which adds a larger trackpad and a physical 14-key function row.
Fast wireless speeds with support for Wi-Fi 6E and sub-6 GHz 5G mobile networks.

Cons

The redesigned Magic Keyboard companion accessory has had its key backlighting removed.
Weighing 617 grams (1.36 lbs) for the tablet alone, it is notably heavier and less handheld-friendly than the smaller 11-inch option.

Source

iPad Air (M3) - WikipediaWikipedia page detailing the hardware specifications, launch timeline, processor capabilities, and accessory changes for the iPad Air (M3).

Video — reviews used (3)

Generated Sep 1, 2026

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 11 M5

Check Price on Amazon

Apple iPad Air 13 M3

Check Price on Amazon

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple iPad Pro 11 M53,475,590

Apple iPad Air 13 M32,262,674

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 11 M58,160 mAh

Apple iPad Air 13 M39,705 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 11 M5Apple iPad Air 13 M3

Apple iPad Air 13 M3 is 172 g (39%) heavier than Apple iPad Pro 11 M5.

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Display

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Display Size	11 in	13 in18% more
Resolution	2420 × 1668 px	2732 × 2048 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	82%	87%

Performance

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Chipset
Antutu score	3,475,59054% more	2,262,674
Operating System	iPadOS 26	N/A

Memory & Storage

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
RAM	12 GB50% more	8 GB
Storage Options	256 GB100% more	128 GB

Cameras

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Rear Camera	12 MP	12 MP
Front Camera	12 MP	12 MP

Battery

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Battery Capacity	8,160 mAh	9,705 mAh19% more
Fast Charging	40 W	N/A

Build

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 11 M5	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Stylus Support	Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C)	Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Keyboard Support	Yes	Yes
Biometrics	Face ID	Touch ID
Weight	444 g28% less	616 g
Water Resistance	No	N/A
Dimensions	17.75 × 24.97 × 0.53 cm	28.06 × 21.49 × 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 11 M5 vs Apple iPad Air 13 M3 comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 rates higher at 71/100 versus 62/100 for Apple iPad Air 13 M3 — a 9-point lead. Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 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 11 M5 and Apple iPad Air 13 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 71/100 for Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 and 62/100 for Apple iPad Air 13 M3.

If you want the higher-rated tablets option overall, Apple iPad Pro 11 M5 (71/100) edges out Apple iPad Air 13 M3 (62/100). But if Apple iPad Air 13 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.