Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 vs Apple iPad Air 13 M3

Updated Sep 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 13 M3's 56, leading on Display and Performance. Choose the Apple iPad Air 13 M3 instead if you want to spend less.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 leads overall

Apple iPad Pro 13 M4

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 13 M4

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 13 M4 vs Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Category	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 13 M3	Winner
Display	72	35	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Performance	86	80	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Memory & Storage	55	47	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Cameras	50	50	Tie
Battery	53	47	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4
Build	69	66	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Sep 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 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 13 M4

Check Price on Amazon

Apple iPad Air 13 M3

Check Price on Amazon

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple iPad Pro 13 M42,716,980

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 13 M410,290 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 13 M4Apple iPad Air 13 M3

Apple iPad Air 13 M3 is 37 g (6%) heavier than Apple iPad Pro 13 M4.

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 13 M3
Display Size	13 in	13 in
Resolution	2752 × 2064 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	86%	87%

Performance

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Chipset
Antutu score	2,716,98020% more	2,262,674
Operating System	iPadOS 17	N/A

Memory & Storage

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

Cameras

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

Battery

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 13 M3
Battery Capacity	10,290 mAh6% more	9,705 mAh
Fast Charging	N/A	N/A

Build

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 13 M4	Apple iPad Air 13 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 g6% less	616 g
Water Resistance	No	N/A
Dimensions	21.55 × 28.16 × 0.51 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 13 M4 vs Apple iPad Air 13 M3 comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 rates higher at 70/100 versus 62/100 for Apple iPad Air 13 M3 — a 8-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 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 70/100 for Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 and 62/100 for Apple iPad Air 13 M3.

At launch, Apple iPad Air 13 M3 was the more affordable option ($799) versus Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 ($1299). Weigh that against the overall scores (70/100 vs 62/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.

If you want the higher-rated tablets option overall, Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 (70/100) 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.