iPad Air 11 (M3)
M3 · 11″ · Pencil Pro · Apple Intelligence
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only
M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Air 11 (M3) lands at 90 and iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only at 95. That puts iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPad Air 11 (M3) if…
- ✓M3 silicon at iPad Air pricing
- ✓Pencil Pro support
- ✓Apple Intelligence eligible
Pick iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only if…
- ✓M5 performance in a tablet
- ✓Tandem OLED display
- ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testDisplay
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet onlyCompared on the display sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only leads on display (98 vs 84).
Battery
TieCompared on the battery sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Software
iPad Air 11 (M3)Compared on the software sub-score
iPad Air 11 (M3) leads on software (90 vs 82).
Value for money
iPad Air 11 (M3)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
iPad Air 11 (M3) more score per dollar ($599 vs $1,299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPad Air 11 (M3) | iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 11″ Liquid Retina, 60Hz | — |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | — |
| RAM | 8 / 16 GB | — |
| Storage | 128 / 256 / 512 / 1 TB | ▲ 256GB |
| Battery | 28.93 Wh | — |
| Weight | 460 g (Wi-Fi) | — |
| Chip | — | M5 |
| Display size | — | 13" |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
iPad Air 11 (M3)
- +M3 silicon at iPad Air pricing
- +Pencil Pro support
- +Apple Intelligence eligible
- −No ProMotion 120Hz
- −No Tandem OLED
- −Single rear camera
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only
- +M5 performance in a tablet
- +Tandem OLED display
- +Apple Pencil Pro support
- −iPadOS multitasking still limited
- −Keyboard sold separately
- −Pricey for casual use
FAQ: iPad Air 11 (M3) vs iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only
Which is better, iPad Air 11 (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPad Air 11 (M3) worth the price? +
At $599, iPad Air 11 (M3) delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in display.
Does iPad Air 11 (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for display, iPad Air 11 (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only — leads on display (98 vs 84). Compared on the display sub-score.
Which is better for software, iPad Air 11 (M3) or iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi · Tablet only? +
iPad Air 11 (M3) — leads on software (90 vs 82). Compared on the software sub-score.