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Apple iPad (A16) vs Apple iPad Air 11″ (M3)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPad (A16)AppleiPad Air 11″ (M3)
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2025March 2025
Display
Screen size10.86″10.86″
Resolution2360 × 16402360 × 1640
Sharpness265 pixels per inch265 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Brightness500 nits500 nits
Display typeLiquid Retina display, LED-backlit IPS LCD; sold as 11-inch, 10.86 inches measured diagonally as a rectangleLiquid Retina display, LED-backlit IPS LCD; sold as 11-inch, 10.86 inches measured diagonally as a rectangle
Pixel density264 ppi264 ppi
Display featuresTrue Tone; fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatingWide colour (P3); True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating; fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Performance
ChipA16M3
Memory6 GB8 GB
Storage128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
CPU5-core CPU8-core CPU with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores
GPU4-core GPU9-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing; Media Engine with hardware-accelerated 8K HEVC, 4K H.264, ProRes and ProRes RAW, AV1 decode
AI engine16-core Neural Engine16-core Neural Engine
Cameras
Rear camera12 MP12 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera12 MP12 MP
Rear camera12MP Wide, ƒ/1.8, five-element lens, autofocus with Focus Pixels, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 412MP Wide, ƒ/1.8, five-element lens, autofocus with Focus Pixels, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front cameraLandscape 12MP Center Stage camera, ƒ/2.4Landscape 12MP Center Stage camera, ƒ/2.0
Video recording4K at 24, 25, 30 or 60 fps; 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps; slo-mo 1080p at 120 or 240 fps; cinematic video stabilisation (1080p and 720p)4K at 24, 25, 30 or 60 fps; 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps; slo-mo 1080p at 120 or 240 fps; cinematic video stabilisation (4K, 1080p and 720p)
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity28.93 Wh28.93 Wh
Mobile data optionYesYes
StylusSupported, sold separatelySupported, sold separately
Keyboard made for itYesYes
Battery life detailUp to 10 hours surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video; up to 9 hours surfing the web on mobile dataUp to 10 hours surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video; up to 9 hours surfing the web on mobile data
ChargingVia USB-C power adapter (not included) or computerVia USB-C power adapter (not included) or computer
USB-CUSB-C with charging, DisplayPort and USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s); one external display up to 4K at 60HzUSB-C with charging, DisplayPort and USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s); one external display up to 6K at 60Hz
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMOWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.3
Mobile network5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; eSIM only5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO; eSIM only
Stylus supportApple Pencil (USB-C); Apple Pencil (1st generation) with the USB-C to Apple Pencil AdapterApple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C); Apple Pencil hover
KeyboardsMagic Keyboard FolioMagic Keyboard for iPad Air (white)
Design
Weight477 g460 g
Thickness7 mm6.1 mm
Height × width248.6 × 179.5 mm247.6 × 178.5 mm
Operating systemiPadOSiPadOS
BiometricsTouch ID in the top buttonTouch ID in the top button
SpeakersLandscape stereo speakersLandscape stereo speakers
MicrophonesDual microphonesDual microphones
SensorsThree-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensorThree-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor
Materials100% recycled aluminium in the enclosure and metal chassis; 40% recycled content overall100% recycled aluminium in the enclosure
ColoursSilver, Blue, Pink, YellowBlue, Purple, Starlight, Space Grey
Software at launchiPadOS 18iPadOS 18
In the boxiPad, USB-C Charge Cable (1 m)iPad Air, USB-C Charge Cable (1 m)

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