Between the iPad Air 11 M3 and iPad Pro 13 M4, the iPad Air 11 M3 comes out ahead in weight, while the iPad Pro 13 M4 wins on peak brightness and storage. Overall, the iPad Air 11 M3 scores 50 and the iPad Pro 13 M4 scores 59.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The iPad Pro 13 M4 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.4 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the iPad Air 11 M3 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight.
Pick the iPad Pro 13 M4 if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. Its strongest claims are peak brightness, storage, refresh rate, among others.
Both ship with comparable ram, stylus support, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the iPad Pro 13 M4 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - iPad Air 11 M3 wins
- ▲Weight — 119.00 g less. 460 vs 579.
Why Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 wins
- ▲Peak brightness — 220.00% more. 1600 nits vs 500 nits.
- ▲Storage — 100.00% more. 256 GB vs 128 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Screen size — 18.18% more. 13 " vs 11 ".
Spec comparison
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPad Air 11 M3 | Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 11 " | 13 "lead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Panelⓘ | LCD | OLEDlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 500 nits | 1600 nitslead |
Performance
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPad Air 11 M3 | Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 460 glead | 579 g |
| Stylus support | true | true |
| Cellular | true | true |
| OS | iPadOS | iPadOS |
Frequently asked
Spec-level deep dives
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