Between the iPad Air 11 M3 and Pixel Tablet 2, the iPad Air 11 M3 comes out ahead in weight, while the Pixel Tablet 2 wins on ram and refresh rate. Overall, the iPad Air 11 M3 scores 50 and the Pixel Tablet 2 scores 55.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Pixel Tablet 2 edges ahead on the Mars Score (50 vs 55.7), but the 5.7-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
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 Pixel Tablet 2 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 ram, refresh rate, peak brightness.
Both ship with comparable screen size, storage, stylus support, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Pixel Tablet 2 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 — 38.00 g less. 460 vs 498.
Why Google - Pixel Tablet 2 wins
- ▲RAM — 50.00% more. 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 50.00% more. 90 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Peak brightness — 20.00% more. 600 nits vs 500 nits.
Spec comparison
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPad Air 11 M3 | Google - Pixel Tablet 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 11 " | 11 " |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 90 Hzlead |
| Panelⓘ | LCD | LCD |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 500 nits | 600 nitslead |
Performance
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPad Air 11 M3 | Google - Pixel Tablet 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 460 glead | 498 g |
| Stylus support | true | true |
| Cellular | truelead | false |
| OS | iPadOS | Androidlead |
Frequently asked
Spec-level deep dives
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