How New Apple iPad Air Stacks Up Against Last Year's iPad Air And iPad Mini
Available in two sizes and four finishes, the iPad Air (2025) offers both portability and a large display.
Apple has just announced the launch of its latest iPad Air (2025), with the power of the M3 chip and AI-driven improvements. The enhanced Neural Engine in the M3 chip brings even more AI capabilities to iPad Air users through iPadOS. It delivers up to 60% faster performance for AI-based tasks compared to the M1. Additional upgrades over iPad models with A-series chips include compatibility with Apple Intelligence.
This new iteration is available in 11-inch and 13-inch models. But how does it compare to its predecessor, the iPad Air (2024), and the compact iPad Mini (2024)?
iPad Air 11-inch And 13-inch (2025)
Available in two sizes and four finishes, the iPad Air (2025) offers both portability and a large display. The 11-inch model is perfect for those on the move, while the 13-inch version provides extra screen space for creativity and productivity.
The new Magic Keyboard improves its functionality. The device comes with iPadOS 18, Apple Intelligence support, advanced cameras, fast 5G connectivity and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C).
The M3 chip and 8GB RAM ensure smooth performance, whether you're editing high-resolution photos, gaming or running multiple apps. Storage starts at 128GB, which should be enough for most users.
The 12MP camera delivers crisp photos and 4K video recording, while iPadOS 18 brings the latest software advancements.
Prices start at Rs 59,900 for the 11-inch model and Rs 79,900 for the 13-inch model. Pre-orders for the iPad Air with M3 and the new Magic Keyboard began on March 4, with availability starting from March 12.
iPad Air 11-inch And 13-inch (2024)
For those seeking a balance of power and portability, the 11-inch iPad Air (2024) is a strong contender. Its Liquid Retina display (1640x2360 pixels) delivers bright colors and sharp visuals.
It’s equipped with the M2 chip and 8GB of RAM, while storage options range from 128GB to 1TB. The 12MP rear camera supports 4K video recording, and the 12MP ultrawide front camera is well-suited for FaceTime and video calls.
Both the 11-inch and the 13-inch models support Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil 2, making them useful for students, professionals and digital artists.
The 13-inch variant has a larger screen and a slightly heavier build compared to the 11-inch version. Beyond the size difference, both models share the same M2 chip, display technology, battery life and rear camera.
iPad Mini (2024): Compact And Portable Power
If portability is your priority, the iPad Mini (2024) is the way to go. Launched in October 2024, the device comes in four finishes. It has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and offers sharp and detailed visuals in a pocket-friendly form.
The Mini is powered by the A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence. The 12MP front and rear cameras ensure good photo and video quality. The device supports the Apple Pencil Pro.
With iPadOS 18, Apple Intelligence integrates deeply, enabling features like Writing Tools for text refinement and an improved Siri with natural language understanding. Improved connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, 5G support, and a USB-C port with 2x faster transfer speeds. It starts at Rs 49,900 for 128 GB.
