Apple sell four different models of iPad , making it a challenge to regulate which is ripe for you .
Take the regular iPad and the iPad Air , for example . Though they sound like they ’d harness similar job – in some ways , they do – but the ‘ Air ’ label has meant a bunch of unlike thing over the age , from “ lighter ” to “ more capable ” , which only adds to the mental confusion .
That ’s where we at Trusted Reviews come in ; our guide is here to clear up things up . We ’re not going into specific models here ( check out ouriPad 11 vs iPad Air M3comparison for that ) but instead , we ’ll explain what set up the two range aside so you may decide , broadly speaking , which trade name best aligns with what you need from a pill .
We ’ve been reviewing iPads for well over a 10 now , so you ’re in good hands . If you want even more help make your choice , take a look at ourBest iPadandBest Tabletroundups . And , if you ’re also curious about how it equate to the top - end iPad compass , take a smell atiPad Air vs iPad Pro .
Price
The first thing to mark is that the iPad Air is generally more expensive than the base iPad , ignoring pre - owned and refurbish models .
The basic Apple iPad has play as the go - to for those in demand of a cheap iPad experience for years , while more specific variants of the iPad – the Mini , Air and Pro – are a trivial more expensive . Though the price has fluctuated and grown in crinkle with pretentiousness .
The iPad 11 – the belated model denote in 2025 – will set you back around £ 329/$349 , a massive saving on its initial £ 499/$449 RRP that give the iPad batting order out of balance temporarily . This is for 128 GB of storage , and you ’ll pay more to up that storage .
The iPad Air , on the other hand , has always been a more premium option compared to the basic iPad , with the latest model starting at a more premium £ 599/$599 for the 11 - inch fashion model . Want the 13 - in mannequin ? That ’ll be £ 799/$799 .
Generally speaking , the iPad is seen as the entry - level iPad and the price speculate this , while the iPad Air is pose as a more insurance premium , powerful choice that bridges the spread between unconstipated iPads and the top - endiPad Procollection .
This nominate conventionalism is unlike to the MacBook line , where the Air is interpret as the unveiling - level model . We ’re also expect aniPhone 17 Airthis year , however the manipulation of ‘ line ’ there is likely to signify its top-notch - fragile material body .
Design
The design is usually a key differentiator between these two tablets , with the Scripture ‘ Air ’ representing a sleeker and lighter design . The iPad Air M3 is 6.1 mm thick and 462 g , while the iPad 11 is dumpy by 0.9 mm and heavier by 15 gramme .
There used to be a larger difference of opinion between the two iPad range , but the arriver of the iPad 10 ( and the subsequent iPad 11 ) has exit the opening and complicated thing in the process .
Up until the iPad 10 , the conception of the tablet had changed very piddling . Though it got a little flatter and bigger in late year , all iPads until the iPad 9 are quite reminiscent of the original iPad with thick bezels and a now - get on Home button .
It does have a for the most part premium build with an aluminium backside , but its budget nature is notable in a few ways , lacking a laminated presentation that make taps on the display ’s tablet finger more empty than the laminated iPad Air video display . It ’s also more limited in terms of accessary support , miss the impertinent connectors present on most other recent models of iPad .
However , the late genesis of iPads charge that trend massively . The tenth - gen pill fetch with it a complete redesign with svelte bezel , an angulate trunk and the intromission of Touch ID within the side - rise mightiness clitoris . Apple continued this with the iPad 11 , which appear very to the 10 .
While the iPad 10 and iPad 11 wait pretty like to their iPad Air brethren , the majority of the entree - level iPad solicitation does n’t , and that ’s deserving bearing in mind if the design is important to you .
The color option are unlike too . The Air come in pastel shades of fleeceable and blue , plus Starlight and a dark grey . The colours on the iPad 11 are shiny , with yellow , down in the mouth , pinkish and ash gray .
Performance
With the Apple iPad frame as the ledger entry - level option in Apple ’s pad of paper range , it should n’t add up as much surprisal to find out that the iPad Air is mostly the more powerful of the two with the cellular inclusion of newer chipsets .
The Apple iPad is very much an debut - level tablet in term of processing office . Though the exact chipset depends on the multiplication of iPad you choose for , mostly speaking , it ’s normally a class or two behind what you ’ll witness on more premium theoretical account of iPad .
Take the iPad 11 as an object lesson ; it romp the A16 Bionic – that ’s the same chip as the iPhone 15 series . That entail that , while still powerful enough to be used on a flagship phone , it ’s not the full processing power available right now .
That ’s a stark difference to the iPad Air , which since its renaissance in 2020 has realise it act as a bridgework between Apple ’s standard and Pro tablet lines , sauntering between casual and pro devices .
That said , the processing power of the iPad Air is unremarkably adequate to – or greater than – what ’s useable on the tantamount flagship iPhone of the time .
However , the 2022 iPad Air take it even further with the comprehension of the Apple M1 chipset – the same as that on Apple ’s laptop computer and desktop range , as well as late iterations of Apple ’s top - end iPad Pro . That ’s a significantly more powerful chip compared to any we ’ve seen on the base iPad .
That course continues with the latest iPad Air , sporting the same M3 chipset as the 2024 MacBook Air , make it the 2d most powerful iPad in Apple ’s current solicitation . This silicon chip also see to it the iPad Air can runApple Intelligence(any Air with an M - series corroborate it ) , which is n’t available on any edition of the basis iPad , even the latest model .
Overall , the iPad Air range is more capable than the entry - spirit level iPad range of mountains , though if you ’re prefer for a reasonably late iPad , you ’re unlikely to notice much of a dispute in twenty-four hours - to - mean solar day tasks . Where the iPad Air will shine , however , is with more processor - hungry apps like LumaFusion Pro and Procreate and console - level games .
Accessory support
As with processing power , the iPad Air has been see as a bridge circuit between the unconstipated iPads and the iPad Pro , and accessory livelihood reflects this .
Rather than supporting the elderly first - gen Apple Pencil and basic folio keyboard , the past few generations of iPad Air boast support for the second - gen Apple Pencil and premium Magic Keyboard , while the latest has made the start to the Apple Pencil Pro and secondly - gen Magic Keyboard .
This makes them a tantalizing pick for those who want a tablet for both body of work and diddle without forking out for an iPad Pro .
The first appearance - degree iPad , on the other script , has traditionally been more modified in terms of adjunct support . This means only being able to employ the first - gen Apple Pencil and more canonical Bluetooth keyboard folios . They ’d still get the job done on a budget , but it was n’t the idealistic experience .
However , as with other element , the iPad 10 and iPad 11 confuse this jolly . The late iPad offer support for the second - gen Apple Pencil and even have its own dedicated Magic Keyboard , making the gap in departure in appurtenance much smaller than before .
Verdict
The standardiPadis the more affordable choice , with theiPad Airoccupying the mid - range zone in Apple ’s tablet syndicate . However , with the latest couple of versions of the iPad run across a plan refresh , there is n’t much separating the two pad these days .
The most noticeable dispute can be found in the public presentation department . The iPad Air is by and large far more powerful than the normal iPad , and that ’s especially dependable of the latest propagation and its M3 chipset . But you ’ll in all probability only notice that performance conflict if you engage in heavy - responsibility task such as video redaction , or if you want a slate open of running Apple Intelligence .
The iPad Air boasts an reward with the gain of a amply laminated display , support for the second - propagation Apple Pencil ( and , more late , the Apple Pencil Pro ) , and a marginally thin design .
If you think those features are worth paying the spare cash for , then the iPad Air is thebest iPadfor you . Otherwise , the standard iPad is a fantastic alternative that will save you a decent amount of money .
