With four iterations to choose between, deciding which iPad to go for can be a confusing task.
Is the basic iPad enough to meet your tablet needs? Or should you spend a bit more on an iPad Air? Is there enough of a difference to warrant the higher price in the first place?
We’re here to help answer all those questions. In this guide, we’ll explain the key differences between the two ranges so you can decide which will likely suit you best.
For a more in-depth look at the latest models, visit our iPad 11 vs iPad Air M3 guide. Otherwise, make sure you visit our best iPad and best tablets roundup to see where we’ve ranked the iPads.
Price
- The iPad sits as the most affordable model
- The Air sits in the middle of the range
The entry-level iPad, unsurprisingly, is the cheapest of Apple’s lot, with the latest iPad 11 sporting a starting price of £329/$349 for the 128GB model.
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In comparison, the iPad Air is positioned as a more premium alternative to the basic iPad, thanks to its design and desktop-level chip, which we’ll go into more later. It certainly has the price tag to match that premium label, with a starting price of £599/$599 for the 11-inch model, while the 13-inch will set you back £799/$799.
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Design
- Apple has unified the design of the iPad in recent years
- Different colour options are available on both
- Only the Air comes in a larger 13-inch model
You’ll likely have wondered what Apple meant by an “iPad Air”, and the answer is with its design. While the latest iPad 11 is 7mm thick and weighs 477g, the iPad Air M3 boasts a sleeker and lighter design, at just 6.1mm and 462g.
Even so, the entry-level iPad 10 and 11th Gen both boast a more premium finish, especially when compared to its predecessors like the iPad 9th Gen, which sported thicker bezels and the very aged Home button. Subsequently, there’s now much less separating the design of the iPad and iPad Air.
Having said that, the recent iPad 11 does have a few tell-tale signs that show it’s the cheaper version, mainly its lack of a laminated display like that of the iPad Air M3. The colour choices on offer are different too, with the Air available in more muted, pastel colours including Green, Blue, Starlight and Dark Grey, the iPad 11 offers a brighter palette of Yellow, Blue, Pink and Silver.
Performance
- Both are capable tablet ranges
- The latest Air uses a desktop-class M3 chip
- The latest iPad uses the same chip as the iPhone 15
Arguably the biggest difference between the iPad and iPad Air ranges is their respective chipsets. Although both run on Apple’s own silicon, the iPad uses the mobile Bionic chips while the iPad Air is powered by the desktop-level M-series of chips.
This, however, doesn’t mean the iPad Air is more akin to a laptop, as it’s still limited by iPadOS. Instead, the use of the M chip means tasks and intensive apps should load faster and are less likely to crash.
Considering the iPad is the cheapest of the lot, it shouldn’t be too surprising that it has the specs to match. The iPad 11’s A16 Bionic chip was first introduced back in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, and was then used in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
Sure it’s a capable chip, and powerful enough to be used on a recent flagship smartphone, but it doesn’t offer the absolute best processing power.
Comparatively, the iPad Air M3 sports the same chipset found in the 2024 MacBook Air series, which makes it the second most powerful iPad currently available.
Not only does this chip mean the iPad is seriously powerful, and can take anything from console-level gaming to intensive tasks like LumaFusion Pro in its stride, but it also allows for the running of the Apple Intelligence toolkit.
Unfortunately, the entry-level iPad does not support Apple Intelligence, although the slightly pricier iPad Air does. Whether this should be a deciding factor is debatable; however, the lack of the toolkit on the iPad does undoubtedly age the device.
Accessory support
- Different accessories support each iPad
- Wider choice with the Air
If you’re upgrading from the iPad to the iPad Air, then, annoyingly, there aren’t many accessories you can bring over with you. While both the latest iPad and iPad Air support the Apple Pencil USB-C, the iPad Air is only compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.
The entry-level iPad 11 and the previous 10th Gen version are both compatible with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio, which is a two-in-one case that both protects your iPad’s screen when not in use and turns the tablet into a makeshift laptop. The latest iPad Air iterations, on the other hand, have their own premium Magic Keyboard.
Verdict
Although it isn’t quite as premium as the iPad Pro nor quite as pocket-sized as the iPad Mini, the iPad Air is undoubtedly a good choice for anyone who needs a bit more oomph from their tablet but doesn’t necessarily want to fork out for the privilege.
Having said that, while the entry-level iPad doesn’t boast Apple Intelligence smarts nor a desktop-level chip, it’s still plenty powerful enough for everyday use.
Essentially, choosing between the series boils down to what you plan on using your iPad for. If you want a tablet for streaming series on the go, casual gaming and the odd light work task, then the entry-level model is perfectly capable. But, if you need a tablet that supports more heavy-duty and intensive apps, then the iPad Air is a worthy investment.