The iPad Air has long been a popular choice for those wanting a more feature-packed tablet without paying close to £1,000 for the ludicrously powerful Pro models. Now Apple is back with a surprise update to this much-loved device, and it’s a little bit puzzling. Less than a year ago, we saw the M2 iPad Air range unveiled at Apple’s UK HQ in Battersea.

It was a major launch which not only featured a standard 11-inch Air but also the option to go supersized and buy a 13-inch version for the very first time.

As you can read in our full iPad Air M2 review, these two models are top-rated tablets but now they have been superseded by something new – an almost identical Air with a faster processor.

We’ve been putting the 11-inch M3 Air through its paces, and there’s no question that it’s another excellent tablet.

That upgraded M3 chip inside makes photo and video editing a breeze, and it’s great for gaming, as well as all the usual daily digital tasks such as sending emails and browsing the web.

Just like last year’s Air, it’s also now compatible with the latest Apple Pencil Pro, which gets smart features such as haptic feedback, the option to squeeze to launch menus and a gyroscope that allows you to roll it for precise control of the tool you’re using.

Budding artists will clearly love that upgrade, and it really does make the Air a truly versatile device that transforms from pad and paper into a content hub or place to work.

Other features worth mentioning include a bright high-resolution Liquid Retina display, excellent battery life, 128GB of storage as standard, fast Wi-Fi access, and a Center Stage front camera that makes video calls feel more interactive by always keeping you in frame.

It can also run Apple Intelligence, Apple’s budding AI software, which can help you write emails, edit images automatically, create unique emojis and organise your inbox in a flash.

These are all great features, but other than the better M3 chip, they were all available on the M2 iPad Air as well.

Yes, there is a new Magic Keyboard accessory (a whopping £269 extra) to complete the upgrade which adds function keys and makes the Air feel much more like a laptop. As we’ve already mentioned, the M3 processor is also much faster than before and makes sure this device won’t run out of steam – but that’s it.

There are no new colours, no design tweaks, and Apple hasn’t addressed some of my criticisms of the previous Air.

These include the device not switching to better, smoother 120Hz display technology for more speedy scrolling, not slimming down the bezels, not adding Face ID screen unlocking and not popping a charger back in the UK box (something US models still get).

The M3 iPad Air is not a bad tablet, in fact it’s a very, very good device that’s genuinely lovely to use.

It still looks stunning, offers access to millions of apps, lets you work and play and is small and light enough to pop in your rucksack.

The battery will easily last a long-haul flight, you get Apple’s market-leading iPad OS operating system, and its aluminium chassis is built to last years of punishment.

There is also no price rise in 2025, which means the M3 Air costs the same as the M2 model.

If you were already thinking about buying an Air, you’ve got a nice bonus, but if you’ve recently splashed out on an M2 version, don’t panic as other than a slight speed boost, nothing else has changed.

And that’s why we are a little confused. It’s rare that Apple refreshes an iPad model less than 12 months after its predecessor was unveiled and there’s nothing massively exciting about this upgrade.

We’re not sure why Apple simply didn’t wait until the autumn to give the Air a proper refresh or even launch a totally rebooted model in 2026.

Of course, if your current iPad is well past its best, then you will love the new M3 Air – just don’t worry if you already have a M2 Air currently sitting on your lap.

It’s also worth remembering that Apple has just upgraded its entry-level iPad as well. It can’t match the Air for features, but it’s a nice device that’s now powered by the A16 chip, gets 128GB of storage as standard, and it costs under £340.

The iPad Air continues to be a top tablet for those wanting plenty of power without going Pro.

Apple’s M2 models,which launched last year, already added some extra oomph and a bigger screen. Now things get even faster thanks to the M3 chip being tucked inside its aluminium body.

This latest Air still offers a great screen, long battery life, access to Apple Intelligence and a great front-facing camera which is perfect for video calls.

The updated Magic Keyboard (which is not included) also makes the Air feel more like a laptop and it’s a solid purchase for anyone who wants to work hard and play hard.

It’s still not all perfect though. Although it’s now more powerful, Apple hasn’t boosted the 60Hz screen, there’s no Face ID technology (so it’s back to the old-fashioned fingerprint scanner) and Apple hasn’t brought back the plug that’s now missing from the UK box.

Yes, the price has stayed the same in 2025 but this is still a very expensive device. It starts from £599, but add a bigger screen, more memory, an Apple Pencil and that smart Magic Keyboard and you will face a bill of over £1,700!

Those gripes aside, the iPad Air remains an outstandingly good device and it is now ludicrously powerful.

If you were already thinking about upgrading to the M2 model, you’ve just got a very nice bonus without having to pay a penny extra.