iPad vs iPad Air: Is the $250 Upgrade Actually Worth It?
Based on specs comparisons from MacRumors and real user experiences from Apple Community forums
The short answer: For most people, the base iPad at $349 is the better buy. It handles browsing, streaming, and everyday tasks flawlessly. However, if you're a digital artist, student with heavy workloads, or want Apple Intelligence features, the iPad Air's M3 chip, laminated display, and Apple Pencil Pro support justify the $250 premium. Get the iPad on Amazon for $349 →
The Fighters
| iPad (11th Gen) | iPad Air (7th Gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 on Amazon | $599 on Amazon |
| Best For | Casual users, families, students | Creatives, power users, professionals |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | M3 |
| Display | 10.9" (non-laminated) | 11" or 13" (laminated) |
| Apple Pencil | USB-C, 1st Gen | USB-C, Pencil Pro |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: Performance
The iPad Air's M3 chip is a different beast entirely. With an 8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, and 8GB of RAM, Apple claims it's roughly 3x faster than the A16 Bionic powering the entry-level iPad. The M3's 25 billion transistors and 100GB/s memory bandwidth make short work of video editing, complex design projects, and console-quality games like Assassin's Creed Mirage.
But here's the thing: for everyday tasks, you won't notice the difference. The A16 Bionic handles Safari, Netflix, email, and social media without breaking a sweat. The performance gap only becomes apparent when you push into professional workflows or demanding games.
| iPad (11th Gen) | iPad Air (7th Gen) |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 10/10 |
Round 1 Winner: iPad Air — Raw power isn't close, but most users won't tap into it.
Score after Round 1: iPad 7 | iPad Air 10
Round 2: Display Quality
Both iPads share the same 10.9"/11" Liquid Retina resolution (2360x1640) at 264 PPI with 500 nits brightness. On paper, they're identical. In practice, they're not.
The iPad Air's display is fully laminated, eliminating the air gap between the glass and the screen. This makes the Apple Pencil feel like it's touching the actual image rather than hovering above it. The Air also adds P3 wide color gamut for more vibrant, accurate colors, and an anti-reflective coating that makes a real difference outdoors or under harsh lighting.
The entry-level iPad's non-laminated display creates a noticeable parallax effect—your pencil strokes appear slightly offset from where you're actually drawing. One user noted their "linework felt 'off' on the standard iPad—curves didn't align naturally with hand movements."
| iPad (11th Gen) | iPad Air (7th Gen) |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 9/10 |
Round 2 Winner: iPad Air — The laminated display is genuinely better for anyone using Apple Pencil.
Score after Round 2: iPad 14 | iPad Air 19
Round 3: Apple Pencil Experience
This is where the gap widens significantly. The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil Pro—Apple's most advanced stylus with pressure sensitivity, hover detection, haptic feedback, barrel roll for brush rotation, and double-tap gestures. It magnetically attaches and charges wirelessly.
The entry-level iPad is stuck with the USB-C Apple Pencil or the ancient 1st generation model (requiring an adapter). The USB-C Pencil lacks pressure sensitivity entirely—a dealbreaker for serious artists. No hover support means you can't preview brush strokes before committing.
For note-taking? Both work fine. For digital art? The difference is night and day.
| iPad (11th Gen) | iPad Air (7th Gen) |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 10/10 |
Round 3 Winner: iPad Air — If you bought an iPad specifically for Apple Pencil work, get the Air.
Score after Round 3: iPad 19 | iPad Air 29
Round 4: Features & Future-Proofing
The M3 chip unlocks capabilities the A16 simply can't match. Apple Intelligence—the company's suite of AI features including writing tools, image generation, and smart summaries—requires an M-series chip. The entry-level iPad is locked out entirely.
Stage Manager transforms the iPad Air into something closer to a laptop, with resizable windows and external display support. The Air also gets Wi-Fi 6E (faster than the iPad's Wi-Fi 6), storage options up to 1TB, and a larger 13" display option for those who want more screen real estate.
For longevity, the M3's desktop-class architecture means the iPad Air will likely receive software updates and remain capable for 5+ years. The A16's mobile architecture has a shorter runway.
| iPad (11th Gen) | iPad Air (7th Gen) |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 9/10 |
Round 4 Winner: iPad Air — Apple Intelligence alone might be worth the upgrade for some.
Score after Round 4: iPad 24 | iPad Air 38
Round 5: Design & Build
Both tablets look nearly identical at first glance—flat edges, 10.9"/11" screens, Touch ID in the power button. But the Air is slightly thinner (6.1mm vs 7mm) and lighter (460g vs 477g), making it marginally more comfortable for extended handheld use.
The entry-level iPad wins on personality, though. It comes in fun colors like Yellow and Pink, while the Air sticks to more professional shades: Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue.
The Air also gets a better front camera with a wider ƒ/2.0 aperture versus ƒ/2.4, which matters for video calls in low light.
| iPad (11th Gen) | iPad Air (7th Gen) |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 8/10 |
Round 5 Winner: iPad Air — Slightly more refined, but the difference is minimal.
Score after Round 5: iPad 31 | iPad Air 46
Round 6: Value for Money
Here's where the entry-level iPad fights back. At $349, it delivers an excellent tablet experience for most people. You get a modern design, a capable processor, landscape Center Stage camera, and access to the entire iPadOS app ecosystem.
The iPad Air starts at $599—a $250 premium that represents a 72% price increase for features many users will never need. If you're buying a tablet for a kid, for casual browsing, or as a secondary device for the couch, spending an extra $250 for Apple Intelligence and a laminated display makes no sense.
However, the Air offers dramatically better value for power users. The M3 chip, Pro Pencil support, and Stage Manager capabilities would cost over $1,000 in an iPad Pro. At $599, the Air is the sweet spot for anyone who'll actually use these features.
| iPad (11th Gen) | iPad Air (7th Gen) |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 7/10 |
Round 6 Winner: iPad — For the target audience, the base iPad is unbeatable value.
Score after Round 6: iPad 40 | iPad Air 53
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Air | 53/60 | WINNER |
| iPad | 40/60 |
The Winner: iPad Air
The iPad Air wins this death match with a 13-point margin—but that headline requires serious context. The Air dominates in performance, display quality, and Apple Pencil experience because it's designed for users who need those capabilities. It's the tablet for digital artists, video editors, students with demanding workloads, and anyone who wants their device to remain powerful for years to come.
But "winning" doesn't mean "better for everyone." The entry-level iPad lost points in categories that simply don't matter for most tablet users. If you're buying for casual use, the base iPad at $349 delivers 95% of the experience at 60% of the price.
The question isn't which iPad is better—it's which iPad is better for you.
Ready to buy the winner? Get the iPad Air on Amazon →
When the Loser Actually Wins
The entry-level iPad isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:
- Budget matters — $250 saved is $250 you can spend on accessories, AppleCare, or apps
- It's for a kid or teen — Powerful enough for homework, durable enough for backpacks
- You mainly consume content — Streaming, browsing, reading, and gaming don't need M3 power
- It's a secondary device — If you have a MacBook for heavy lifting, the iPad just needs to handle basics
The iPad might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wait for the next iPad?
Apple typically updates the entry-level iPad and iPad Air on different cycles. If you need a tablet now, buy now—there's always something newer coming. The current lineup (March 2025) represents excellent value for both models.
Will the base iPad get Apple Intelligence later?
No. Apple Intelligence requires M-series chips for on-device processing. The A16 Bionic physically cannot run these features, and this won't change with software updates.
Is the laminated display really that noticeable?
For general use, most people won't notice. For Apple Pencil work—especially drawing and illustration—the difference is immediately apparent. If you've only used non-laminated iPads, try an Air at an Apple Store before deciding.
Can I use the iPad Air as a laptop replacement?
With Stage Manager, Magic Keyboard, and the M3 chip, many users successfully use the iPad Air as their primary computer. It excels at writing, design, and media work. However, it struggles with complex file management, multi-window workflows, and any task requiring macOS-specific software.