iPad Showdown: Why the Pro Wins, the Air Balances, and the 11th Gen Surprises​

Here’s a comprehensive review comparing Apple’s latest iPads: the iPad 11th Generation with A16 chip, iPad Air 7th Generation with M3 chip, and iPad Pro 7th Generation with M4 chip. This guide will help you understand their specifications, performance, and suitability for different user needs.

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iPad 11th Generation (A16 Chip)

Overview

The 11th Gen iPad features the A16 Bionic chip, offering a modest performance boost over its predecessor. It’s designed for everyday tasks like browsing, media consumption, and light productivity.​

Specifications

• Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (2360×1640), 500 nits brightness​

• Processor: A16 Bionic with 5-core CPU and 4-core GPU​

• RAM: 4GB​

• Storage Options: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB​

• Camera: 12MP rear, 12MP front with Center Stage​

• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours​

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, USB-C​

• Accessories: Supports Apple Pencil (1st Gen) and Magic Keyboard Folio​

Performance

Benchmark tests show a Geekbench 6 multicore score of approximately 6,186, which is adequate for standard applications but not ideal for intensive multitasking or high-end gaming. ​

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable entry point into the iPad lineup​

• Improved performance over previous generation​

• Good display quality for media consumption​

Cons:

• Limited RAM may hinder multitasking​

• Not suitable for demanding applications​

• Lacks support for newer accessories like Apple Pencil Pro​

iPad Air 7th Generation (M3 Chip)

Overview

The iPad Air 7th Gen introduces the M3 chip, bringing enhanced performance and graphics capabilities. It’s aimed at users who need more power for creative tasks without the premium price of the iPad Pro.​

Specifications

• Display: 11-inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina (2360×1640), True Tone​

• Processor: M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU​

• RAM: 8GB​

• Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB​

• Camera: 12MP rear, 12MP front with Center Stage​

• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours​

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C​

• Accessories: Supports Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) and Magic Keyboard​

Performance

The M3 chip delivers a Geekbench 6 multicore score of around 11,643, making it approximately 18% faster than the previous M2 model. This performance is sufficient for tasks like photo editing, light video work, and multitasking.​

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Significant performance boost with M3 chip​

• Supports advanced accessories​

• Available in two display sizes​

Cons:

• No Face ID​

• Display remains at 60Hz, lacking ProMotion technology​

• Price increase compared to previous Air models​

iPad Pro 7th Generation (M4 Chip)

Overview

The iPad Pro 7th Gen is Apple’s most powerful tablet, featuring the M4 chip and a stunning OLED display. It’s designed for professionals who require top-tier performance for demanding tasks.​

Specifications

• Display: 11-inch or 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED, up to 1000 nits brightness​

• Processor: M4 chip with up to 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU​

• RAM: 8GB (256GB/512GB models), 16GB (1TB/2TB models)​Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB​

• Camera: 12MP rear, 12MP front with Center Stage​

• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours​

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt/USB 4​

• Accessories: Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard​

Performance

With a Geekbench 6 multicore score of approximately 14,672, the M4 chip offers exceptional performance, suitable for 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and other intensive applications. ​

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Best-in-class performance with M4 chip​

• High-quality OLED display with ProMotion​

• Supports advanced accessories and connectivity options​

Cons:

• Premium price point​

• High cost for accessories​

• May be overkill for casual users

• Feature	iPad 11th Gen (A16)	iPad Air 7th Gen (M3)	iPad Pro 7th Gen (M4)
  Release Date	March 12, 2025	March 12, 2025	May 15, 2024
  Chipset	Apple A16 Bionic (5-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)	Apple M3 (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)	Apple M4 (up to 10-core CPU & GPU)
  Display	11.0″ Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 2360 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi), 500 nits brightness	11.0″ or 13.0″ Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 2360 x 1640 / 2732 x 2048 pixels (~264 ppi), 500 nits brightness	11.0″ or 13.0″ Ultra Retina XDR OLED, 1668 x 2420 / 2064 x 2732 pixels (~264 ppi), 1000 nits brightness
  Refresh Rate	60Hz	60Hz	120Hz (ProMotion)
  RAM	6 GB	8 GB	8 GB / 16 GB
  Storage Options	128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB	128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB	256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB
  Front Camera	12 MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4), Center Stage, 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps	12 MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.0), Center Stage, 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps	12 MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4), Center Stage, 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps
  Rear Camera	12 MP Wide (ƒ/1.8), 4K video recording at 60 fps, Smart HDR 4	12 MP Wide (ƒ/1.8), 4K video recording at 60 fps, Smart HDR 4	12 MP Wide + LiDAR Scanner, 4K video recording at 60 fps, Smart HDR 4
  Battery Life	Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi), up to 9 hours (Cellular)	Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi), up to 9 hours (Cellular)	Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi), up to 9 hours (Cellular)
  Operating System	iPadOS 18	iPadOS 18	iPadOS 17
  Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Thunderbolt / USB 4
  Cellular	5G (sub-6 GHz) with eSIM support	5G (sub-6 GHz) with eSIM support	5G (sub-6 GHz) with eSIM support
  Fingerprint Sensor	Touch ID (Top button)	Touch ID (Top button)	Face ID
  Quick Charge Support	20W USB-C Power Adapter	20W USB-C Power Adapter	20W USB-C Power Adapter
  Dimensions (mm)	247.6 x 178.5 x 7.0	247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 (11″) / 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 (13″)	247.6 x 178.5 x 5.3 (11″) / 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.3 (13″)
  Weight	477g (Wi-Fi) / 481g (Cellular)	460g (11″ Wi-Fi) / 462g (11″ Cellular) / 616g (13″ Wi-Fi) / 618g (13″ Cellular)	444g (11″ Wi-Fi) / 446g (11″ Cellular) / 579g (13″ Wi-Fi) / 581g (13″ Cellular)
  Build Material	Aluminum	100% Recycled Aluminum	Aerospace-grade Aluminum
  Apple Pencil Support	Apple Pencil (1st Gen with USB-C Adapter)	Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)	Apple Pencil Pro (2024)
  Keyboard Support	Magic Keyboard Folio	Magic Keyboard	New Magic Keyboard with Function Row
  Starting Price (USD)	$349	$599 (11″) / $799 (13″)	$999 (11″) / $1299 (13″)
  Starting Price (INR)	₹29,900 Buy ipad 11th Generation	₹59,900 (11″) / ₹79,900 (13″) Buy ipad Air from Amazon	₹89,900 (11″) / ₹1,19,900 (13″) Buy IPAD Pro from Amazon
  Best For	Students, casual users	Creators, multitaskers	Professionals, power users, creatives

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For more detailed specifications, you can refer to the following official Apple pages:​Apple+1Apple+1

• Apple iPad 11th Gen (2025) – Technical Specifications

• Apple iPad Air 7th Gen (2025) – Technical Specifications

• Apple iPad Pro 7th Gen (2024) – Technical Specifications