Key Takeaways
1. The iPad Air 13 (2025) offers many features similar to the iPad Pro but at a lower price point, making it a strong alternative.
2. Equipped with the Apple M3 chip, the iPad Air 13 (2025) can handle most software and games, but gaming is limited to 60 fps due to a 60 Hz frame rate.
3. A new keyboard dock with function keys and compatibility with the Apple Pencil enhances the iPad Air 13’s usability as a laptop substitute.
4. Apple consistently provides long update support for its tablets, allowing users to expect updates for many years, even for older models.
5. The iPad Air 13 (2025) is made with recycled materials, reflecting Apple’s sustainability efforts, but lacks self-repair options like other Apple devices.
Of course, the Apple iPad Pro stands out as an excellent tablet for daily tasks or leisure activities. However, the iPad Air 13 (2025), which is several hundred dollars less, can match the pricey iPad Pros in numerous aspects. The robust Apple M3 chip is adequate for most software and a variety of games. Nevertheless, gaming is restricted to a maximum of 60 fps due to the frame rate limit of 60 Hz.
Enhanced Features
Using the Apple Pencil or Pencil Pro is an option, and there’s a newly designed keyboard dock with function keys for the iPad Air 13 (2025) at a more budget-friendly price. This upgrade makes the tablet even more appealing as a versatile laptop substitute. With a brightness of about 600 cd/m², the display is more than bright enough for indoor settings, although it may fall short for outdoor use despite its anti-reflective coating. The absence of PWM flickering, even at low brightness levels, is thanks to the IPS panel technology.
Update Longevity
Another significant aspect is the relatively long period for updates, which Apple hasn’t officially promised but has consistently followed for all its products. Even tablets that are 6 years old have received iPadOS 18, the same as what runs on the latest iPad Air 13 (2025). Potential purchasers can confidently expect that the tablet will continue to receive updates for a similar duration. Yet, it would be beneficial if Apple were fully open about this.
Sustainability Considerations
Apple’s commitment to sustainability is also noteworthy, as many recycled materials are incorporated into the tablet’s construction. However, self-repair options are not currently available for iPads through the official portal, unlike other Apple devices.
We were pleasantly surprised by the tablet as a more affordable option compared to the iPad Pro, but there are also appealing and less expensive Android tablets on the market. For more comprehensive information about the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) and its alternatives, be sure to check out our complete review of the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025).
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