iPad (2025) – The Budget Powerhouse
The base-model iPad is a fantastic deal that punches well above its weight. It sports a large, high-resolution 11-inch screen, runs on the latest iPadOS 26, and promises all-day battery life. While it lacks the larger display option and supercharged internals of the iPad Air, it’s still a very capable tablet at an unbeatable starting price.
iPad Air (2025) – Mid-Range Might
The iPad Air may look similar to the base-model iPad, but it packs a powerful punch with the M3 chipset, elevating its performance to desktop levels. It also supports Apple Intelligence and comes in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, making it a great mid-range option.
Choosing Between the Two
With Apple’s tablet lineup expanded to six models, deciding which one to buy can be tough. Here’s a head-to-head comparison to help you make the right choice:
Specs Showdown
| | iPad (2025) | iPad Air (2025) |
|—|—|—|
| Display | 11-inch IPS LCD, 1640 x 2360, 60Hz | 11-inch or 13-inch LCD, 1640 x 2360 (11-inch), 2048 x 2732 (13-inch), 60Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A16 | Apple M3 |
| Rear Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.0 |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Battery | 7,698mAh | 7,606mAh (11-inch), 9,705mAh (13-inch) |
Price and Availability
– iPad (2025): Starting at $349 / £329 / AU$599 for the 128GB model.
– iPad Air (2025): Starting at $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the 11-inch, 128GB model; $799 / £799 / AU$1,349 for the 13-inch, 128GB model.
Design and Display
Both tablets share a similar all-screen design with flat edges and no home button. The iPad Air offers a larger 13-inch display and a choice of pastel colors, while the iPad comes in vibrant colors. The iPad Air’s laminated display provides a more connected drawing and swiping experience.
Cameras
Both tablets have similar camera systems, with a 12MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera (f/2.0 on the iPad Air, f/2.4 on the iPad). The iPad Air’s slightly wider aperture allows for slightly brighter selfies.
Performance
The iPad Air’s M3 chipset offers significantly more power than the iPad’s A16 chipset, making it better for multitasking, heavy workloads, and high-intensity gaming. The iPad Air also supports Apple Intelligence tools and processes, and is compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer great battery life, with the iPad (2025) lasting the longest in our tests (11 hours and 25 minutes). The 13-inch iPad Air offers the best battery life of the three, lasting around 11 hours and 30 minutes.
Verdict
– iPad (2025): The best value for money, perfect for everyday users, families, and students.
– iPad Air (2025) – 11-inch: A powerful upgrade with the M3 chipset, ideal for AI fans and those needing extra performance.
– iPad Air (2025) – 13-inch: The cheapest large-screen tablet, offering performance plus a big screen.
So, which iPad will you choose? Let us know in the comments below!
