iPad (9th generation) vs iPad Air (M3)

Compare iPad (9th generation) and iPad Air (M3): display, weight and key specifications. Exact configurations, sources and Difluma's interactive comparison.

Key differences

• Chip: A13 Bionic → M3.
• Screen size: 10.2″ → 10.86″.
• Resolution: 2160 × 1620 → 2360 × 1640.
• Weight: 487 g → 460 g.

Considering an upgrade

iPad Air (M3) scores approximately 85% higher in the single-core test (Geekbench 7 Single-Core): 1486 versus 2744.

iPad Air (M3) scores approximately 226% higher in the multi-core test (Geekbench 7 Multi-Core): 3617 versus 11799.

Score differences help compare the selected configurations. Application speed depends on the workload; these percentages do not imply the same FPS increase or time saving in every task.

Screen diagonals are 10.2″ and 10.86″. iPad Air (M3) has the larger display, useful when space for spreadsheets, documents or multiple windows matters. This comparison covers the stated sizes; a different chassis size may change the conclusion.

iPad (9th generation) weighs 487 g and iPad Air (M3) weighs 460 g. The 27 g difference is small and is unlikely to be a decisive upgrade reason on its own.

This table covers the configurations shown; other screen sizes and capacities may differ. Specifications come from the project catalog, with original sources linked below.

Sources and methodology

• Apple — iPad (9th generation)
• Geekbench 7 Single-Core
• Geekbench 7 Multi-Core
• Notebookcheck WiFi v1.3 / 150 nits
• Apple — iPad Air (M3)
• Notebookcheck WiFi v1.3 / 150 nits
• How we compare devices

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