Apple iPad Air 13" M3 vs Apple iPad Pro 13" M4
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)10in category
Apple iPad Air 13" M3263 PPI #6
Apple iPad Pro 13" M4265 PPI #4
239 PPI327 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness10in category
Apple iPad Air 13" M3600 nits #7
Apple iPad Pro 13" M41600 nits #1
500 nits1600 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut9in category
Apple iPad Air 13" M399% #1
Apple iPad Pro 13" M499% #1
84%99%
Refresh Rate
Apple iPad Air 13" M360 Hz
Apple iPad Pro 13" M4120 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: identical — Both screens are retina at 40cm. With nearly identical pixel density (263 vs 265 PPI), there is no visible difference in sharpness.
- Brightness: advantage Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 — The Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 is 67% brighter in SDR (1000 vs 600 nits), a noticeable difference for outdoor readability. HDR peak: 1600 vs 600 nits.
- Upgrade: Apple iPad Air 13" M3 vs Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 — Display gains from Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 to Apple iPad Air 13" M3: 2732×2048 vs 2752×2064.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple iPad Air 13" M3 | Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Resolution | 2732×2048 | 2752×2064 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 263 | 265 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms GTG | 1 ms GTG |
| SDR Brightness | 600 nits | 1000 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 1600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,550 | 1:2,000,000 |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple iPad Air 13" M3 2025 | Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 13" | 13" |
| Resolution | 2732×2048 | 2752×2064 (Better) |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 263 | 265 (Better) |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 33cm | 33cm |
| Panel Type | IPS | OLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (Better) |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 5 ms GTG | 1 ms GTG (Better) |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 600 nits | 1000 nits (Better) |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 1600 nits (Better) |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,550 | 1:2,000,000 (Better) |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% |
| Year | 2025 (Better) | 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple iPad Air 13" M3 or Apple iPad Pro 13" M4?
The Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 has 265 PPI compared to 263 PPI for the Apple iPad Air 13" M3.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
Both require 33cm for retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Apple iPad 10th Gen 2022 · 264 PPI · 10.9" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPad Air 13" M3 2025 · 263 PPI · 13" · 60 Hz
Apple iPad 10th Gen 2022 · 264 PPI · 10.9" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 2024 · 265 PPI · 13" · 120 Hz
Apple iPad Air 11" M3 2025 · 261 PPI · 11" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPad Air 13" M3 2025 · 263 PPI · 13" · 60 Hz
Apple iPad Air 11" M3 2025 · 261 PPI · 11" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPad Pro 13" M4 2024 · 265 PPI · 13" · 120 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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