iPad Pro (M5) vs iPad Air (M3): Which iPad Should You Buy? (2026)
OLED or LCD, M5 or M3? Here's what the iPad Pro really adds over the iPad Air — and when the cheaper iPads are all you need.
· 1 min read
Apple sells four iPads. For most people the choice is between the iPad Air (M3) and the iPad Pro (M5) — here's how they differ.
The display is the biggest difference
The iPad Pro has an Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display with ProMotion (120Hz): deep blacks, very high brightness and smooth scrolling. The iPad Air uses a Liquid Retina LCD — still sharp and colourful, but not in the same class for HDR video or photo editing.
Performance
The M5 in the iPad Pro is faster than the M3 in the iPad Air, especially in graphics and on-device AI. For notes, browsing, streaming and drawing, the M3 is already more than enough.
Prices (official, Wi-Fi)
| Model | From |
|---|---|
| iPad (A16) | $349 |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | $499 |
| iPad Air (M3) | $599 |
| iPad Pro (M5) | $999 |
Which one should you buy?
- Students and everyday use: iPad (A16) or iPad Air
- Reading and portability: iPad mini
- Photo/video pros and the best screen: iPad Pro (M5)
All of them are in our outlet — open box, unlocked and at half the official price, with free shipping.
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