Verdict on the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025): A powerful tablet for almost all kinds of use

Of course, the Apple iPad Pro is a great tablet for everyday work or entertainment. But an iPad Air 13 (2025), which is several hundred dollars cheaper, can keep up with the sinfully expensive iPad Pros in many areas. The powerful Apple M3 is sufficient for most applications and many games. However, gaming is limited to a maximum of 60 fps due to the frame rate limit of 60 Hz.

Use of the Apple Pencil or Pencil Pro is possible, and there is a redesigned keyboard dock with function keys for the iPad Air 13 (2025) at a lower price. This makes the tablet even more interesting as a flexible laptop replacement. At around 600 cd/m², the screen is more than bright enough for indoor use, but may not suffice for outdoor use despite the anti-reflective coating. Thanks to the IPS panel, PWM flickering is absent, even at very low brightness levels.

There is also the rather long update period, which Apple does not explicitly guarantee, but has so far adhered to for all its devices. Even 6-year-old tablets have received iPadOS 18, which runs on the current iPad Air 13 (2025). Potential buyers can thus safely assume that the tablet will also be supplied with updates for just as long. Still, it wouldn't hurt Apple to be completely transparent here.

Another important point is Apple's sustainability efforts, as many recycled materials are used in the tablet. However, self-repair is not (yet) possible for iPads via the official portal, as is the case for other Apple devices.

We were impressed by the tablet as a cheaper alternative to the iPad Pro, but there are also attractive and cheaper Android tablets. More detailed information about the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) and what alternatives there are can be found in our full review of the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025).