Introduction
Released in March 2019, the Apple iPad Air 3 brought a compelling balance of power and portability. Powered by the Apple A12 Bionic chipset, the iPad Air 3 introduced enhanced processing speeds, a 10.5-inch Retina display, and Apple Pencil (1st gen) support. Although newer models have since been introduced, the iPad Air 3 remains a solid choice for those seeking a premium tablet experience without paying the premium price of current flagships.
In this post, we will take an in-depth look at the iPad Air 3’s specifications, features, and how it compares to newer tablets in the market.
Historical Context and Evolution
The iPad Air 3 filled the gap between the budget-friendly iPad and the high-end iPad Pro, offering a middle ground for users who needed more power than the base model without opting for the Pro’s price tag. It introduced a 10.5-inch display (an upgrade from its predecessors) and retained the classic Touch ID while offering support for newer accessories like the Apple Pencil (1st gen).
Detailed Specifications (Summary Tables)
To help you better understand the differences between the Apple iPad Air 3 variants, here are two summary tables detailing their key specifications.
Table 1: Apple iPad Air 3 (2019) – 64GB Variants
| Specification | iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi) (64GB) | iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (64GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Price | $499 | $629 |
| Release Date | March 18, 2019 | March 18, 2019 |
| Operating System | iPadOS 12.1.4 | iPadOS 12.1.4 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2×2.5 GHz + 4×1.6 GHz) | Hexa-core (2×2.5 GHz + 4×1.6 GHz) |
| CPU Benchmark Score | 500 | 1300 |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Apple GPU (three-core graphics) |
| GPU Benchmark Score | 500 | 1200 |
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Expandable Storage | Not expandable | Not expandable |
| Display Type | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina |
| Screen Size | 10.5 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Resolution | 1668 x 2224 pixels | 1668 x 2224 pixels |
| Screen Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, Oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, Oleophobic coating |
| Main Camera | 8 MP, HDR, Panorama | 8 MP, HDR, Panorama |
| Selfie Camera | 1.2 MP | 1.2 MP |
| Battery Capacity | 8134 mAh | 8134 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired charging | 18W wired charging |
| Weight | 456g | 464g |
| Dimensions | 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm | 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm |
| Colors Available | Black, White | Silver, Space Gray |
| SIM Type | None | Nano-SIM, eSIM, 5G |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Additional Features | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay, AirPlay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay, AirPlay |
| Charging Port | Lightning | Lightning |
| Tablet Specific Features | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture |
| Pen/Pencil Support | Apple Pencil (1st gen) | Apple Pencil (1st gen) |
| Supported Accessories | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Apple Pencil (2nd gen), Magic Keyboard |
Table 2: Apple iPad Air 3 (2019) – 256GB Variants
| Specification | iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi) (256GB) | iPad Air 3 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (256GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Price | $649 | $779 |
| Release Date | March 18, 2019 | March 18, 2019 |
| Operating System | iPadOS 12.1.4 | iPadOS 12.1.4 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2×2.5 GHz + 4×1.6 GHz) | Hexa-core (2×2.5 GHz + 4×1.6 GHz) |
| CPU Benchmark Score | 500 | 1300 |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Apple GPU (three-core graphics) |
| GPU Benchmark Score | 500 | 1200 |
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Expandable Storage | Not expandable | Not expandable |
| Display Type | IPS LCD, Retina | IPS LCD, Retina |
| Screen Size | 10.5 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Resolution | 1668 x 2224 pixels | 1668 x 2224 pixels |
| Screen Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, Oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, Oleophobic coating |
| Main Camera | 8 MP, HDR, Panorama | 8 MP, HDR, Panorama |
| Selfie Camera | 1.2 MP | 1.2 MP |
| Battery Capacity | 8134 mAh | 8134 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired charging | 18W wired charging |
| Weight | 456g | 464g |
| Dimensions | 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm | 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm |
| Colors Available | Black, White | Silver, Space Gray |
| SIM Type | None | Nano-SIM, eSIM, 5G |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Additional Features | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay, AirPlay | Siri, AirDrop, Apple Pay, AirPlay |
| Charging Port | Lightning | Lightning |
| Tablet Specific Features | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture | Split View, Slide Over, Picture in Picture |
| Pen/Pencil Support | Apple Pencil (1st gen) | Apple Pencil (2nd gen) |
| Supported Accessories | Basic Cover, Keyboard | Apple Pencil (2nd gen), Magic Keyboard |
Key Features
1. A12 Bionic Power
The Apple A12 Bionic chipset made the iPad Air 3 an excellent choice for users needing more than just a basic tablet. Whether it’s gaming, media editing, or handling complex apps, the Hexa-core CPU and Apple GPU ensured strong performance in its time and still remains capable today.
2. Retina Display
The 10.5-inch Retina display is perfect for media consumption, offering a resolution of 1668 x 2224 pixels, which brings vibrant colors and sharp details to life. It’s particularly great for streaming services, gaming, and reading.
3. Support for Accessories
One of the best things about the iPad Air 3 is its compatibility with accessories like the Apple Pencil (1st gen) and the Smart Keyboard, turning it into a capable productivity device. The Wi-Fi + Cellular models even offered 5G support for faster connectivity.
Comparison to Competitors at the Equivalent Price Range
In 2019, the Apple iPad Air 3 was priced in the mid-range tablet market, competing with several Android-based tablets from major manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei, and Google. Let’s compare the iPad Air 3 with equivalent tablets from these brands to see how it stacks up.
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (2019)
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 was Samsung’s competitor in the premium tablet space during the same period as the iPad Air 3. Here’s how they compare:
- Display: Both devices offer AMOLED (Tab S6) vs. IPS Retina (iPad Air 3) screens. The Tab S6’s Super AMOLED display offers deeper blacks and better contrast, making it more vibrant for media consumption.
- Performance: The Galaxy Tab S6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 with 6GB RAM as opposed to the A12 Bionic chip in the iPad Air 3 with 3GB RAM. In raw power, the Tab S6 slightly outperforms the iPad in multitasking and gaming.
- Accessories: The Galaxy Tab S6 supports the S Pen, which is included with the device, whereas the Apple Pencil (1st gen) is sold separately for the iPad Air 3. The Tab S6 also offers a more flexible DeX Mode for laptop-like functionality.
- Software: While iPadOS tends to have a more optimized tablet experience, Samsung’s One UI has made significant strides in improving Android’s tablet functionality.
- Price: At launch, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 had a slightly higher price than the iPad Air 3, but it offered more storage and included the S Pen, making it more appealing to artists and professionals.
2. Huawei MatePad Pro (2019)
Huawei’s MatePad Pro was another strong competitor in the mid-range segment, offering a slightly different user experience:
- Display: The MatePad Pro features a 10.8-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, which is sharper than the iPad Air 3’s Retina display. However, the color accuracy and brightness of the iPad’s Retina display remain excellent for media and productivity.
- Performance: Powered by the Kirin 990 chipset and 6GB RAM, the MatePad Pro has a slight edge in handling multitasking and heavy apps, but the A12 Bionic chip on the iPad Air 3 provides smoother and more consistent long-term performance for daily tasks.
- Accessories: Similar to the iPad Air 3, the MatePad Pro supports a stylus (M-Pencil), though it also lacks the support for the advanced features of Apple’s 2nd-gen Pencil. Keyboard covers are available for both, but Apple’s Smart Keyboard is more refined.
- Software: The MatePad Pro runs on EMUI (based on Android), which lacks access to Google services due to the US trade ban, which can be a major drawback for users who rely on Google apps.
- Price: The MatePad Pro was positioned competitively against the iPad Air 3, offering more RAM and better storage options for a similar price. However, the loss of Google services has reduced its appeal outside of China.
3. Google Pixel Slate (2018)
Google’s Pixel Slate was aimed at users who wanted a versatile tablet with the power of ChromeOS, but it had some differences in usability compared to the iPad Air 3:
- Display: The Pixel Slate features a 12.3-inch Molecular Display with a higher resolution (3000 x 2000 pixels) than the iPad Air 3. It offers stunning clarity and is better suited for productivity and media consumption. However, the larger screen size may not be as portable as the 10.5-inch iPad Air 3.
- Performance: Powered by an Intel Core m3 or Intel Core i5, the Pixel Slate is more of a hybrid tablet-laptop and provides excellent performance for web-based applications and multitasking. However, the A12 Bionic chip offers better mobile app performance and longer battery life.
- Accessories: The Pixel Slate can be paired with a Pixel Slate Keyboard and Pixelbook Pen, making it highly versatile. However, the keyboard and pen were sold separately, similar to the iPad Air 3’s Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
- Software: The Pixel Slate runs ChromeOS, which is optimized for web-based tasks and Android apps, but it lacks the native app experience that iPadOS offers for creatives and professionals.
- Price: At launch, the Pixel Slate was more expensive than the iPad Air 3 but offered higher specs and a more laptop-like experience for users who need productivity tools.
How the iPad Air 3 Stacks Up Against Competitors
In its price range, the iPad Air 3 competes well with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, Huawei MatePad Pro, and Google Pixel Slate. While each competitor offers unique advantages—such as better displays, more powerful chipsets, or integrated stylus functionality—the iPad Air 3 shines in terms of long-term software support, user experience, and overall stability.
For those who prioritize the Apple ecosystem, iPadOS, and seamless accessory support, the iPad Air 3 remains an attractive option. However, for users looking for alternatives with different operating systems or more advanced display technologies, devices like the Galaxy Tab S6 or MatePad Pro may be worth considering.
Conclusion: Is the iPad Air 3 Still Relevant in 2024?
Despite being released in 2019, the Apple iPad Air 3 remains a competitive option for those who need a reliable tablet without the premium cost of newer models. The A12 Bionic chipset continues to perform well in daily tasks, light gaming, and multimedia consumption. Its support for the Apple Pencil (1st gen) and Smart Keyboard makes it versatile for productivity, although newer iPad models now offer 2nd-gen Pencil support and the Magic Keyboard for even better functionality.
The 10.5-inch Retina display, solid battery life, and up-to-date software support through iPadOS ensure that the iPad Air 3 still holds its value in 2024. However, for those needing cutting-edge performance, higher refresh rate displays, or more advanced camera systems, upgrading to the newer iPad Air 4 or iPad Air 5 might be a better choice.
Ultimately, the iPad Air 3 offers a middle ground between affordability and performance, making it a great choice for casual users, students, or professionals on a budget.
