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The 11-inch M3 iPad Air
Amazon has also discounted the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad by up to 13%.
Not all iPad screens are created equal, and here's when you should buy a 13-inch or 11-inch iPad Air.
The iPad Mini is the perfect tablet for my browsing needs, but the M3 iPad Air is currently my favorite Apple tablet, especially since the iPadOS 26 update. I've been using the 13-inch variant since launch, and it is now the best value-for-money iPad for both power and casual users.
While Amazon's October Prime Day sale has yet to go live officially, it has already slashed the price of the M3 iPad Air to less than $450! You can buy an M3 iPad Air and Magic Keyboard combo for less than $700 on Amazon right now.
Here are all the details:
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air is selling for $449, down from its $599 launch price. You can purchase its Magic Keyboard at a 7% discount, bringing the price down to $250. So, the 11-inch M3 iPad Air and Magic Keyboard combo will now cost you $699, as opposed to $868.
The 13-inch M3 iPad Air gets a 19% discount, bringing the price down to $649 from $799. The matching Apple Magic Keyboard is further discounted by $42 and now costs $277 instead of $319. As a result, the 13-inch iPad Air and Magic Keyboard combo can be bought for $926, down from $1,118.
Both support the latest Apple Pencil Pro, which is now available at a 23% discount. It is available for $99, down from $129.
Also: The best October Prime Day deals live
Don't buy the wrong M3 iPad Air!
Not all iPad screens are created equal. You need to make sure you purchase aligns with your use case. Many might opt for a 13-inch iPad, thinking it would offer a bigger screen for videos, but that's not true. The 13-inch iPad Air features a 4:3 aspect ratio, whereas the 11-inch model has a 16:11 screen.
So, the two added inches on the bigger iPads don't directly translate to a better movie-watching experience. Most standard videos on platforms like YouTube are ideally 16:9, while modern movies are made in 21:9. These formats would offer less letterboxing (thick black borders on the top and bottom) on an 11-inch iPad than a 13-inch model.
Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air would be better for content consumption, whereas the 13-inch variant would be better for productivity and creatives who want a larger canvas. It'll offer more room for in-app menus (like in Lightroom or Final Cut Pro) and a more convenient space for creative workflows overall.
Also: iPadOS 26 is turning my iPad Air into the ultraportable laptop it was meant to be
I've been using mine for productivity, and iOS 26 has been an absolute game-changer with its new Windowed multitasking system, smoother resizing, better Stage Manager, and more features. It still runs mobile apps, so you won't get a desktop experience, but the multitasking is now more intuitive than ever. You also get a stoplight menu with Close, Minimize, and Expand buttons on the top-left corner for active apps.
Thanks to the in-house Apple M3 chipset, both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air offer the same computing power. Both sizes have the same LCD screen and resolution, but the 13-inch tablet has a brighter display (600 nits versus 500 nits), making it better for outdoor usage.
If you already carry your laptop everywhere, the 11-inch iPad Air would be a better deal for those who just want a device for media consumption that can offer computing power when needed. However, if you want an iPad for productivity and creativity and you'd use it more than your laptop, the 13-inch M3 iPad Air with Magic Keyboard will serve you better.
Which keyboard case should you buy?
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
The new Apple Magic Keyboard is great, and I love having the new function row at my disposal. It offers the best keyboard experience on an iPad, but it has a major flaw. The new Magic Keyboard doesn't feature a backlight in its keys.
I'm mostly unbothered by it, but when working in the evenings or comparatively low-light environments, not having a backlit keyboard feels like a big omission. I want my keys to glow so they're more legible while typing. If you're like me, here are some Magic Keyboard alternatives that I recommend -
Belkin Pro keyboard case: It is quite similar to the official Magic Keyboard case, but more affordable and offers a backlit keyboard. You get multi-gesture controls, a big enough trackpad, and multimedia keys for $200 (13-inch model). Logitech Folio Touch keyboard case: Unlike the Apple Magic Keyboard, this Logitech accessory relies on a kickstand to support your iPad, so it requires a larger space to work. However, you still get backlit keys, a large trackpad, and rugged protection. It costs $135 (11-inch model) and weighs around 860 grams. ESR iPad Air case: At $100 for the 11-inch model and $106 for the 13-inch variant, this ESR case is one of the most affordable keyboard cases for your iPad Air. It is heavier than the rest but offers similar capabilities in three color options.
These iPad Air keyboard cases can help you save more on your tablet and keyboard combo this holiday season. And also bring backlit keys to your setup.
Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
How I rated this deal?
Based on up to 25% off savings being offered, ZDNET's rating system gives this a 3/5 Editor's deal rating. The M3 iPad Air is one of the best combinations of power and entertainment, and Amazon's deal price is the most enticing discount on this capable Apple tablet.
When will this deal expire?
Amazon Prime Day deals go live on Oct.7, but this iPad Air discount is already available. That said, most deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time.
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