Apple iPad Air (M3) · problems & reliability report

Apple iPad Air (M3) problems: what real owners report

38% of 13 verified Apple iPad Air (M3)owners don't recommend it — based on real owner comments from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

For balance: 23% recommend it. This page collects the complaints so you know what you're signing up for — read the full owner report for both sides. How we score

Most common complaints

3×Still a 60Hz, non-ProMotion display that many owners find unacceptable at this price
5×Battery drains faster than expected, especially when using the Pencil or apps like Procreate and Freeform
3×Feels like only a modest upgrade with little reason to choose it over the Pro or to upgrade from an older model
3×Painful to use without other Apple products, since much of its value depends on the ecosystem

In owners' own words

“having absolutely no cross platform software support is absolutely infuriating”
— @DonnyStanley on YouTube

“60hz hurts more now than ever before”
— @JohnneyleeRollins on YouTube

“still no 120Hz display is devious work”
— @MythicalShortsPull1 on YouTube

“if only the screen was a 120hz and an oled of some kind...”
— @Pravculear on YouTube

“How are still using 60hz display, it is 2025.”
— @saithvatar1 on YouTube

“M1 iPads not supporting Apple Intelligence sounds like a good reason not to upgrade tbh”
— @DisturbedNeo on YouTube

“60hz should be illegal in 2025.”
— @civored on YouTube

“$300 for a keyboard is wild”
— @KingLarbear on YouTube

“Apple that's not enough for the money - we need a better screen with higher refreshrate.”
— @Datenschutz_Datenschutz on YouTube

“Oh wow, the big iPod got a new chip. Great, rushing to keep the old 2017 model!”
— @ValJedi on YouTube

“M3 ipad air doesn't come with power brick in EU :(”
— @RPremium-r9c on YouTube

“No 120hz display, no face id. What an expensive trash”
— @alvint2635 on YouTube

Weighing it up? The full report has the other side — what 23% of owners like about it, who it's for, and every sourced quote. Full Apple iPad Air (M3) owner report →