Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) vs OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB)
Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) (#2, best value) vs OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) (#3): in our Performance Tablets scoring the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) totals 9.2/10 and the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) 9.1/10.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) | OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640, 60Hz | 13.2" LTPS LCD, 2400x3392, 144Hz, Dolby Vision |
| Processor | M4 (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 12GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 512GB |
| Battery | 28.93Wh, up to 10 hours | 12,140mAh, 80W charging |
| Weight | 464g | 675g |
| Thickness | 6.1mm | — |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Biometrics | Touch ID | — |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
How they differ in real use
Built from our best performance tablets scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) and the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) made our Top 5 Performance Tablets, at #2 (best value) and #3. Apple's current iPad Air, which replaced the discontinued M3 model in March 2026. Its M4 and 12GB of RAM post about 3,700 single-core and 13,300 multi-core in published Geekbench 6 results, ahead of the OnePlus Pad 3's Snapdragon 8 Elite (3,125 and 9,553 in GSMArena's testing), at a far lower price than the iPad Pro and sold by Amazon itself. The trade-offs are a 60Hz LCD and 128GB of base storage. The original OnePlus Pad 3 listing went dead, so this is the same tablet's 16GB/512GB configuration, currently sold on Amazon as an International Version import. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite is the fastest Android chip in this list and it has the most RAM and storage of any Android pick here, but it trails the iPad Air M4 in Geekbench 6, and the import channel means no confirmable current price and no US manufacturer warranty.
We score performance tablets on CPU Performance (30%), GPU Performance (30%), RAM & Storage (20%), Sustained Performance (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) totals 9.2 out of 10 and the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) 9.1. The widest gap is RAM & Storage, where the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) scores 10 against 8.5 for the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4): memory. CPU Performance also separates them: 9.5 for the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 9 for the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB).
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display: 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640, 60Hz on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 13.2" LTPS LCD, 2400x3392, 144Hz, Dolby Vision on the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB); Processor: M4 (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus Snapdragon 8 Elite on the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB); RAM: 12GB on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 16GB on the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB); Storage: 128GB on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 512GB on the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB); Battery: 28.93Wh, up to 10 hours on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 12,140mAh, 80W charging on the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB); Weight: 464g on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 675g on the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB).
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) for M4 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) posts about 3,700 single-core and 13,300 multi-core in published Geekbench 6 results and 12GB of unified memory, 50% more than the M3 iPad Air's 8GB; the most common complaint is 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD, with no ProMotion or OLED. Owners praise the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) for snapdragon 8 Elite remains the fastest Android tablet chip in this list and 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, double the original listing's base configuration; the most common complaint is sold as an International Version import, so it lacks OnePlus's US manufacturer warranty and support.
Apple iPad Air 11" (M4)
- M4 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) posts about 3,700 single-core and 13,300 multi-core in published Geekbench 6 results
- 12GB of unified memory, 50% more than the M3 iPad Air's 8GB
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple's N1 chip
- Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support
- 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD, with no ProMotion or OLED
- 128GB base storage and no storage expansion
- Trails the iPad Pro in multi-core performance
OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB)
- Snapdragon 8 Elite remains the fastest Android tablet chip in this list
- 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, double the original listing's base configuration
- 144Hz 13.2" 3.4K (2400x3392) LCD display with Dolby Vision
- 12,140mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging
- Sold as an International Version import, so it lacks OnePlus's US manufacturer warranty and support
- No confirmable current price: the listing shows pricing only after adding it to cart
- No stylus included
Which should you buy?
The Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) is the better fit for most iPad buyers who want Pro-class speed and students and creatives using Apple Pencil Pro; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for CPU Performance and GPU Performance. The OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) is the better fit for android performance seekers wanting maximum RAM and storage and mobile gaming, and the stronger choice if RAM & Storage matters more to you than the overall score. The Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) is a poor fit for 120Hz or OLED display needs; the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) is a poor fit for buyers wanting a US manufacturer warranty.
Choose the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) if
- Most iPad buyers who want Pro-class speed
- Students and creatives using Apple Pencil Pro
- Magic Keyboard productivity
Skip it if
- 120Hz or OLED display needs
- Large local storage without paying for upgrades
Choose the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) if
- Android performance seekers wanting maximum RAM and storage
- Mobile gaming
- Buyers comfortable with an import unit
Skip it if
- Buyers wanting a US manufacturer warranty
- OLED display needs
Common questions
Is the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) better than the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB)?
In our Performance Tablets ranking the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) scores higher overall, 9.2 to 9.1, with the biggest advantage in RAM & Storage. The OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB) is stronger on RAM & Storage, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
What is the main difference between the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) and the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB)?
The headline spec difference is Display: 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640, 60Hz on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 13.2" LTPS LCD, 2400x3392, 144Hz, Dolby Vision on the OnePlus Pad 3 (16GB/512GB). In use, the gap that matters most is RAM & Storage (8.5 vs 10 in our scoring): memory.