iPad Air 3rd Gen Performance Battery Display Review

December 26, 2025
Shweta Sharma

Introduction of iPad Air 3rd Gen

Apple launched the iPad Air 3rd Gen as a powerful mid-range tablet that sits between the basic iPad and the iPad Pro. Even years later, it remains popular in the UAE thanks to Apple’s long software support, premium build quality, and smooth iPadOS experience.

In the UAE, iPads are widely used for:

Online education
Office work and meetings
Content consumption and travel
Creative tasks like drawing and note-taking

For users who don’t need the latest design or extreme power, the iPad Air 3rd Gen offers an excellent balance of performance, battery life, and display quality at a lower cost.

Display Review: Retina Display That Still Feels Premium

The iPad Air 3rd Gen display is one of its biggest strengths and a key reason it still appeals to UAE buyers.

Display Specifications

10.5-inch Retina IPS LCD
2224 × 1668 resolution
True Tone technology
Wide P3 color gamut
Fully laminated screen

Real-World Display Experience

The display delivers sharp text, vibrant colors, and excellent viewing angles. Reading, browsing, and watching videos feel immersive, making it ideal for students and professionals in the UAE.

True Tone automatically adjusts white balance depending on ambient lighting, which is especially useful when moving between bright outdoor conditions and indoor environments common in the UAE.

Streaming & Media Consumption

Watching Netflix, YouTube, or Apple TV+ on the iPad Air 3rd Gen is still enjoyable. While it lacks OLED or a 120Hz refresh rate, the color accuracy and brightness make it more than capable for daily entertainment.

Display Verdict:

Crisp and color-accurate Retina display
Ideal for work, study, and streaming
No ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate)

Performance Review: A12 Bionic Still Handles Daily Tasks Well

The iPad Air 3rd Gen performance is powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chip, which was a flagship processor at launch and remains efficient even today.

Performance Overview

A12 Bionic with Neural Engine
Smooth iPadOS animations
Excellent app optimization

Everyday Usage

For daily activities such as:

Web browsing
Email and document editing
Video calls (Zoom, Teams, FaceTime)
Social media and streaming

…the iPad Air 3rd Gen delivers a smooth and responsive experience. Apps open quickly, multitasking is reliable, and system performance remains stable.

Gaming Performance

Popular games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run smoothly on medium to high settings. While it’s not designed for heavy gaming at max graphics, performance is more than sufficient for casual and moderate gamers in the UAE.

Productivity & Professional Use

For office apps such as:

Microsoft Word & Excel
Google Docs & Sheets
Canva
Light video editing apps

The iPad Air 3rd Gen performs well. However, users working with heavy 4K video editing or advanced 3D design may find it limiting.

Performance Verdict:

Smooth for daily and professional tasks
Well-optimized for iPadOS
Not meant for power users

Battery Review: All-Day Reliability

Battery life remains one of the strongest aspects of the iPad Air 3rd Gen.

Battery Performance

Apple rates the iPad Air 3rd Gen for:

Up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback

Real-World Battery Life in UAE

In everyday UAE usage:

Online classes: 8–9 hours
Video streaming: 9–10 hours
Mixed usage: Full day comfortably

Despite warm climate conditions, battery efficiency remains stable, especially when used indoors.

Charging Experience

Charging speed is average compared to modern devices. While it doesn’t support fast charging like newer iPads, overnight charging easily covers daily needs.

Battery Verdict:

Long-lasting battery for daily use
Ideal for students and travelers
Charging speed feels dated

Apple Pencil & Keyboard Support

The iPad Air 3rd Gen supports Apple Pencil (1st Generation), making it a popular choice for:

Students
Teachers
Designers
Note-takers

Writing and drawing feel accurate and responsive. It also supports Apple’s Smart Keyboard, turning the iPad into a lightweight productivity device—useful for professionals in the UAE.

Camera & Audio Experience

Camera Performance

Rear Camera: 8MP
Front Camera: 7MP FaceTime HD

The cameras are suitable for:

Video calls
Online meetings
Document scanning

They are not designed for photography enthusiasts but perform well for basic needs.

Audio Quality

Stereo speakers deliver clear and loud audio, making the tablet ideal for online lectures, meetings, and entertainment.

Software & Updates

The iPad Air 3rd Gen runs iPadOS, which ensures:

Smooth multitasking
Split View support
Long-term security updates

Even in 2025, Apple’s software optimization helps keep the device usable and secure, which is crucial for UAE buyers investing in refurbished devices.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Excellent Retina display with True Tone
Reliable A12 Bionic performance
Strong battery life
Apple Pencil support
Premium Apple build quality

Cons

No 120Hz refresh rate
Older design with bezels
No USB-C port
Average charging speed

Is iPad Air 3rd Gen Worth Buying in UAE?

Buy It If:

You want a premium Apple tablet at a lower cost
You are a student or office professional
You value display quality and battery life
You are buying a refurbished or pre-owned unit

Skip It If:

You want the latest Apple design
You need extreme performance
You prefer modern features like USB-C and fast charging

Final Verdict

The iPad Air 3rd Gen performance, battery, and display still make it a smart and practical choice in the UAE. It delivers smooth performance, excellent display quality, and dependable battery life—qualities that matter most for everyday users.

For buyers looking for a value-for-money Apple tablet, especially in the refurbished UAE market, the iPad Air 3rd Gen remains a reliable and sensible investment in 2025.