On Rakuten, Apple’s 13‑inch iPad Air with the M3 chip has dropped sharply in price, turning what was a premium “one day” purchase into a realistic option for students, freelancers and creators planning big projects for 2026.
An M3 iPad Air deal that targets ambitious users
The offer concerns the 2025 Apple iPad Air M3, 13‑inch model, Wi‑Fi, 128 GB of storage, in space grey. During the 2026 winter sales, its price sinks from around €869 to €689.99 on Rakuten, a reduction of nearly €180.
This 13‑inch iPad Air M3 is currently listed at €689.99 instead of €869 on Rakuten, a rare drop for a recent Apple tablet.
The 13‑inch format is a key detail here. Apple long kept larger displays for its more expensive iPad Pro line. With this iPad Air, the brand brings a big, bright screen and the new M3 processor to a slightly more accessible price point, especially during sales events.
The target is clear: people who sketch on Procreate, edit video in 4K, manage side hustles on the move, or want a lightweight laptop alternative without fully leaving the tablet universe.
Power and display: why the 13‑inch M3 combo matters
At the heart of this model is Apple’s M3 chip, already used in recent Macs. This puts the iPad Air M3 closer than ever to laptop performance levels for many day‑to‑day tasks.
The Liquid Retina screen as a creative canvas
The 13‑inch Liquid Retina display offers a wide working surface that suits multitasking and creative apps. It allows two apps side by side in split view with enough space to remain comfortable.
- Digital artists gain room for brush palettes and large canvases.
- Video editors can see a fuller timeline while previewing clips.
- Office users can run email and a document editor next to each other.
The panel is designed for good colour reproduction and brightness, making it more pleasant for photo retouching and long reading or writing sessions. For anyone coming from an older 10.2‑inch iPad, the extra inches change how you work: fewer zoom gestures, more content at a glance.
M3 performance for creative workloads
The M3 chip is built for tasks that once demanded a laptop. Apple positions it for 4K video editing, complex image processing and heavy multitasking.
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Combined with 8 GB of RAM and iPadOS 18, the M3 chip makes this Air feel closer to a compact MacBook than an entry‑level tablet.
On paper, that means smoother timelines in apps like LumaFusion, faster exports, and more layers in Procreate before performance drops. For productivity, switching between several pro apps – mail, calendar, note‑taking, browser tabs and a project management tool – feels less constrained than on older iPads.
IPadOS 18 turns the tablet into a roaming workstation
This model ships with iPadOS 18 pre‑installed. That brings features designed to bridge the gap between tablet and laptop, while still keeping a touch‑first interface.
Multitasking, handwriting and accessories
Apple continues to push multitasking on iPadOS: split screen, Slide Over windows, and persistent widgets. The 13‑inch size makes these features usable rather than gimmicky.
Paired with a keyboard case and a stylus (sold separately), the iPad Air M3 can morph into different setups:
| Use case | How the iPad Air M3 fits |
|---|---|
| Student or researcher | Annotate PDFs with a stylus, write essays on a keyboard, keep reference articles open next to notes. |
| Freelance designer | Sketch concepts on the couch, refine illustrations, then send files via cloud tools without switching device. |
| Video creator | Rough cut 4K footage on the go, do colour tweaks, export directly to social platforms. |
| Remote worker | Handle email, video calls, documents, and presentations from any café with dependable Wi‑Fi. |
With iCloud and continuity features, files sync to an iPhone or MacBook. That reduces friction: ideas started on the iPad can be finished on another device, or the other way round.
Who really benefits from this Rakuten promotion?
This sort of discount on a fresh Apple tablet tends to appeal to specific groups rather than casual browsers.
Creators at the start of a project cycle
Artists, photographers and content creators planning major projects in 2026 might see the timing as convenient. Buying during winter sales frees up budget for apps, storage subscriptions or a keyboard cover later.
For someone who currently uses a 2018 or older iPad, the jump to M3 and 13 inches means less waiting, higher resolution, and more headroom for future software updates.
Students and professionals seeking a laptop alternative
The 128 GB storage will not suit everyone, especially video-heavy users. Yet for students mostly handling documents, cloud files and lecture recordings, it can be enough if storage is managed carefully.
Those who mainly edit text, browse the web and join online classes may find the iPad Air M3 a lighter, quieter replacement for a basic laptop.
Professionals who travel often – consultants, journalists, trainers – gain a machine that boots instantly, runs quietly, and slips into a smaller bag, while still handling presentations and note‑taking with ease.
Points to check before hitting “buy”
As with any sales event, this deal comes with a few details that readers should weigh up.
- Prices on marketplaces can fluctuate through the day, especially when stock is limited.
- Third‑party sellers may offer varying warranty conditions; checking seller ratings and returns policy is a wise step.
- Accessories like stylus, keyboard and protective case add to the real cost of the setup.
- 128 GB storage fills quickly with 4K video and large game files, so cloud storage or external drives might be needed.
Rakuten also often runs cashback or loyalty schemes. That can improve the effective price further, but those programmes sometimes involve points instead of direct discounts, so reading the small print avoids frustration later.
How this iPad Air compares with rivals in the same sales period
The winter sales are crowded with tablet offers. Alongside this iPad Air M3, there are Android alternatives such as Xiaomi’s Redmi Pad bundles or Samsung’s Galaxy Tab deals, some with aggressive discounts.
Android tablets often provide more storage for the same price, and sometimes include a keyboard or stylus in the box. They tend to be attractive for users locked into Google services who value flexibility and customisation.
The iPad Air M3, by contrast, leans on tight integration with Apple services, strong app optimisation, and long software support. Creative apps on iPadOS still enjoy an advantage in choice and polish, especially for drawing, music production and video editing.
Practical scenarios: when the M3 Air starts to pay for itself
Consider a freelance illustrator who currently sketches on paper, then scans and cleans up images on an ageing laptop. With a 13‑inch iPad Air M3, sketching, colouring and exporting can all happen on one device. Faster turnaround on commissions can cover the tablet’s cost within a few months, depending on rates and workload.
Or picture a student in architecture or design school. A powerful tablet that runs drawing apps, note‑taking tools and 3D viewers cuts the need to lug a heavy laptop to campus daily. The external keyboard stays on the desk at home; the iPad alone travels between lectures.
Key terms and risks worth understanding
Some jargon around this device is easy to gloss over but shapes real‑world use. “Liquid Retina” refers to Apple’s LCD screen technology with high pixel density, aiming for crisp text and smooth graphics. “M3” signals a chip based on the same architecture as newer Macs, not the older mobile A‑series processors found in budget iPads.
On the risk side, early adopters should remember that power does not erase platform limits. iPadOS still handles external screens and file management differently from a full desktop system. Those who rely on niche software not available on iPad might still need a traditional computer nearby.
For shoppers willing to accept those constraints, this winter Rakuten deal on the 13‑inch iPad Air M3 opens a window: near‑laptop performance, a generous screen and modern iPadOS features at a price that usually sits well above everyday impulse territory.