Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPad Air With M3 Chip at a Discount

[MacRumors]

Apple recently added iPad Air models with the M3 chip to its refurbished store in the United States and many European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and others.

This is the first time the iPad Air with the M3 chip has been available in Apple's refurbished store since the device was released in March this year.

As usual, the refurbished models are discounted by approximately 15% compared to new models. In the United States, for example, the 11-inch iPad Air with the M3 chip, 128GB of storage, and Wi-Fi only is available for $509, compared to $599 new.

Apple says its refurbished iPads include a new battery and outer shell, a new box, and all accessories, including a 20W USB-C power adapter and/or a USB-C charging cable depending on the country. Apple says it puts refurbished devices through a "thorough cleaning process and inspection," resulting in a like-new condition.

All refurbished iPads are covered by Apple's one-year warranty. AppleCare+ is available.

While some savings can be had here, better iPad deals are often available through Amazon.

Article Link: Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPad Air With M3 Chip at a Discount

 

[Thisismattwade]

That means M4 Pro’s are imminent.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

That means M4 Pro’s are imminent.

My M4 Pro has been amazing.

Good luck to anyone who can get it at a discount.

 

[Tim Jobs the 2nd]

My M4 Pro has been amazing.

Good luck to anyone who can get it at a discount.

Same here though I wish I went with the 13" instead of the 11"

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Same here though I wish I went with the 13" instead of the 11"

That’s what I have.

Couldn’t buy an 11” going forward.

 

[GioGiusi]

What an insult this product is to Apple's engineering teams, and to customers. Side Button Touch ID is the worst user experience Apple has ever shipped, and it was only invented in the first place to gate Face ID behind a higher paid tier.

This product should have Face ID and ProMotion by now. The only reason it doesn't, is because that's iPad Pro. And that's all iPad Pro is. A competent and less greedy CEO would know that the iPad product line should not have an Air and a Pro. It should have the cheapest iPad they can make for the education and child and budget market, and they should have the best iPad they can make, at no more than a 30% markup. But that would end up making iPad Pro into a $600 or $700 product, so they won't.

 

[Heelpir8]

That means M4 Pro’s are imminent.

M4 Airs?

 

[lapstags]

M4 Airs?

He means that m4 is imminent on the refurbished store

 

[bigglow]

Last 13 July 2025 the 2024 iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi was available for $479 brand new. So the $509 refurb comes off as overpriced

 

[RMo]

Side Button Touch ID is the worst user experiencehhh

But it's on the top?

I do like Face ID on my Pro more, but all other iPads I can think of (including the M3 Air that is the subject of this article) have Touch ID on the top, not side, assuming the typical portrait orientation.

 

[TokyoKiller]

Same here though I wish I went with the 13" instead of the 11"

Since the changes in iPadOS26 I feel the same

 

[mathiasinthe314]

Same here though I wish I went with the 13" instead of the 11"

I have a Mini and wish I had at least an 11" - Losing the split view on iPadOS 26 makes me long for a bigger screen with multi-windowed functionality being what it is now. Maybe I should be considering a 13" now. But then it feels like I might as well use my MBA for media consumption.

 

[thederby]

But it's on the top?

to be fair, top or side depends on the orientation of the device. =)

 

[TokyoKiller]

I have a Mini and wish I had at least an 11" - Losing the split view on iPadOS 26 makes me long for a bigger screen with multi-windowed functionality being what it is now. Maybe I should be considering a 13" now. But then it feels like I might as well use my MBA for media consumption.

Split View is more like what it was prior to iPadOS 26 in the most recent beta. That was the biggest change that made me work flow less comfortable.

 

[svish]

Good to know about availability of refurbished iPad Air with M3. But with higher prices it might be best to buy new from other third party retailers. The refurbished ones do not seem like a good deal. I would not buy one.

 

[iGeek2019]

Also, I note the refurbished models aren’t available for purchase in Northern Ireland due to EU regs.. but they have USB-C so what am I missing?

 

[jouster]

Good to know about availability of refurbished iPad Air with M3. But with higher prices it might be best to buy new from other third party retailers. The refurbished ones do not seem like a good deal. I would not buy one.

Apple refurbs to a high standard. I have bought many refurbished items over the years, starting with an iPod Nano, and they have always been indistinguishable from new. Anecdotal, I know, but I’ve read many similar opinions.

 

[zach-coleman]

Apple refurbs to a high standard. I have bought many refurbished items over the years, starting with an iPod Nano, and they have always been indistinguishable from new. Anecdotal, I know, but I’ve read many similar opinions.

My MacBook Pro came from this. It came out so perfect that I sometimes wonder if Apple just uses this to give a discount on brand new devices while still being able to act like they don't do sales.

 

[mlayer]

This doesn't mean M4 Airs are imminent. It just means some of the M3 Airs were returned earlier than expected for whatever reasons. Frankly, a normal Air buyer is going to have a tough time discerning between a M3 and a M4 anyway.