iPad Air 13 (2025) vs Lenovo Tab P12 Pro: A Head-to-Head Performance and Battery Showdown

The tablet market is bifurcating: premium experiences powered by bespoke silicon versus feature-rich Android alternatives. We pit Apple’s latest iPad Air 13 (2025), featuring the M3 chip, against Lenovo’s Tab P12 Pro, equipped with the Snapdragon 870 5G, to determine which device delivers the best balance of power, portability, and longevity.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing sustained performance and long-term software support, the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) is the superior choice. Its M3 chip offers a significant architectural advantage, and the 72-hour battery endurance provides peace of mind. However, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro remains a compelling option for Android enthusiasts seeking a feature-packed tablet at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) Lenovo Tab P12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A32691, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3269, A32711, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, March 042021, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 12Available. Released 2021, November 19
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.24 in)285.6 x 184.5 x 5.6 mm (11.24 x 7.26 x 0.22 in)
SIMeSIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight616 g (Wi-Fi) / 617 g (5G) (1.36 lb)565 g (1.25 lb)
 -Stylus support
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4-
Resolution2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density)1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density)
Size13.0 inches, 519.3 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 600 nits (typ)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetApple M3Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUApple GPU (9-core graphics)Adreno 650
OSiPadOS 18.3.2, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1Android 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, (wide), AF 5 MP, (ultrawide)
FeaturesHDR-
Single12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF-
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)8 MP, (wide) 8 MP, IR TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor only)
Video1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
 -JBL speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (wireless charging and data transfer only)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS (5G model only)GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging-45W wired, QC4
TypeLi-Po 9705 mAh (36.59 Wh)Li-Po 10200 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Gray, Starlight, Purple, BlueStorm Grey
ModelsA3269, A3271, A3268TB-Q706Z, TB-Q706F
PriceAbout 950 EURAbout 520 EUR
SAR1.09 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.48 W/kg (body)-
EU LABEL
Battery72:00h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass G-
Free fallClass E (0 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Apple iPad Air 13 (2025)

  • Superior performance with the Apple M3 chip
  • Exceptional battery life (72 hours)
  • Long-term software support from Apple
  • Potential for LTPO display technology

  • Potentially higher price point
  • Limited customization options compared to Android

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro

  • Fast 45W charging with QC4 support
  • Android operating system with greater customization
  • Potentially lower price point
  • 5G connectivity

  • Less efficient Snapdragon 870 chip
  • Shorter battery life compared to iPad Air 13 (2025)
  • Potentially shorter software update lifespan

Display Comparison

While display specifications are missing for the iPad Air 13 (2025), Apple typically employs high-quality panels with excellent color accuracy. The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro’s display is likely to feature a high refresh rate, given its flagship status, but the iPad Air’s potential for LTPO technology (based on Apple’s recent iPad Pro releases) could offer superior power efficiency. The Snapdragon 870’s GPU will need to work harder to drive a high refresh rate display compared to the M3’s integrated graphics.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent for both devices. However, given Apple’s focus on computational photography, the iPad Air 13 (2025) is likely to deliver superior image quality, even with similar sensor specifications. The Snapdragon 870’s ISP is capable, but Apple’s image signal processing pipeline is generally more refined. Without specific sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Apple’s software advantage is a significant factor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M3, built on a likely 3nm or 4nm process, features an octa-core CPU with a split of 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores. This architecture prioritizes both speed and power efficiency. Conversely, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm). While the Snapdragon 870 is a capable chip, its older manufacturing process and architecture mean it will generate more heat and consume more power under sustained load compared to the M3. The M3’s unified memory architecture also provides a performance advantage in tasks that require significant memory bandwidth.

Battery Life

The iPad Air 13 (2025) boasts an impressive 72-hour battery endurance, coupled with a lifespan of 1000 charge cycles, indicating a focus on long-term usability. The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro compensates with 45W wired charging and Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support, allowing for faster top-ups. While the Tab P12 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Snapdragon 870’s less efficient architecture will likely require more frequent charging compared to the iPad Air 13 (2025).

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) if you need a tablet for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, or professional productivity, and value Apple’s ecosystem and long-term software updates. Buy the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro if you prefer the Android operating system, prioritize fast charging with its 45W QC4 support, and seek a versatile tablet for media consumption and casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 870 in the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 870 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The chip may also experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, leading to performance dips. The Apple M3 in the iPad Air 13 (2025) will handle the same game at higher settings with less throttling due to its more efficient architecture.
❓ How does the 1000 charge cycle claim for the iPad Air 13 (2025) translate to real-world battery health?
Apple’s 1000 cycle claim means the battery will retain at least 80% of its original capacity after 1000 full charge cycles. This is a significant advantage over the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro, suggesting the iPad Air 13 (2025) will maintain usable battery capacity for a longer period, even with regular use.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro significantly faster than a standard iPad charger?
Yes, 45W charging is considerably faster than the charging speeds typically offered by standard iPad chargers. While the iPad Air 13 (2025) may support faster charging with a compatible adapter (sold separately), the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro’s 45W support provides a quicker top-up, especially useful for users who frequently need to recharge on the go.