iPad Air vs iPad Pro – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Apple iPad Pro & iPad Air share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple iPad Pro rather than the iPad Air. 

Why Do I Recommend The Apple iPad Pro

  • The Apple iPad Pro has a powerful M2 chip for superior performance, enhanced multitasking, and faster processing speeds, compared to the iPad Air’s M1 chip.
  • Apple iPad Pro features a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with Mini-LED technology for better contrast, HDR support, and up to 1,600 nits peak brightness, compared to the iPad Air’s standard Liquid Retina display.
  • It supports ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling, enhanced responsiveness, and improved gaming performance, compared to the iPad Air’s 60Hz display.
  • The Apple iPad Pro includes a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port for significantly faster data transfers, improved external display support, and seamless connectivity with professional accessories, compared to the iPad Air’s standard USB-C port.
  • Apple iPad Pro has a dual rear camera system featuring a 12MP Wide camera, a 10MP Ultra-Wide camera, and a LiDAR Scanner for improved AR experiences, compared to the iPad Air’s single 12MP Wide camera without LiDAR.
  • It supports the Apple Pencil Pro including hover functionality that enhances precision for artists, designers, and note-takers, compared to the iPad Air’s Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) without hover support.
  • The Apple iPad Pro has a four-speaker audio system to deliver richer, immersive sound with better stereo separation for media consumption and gaming compared to the iPad Air’s dual speakers.
  • iPad Pro provides up to 2TB of storage and 16GB RAM to enhance multitasking capabilities and ample storage for demanding applications, compared to the iPad Air’s maximum 256GB storage and 8GB RAM.

Maybe the iPad Air price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple iPad Pro. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureApple iPad ProApple iPad Air
Display Size12.9-inch / 11-inch10.9-inch
Display TechnologyLiquid Retina XDR (12.9″) / Liquid Retina (11″)Liquid Retina
Refresh RateProMotion (up to 120Hz)Standard 60Hz
Brightness1,600 nits peak brightness (XDR model)500 nits peak brightness
ProcessorM2 ChipM1 Chip
RAM8GB (128GB-512GB models) / 16GB (1TB-2TB models)8GB
Storage Options128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB64GB, 256GB
Rear CameraDual 12MP Wide + 10MP Ultra-Wide with LiDAR ScannerSingle 12MP Wide Camera
Video RecordingProRes video recording up to 4K at 30fps4K video recording up to 60fps
Face ID/Touch IDFace IDTouch ID
PortThunderbolt / USB 4USB-C
Speaker SystemFour-speaker audioDual-speaker audio
Hover FeatureYesNo
Weight11-inch model: 1.03 lbs / 12.9-inch model: 1.5 lbs1.02 lbs
PriceCheck iPad Pro PriceCheck iPad Air Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Operating System: Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air run the latest version of iPadOS, ensuring access to the same interface, multitasking features, and ecosystem compatibility.
  • Display Features: Despite differences in brightness and performance, both devices use Liquid Retina displays with True Tone and P3 wide color for accurate color representation and better visual clarity.
  • Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Support: Both models support premium productivity accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, enabling professional-level drawing, note-taking, and typing.
  • Center Stage Camera: Both iPads feature a 12MP Ultra-Wide Front Camera with Center Stage, which intelligently keeps users in the frame during video calls by adjusting the camera angle dynamically.
  • Connectivity: Both models support 5G (on cellular models) and USB-C ports (though the iPad Pro’s Thunderbolt support offers faster data transfer speeds).
  • Battery Life: Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air deliver up to 10 hours of usage on Wi-Fi and 9 hours on cellular connectivity, ensuring all-day performance.
  • Multitasking Features: Both devices support powerful multitasking tools like Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager, enhancing productivity for power users.
  • Audio Experience: Both models offer Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, ensuring immersive audio quality for media consumption and video calls.
  • Accessibility Features: Apple’s commitment to accessibility ensures both devices feature Voice Control, Switch Control, Magnifier, and other assistive tools for enhanced user experience.
  • Apple Pay Support: Both iPads support Apple Pay for secure online transactions via Safari and compatible apps.

Common Features

FeatureApple iPad ProApple iPad Air
Operating SystemiPadOSiPadOS
Display TypeLiquid Retina DisplayLiquid Retina Display
True Tone TechnologyYesYes
P3 Wide Color SupportYesYes
Anti-Reflective CoatingYesYes
Magic Keyboard SupportYesYes
Center Stage FeatureYesYes
5G ConnectivityYesYes
Wi-Fi SupportWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6
USB-C PortYesYes
Battery LifeUp to 10 hours (Wi-Fi) / 9 hours (cellular)Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi) / 9 hours (cellular)
FaceTime HD Video CallsYesYes
Smart ConnectorYesYes
Bluetooth SupportBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.0
Multitasking FeaturesYesYes
Audio SupportSpatial Audio with Dolby AtmosSpatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
Voice ControlYesYes
Accessibility FeaturesYesYes
Apple Pay SupportYesYes
Price Check iPad Pro Price Check iPad Air Price

FAQ

Is the iPad Pro better for professional tasks than the iPad Air?
Yes, the iPad Pro’s M2 chip, up to 16GB RAM, and ProMotion display make it ideal for professional-level tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and multitasking. The iPad Air is still powerful for everyday tasks, but lacks some of the performance enhancements required for heavy-duty creative workflows.

Does the iPad Pro have a better display than the iPad Air?
Yes, the iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch model features a Mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display, providing significantly better brightness, contrast, and HDR performance. The iPad Air’s display is a standard Liquid Retina panel with lower brightness and no ProMotion support.

Can both the iPad Pro and iPad Air use the Apple Pencil?
Yes, both models support the Apple Pencil, but the iPad Pro is compatible with the latest Apple Pencil Pro, which offers hover functionality for improved precision. The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) without the hover feature.

Do both models support Magic Keyboard?
Yes, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air support the Magic Keyboard, providing a laptop-like typing experience with a floating design and backlit keys.

Which iPad has better front and rear cameras?
The iPad Pro has a superior camera system with a 12MP Wide camera, a 10MP Ultra-Wide camera, and a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced AR capabilities. The iPad Air has a single 12MP Wide camera without an Ultra-Wide lens or LiDAR Scanner. Both share the same 12MP Ultra-Wide front camera with Center Stage for improved video calls.

Is the iPad Pro faster than the iPad Air?
Yes, the iPad Pro’s M2 chip offers superior performance over the iPad Air’s M1 chip, especially for demanding apps like video editing software, CAD design, and multitasking.

Do both models support 5G connectivity?
Yes, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air offer 5G connectivity on their cellular models for faster internet speeds when away from Wi-Fi.

Does the iPad Pro offer better audio quality than the iPad Air?
Yes, the iPad Pro includes a four-speaker audio system that delivers richer, more immersive sound. The iPad Air features a dual-speaker system, which is still clear but less powerful.

What are the storage options for each model?
The iPad Pro offers more flexible storage options, with capacities ranging from 128GB to 2TB. The iPad Air is limited to 64GB and 256GB models.

Is the iPad Pro heavier than the iPad Air?
Yes, the iPad Pro is slightly heavier, especially the 12.9-inch model, which weighs approximately 1.5 lbs. The iPad Air weighs about 1.02 lbs, making it lighter and more portable.

Which iPad is better for gaming?
The iPad Pro’s ProMotion display, M2 chip, and 16GB RAM (on higher models) make it superior for gaming performance and smoother frame rates. However, the iPad Air still handles most games effectively with its powerful M1 chip.

Does the iPad Pro have better connectivity options than the iPad Air?
Yes, the iPad Pro features a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port, which offers faster data transfer speeds and improved accessory compatibility. The iPad Air uses a standard USB-C port with slower transfer speeds.

Is battery life the same for both models?
Yes, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air deliver up to 10 hours of usage on Wi-Fi and up to 9 hours on cellular.

Which iPad offers better value for money?
The iPad Air offers better value for users seeking strong performance at a lower price. The iPad Pro is ideal for those who need top-tier performance, enhanced display quality, and advanced features for creative or professional work.

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