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
Feature | Apple iPad Pro | Apple iPad Air |
Display Size | 12.9-inch / 11-inch | 10.9-inch |
Display Technology | Liquid Retina XDR (12.9″) / Liquid Retina (11″) | Liquid Retina |
Refresh Rate | ProMotion (up to 120Hz) | Standard 60Hz |
Brightness | 1,600 nits peak brightness (XDR model) | 500 nits peak brightness |
Processor | M2 Chip | M1 Chip |
RAM | 8GB (128GB-512GB models) / 16GB (1TB-2TB models) | 8GB |
Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 64GB, 256GB |
Rear Camera | Dual 12MP Wide + 10MP Ultra-Wide with LiDAR Scanner | Single 12MP Wide Camera |
Video Recording | ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30fps | 4K video recording up to 60fps |
Face ID/Touch ID | Face ID | Touch ID |
Port | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C |
Speaker System | Four-speaker audio | Dual-speaker audio |
Hover Feature | Yes | No |
Weight | 11-inch model: 1.03 lbs / 12.9-inch model: 1.5 lbs | 1.02 lbs |
Price | Check iPad Pro Price | Check 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
Feature | Apple iPad Pro | Apple iPad Air |
Operating System | iPadOS | iPadOS |
Display Type | Liquid Retina Display | Liquid Retina Display |
True Tone Technology | Yes | Yes |
P3 Wide Color Support | Yes | Yes |
Anti-Reflective Coating | Yes | Yes |
Magic Keyboard Support | Yes | Yes |
Center Stage Feature | Yes | Yes |
5G Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi Support | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
USB-C Port | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi) / 9 hours (cellular) | Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi) / 9 hours (cellular) |
FaceTime HD Video Calls | Yes | Yes |
Smart Connector | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Multitasking Features | Yes | Yes |
Audio Support | Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos |
Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
Accessibility Features | Yes | Yes |
Apple Pay Support | Yes | Yes |
Price | Check iPad Pro Price | Check iPad Air Price |
FAQ
Is the iPad Pro better for professional tasks than the iPad Air? Does the iPad Pro have a better display than the iPad Air? Can both the iPad Pro and iPad Air use the Apple Pencil? Do both models support Magic Keyboard? Which iPad has better front and rear cameras? Is the iPad Pro faster than the iPad Air? Do both models support 5G connectivity? Does the iPad Pro offer better audio quality than the iPad Air? What are the storage options for each model? Is the iPad Pro heavier than the iPad Air? Which iPad is better for gaming? Does the iPad Pro have better connectivity options than the iPad Air? Is battery life the same for both models? Which iPad offers better value for money? |