If you’re in the market for a new iPad, you may be wondering which model is right for you.
The iPad Air (5th generation) and iPad Pro specs have distinct differences.
In this article, we’ll compare the two models to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
The iPad Air (5th generation) is a mid-range tablet that offers a balance of performance and affordability.
It features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, A14 Bionic chip, and up to 256GB of storage.
On the other hand, the iPad Pro is a high-end tablet designed for professionals and power users.
It comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch, both with ProMotion technology for smoother scrolling and more responsive touch.
It also has a more powerful M1 chip and up to 2TB of storage.
iPad Air (5th generation) Vs iPad Pro Specs Comparison: The Nitty Gritty
When it comes to comparing the specs of the iPad Air (5th generation) and the iPad Pro, there are some key differences to consider.
Here’s a breakdown of the nitty-gritty details:
Display
The iPad Air (5th generation) features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, while the iPad Pro comes in two sizes: an 11-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2388 x 1668 pixels and a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels.
The iPad Pro also boasts a higher maximum brightness and ProMotion technology for smoother scrolling and more responsive touch.
Processor
Both the iPad Air (5th generation) and the iPad Pro are powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, but the iPad Pro takes it up a notch with the M1 chip in the 2021 models.
The M1 chip provides faster performance and improved energy efficiency, making it a better choice for power users and professionals.
Storage
The iPad Air (5th generation) offers storage options of 64GB or 256GB, while the iPad Pro starts at 128GB and goes up to a whopping 2TB.
If you need more storage for your work or media files, the iPad Pro is the way to go.
Camera
The iPad Air (5th generation) has a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 7-megapixel front camera, while the iPad Pro has a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 12-megapixel wide camera, and a LiDAR scanner for improved augmented reality experiences.
If you plan to use your iPad for photography or AR, the iPad Pro is the clear winner.
Accessories
Both the iPad Air (5th generation) and the iPad Pro support the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, but the iPad Pro also has the option for the Smart Keyboard Folio and the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.
If you need a more versatile keyboard option or prefer the added security of Touch ID, the iPad Pro is the way to go.
Overall, the iPad Air (5th generation) is a great mid-range option for those who want a powerful and versatile tablet, while the iPad Pro is the top-of-the-line choice for professionals and power users who need the best performance and features available.
Design And Display
When it comes to design, both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) have a sleek and modern look.
The iPad Air 5 is available in five different colors, while the iPad Pro 11-inch comes in two colors.
Both tablets have a slim profile, with the iPad Air 5 measuring 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm and the iPad Pro 11-inch measuring 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm.
In terms of display, the iPad Air 5 features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360-by-1640 pixels at 264 pixels per inch (ppi).
The iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2388-by-1668 pixels at 264 ppi.
Both displays are sharp and vibrant, with excellent color accuracy and a wide color gamut.
One notable difference between the two tablets is that the iPad Pro 11-inch has a ProMotion display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, while the iPad Air 5 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
This means that the iPad Pro 11-inch can display smoother animations and scrolling, which can be beneficial for tasks such as drawing or gaming.
Another difference is that the iPad Pro 11-inch has a slightly higher peak brightness of 600 nits compared to the iPad Air 5’s peak brightness of 500 nits.
However, both tablets have True Tone technology, which adjusts the color temperature of the display based on the ambient lighting conditions for a more comfortable viewing experience.
Overall, both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro 11-inch have impressive displays that offer excellent color accuracy, sharpness, and brightness.
The iPad Pro 11-inch has a slight edge with its ProMotion display, but the iPad Air 5’s display is still more than adequate for most tasks.
| Feature | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 10.9 inches | 11 inches |
| Resolution | 2360-by-1640 pixels at 264 ppi | 2388-by-1668 pixels at 264 ppi |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | ProMotion up to 120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | 500 nits | 600 nits |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
Performance
When it comes to performance, both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro are powerful devices.
However, the iPad Pro has a slight edge over the iPad Air 5 in terms of processing power and graphics performance.
The iPad Air 5 is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which is also found in the iPhone 12.
It has a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU, which makes it a very capable device for everyday use.
You can easily multitask between apps, play games, and watch videos without any lag.
On the other hand, the iPad Pro is powered by the M1 chip, which is the same chip found in the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini.
It has an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, which makes it one of the most powerful tablets on the market.
It can handle even the most demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and 3D modeling with ease.
In terms of memory, the iPad Air 5 comes with 4GB of RAM, while the iPad Pro comes with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM depending on the model you choose.
This means that the iPad Pro can handle more apps and tasks simultaneously without slowing down.
Both devices come with Apple’s latest operating system, iPadOS 15, which offers new features like App Library, Widgets, and Focus modes.
However, the iPad Pro also has some exclusive features like ProMotion, which is a high-refresh-rate display that makes scrolling and animations smoother, and Liquid Retina XDR, which is a display technology that offers HDR and a wider color gamut.
Overall, if you need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking email, and watching videos, the iPad Air 5 is a great option.
However, if you need a tablet for more demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and gaming, the iPad Pro is the way to go.
Camera
When it comes to the camera, the iPad Air 5 and iPad Pro have some similarities and differences.
Both tablets have a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with an aperture of ƒ/1.8 and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera.
However, the iPad Pro has an additional 10-megapixel ultra-wide camera with an aperture of ƒ/2.4, which is not available on the iPad Air 5.
The ultra-wide camera on the iPad Pro allows you to capture a wider field of view, making it ideal for landscape photography or group shots.
Additionally, the iPad Pro’s camera has a LiDAR scanner, which helps with autofocus and augmented reality (AR) applications. The iPad Air 5 does not have a LiDAR scanner.
Both tablets offer similar camera features, including Smart HDR 3, True Tone flash, and 4K video recording.
They also have a variety of camera modes, such as panorama, time-lapse, and slow-motion.
If you’re looking for a tablet with a great camera for photography or AR applications, the iPad Pro is the better option.
However, if you don’t need the ultra-wide camera or LiDAR scanner, the camera on the iPad Air 5 is still impressive and can meet your needs.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro are impressive.
You can expect up to 10 hours of battery life on both devices, which means you can use them throughout the day without worrying about running out of juice.
One thing to keep in mind is that battery life can vary depending on usage.
If you’re using your iPad for intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, you may notice that the battery drains faster.
On the other hand, if you’re using your iPad for less demanding tasks like browsing the web or checking email, you may be able to squeeze out a few extra hours of battery life.
It’s also worth noting that the iPad Pro has a slightly larger battery than the iPad Air 5, which may give it a slight edge when it comes to battery life.
However, the difference is likely to be minimal, and both devices should be able to get you through a full day of use.
You can’t go wrong with either the iPad Air 5 or the iPad Pro when it comes to battery life.
Both devices offer impressive battery performance that should be more than enough for most users.
Price And Value
When it comes to price and value, the iPad Air 5 and iPad Pro (11-inch) offer different options for different budgets and needs.
The iPad Air 5 is a more affordable option, starting at $599 with 64GB of storage.
Upgrading to 256GB of storage raises the price to $749.
On the other hand, the iPad Pro (11-inch) starts at $799 with 128GB of storage.
Upgrading to 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage increases the price accordingly.
While the iPad Pro (11-inch) is more expensive, it offers some features that may justify the higher price for some users.
For example, the ProMotion technology provides a high-refresh-rate display that makes scrolling and animations smoother.
The iPad Pro (11-inch) also has a better camera system with a LiDAR scanner that can measure distance and improve augmented reality experiences.
However, if you don’t need these features, the iPad Air 5 offers a great value for its price.
It still has a powerful A14 Bionic chip, a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and support for Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Magic Keyboard.
It’s a great option for casual use, productivity, and entertainment.
The iPad Air 5 and iPad Pro (11-inch) offer different price points and features.
Consider your budget and needs before making a decision.
If you need the ProMotion display and LiDAR scanner, the iPad Pro (11-inch) may be worth the investment. Otherwise, the iPad Air 5 is a great value for its price.
Key Takeaways
When it comes to choosing between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro, there are a few key differences to consider.
Here are some key takeaways to help you make an informed decision:
- Display: The iPad Pro has a slightly larger and higher resolution display than the iPad Air 5. The Pro also has ProMotion technology, which makes scrolling and animations smoother.
- Performance: The iPad Pro has a more powerful processor than the iPad Air 5, making it better suited for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming.
- Camera: The iPad Pro has a better camera system than the iPad Air 5, with a higher resolution rear camera and a LiDAR scanner for augmented reality.
- Accessories: The iPad Pro is compatible with the Apple Pencil 2 and the Magic Keyboard, while the iPad Air 5 only works with the first generation Apple Pencil and lacks compatibility with the Magic Keyboard.
- Price: The iPad Air 5 is significantly cheaper than the iPad Pro, making it a more affordable option for those on a budget.
The iPad Pro is a better option if you need the most powerful tablet available and plan on using it for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming.
However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option that still offers solid performance and a great overall experience, the iPad Air 5 is a great choice.
