When it comes to choosing a new iPad, one common dilemma is deciding between the iPad Pro vs. Air.
If you’re in the market for a powerful and versatile tablet, both options have their merits.
The iPad Pro offers advanced features and capabilities, while the iPad Air strikes a balance between performance and affordability.
In this article, we will compare the iPad Pro vs. Air to help you make an informed decision and choose the iPad that aligns with your preferences and requirements.
The iPad Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line tablet, while the iPad Air is a more affordable option that still packs a punch.
The iPad Pro comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch, while the iPad Air is only available in a 10.9-inch size.
The iPad Pro is more powerful than the iPad Air, with a faster processor and more storage options.
However, the iPad Air is still a great tablet for most people, with plenty of power for everyday tasks.
Design
When it comes to design, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air share many similarities.
They both have a sleek and modern look with an all-screen design, which means there are no physical buttons on the front of the device.
Instead, you will find a Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the iPad Air, and Face ID on the iPad Pro.
One noticeable difference between the two devices is the USB-C port on the iPad Pro.
This port allows you to connect to a wide range of external devices, such as cameras, displays, and even other iPads.
The iPad Air, on the other hand, uses a Lightning port, which is more limited in terms of compatibility.
Another design difference is the Smart Keyboard Folio.
This accessory is available for both the iPad Pro and iPad Air, but the one for the iPad Pro is slightly larger to accommodate the larger screen size.
However, both keyboards offer a great typing experience and can be easily attached and detached from the device.
Overall, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air have a modern and sleek design that is sure to impress.
The USB-C port on the iPad Pro and the Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the iPad Air are notable design features that set the two devices apart.
Display
When it comes to choosing between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air, one of the most significant factors to consider is the display.
Both devices boast impressive displays that offer excellent visual experiences.
Liquid Retina Displays
The iPad Air and the iPad Pro 11-inch have the same Liquid Retina Display, which offers a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels.
This display technology provides high color accuracy, making it ideal for creative work, such as photo and video editing.
Additionally, the display features P3 wide color support, which means that it can display a broader range of colors than traditional displays.
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch model, on the other hand, features a Liquid Retina XDR display.
This display technology provides even higher color accuracy and a higher contrast ratio than the Liquid Retina Display.
It also features ProMotion technology, which allows for a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, resulting in smoother scrolling and better overall performance.
Mini-LED Display
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch model also features a Mini-LED display, which offers even better contrast and brightness than the Liquid Retina XDR display.
This display technology features thousands of tiny LEDs, allowing for precise control of brightness and contrast.
The result is a display that can reach a peak brightness of 1600 nits, making it ideal for use in bright environments.
Both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro feature True Tone technology, which adjusts the color temperature of the display based on the ambient light in the room.
This helps to reduce eye strain and provides a more natural viewing experience.
In summary, the iPad Pro offers a more advanced display than the iPad Air, with the Liquid Retina XDR and Mini-LED displays providing higher contrast and brightness.
However, the Liquid Retina Display on the iPad Air still offers excellent color accuracy and P3 wide color support, making it a solid choice for creative work.
Performance
When it comes to performance, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air are incredibly powerful devices that can handle a wide range of tasks with ease.
However, there are some differences between the two that are worth noting.
Firstly, the iPad Pro is powered by the M1 chip, which is also used in the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini.
This chip offers incredible performance and energy efficiency, making it perfect for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.
The iPad Air, on the other hand, uses the A14 Bionic chip, which is still a very capable processor, but not quite as powerful as the M1.
Another key difference between the two devices is the Neural Engine, which is responsible for machine learning tasks like image recognition and natural language processing.
The iPad Pro has a 16-core Neural Engine, while the iPad Air has a 6-core Neural Engine.
This means that the iPad Pro is better equipped to handle complex machine learning tasks than the iPad Air.
If you’re someone who needs to connect your iPad to external displays or other devices, then the iPad Pro’s Thunderbolt port may be a big selling point.
This port allows you to connect to high-speed data transfer devices, like external hard drives, and supports up to 6K displays.
The iPad Air, on the other hand, does not have a Thunderbolt port, but it does have a USB-C port that supports up to 4K displays.
In terms of real-world performance, both devices are very fast and responsive, and you’re unlikely to notice much of a difference in day-to-day use.
However, if you’re someone who needs the absolute best performance and is willing to pay a premium for it, then the iPad Pro is definitely the way to go.
Camera
When it comes to choosing between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air, the camera is an important factor to consider.
The iPad Pro and the iPad Air both come with powerful cameras that can capture stunning photos and videos.
Here’s what you need to know about the camera on these two tablets.
Rear-facing Camera
The iPad Pro and the iPad Air both feature a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with an f/1.8 aperture.
This camera is capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, even in low light conditions.
The iPad Pro, however, has an additional 10-megapixel ultra-wide lens that allows you to capture more of the scene in one shot.
This is particularly useful for landscape and group photos.
Both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air also come with Smart HDR, which uses advanced algorithms to capture more detail in your photos.
This means that your photos will look more natural and vibrant, with better highlights and shadows.
Selfie Camera
The iPad Pro and the iPad Air both feature a 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera on the front, which is capable of capturing high-quality selfies.
The TrueDepth camera also enables Face ID, which allows you to unlock your iPad with just a glance.
One of the standout features of the iPad Pro’s front-facing camera is Center Stage.
This feature uses machine learning to keep you in the center of the frame during video calls, even if you move around.
This is particularly useful for group video calls, as it ensures that everyone stays in the frame.
In summary, both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air have excellent cameras that are capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos.
The iPad Pro has the additional benefit of an ultra-wide lens and Center Stage, which may be important to you depending on your needs.
Security
When it comes to security, both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air have some impressive features that help keep your data safe.
Here are some of the key security features you can expect from both devices:
Face ID and Touch ID: Both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air come with biometric authentication features that make it easy to unlock your device securely.
The iPad Pro uses Face ID, which uses facial recognition technology to unlock your device, while the iPad Air uses Touch ID, which uses a fingerprint sensor.
Both options are fast and reliable, and they make it easy to keep your device secure without having to remember a password.
Secure Enclave: Both devices also come with a Secure Enclave, which is a hardware-based security feature that stores your biometric data and other sensitive information.
This helps to ensure that your data is kept safe even if your device is lost or stolen.
Encryption: Both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air come with powerful encryption features that help to protect your data from unauthorized access.
All data on the devices is encrypted by default, and you can also choose to encrypt individual files and folders for an added layer of security.
App Store: The App Store is another important security feature on both devices.
All apps are vetted by Apple before they are allowed in the store, which helps to ensure that they are safe and free from malware.
Additionally, both devices come with built-in security features that help to protect against phishing attacks and other types of online threats.
Overall, both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air are very secure devices that offer a range of powerful security features.
Whether you choose the iPad Pro with Face ID or the iPad Air with Touch ID, you can be confident that your data is safe and secure.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air offer some excellent options.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from each device.
Wi-Fi 6
Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air come with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity.
This means that you’ll get faster download and upload speeds, better range, and improved battery life compared to older Wi-Fi standards.
If you have a Wi-Fi 6 router, you’ll be able to take full advantage of this feature.
5G Connectivity
If you want to get the fastest possible internet speeds on your iPad, you may want to consider the iPad Pro.
It comes with optional 5G connectivity, which can provide download speeds of up to 4Gbps in ideal conditions.
This is perfect for streaming video, downloading large files, and more.
However, keep in mind that 5G coverage is still limited in some areas, so you may not always be able to take advantage of this feature.
USB-C
Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air come with a USB-C port that can be used for charging, data transfer, and connecting accessories.
This is a big improvement over the Lightning port found on older iPads, as USB-C is a more versatile and widely-used standard.
With a USB-C hub, you can connect your iPad to external displays, hard drives, and more.
Plus, you can charge your iPad faster using a USB-C power adapter.
Overall, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air offer excellent connectivity options.
If you need the fastest possible internet speeds and don’t mind paying extra for 5G, the iPad Pro may be the better choice.
Otherwise, the iPad Air provides a great balance of features and affordability.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air offer impressive performance.
The iPad Air has a battery life of up to 10 hours of web or video use on WiFi and 9 hours of web use with cellular.
On the other hand, the iPad Pro has a battery life of up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on WiFi and 9 hours on cellular.
If you are a heavy user, you may find that the iPad Pro’s battery life is slightly better than the iPad Air’s.
This is because the iPad Pro has a larger battery than the iPad Air.
However, both devices are designed to last all day with moderate use.
It’s worth noting that the battery life of both devices can be extended by adjusting the settings.
For example, you can reduce the screen brightness, turn off background app refresh, and enable low power mode to conserve battery life.
Overall, both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air offer excellent battery life that will last all day with moderate use.
If you are a heavy user, you may find that the iPad Pro’s battery life is slightly better than the iPad Air’s, but both devices are designed to last all day.
Storage
When it comes to storage, both the iPad Pro and iPad Air offer a range of options to choose from.
The base model of the iPad Air comes with 64GB of storage, while the iPad Pro starts at 128GB.
If you’re someone who uses their iPad for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking emails, and streaming videos, 64GB of storage may be enough for you.
However, if you plan on using your iPad for more demanding tasks like editing videos or storing large files, you may want to consider upgrading to a higher storage option.
The iPad Pro offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, while the iPad Air has options of 64GB and 256GB.
Keep in mind that the higher storage options come with a higher price tag, so it’s important to consider your budget when making your decision.
Another thing to consider is that the iPad Pro also offers the option of 2TB of storage, which is the highest storage option available on any iPad.
However, this option is quite expensive and may not be necessary for most users.
If you’re someone who likes to keep all of their files stored locally on their device, it may be worth investing in a higher storage option.
However, if you’re comfortable using cloud storage services like iCloud or Google Drive, you may be able to get away with a lower storage option.
Overall, the amount of storage you need will depend on your individual usage and needs.
Take some time to consider what you’ll be using your iPad for and how much storage you’ll need to comfortably store all of your files and apps.
iPad Pro
If you’re looking for a high-performance tablet that can handle demanding tasks, the iPad Pro is a great choice.
It’s designed for professionals and power users who need a device that can keep up with their workflow.
iPad Pro 2021
The 2021 iPad Pro is the latest model and comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch.
One of the standout features of the iPad Pro is its M1 chip, which delivers powerful performance and allows you to run multiple apps at once without any lag.
The iPad Pro also has a LiDAR scanner, which is a technology used for depth sensing.
This feature is particularly useful for augmented reality (AR) apps, as it allows them to accurately map the environment around you.
If you’re someone who enjoys taking photos and videos, the iPad Pro has a great camera system that includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 10MP ultra-wide camera.
The device can also record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, making it a great tool for content creators.
March 2022
In March 2022, Apple released a new version of the iPad Pro.
This model has a few key updates that make it even more powerful than before.
One of the biggest changes is the addition of a mini-LED display, which provides better contrast and more vibrant colors.
This makes the iPad Pro a great choice for graphic designers, video editors, and anyone who needs to work with color-sensitive content.
Another new feature is the support for Thunderbolt 4, which enables faster data transfer and allows you to connect to external displays and other peripherals.
Finally, the Magic Keyboard is a great accessory for the iPad Pro.
It provides a comfortable typing experience and has a built-in trackpad that makes it easy to navigate the device.
Overall, the iPad Pro is a powerful tablet that can handle a wide range of tasks.
Whether you’re a professional or a power user, it’s definitely worth considering if you need a device that can keep up with your demanding workflow.
iPad Air
If you’re looking for a powerful and portable iPad, the iPad Air is a great option.
With its A14 Bionic chip, the iPad Air is more than capable of handling most tasks you throw at it.
It also has a great battery life, which means you can use it for hours without worrying about running out of juice.
iPad Air 5
The latest version of the iPad Air comes with some great features that make it a worthy contender against the iPad Pro.
Here are some of the key features of the iPad Air 5:
- A14 Bionic chip: The A14 Bionic chip is one of the most powerful chips available in an iPad. It’s fast, efficient, and can handle even the most demanding apps and games.
- Cellular connectivity: The iPad Air comes with optional cellular connectivity, which means you can stay connected even when you’re on the go. This is especially useful if you travel frequently or need to work remotely.
- Wide lens: The iPad Air has a wide lens that lets you capture more of the scene in your photos and videos. This is great for landscape shots or group photos.
- Smart Keyboard: The iPad Air is compatible with the Smart Keyboard, which makes typing on the iPad a breeze. The keyboard is slim and lightweight, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Overall, the iPad Air is a great choice if you’re looking for a powerful and portable iPad.
It’s not as powerful as the iPad Pro, but it’s more than capable of handling most tasks you throw at it.
Plus, it’s more affordable than the iPad Pro, which makes it a great value for money.
iPad Pro Vs Air: Which One Should You Choose?
These two devices pack a punch and come with impressive features, making it difficult to choose.
However, understanding their key differences can help you make an informed decision and select the iPad that best suits your needs and preferences.
Size And Display
One of the most obvious differences between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air is their size.
The iPad Pro comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch, while the iPad Air is only available in one size, 10.9-inch.
If you’re looking for a larger display, the iPad Pro may be the better choice for you.
Performance And Power
Another important consideration when choosing between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air is their performance and power.
The iPad Pro is the more powerful of the two, with a faster processor and more RAM.
This means that it can handle more demanding tasks, such as video editing and gaming, with ease.
However, the iPad Air is still a powerful device and can handle most tasks with ease.
Price
Price is always a consideration when choosing a new device, and the iPad Pro and iPad Air are no exception.
The iPad Pro is more expensive than the iPad Air, with prices starting at $799 for the 11-inch model and $1,099 for the 12.9-inch model.
The iPad Air, on the other hand, starts at $599. If you’re on a tight budget, the iPad Air may be the better choice for you.
Other Considerations
There are a few other factors to consider when choosing between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air.
For example, the iPad Pro has a better camera system, while the iPad Air is lighter and more portable.
Additionally, the iPad Pro supports Apple’s Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple Pencil, while the iPad Air only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil.
In the end, the choice between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air comes down to your individual needs and preferences.
If you need a more powerful device for demanding tasks, the iPad Pro may be the better choice.
However, if you’re on a budget or need a more portable device, the iPad Air may be the way to go.
Key Takeaways
If you’re in the market for a new iPad, you may be wondering which one to choose between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air.
Here are some key takeaways to help you make your decision.
High-end features
The iPad Pro is the more expensive of the two models, but it comes with some high-end features that may be worth the investment.
For example, the Pro has a larger screen with a higher resolution, ProMotion technology for smoother scrolling and better responsiveness, and a better camera system.
Additionally, the Pro is the only iPad that supports Thunderbolt, which means faster data transfer speeds and compatibility with more accessories.
Fingerprint scanner
Both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air have a fingerprint scanner for easy and secure access to your device.
However, the placement of the scanner is different between the two models.
The iPad Pro has Face ID, which uses facial recognition technology, while the iPad Air has Touch ID, which is located on the power button at the top of the device.
If you prefer one method of authentication over the other, this may be a factor in your decision.
In conclusion, the iPad Pro and the iPad Air are both excellent tablets, but they have different features that may appeal to different users.
Consider your needs and preferences when making your decision, and don’t forget to factor in the cost difference between the two models.
