iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: Which to Buy in 2024?

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Apple’s iPad generations and lineup continue to evolve, offering consumers a range of powerful and versatile tablets. Among the most popular options are the iPad Air and iPad Pro, both of which have received significant updates in recent months.

These new iPad 2024 models bring impressive enhancements in performance, display technology, and overall functionality, making the choice between them more compelling—and potentially more challenging—than ever before.

In this comprehensive comparison of Apple iPads, we’ll delve into the specs, features, and use cases of the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro, helping you determine which Apple tablet best suits your requirements and budget in 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • iPad Pro outperforms iPad Air with its M4 chip, better suited for demanding tasks like 4K video editing and 3D rendering.
  • The iPad Pro’s OLED display with ProMotion offers superior visuals and smoother performance compared to the iPad Air’s LED display.
  • Both models have similar battery life and accessory compatibility, but Pro includes a Thunderbolt port for faster data transfer and advanced peripherals.
  • iPad Air is lighter and more affordable, making it ideal for students and casual users, while Pro is tailored for creative professionals and power users.

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro Specs

Choosing the right iPad for your needs is crucial, as it represents a significant investment in a device that may serve as your primary computing tool for years to come. Whether you’re a student, creative professional, business user, or simply someone who enjoys the latest smart devices, understanding the key differences between the iPad Air vs. iPad Pro is essential to making an informed decision.

To give you a clear overview of how these two Apple tablets stack up against each other, let’s dive into a comprehensive iPad comparison chart. This will highlight the key specifications and features of the latest iPad models, making it easier to spot the differences at a glance.

Apple iPad Air M2 vs. iPad Pro M4 2024 Comparison

Feature iPad Air (2024) iPad Pro (2024)
Chip M2 M4
Display 11″ or 13″ Liquid Retina LCD 11″ or 13″ Ultra Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2360×1640 (11″), 2880×1864 (13″) 2388×1668 (11″), 2732×2048 (13″)
Refresh Rate 60Hz Up to 120Hz with ProMotion
Brightness 500 nits max 1000 nits max, 1600 nits peak (HDR)
Storage Options 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
RAM 8GB 8GB or 16GB
Rear Camera 12MP Wide 12MP Wide, 10MP Ultra Wide, LiDAR
Front Camera 12MP Ultra Wide 12MP TrueDepth
Biometric Security Touch ID (in power button) Face ID
Port USB-C Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C
Battery Life Up to 10 hours Up to 10 hours
Pencil Compatibility Apple Pencil Pro Apple Pencil Pro
Keyboard Compatibility Magic Keyboard Magic Keyboard with function keys
Weight 1.02 lbs (11″), 1.36 lbs (13″) 1.03 lbs (11″), 1.51 lbs (13″)
Starting Price $599 (11″), $799 (13″) $1299 (11″), $1499 (13″)

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro Performance

With Apple iPad Pro 2024, users can perform AI-enabled tasks even faster. Source: Apple

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Both iPad Air and iPad Pro feature Apple’s latest chip technology, offering impressive performance and efficiency. However, there are significant differences in their chip configurations.

iPad Pro vs. Air Chips

  • iPad Air: M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU
  • iPad Pro: M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 12-core GPU

In benchmark tests, the iPad Pro scores approximately 20% higher in multi-core performance and up to 25% higher in GPU tasks compared to the Air. In real-world usage, the Air is more than capable of handling everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and light photo/video editing.

However, the Pro’s extra CPU and GPU cores, combined with its advanced cooling system, allow it to sustain high performance over longer periods, making it better suited for demanding workloads like 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and complex AR applications.

Is iPad Pro more powerful than Air? The answer is definitively yes, especially for resource-intensive tasks.

Our Pick for Performance: iPad Pro takes the lead for its higher multi-core and GPU benchmark scores and ability to sustain performance on demanding tasks.

Design

The 13-inch iPad Air offers 30% more screen real estate than the 11-inch model
The 13-inch iPad Air offers 30% more screen real estate than the 11-inch model. Source: Apple

The iPad Air and iPad Pro share a similar modern design with flat edges and slim bezels. However, there are subtle differences in their physical characteristics

iPad Dimensions

  • iPad Air: 6.1mm thick, available in 10.9″ and 13.6″ iPad sizes
  • iPad Pro: 5.1mm and 5.3mm thick, available in 11″ and 12.9″ sizes, which makes it the thinnest iPad model ever.

Weight

When it comes to iPad weight, the differences are minimal:

  • 11″ models: iPad Air (1.02 lbs) vs. iPad Pro (1.03 lbs)
  • Larger models: iPad Air 13.6″ (1.36 lbs) vs. iPad Pro 12.9″ (1.51 lbs)

Colors

iPad Air offers more varied colors than iPad Pro:

  • iPad Air: The new iPad Air is available in space gray and starlight, in addition to new purple and blue finishes.
  • iPad Pro: Comes in Silver and Space Black
Apple iPad Air 2024 colors
Apple iPad Air 2024 colors. Source: Apple

Both devices offer excellent portability, making them suitable for on-the-go use. The slight weight difference in the larger models may be noticeable for users who frequently carry their devices for extended periods.

Our Pick for Design and Portability: In the iPad Air vs. Pro debate on design, the Air takes a slight edge for more color options and marginally lighter weight in the larger size, making it more comfortable for extended handheld use.

Display Technology

iPad Pro's Ultra Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion
iPad Pro’s Ultra Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion. Source: Apple

The display technology marks one of the biggest differences between these iPad versions:

  • iPad Air: Liquid Retina LED-backlit display with 60Hz refresh rate
  • iPad Pro: Ultra Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion (up to 120Hz refresh rate)

The Pro’s OLED technology offers deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and more vibrant colors. It also supports HDR content with up to 1600 nits of peak brightness, compared to the Air’s 500 nits max brightness.

In real-world usage, the Pro’s ProMotion technology provides noticeably smoother scrolling, more responsive touch input, and improved Apple Pencil performance. The Air’s display, while excellent, may show some motion blur during fast-moving content or quick scrolling.

Our Pick for Display: In the iPad Air vs. iPad Pro display showdown, the Pro comes out on top with its superior OLED technology, higher brightness, and ProMotion feature, offering the best visual experience for both creative professionals and media consumers.

Storage & Memory Options

The iPad Air and iPad Pro offer different storage and memory configurations:

  • iPad Air: 64GB, 256GB storage; 8GB RAM
  • iPad Pro: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB storage; 8GB or 16GB RAM

Price implications vary significantly, with higher storage tiers commanding a premium. The Pro’s additional options cater to users with more demanding storage needs.

Our Pick for Storage & Memory: The iPad Pro offers more flexibility, especially for power users. However, for most users, the iPad Air’s 256GB option strikes a good balance of capacity and cost.

Battery Life & Charging

Both iPad models boast impressive battery life:

  • iPad Air: Up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi
  • iPad Pro: Up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi

In real-world usage, both devices typically last a full day with moderate use. The Pro’s variable refresh rate can help conserve battery during static content viewing.

Our Pick for Battery Life: It’s a tie in the iPad Air vs. iPad Pro battery contest, with both offering excellent longevity for most users.

Ports & Connectivity

Connectivity options differ between the models:

Both support 5G and Wi-Fi 6, but the Pro’s Thunderbolt port offers faster data transfer and support for more advanced peripherals.

Our Pick for Connectivity: The iPad Pro edges out with its versatile Thunderbolt port, which is especially beneficial for professionals working with large files or multiple displays.

Camera Systems

An updated pro camera system delivers more versatility on the new iPad Pro
An updated pro camera system delivers more versatility on the new iPad Pro. Source: Apple

Camera capabilities vary between the models:

  • iPad Air: 12MP rear camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
  • iPad Pro: 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide rear cameras, LiDAR Scanner, 12MP TrueDepth front camera with Center Stage

The Pro’s additional rear camera and LiDAR Scanner enhance its AR capabilities and photo/video versatility.

Our Pick for Cameras: The iPad Pro takes the lead with its more advanced camera system, particularly beneficial for AR applications and professional photo/video work.

Audio Capabilities

Audio features differ slightly:

  • iPad Air: Two-speaker audio in landscape mode
  • iPad Pro: Four-speaker audio with support for Dolby Atmos

Both models feature dual microphones for calls, audio recording, and video recording.

Our Pick for Audio: The iPad Pro wins with its superior four-speaker setup, offering a more immersive audio experience.

Biometric Security

The models use different biometric systems:

  • iPad Air: Touch ID integrated into the top button
  • iPad Pro: Face ID via TrueDepth camera system

Both systems are secure, but Face ID offers a more seamless experience in most scenarios.

Our Pick for Biometric Security: In the iPad Pro vs. iPad Air security face-off, the Pro’s Face ID system edges out for its convenience and advanced technology.

Accessory Compatibility

Apple Magic Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard. Source: Apple

Both iPad models support key accessories:

  • Apple Pencil: Both support the 2nd generation Apple Pencil
  • Keyboards: Both work with the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio

The Apple iPad Air and Pro offer similar accessory support, ensuring versatility for various use cases.

Our Pick for Accessory Compatibility: It’s a tie, with both models offering excellent support for Apple’s key accessories, enhancing their functionality for work and creative tasks.

Use Cases & Target Audiences

iPad Pro vs. iPad Air for Students

For students, both devices offer excellent capabilities, but the choice depends on specific needs:

  • iPad Air: Ideal for most students due to its balance of performance and affordability. Perfect for note-taking, research, and basic content creation.
  • iPad Pro: Better suited for students in demanding fields like graphic design, engineering, or video production, where the extra power and advanced display can be beneficial.

Creative Professionals

Creative professionals have distinct needs that can influence their choice:

  • iPad Air: Suitable for light to moderate creative work, including digital art, photo editing, and basic video editing.
  • iPad Pro: The preferred choice for serious creatives. Its M4 chip, ProMotion display, and Thunderbolt port make it ideal for complex design work, 4K video editing, and 3D modeling.

Business Users

For business users, the choice depends on the nature of their work:

  • iPad Air: Excellent for most business tasks, including email, document creation, video conferencing, and light multitasking.
  • iPad Pro: Better for power users who need to run multiple demanding apps simultaneously, work with large datasets, or require the best possible video conferencing experience.

Casual Users & Entertainment

Both devices will perfectly fit for everyday use and entertainment:

  • iPad Air: More than capable of handling streaming, gaming, web browsing, and social media use. It’s the better value for most casual users.
  • iPad Pro: Offers a premium entertainment experience with its superior display and audio, but may be overkill for many casual users.

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Buy in 2024?

So, after careful examination of iPad Pro vs. iPad Air, which is better? When choosing your Apple tablet in 2024, consider your specific needs and budget.

The iPad Air offers excellent value for most users, providing robust performance, a great display, and Apple Pencil support at a more accessible price point. It’s ideal for students, casual users, and even many professionals.

On the other hand, the iPad Pro is the ultimate choice for power users, creative professionals, and those who demand the latest technology. Its M4 chip, ProMotion OLED display, advanced camera system with LiDAR, and Thunderbolt port justify the higher price for those who need these features.

Both tablets represent the latest iPad technology, ensuring that whichever you choose, you’ll have a powerful and versatile tablet.

FAQs

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Alex McFarland
AI Journalist
Alex McFarland
AI Journalist

Alex is the creator of AI Disruptor, an AI-focused newsletter for entrepreneurs and businesses. Alongside his role at Techopedia, he serves as a lead writer at Unite.AI, collaborating with several successful startups and CEOs in the industry. With a history degree and as an American expat in Brazil, he offers a unique perspective to the AI field.