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Apple iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Which should you look out for this Black Friday?
In This Article
Apple’s iPad collection isn’t as simple as it once was, with various brands like iPad Air and iPad Pro thrown around, and it isn’t always clear how they differ.
To some, Air branding might suggest a lighter, less powerful version of the standard iPad. However, that’s not the case with the iPad Air, looking increasingly like a mid-way point between the regular iPad and the top-end iPad Pro – even more so with the latest generation of devices.
The issue is that, even with that logic in mind, there are plenty of similarities between theiPad AirandiPad Procollections that blur the line between the two – especially when it comes to the 2024 collection.
With that in mind, we’ve created this guide to explain the key differences between the iPad Air and iPad Pro families. We won’t be focusing on individual products here, but rather on the ranges as a whole, to explain how they differ conceptually.
It’s worth noting that we’ve tested every model of iPad Air and iPad Pro that Apple has released, so we’re well-equipped to provide the best insight into the key differences between the two ranges and help guide you on your buying journey ahead ofBlack Fridaylater this month.
Plus, if you need any more help, we’ve also got thebest iPadandbest tabletguides to point you in the right direction.
Pricing
Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro are very much premium options not only in Apple’s tablet collection but the tablet market at large, and both have price tags to match – though the iPad Air is slightly more affordable than the top-end iPad Pro.
That’s because the iPad Air has transitioned to become the mid-way point between the regular iPads and the top-end iPad Pro, boasting key iPad Pro features without costingquiteas much. It has still steadily risen in price since its revival back in 2019 though, with the latest 11-inch iPad Air starting at £599/$599, going up to £799/$799 if you want the new larger 13-inch model.
That’s still much more tempting than theiPad Prothough; Apple’s no-holds-barred tablet range has the most advanced tech and best accessory support of the entire iPad collection, but starting at £999/$999 for the 11-inch model and rising to £1,299/$1299 for the 13-inch model, you’re certainly paying a premium for the experience.
The good news is that older models, such as the M1-powered iPad Air and M2-powered iPad Pro, can now be found at a discount if you don’t need the latest and greatest tablet tech – though with Apple no longer officially selling the tablets, stock at third-party retailers will likely be limited.
Design
At one time it was pretty easy to tell the iPad Pro range from the rest of the iPad collection; the tablets were not only larger at 11 and 12.9 inches respectively, but they sported a unique angular design in place of the curved chassis of other models in the iPad collection.
However, that has changed over the past few years as Apple has transitioned the rest of the iPad collection to sport the same general look and feel, complete with the same angular edges and general industrial look. That’s especially true of the iPad Air, whose screen has also grown from 10.5 to 11 inches over the past few years, with the latest iteration looking pretty similar to the 11-inch iPad Pro.
That’s also true of the new 13-inch iPad Air, released as part of the 2024 range, which brings the iPad Air closer to the 13-inch iPad Pro than ever before.
It’s not just the general look either; the iPad Air is the only other iPad to match the iPad Pro’s accessory support, sporting the same 3-dot connector on the rear panel as the iPad Pro, and there’s an area on the right side of the tablet designed to house the Apple Pencil too – but more on accessories in a bit.
Despite the growing similarities between the two ranges, there are a few ways to differentiate between the iPad Air and iPad Pro. For one, the iPad Pro range is only ever available in muted tones like space grey and silver. The iPad Air range, on the other hand, leans into more colourful finishes like blue and purple.
As a general rule of thumb, the iPad Air is generally thinner and lighter than the equivalent iPad Pro – as the branding suggests. However, that has actually changed with the latest iPad Pro, which at 5.1mm thick, is the thinnest Apple product to date. Thanks for confusing things, Apple!
Design aside, the most obvious difference should come when you power the tablets on, with the iPad Pro range sporting the most advanced screen tech in Apple’s collection. The crowning glory of which,120Hz Apple ProMotion tech, remains exclusive to the iPad Pro range.
For those unaware, that means that the screens of recent iPad Pro models will look and feel smoother than most competing tablets that render at a standard 60Hz.
The difference is even more stark when comparing the iPad Air to the latest generation of iPad Pro, with the new 11- and 13-inch models offering OLED technology for the first time. As with OLED panels on recent iPhones, this translates to much deeper blacks, more vivid colours and, with double-stacked OLED panels, it’s plenty bright too.
Performance
Performance was once an area where the iPad Pro stood head-and-shoulders above the rest of the competition. It was a clear message to consumers: if you want the best performance possible, get the iPad Pro.
That’s still the story with the most recent models of iPad Pro, sporting Apple’sdesktop-class M2 or M4 chipsetdepending on the variant you opt for. The M-series chipsets not only deliver the best performance of any tablet on the market – Apple-branded or not – but enable the iPad Pro to perform some pretty cool tricks including Apple’s new Stage Manager multitasking system, powering a second display and more.
However, as with the design, recent models of iPad Air have begun to encroach on the iPad Pro’s hold on performance power. That’s not so much the case with older models of iPad Air, usually sporting the same A-series chipset as the equivalent flagship iPhone available at the time, but the 2022 model made the jump to the Apple M1 chipset, and the 2024 model continues that journey with the M2.
That means that the latest iPad Air can not only perform at a similar level to the iPad Pro in terms of everyday performance, but it means that it’s the only non-Pro iPad to offer features like the aforementioned Stage Manager multitasking system and, with the M2 variant, Apple Pencil Hover tech.
That said, the M4 chip of the latest iPad Pro is still much more powerful than the M2 chip in the iPad Air, so if you really wantthebest performance possible, the iPad Pro is the one to go for. Just be sure you’ll really make the most out of that power, as you could save a pretty penny with the still-capable M1 or M2 iPad Air.
Accessories
Apple’s iPad Pro range initially set the bar for accessory support with first-party accessories like the Apple Pencil 2, which magnetically snaps onto the side of the tablet for storage and wireless charging, as well as the upgraded Magic Keyboard that provides something more akin to a traditional laptop experience, complete with a dedicated trackpad.
You’ve also got the option of the second-gen Magic Keyboard and the new Apple Pencil Pro, but these are exclusively available for the latest generation of iPad Pro.
Combined, they make the iPad Pro a powerful laptop replacement, especially when combined with elements of iPadOS like Stage Manager.
However, the iPad Air also boasts great accessory support, with the past few generations all supporting the Apple Pencil 2 and its own version of the pro-level Magic Keyboard, levelling the accessory playing field. That trend has continued with the latest-generation iPad Air range, offering the same support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard as the equivalent Pro model.
That means you no longerneedto go for the top-end iPad Pro if you want a solid laptop replacement; the iPad Air, combined with the optional accessories, is just as capable.
Verdict
Both brands of iPad service different users – the iPad Air is a great work/school companion while the Pro range is designed for pro-level creatives that’ll really get the most out of the high-end tech on offer – so it’s largely down to how you envision you’ll use your iPad.
If you truly believe you’ll make use of the top-end spec on offer, be it for work or play, the iPad Pro is a worthy purchase that’ll service all your tablet needs. But for most people, the iPad Air – especially the recent M2 variant – will be all the iPad you need.
Equally, you could save yourself a pretty penny if you opt for an older, yet still capable, model of Pro or Air. These are likely the iPads that’ll be discounted on Black Friday at third-party retailers as they shift the remaining stock of older variants, so if you don’t need the latest and greatest in tablet tech, an older model may service your needs adequately.
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Lewis is the Mobile Editor of Trusted Reviews with plenty of phone experience, from the Nokia 3210 to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. He has been in the tech industry writing about phones, headphones, tablets,…
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Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
