Apple iPad processor comparison. Apple iPad Pro Vs. Apple iPad Air: Which Should You Choose

26.07.2023 Talmaran Gadgets

Apple iPad Pro Vs. Apple iPad Air: Which Should You Choose?

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

You’ve decided you want an Apple tablet, but you’re not sure which. Of course, there’s the regular iPad (available in both ninth- and tenth-generation models) but maybe you want something more powerful, or with a bigger display. That leaves you with a choice among two core products: the Apple iPad Air, with its 10.9-inch display and the Apple iPad Pro, which comes with either an 11-inch or a 12.9-inch screen. The iPad Air and the iPad Pro lines each have unique benefits, which complicates the decision of which model to buy.

The most obvious difference among these models is price. All three tablets cost more than the regular iPad. The iPad Air’s regular price starts at 599, while the similarly sized iPad Pro costs 799 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro costs 1,099. Every Apple tablet, unlike most rival manufacturers, comes in Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular options. The latter costs more but ensure you can connect to the internet wherever your SIM card (real or electronic) can find a suitable signal.

If you’ve narrowed your choice down to iPad Air and iPad Pro, which one is best for you? The iPad Air is less costly, but you miss out on some tangible benefits of the iPad Pro line, which include a processor bump to the latest Apple M2 processors and Face ID. Read on for full details, from design and display to processor power (and what that really means) on how the iPad Air compares to the iPad Pro.

Apple iPad Air Specifications

Balancing price and performance
Easy-to-use Touch ID security
A choice among colorful designs
The paltry on-board storage crimps your style
You won’t benefit from the boosted performance over the tenth-generation iPad

Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch Specifications

Brightness is paramount (it lacks a Mini LED display)
You need to keep costs down
The extra storage and performance won’t matter

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-Inch Specifications

Productivity and content creation on a large screen
Stunning display
Multitasking performance

iPad 10th generation vs iPad Air 5. WHICH ONE?! | 2022 iPad buying guide

Apple iPad Pro Vs. Apple iPad Air Design: Svelte, But Different Footprints

Our FOCUS here is on the iPads that sit at the premium end of Apple’s range. All the Apple tablets available now, apart from the ninth-generation entry-level iPad released in 2021, use the same industrial design—with cliff-edge sides and displays that cover the entire front of the tablet.

The Apple iPad Pro, which leapt to the new design first in 2018, has the narrowest bezels around the display. And while you might expect the Apple iPad Air to be the thinnest, it’s the 11-inch iPad Pro which claims that crown, measuring just 5.9 millimeters. Next thickest is the iPad Air (6.1 millimeters) and then the 12.9-inch iPad Pro at 6.4 millimeters. Bottom line: All three tablets are very thin, and it’s hard to eyeball a difference in thickness given it’s just a 0.5-millimeter variance, or less.

Though the iPad Air and iPad Pro 11-inch have similar designs, one glance tells you which is which because of the slightly bigger display on the Pro, and the consequently slimmer bezels. The iPad Air and iPad Pro 11-inch both weigh 1 pound and have an identical footprint—which translates into each feeling about the same in-hand. Not surprisingly, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch feels very different in-hand, given it is larger than the iPad Air in every way, with a bigger footprint and heavier weight. The extra screen size is useful for productivity, since you see more on-screen at any given time. But 1.5 pounds gets heavy to hold in your hands, making the 12.9-inch iPad Pro less conducive to use as a handheld tablet.

Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro have camera panels protruding from the back, though neither sticks out so much that it lops the device to one side if you’re typing on the on-screen keyboard (more on cameras below). The iPad Air and iPad Pro are both compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which handily snaps magnetically to the side of the device. The iPad Air and iPad Pro use a USB-C connector, but only the iPad Pro models support up to 40Gbps speeds (including support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB4). This point matters most if you plan to fill the tablet to the max and have lots of large files (such as videos) you’re transferring to and from the device over time. In practice, I found the Air’s transfer speeds were decent enough that this was rarely a problem, but your mileage may vary.

If colors matter to you, the iPad Air has more room for choice, with space gray, starlight, pink, purple and blue. The iPad Pro is available in only space gray and silver, more staid colors in line with the iPad Pro’s “professional” veneer.

Decision: From a design perspective, the big differences among these three models’ design lies with the weight and screen size of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and with the speed of the USB-C connector.

Apple iPad Pro Vs. Apple iPad Air Storage: Less Or ?

The 599 Apple iPad Air starts out at a surprisingly low 64GB of storage—the same baseline as the entry-level tenth-generation iPad. If you jump to the next level, 256GB, the iPad Air’s price skyrockets to 749.

By contrast, the 799 11-inch iPad Pro comes with 128GB of storage, a much more reasonable starting point. Plus, you get the other benefits of the Pro’s performance and features, which we delve into below. And the iPad Pro line comes in options up to 2TB, so if you are a high-volume creative with demanding storage needs, the iPad Pro lineup is the obvious choice here.

Decision: If you want more storage and to get additional features, go with the 11-inch iPad Pro, which strikes a balance between price and performance. Or you can choose the 256GB iPad Air as the least expensive path to that much storage on a powerful iPad.

Apple iPad Pro Vs Apple iPad Air Display: Dynamic Refresh Rate And High Brightness

The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display, with an anti-reflective coating, a wider color range and a fully laminated display. That’s an upgrade over the 10.9-inch tenth-generation iPad, but a bigger difference still exists between the Air and the 11-inch Pro. And the gap widens further when you compare the iPad Air to the larger iPad Pro. The iPad Air and iPad Pro all have the same pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi). But that’s where the display similarities end.

Both Pro displays offer ProMotion, Apple’s term for a dynamic refresh rate. It automatically adjusts the rate from 24Hz up to 120Hz according to what’s on screen, with the higher rates making for smooth scrolling and fast response to your touch, whether that’s from an Apple Pencil or your finger. When you’re looking at a static image, it slows the rate to save battery.

And then there’s the 12.9-inch model, which boasts Apple’s “Liquid Retina XDR”—Apple-speak for extreme dynamic range. The display has high-contrast and high brightness, with 10,000 Mini LEDs in 2,500 local dimming zones. This means dark areas stay black and bright areas shine. These Mini LEDs are the best thing about the bigger Pro display, which looks bright, with accurate colors. In my testing, I found movies and videos definitely benefit from this display’s qualities, but so did my still images. I saw realistic colors, deep blacks and a real vibrancy to the pictures. The danger with Mini LEDs is it can lead to a blooming effect of white light spilling over on to black areas, but I saw none of this—Apple has optimized the effect with granular detail.

Decision: For smoother animations and fast motion, the iPad Pro line has an edge over the iPad Air. And if you’re using the iPad in a bright environment, you can benefit from the high brightness of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Apple iPad Pro Vs Apple iPad Air Cameras: Pro Has

Let’s be clear: a big, flat slab of glass and aluminum does not make for an ergonomic camera—and that remains true with the iPad Air and the two iPad Pros. But sometimes, your tablet is the best—and only—camera you have with you. Plus, a tablet has one benefit as a camera: Its large screen offers an exceptional surface on which to frame your shots or video.

But tablets are neither easy to carry, nor easy to hold for taking pictures and videos. That’s one reason that cameras on the iPad have never been as advanced as on the iPhone, nor has Apple meant them to be. The iPad Air has a single camera, with 12-megapixel resolution and a reasonably wide, f/1.8 aperture. There’s no flash. It takes adequate images, and it is good for shooting video, but this is not a photography machine.

Ironically, the larger—and harder to hold—iPad Pro series (both sizes) is much better. These tablets have a primary 12-megapixel lens, and a second ultra-wide 10-megapixel lens. Since the ultra-wide has a focal length that’s half that of the wide, the screen reads 0.5x or 1x zoom according to which lens is in use.

The main reason the Pro cameras are better is because they also include a time-of-flight LiDAR sensor to analyze and assess depth in the image. This helps with the sharpness of the photos. The dual lenses also make for excellent bokeh effects in Portrait mode shots. And the LiDAR sensor also works for augmented reality (AR) applications.

Don’t WASTE Your MONEY! iPad Air 5 vs iPad 10 Explained

Augmented reality is one use for tablet cameras that, in theory, will grow in the coming years. The large screen works well to display AR content—where you can view what the camera sees with a digital data overlay. AR apps have been around for a while; there still aren’t that many of them, but there will be more, eventually. One of the best AR apps today is Apple’s own: Measure, a virtual measuring tape that works on both the iPad Air and iPad Pro (but the Pro version is that bit more accurate thanks to LiDAR). The LiDAR sensor is also useful for 3D scans of a room, which is useful in apps such as ones where you place virtual furniture ahead of buying the real stuff.

The front-facing camera on the iPad Air and Pro is a 12-megapixel sensor, mostly there to make the most of Center Stage, Apple’s clever video conferencing feature which ensures you stay plumb in the center of the screen, even if you move. Center Stage worked well for me on all three tablets.

The Pro models have another benefit that taps the camera: Their Face ID security is powered by a TrueDepth camera, which is why there’s also a Portrait option on the iPad Pro’s front-facing camera, but not the Air.

Decision: If you want to use your tablet’s camera frequently for photos or videos, or want to use the cameras for augmented reality applications, the iPad Pro series has the edge.

Apple iPad Pro Vs Apple iPad Air Face ID or Touch ID: A Case Of Preference

The iPad Pro is the only iPad which unlocks using Face ID, with all others (apart from the older, ninth-generation iPad) using Touch ID mounted in the power button on the tablet’s top edge. The pricier Pro must have the best arrangement, right? I’m not so sure. While Face ID is a better technology with extremely high security, I find the convenience of the iPad Air’s Touch ID hard to overstate.

I find if my face is not exactly in the right place, Face ID struggles to recognize me and unlock the iPad. The execution of Touch ID on the iPad Air is sensational: I simply touch my finger on the home button, and it reacts instantly and unlocks the tablet. If I rest it there a little longer, my finger not only unlocks the tablet, but it opens to my last displayed screen. The iPad Air’s Touch ID works better than fingerprint sensors on all rival tablets and—for my money—is far more convenient than the iPad Pro’s Face ID system.

Decision: I preferred the simplicity of the Touch ID on iPad Air. But the iPad Pro’s Face ID system works, and I wouldn’t let my proclivity towards Touch ID keep me from an iPad Pro that model suits my needs in all other ways.

Apple iPad Pro Vs Apple iPad Air Features: Subtle Differences

The iPad Pro and iPad Air have a lot of features in common, such as the interface and apps. Almost all iPadOS apps are available across the board, though some work even better on the Pro than the Air (see below). But most of the million-plus apps in the App Store will work identically, adapting to match the screen resolution automatically. The latest Pro and Air models have processors powerful enough to make the most of Apple’s Stage Manager, which improves multi-tasking on the tablet to be as good as on a Mac. Not all iPads can do this.

Stage Manager gives you easy access to five programs, like multi-Windows on a Mac. Well, almost. The active app is front-and-center, while the others float in miniature form, off to the left edge. It means you can flip from one app to the next with a tap, or you can go back to the full screen view at will. It’s great, but I just don’t find it as intuitive as switching among apps on a Mac, and there’s sometimes that sense of dread when I catch myself thinking, now, where did I put that app? One false tap and you’re left searching. That said, it’s way better than multi-tasking on a tablet has been before. I could easily resize the dominant app with a tug at the corner, for instance. But on a Mac, you can have over five Windows open, so the iPadOS Stage Manager still feels more limited to me. It was easier to use on the larger iPad Pro, but still feels limited.

As on the iPhone, the variety of apps provides the greatest capabilities for the tablet, making it a great entertainment device with video apps such as Netflix and Apple TV, podcasts and audio content. Both the Pro and Air have four speaker grilles for superior sound quality when not using headphones. However, this doesn’t mean they are the same. Where the Pro has four separate speakers, the Air has the same number of grilles but only stereo speakers. On the Pro, the effect is especially impressive because the audio changes according to whether your tablet is in portrait or landscape mode. The Air still sounds fine but lacks this extra subtlety. In use, since I routinely played games and movies in landscape orientation, I didn’t hear much of a difference but, yes, I’d say the Pro is a little better.

Then there are creativity apps, designed as all the apps are for intuitive touch operation, but some of which benefit from a stylus like the Apple Pencil (like the brilliant Procreate drawing and painting app). Because the Pro uses the M2 Processor, it supports the second-generation Apple Pencil’s hover feature—which means the iPad Pro recognizes the Pencil before it makes contact with the glass. This is already an intimate-feeling gesture, but it also adds more capability. For instance, I could adjust brush stroke size in some apps, without putting Pencil to screen. This feature needs more broad support to really fly, but Procreate has plans to offer more functions, such as showing a preview of the brush you’re using before you make contact. Since I often touched the screen, decided I had the wrong brush and needed to delete and start again, extras like this saved me time.

Both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro work with a companion physical keyboard, such as the excellent, if expensive, Apple Magic Keyboard, available for both Pro and Air.

Decision: If you plan to use Apple Pencil a lot, you may appreciate the conveniences of the hover feature supported by the M2-based iPad Pros.

Apple iPad Pro Vs Apple iPad Air Performance: Better And Best

Every single iPad you can buy today has reliably speedy performance, enough for everyday tasks and entertainment. Things just get much faster with the more advanced tablets.

The iPad Air uses the Apple M1 chip, the game-changing, high-performing Apple processor first seen on the iMac, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The M1 chip is amazingly fast, and the 8-core GPU that goes along with the 8-core CPU ensures graphics look great, too. I found games graphics that were amazingly detailed and stutter-free, making for highly satisfying playability with no distractions.

But the iPad Pro series—which is newer than the iPad Air—goes one better. The iPad Pros use the latest M2 processor inside, with a 10-core GPU and extra system memory (RAM) on the 1TB and 2TB storage configurations. Who needs that, you may ask, when the M1 is so speedy, powerful and efficient?

It’s a good question. The word Pro is the clue: The M2 chip targets the most demanding users. Processor and graphics content creation tasks like video editing and photo editing can take advantage of that extra processing power. For example, in movie editing apps, you can open multiple high-resolution video streams at the same time, with no slowdown or anything more than a brief wait as you move content around—even on some high-end laptops, this can take significant time to process, but not here.

Decision: If you’re a demanding user, choose an iPad Pro. The iPad Pro’s M2 processor will make a noticeable difference in how you can get things done. For editing and productivity, you may prefer the 12.9-inch version so you can make the most of the stellar screen, too.

Apple iPad Pro Vs. Apple iPad Air Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

How much power do you want, exactly? If you’re a reasonably demanding user, who enjoys watching videos and playing advanced, graphics-heavy games, then the iPad Air will be enough. It has plenty of power and its M1 chip is extremely fast.

Other benefits of the Air include a lower price, colorful finishes and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor which unlocks the tablet reliably and rapidly. I found the Touch ID security option was the one I enjoyed using the most, by a long way.

But if your demands are the highest because you need powerful programs and you want them to run full-bore, with no hiccups or slowdowns, then the iPad Pro is calling your name. Besides the superior processor, the iPad Pro series has superior cameras and includes a LiDAR sensor to make AR apps perform better. The iPad Pro has a dynamic refresh rate to make even scrolling through menus a smooth experience. And the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has Mini LED backlighting, so that everything looks better on-screen, from HDR video to your own photos.

In short, you’ll get a great experience from the iPad Air, better than all other tablets around—except one. For better than best performance, it’s iPad Pro all the way.

I’ve been writing about technology for two decades and am routinely struck by how the sector swings from startling innovation to persistent repetitiveness. My areas of specialty are wearable tech, cameras, home entertainment and mobile technology. I also work as an actor, enjoying equally the first Mission Impossible movie, a season at Shakespeare’s Globe and a part in the fourth series of The Crown.

I’ve written for the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times, the Daily Mail, the Sun, Metro, Stuff, T3.lint, Wareable.com and Wired. Right now most of my work away from Forbes appears in the Independent, the Evening Standard and Monocle Magazine. Follow me on Instagram: davidphelantech, or : @davidphelan2009.

iPad Size Comparison Chart: Every iPad Generation Compared

Apple makes a bunch of iPads these days, and they’re all slightly different with respect to size, dimensions, specs, and design. Here’s a simple size comparison chart to show you how they’re all different…

iPad Size Comparison Chart – Models and Sizes

The latest iPad Pro models are the 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 and the iPad Pro 11, both of which are detailed above. You can still buy Apple’s older iPad Pro models, though you will have to do it through a third-party refurbished specialist like Gazelle – and you will save around 40% doing this too!

iPad Air Sizes

The iPad Air, launched in 2019, is Apple’s second-tier flagship. Sitting just below the iPad Pro in terms of pricing, the iPad Air is designed to offer a premium iPad experience, just without the imposing price tag of the iPad Pro.

The iPad Air is designed for pleasure, as a second screen to enjoy content on and the web, whereas the iPad Pro is designed as a work machine that also doubles as an awesome tablet.

The iPad Air, like the iPad Pro, however, does support the Apple Pencil, and you can pair wireless keyboards and mouse devices to it. The iPad Air just lacks some of the performance-punch you’ll find inside the iPad Pro.

iPad Size

The iPad is Apple’s entry-level iPad. It is designed to be cost-effective, powerful, simple to use, and is the one to go for if you’re after a relatively cheap Apple iPad.

The iPad does not pack in the same level of spec or hardware as the iPad Pro or iPad Air. This is why it retails for a lot less. It is still a great device, though, but it’s not quite as powerful as the iPad Air and iPad Pro.

If you’re just looking for a basic iPad, something to browse the web on, respond to emails, and run apps and games on, the entry-level iPad is a great option – it’s cheap, it runs all the same apps and games as the iPad Pro and iPad Air, and it looks gorgeous too.

apple, ipad, processor, comparison, which

iPad mini Sizes

The iPad mini is the smallest iPad Apple makes; it has a 7.9in display and is great for those that are looking for a more portable iPad option. The iPad mini will fit pretty much anywhere – from your jacket to a purse. And this makes it a great device for those that travel a lot.

The iPad mini carries more or less the same specifications and hardware as the standard, entry-level iPad; you have 3GB of RAM, Apple’s A12 Bionic chipset, and up to 256GB of storage, though there is also a 64GB model available which is considerably cheaper.

The iPad mini is a popular choice with consumers that want a smaller second screen, something that is more able and can be used with a single hand. The iPad mini is great for reading books on, browsing the web, playing games, and working/catching up with email on. It also supports the Apple Pencil too, so you can make notes on it as well.

What iPad Should I Buy?

Apple’s iPad comes in many shapes and sizes. You have several models to choose from at the moment: ]

The iPad is Apple’s entry-level iPad; it’s the cheapest option and is ideal for casual users. The iPad Air is designed for tablet users that want a slightly more premium experience than what you get on Apple’s standard iPad.

The iPad Air has better specs, a nicer design, and has more performance. It also costs slightly more too, though when you factor in its performance, this is to be expected.

The iPad mini is an odd one; it’s the smallest iPad Apple makes (it has a 7.9in display) and is only slightly larger than the iPhone 11 Pro Max (that phone has a 6.7in display). The iPad mini is fairly cheap too.

The iPad mini is ideal for users that want portability – the iPad mini will fit easily inside a bag or jacket

If you want a proper work machine, something that can replace your laptop, you’ll want to go with the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro is the most powerful iPad Apple makes; it supports keywords, mouse, and trackpads and, thanks to the latest build of iPadOS, it functions just like a MacBook.

If you want a machine you can work on and consume media on, the iPad Pro is essentially unbeatable. Even when you compare it to other hybrid PCs like Microsoft’s Surface X Pro.

Wrapping Up…

As you can see from the table and comparison chart above, Apple has made a fair few iPads over the years. The iPad line-up, either its standard models or Pro models, are updated every year, although the iPad Pro models are updated at a slower rate. As of right now, Apple’s latest iPads are as follows:

Latest iPad Models:

If you’re in the UK, AO carries ALL of Apple’s latest iPad models (see the full range here). And for the USA, your best bet is BH Photo – it has all models of the iPad, including older, cheaper models.

Alternatively, if you want to save 40% on the price of an iPad, you could go the refurbished route and pick one up via Gazelle – doing this will let you get a higher spec model with more storage for a lot less than buying new. And the refurbished iPads look and function as good as new. And check out Apple Pencil Tips Tricks: Get The Most Out Of The Apple Pencil! And check out This is The Best iPad For Drawing – Here’s Why!

iPad vs iPad Pro: Which one is right for you?

There’s little denying that Apple is the undisputed tablet leader, thanks to the iPad. If you’re in the market for a new iPad, you have quite a few options ranging from the more modest iPad Mini to the impressive iPad Pro. Of course, you can always consider picking up the classic iPad. How does the 10th gen iPad compare to the high-end iPad Pro (M2)? Let’s take a look at this iPad vs iPad Pro comparison.

iPad vs iPad Pro: At a glance

Curious about how the iPad and iPad Pro compare? Here’s a quick summary of the key differences:

iPad Pro has a more powerful processor than the iPad
iPad Pro features Wi-Fi 6e, vs the older Wi-Fi 6 on the iPad
The iPad has a dual camera configuration, while the iPad has just one lens
The iPad has a fingerprint scanner for security, but the iPad Pro uses Face ID
The iPad Pro has a better speaker system than the iPad
The iPad Pro has more storage capacity options than the iPad

iPad vs iPad Pro: Specs

Main:12MP cameraƒ/1.8 aperture

Secondary: 10MP ultrawide, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 125° field of view

Main:12MP Wide (ƒ/1.8 aperture, PDAF)

Front:12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.4 aperture, 122-degree FOV)

The biggest difference between the two iPads is the chipset. While the iPad uses the aging Apple A14 Bionic mobile chip, the iPad Pro opts for the Apple M2 processor. For those unaware, that’s the same chip Apple uses for its ARM-based Macs.

On paper, the M2 has more cores, a higher clock speed for its CPU and GPU, more shaders, and, well — you get the idea. The big question is whether you will notice a real difference. The answer depends on what you are buying an iPad for. The iPad Pro’s extra punch will be greatly appreciated if you’re looking for a true laptop replacement.

On the downside, thanks to the software, multi-tasking isn’t as good as it should be. Apple uses Stage Manager to manage multiple apps at the same time. It’s designed to drag apps from a stacked pile onto the main workspace, but it often has issues scaling correctly and doesn’t provide a consistent experience. Hopefully, this gets better in future iterations of iOS.

The added CPU and GPU performance make the iPad Pro better suited for serious work like video and photo editing. It’s possible to have multiple video streams open simultaneously without skipping a beat. We can’t say the same for the iPad.

On the flip side, the iPad Pro is overkill if you are using an iPad to browse the web, read, play a few games, and check in on social media. While the Pro will handle these tasks as well or better than the classic, you won’t notice a difference in day-to-day performance regarding the basics.

The two tablets also have very different display tech. The iPad has a 10.9 inch Liquid Retina LCD with a 2360 x 1640 resolution. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro M2 comes in either 11 or 12.9 inch configurations. That gives you a resolution of 2,388 x 1,668 pixels and 2048 x 2732 pixels, respectively. While the resolutions are similar, the Pro has several advantages.

The 12.9 inch AMOLED display has accurate colors, great viewing angles, and an impressive peak brightness of 1,000 nits, or up to 1,600 nits for select HDR content. The 11 inch model isn’t quite as impressive as it lacks the high brightness capabilities and the 2,500 local dimming zones found on the larger variant. Still, it is AMOLED, so you can expect better colors and contrast than the more modest LCD on the iPad.

Another big difference between the two tablets is keyboard support. The iPad has a pretty nice magic keyboard folio, perfect for placing on a desk when you need to get work done. But the magic keyboard takes this a step further, docking the tablet for a more laptop-like experience that is much more portable. It also has a few extras like backlit keys and USB-C passthrough charging.

Although the iPad and iPad Pro both support Apple Pencil technology, only the latter can hover like the Mac. What does that mean? Basically, it shows you a preview of where the stylus will touch so you can more easily adjust your desired brush stroke — a perfect feature for artists. It’s also worth noting the iPad only works with the 1st gen Pencil and requires a special adapter.

The iPad Pro is superior if storage space is important to you, with options ranging from 128GB to 2TB. The iPad Pro is much more limited, with only 64GB and 256GB options. The same story applies to RAM, with the iPad Pro rocking either 8 or 16GB of RAM, versus the relatively paltry 4GB of RAM on the 10th gen iPad.

The Pro also offers Wi-Fi 6e vs Wi-Fi 6 on the iPad, Face ID over Touch ID, Bluetooth 5.3 vs 5.2, and much better ports for faster charging. We’ll get to that and the battery a bit further into this comparison.

iPad vs iPad Pro: Size comparison

The design language remains consistent across the two devices, though the Pro has a different camera configuration and larger display options. The classic iPad also has more playful colors, while the Pro takes a more serious approach with only Space Gray and Silver options.

The iPad Pro is much larger and heavier than the iPad, especially if we’re talking about the 12.9 inch display variant. The iPad weighs just 277g, vs 466g and 641g on the 11 and 12.9 inch iPad Pro models.

Bottom line: the iPad and iPad Pro are both lookers, but the Pro feels a bit more polished.

iPad vs iPad Pro: Camera

Let’s face it; you’re not buying an iPad to take photos. The main purpose of an iPad’s camera is for video conferencing or taking the occasional selfie. Both of these tablets are more than up for that job, but they handle it differently.

The iPad has a single rear camera, the same one found on the iPhone SE (2022). It can take a decent photo if the lighting is good, but again you won’t want to lug it around to take photos very often, so this is more for use in a pinch. I’ve done it before with my own iPad, and I can say it’s never a great experience, but it is better than nothing.

The iPad Pro opts for two rear lenses, a 12MP standard and 10MP ultrawide. This configuration was previously used in the original iPad Pro as well. It’s a solid camera, and the addition of ProRes capture is welcome. You won’t find a dedicated zoom lens or anything else too fancy, nor do you need it for a tablet.

Now let’s talk selfies. Interestingly, the iPad is the better setup here. You’ll find a 12MP shooter with f/2.4 aperture on both devices, but the iPad opts for a horizontally aligned position. This landscape-centered setup makes a lot more sense on an iPad. Unfortunately, the iPad Pro sticks to a vertical alignment which doesn’t make nearly as much sense for use cases like video conferencing.

iPad vs iPad Pro: Battery and charging

The iPad and iPad Pro have similar battery sizes at 28.6Wh and 28.65Wh, respectively. Considering the power and display size difference, you’d expect the iPad Pro to drain much faster. This can be true, though it depends on your tasks, your brightness level, and so on.

Typically we found the battery lasted around 10 hours on a single charge when using it for the basics like movies, web browsing, and social media. That’s about the same as you’ll get on the iPad too. If you are doing professional tasks like video editing on the Pro, you can expect less battery life than this.

Both tablets also have 20W chargers. despite similar battery sizes, the iPad Pro takes slightly longer to charge from zero at about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The iPad can manage the same feat in about 30 minutes less than the Pro.

iPad vs iPad Pro: Price

The iPad and iPad Pro have been available since October 26, 2022, and can be found at most major retailers.

The cheapest iPad begins at just 449, but 64GB is not enough for most of us. You’ll likely want to spring for the 599 256GB variant unless you are fine with having to manage your storage space aggressively. That’s still 200 cheaper than the iPad Pro’s base model with 128GB of storage.

iPad vs iPad Pro: Which should you buy?

Objectively the iPad Pro is a much more powerful tablet than the iPad. If you want a better display, a more future-proof processor, and enough oomph for serious productivity, the iPad Pro is an easy recommendation.

The Pro is a bit overkill if you need an iPad for the basics. If you can afford it and don’t mind spending a few hundred more, it might be nice to have that much power if you ever need it. Like if your laptop breaks and you need to get something done in a pinch.

Would you rather buy the iPad or iPad Pro?

Are you confident that the iPad will mostly be used for entertainment and maybe some light productivity once in a blue moon? If yes, you’re probably better off saving money and getting the classic iPad. Not impressed by the iPad and looking for a middle ground? The iPad Air (599) could also make for a great choice, or even the iPad Mini (500) if you want something smaller.

iPad vs iPad Pro: FAQ

The iPad Pro is a powerful option for those looking for something with true laptop class power in a more portable mobile package. The Pro is capable of entertainment but is geared towards productivity, whereas the iPad is better suited as an entertainment device or for light, occasional productivity.

While they won’t have access to traditional PC or Mac apps, yes it is possible to use an iPad or iPad Pro as a laptop. In fact there’s an accessory for the Pro called a Magic Keyboard that does just that. Meanwhile, the iPad has a magic keyboard folio case that comes pretty close to delivering a laptop experience.

Yes it is possible, though a laptop typically is better designed for this. Still, Apple supports programmers and even has its own app for just that, called Swift Playgrounds.

Unfortunately, no. It is possible to add an iPad case that will protect it from the water though.

Yes, the iPad Pro does have Face ID, but the same can’t be said for the classic iPad, which uses Touch ID.

No, not out of the box. It is possible to add the function with an adapter.

Headphone jacks are not available on either of these devices, sadly.

Is the new iPad basically the same as iPad Air? The answer is no.

Apple’s new iPad launched on Tuesday. The tablet has a new design and a 10.9-inch display that makes it quite similar to the 10.9-inch iPad Air, which launched in March 2022. The new iPad comes with either 64GB or 256GB memory, just like the iPad Air. The two devices have roughly the same cameras, both front and back.

At first glance, the iPad Air might appear superfluous — why pay 150 more for a device that looks about the same and is the same size as the ordinary iPad? But there are differences between the two tablets, both obvious and subtle ones.

First, the obvious: The iPad Air has a vastly more powerful processor, Apple’s M1. This is the same processor that powered the company’s previous generation of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro computers — in fact, I’m writing this very text on an M1 MacBook Pro that I bought in 2020, and it still serves me perfectly. In contrast, the new iPad is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which you can find in the company’s iPhone 12 line of products. It’s still plenty powerful for most tasks you’d want to do on an iPad, but it’s far behind the M1.

The display on the iPad Air is still better

It’s the same Liquid Retina display with the same resolution, but on the iPad it’s not laminated. Credit: Apple

But even if you don’t care about the extra computing power, there are other ways in which the iPad differs from the iPad Air.

First, that display, despite being the same size and having the same 2,360×1,640 pixel resolution, is not the same. The display on the iPad Air supports the P3 wide color space, while the new iPad only supports sRGB colors. Also, unlike the iPad Air, the iPad does not have an anti-reflective coating, or a fully laminated display.

That last difference enabled Apple to make the iPad Air a little bit thinner (in accordance with its name and heritage). It’s not a huge difference, but it is noticeable: the iPad Air is 0.24 inches thick, whereas the iPad is 0.28 inches thick. The iPad is also slightly heavier, at 477 grams (the iPad Air weighs 461 grams).

Sorry, Pencil users

Here’s an odd one: Despite being older, the iPad Air supports the 2nd generation of Apple Pencil, while the new iPad only supports the 1st generation. That comes with an even weirder caveat: Since the 1st gen Apple Pencil has a Lightning port, and the iPad has a USB-C port, you’ll have to charge the Pencil with an adapter, which Apple now mercifully ships in the Apple Pencil box.

Finally, there’s a difference between the two devices that perhaps favors the iPad over the iPad Air, though that will depend on your preferences. The front-facing camera on the iPad is positioned on the side, meaning it will work best when using the device in landscape mode. On the iPad Air, the front-facing camera is on top of the device. I haven’t yet tested the new iPad, but I do have the latest iPad Air, and I can say that I’m mostly using the front camera when the tablet is on a table in front of me in landscape mode, so the landscape-friendly camera does make a little bit more sense.

Finally, a truly vibrant Pink

The colors are very different, too. On the iPad Air, you get to choose between Space Gray, Blue, Pink, Purple, and Starlight, but the colors are quite subdued. The iPad only comes in four colors – Blue, Pink, Silver, and Yellow – but the colors are far more vibrant and cheerful.

Finally, the price. The 64GB iPad costs 449, while the 256GB iPad costs 599. The 64GB iPad Air costs 599, while the 256GB iPad Air costs 749, so it’s a 150 difference either way. As you can see above, for the extra money you do get a far more powerful processor and a number of small perks. And, finally, a really pink Pink.

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He’s got more battery-powered gadgets and Band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/Apple-iPad-pro-vs-Apple-iPad-air/amp/
https://www.knowyourmobile.com/user-guides/iPad-size-comparison-chart/
https://www.androidauthority.com/iPad-vs-iPad-pro-3309745/
https://mashable.com/article/iPad-iPad-air-comparison