TheiPad Prois Apple ’s premier tablet computer , that offer up power selfsame to a MacBook in a more convenient and portable layout . It was announced in May last class and continue to serve as Apple ’s flagship iPad since then . Intriguingly though , Apple also declare aniPad Airat the same time last yr with an M2 microprocessor chip , and the same design was recently freshen up with M3 chip .
Superficially , both iPad manakin may seem very similar , specially since the iPad Air cover all the essential feature from the iPad Pro , include reenforcement for the new Apple Pencil Pro , a similarly turgid footprint that will let you interchange your laptop for most chore . Simultaneously , the $ 400 divide between the two devices must go out you wondering why Apple is charging extra for indistinguishable glasses . The answer is complicated and more confusing than the comparison between the base iPad and the young iPad Air ( 2025 ) .
But if you let , we would take you through all the reasons why one might be a well fitting iPad for your needs , start first with how they take issue in specification .
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): specs
13 - inch:280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm ( 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inch )
13 - inch:281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm ( 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 in )
13 - inch:616 grams ( 1.36 lbs )
13 - inch:579 grams ( 1.28 lb )
13 - inch:2732 x 2048 pixels at 264 ppi
IPS LCD
Fully laminated , anti - meditative coating
13 - inch:2752 x 2064 pixels at 264 ppi
Tandem organic light-emitting diode
Fully laminated , anti - reflective nanotexture cake
13 - inch:600 nits ( SDR )
8 - gist CPU
11 - inch:9 - sum CPU
13 - inch:10 - core CPU
3D Time of Flight ( ToF ) depth detector
Center Stage and Smart HDR 4
1080p Slo - mo at up to 240fps
Two mike
13 - inch:36.6 watt - time of day
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi - Fi or watching video recording
13 - inch:39 James Watt - hour
5 G ( sub-6GHz ) on cellular example only
Bluetooth Keyboards
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): design
Both the iPad Air ( 2025 ) and the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) are declamatory tablets with either 11 - inch or 13 - column inch displays . The dimensions on both are hardly a few millimeter asunder . recount the two asunder just by looking from the front will take some close-fitting probe , with the only tell constituent being the Face ID sensor on the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) — the iPad Air ( 2025 ) , just like the model before it , has a Touch ID detector rank in the mightiness button instead .
The difference become more apparent when you contain the two iPad models in your handwriting . The first index number is the slightness of the iPad Pro , which Apple claims to be the thinnest iPad yet . The iPad Pro 11 - inch measures just 5.3 mm in thickness ( excluding the camera bump ) while the 13 - inch variation is even thinner , measuring just 5.1 mm . In comparing , the iPad Air , regardless of its size , measures 6.1 mm . A individual millimeter should n’t have much of a difference , unless you are after desire the sentience of hold something uniquely agiotage , which is what Digital Trends writerNadeem Sarwardid when he first hold it .
Of course , the feeling of gewgaw would fade away with time , but what would n’t is the fact that the iPad Pro is observably lighter than the Air , especially in its 13 - inch variant . This make the Pro easier to carry , in the mitt or in a backpack , but you might involve to be more paying attention and avoid putting press , which might cause the slender iPad Pro to twist . It would be wise to slap a case on the iPad , though it would n’t hurt to get one for the Air either .
Another difference of opinion between the two slate will be the vividness on offer . Even though Apple uses aluminum - crafted scale for both , the iPad Pro has more likable colors , including silver and Space black . The iPad Air , on the other hand , gets Space gray , a Champagne-Ardenne - same Starlight , along with two pollyannaish options in blue and purple .
Overall , both iPad models are quite easy to commend . But if you want the superior product regardless of the price , the iPad Pro is what you should go for .
achiever : iPad Pro ( 2024 )
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): display
Despite the identical human body , the display is where the iPad Air ( 2025 ) vs. iPad Pro ( 2024 ) dwell far asunder . With the Air gets a Retina LCD with a glum 60Hz refresh rate , the iPad Pro have a much more compelling Tandem organic light-emitting diode . Now while both the displays have the same spirit level of clarity , the organic light-emitting diode on the iPad Pro is mile forwards .
For entrant , the OLED is twice as bright as the Air ’s LCD panel . While it get the usual advantage of an OLED panel , Apple uses two layers of organic LEDs , which also give the panel its name . The dual OLED stack also allows for better semblance truth , meliorate mightiness efficiency , and longer - lasting material . You will immediately comment this betterment if you have used any previous iPad .
The Tandem OLED shit regard any high resolve content or medium a delight on this screen . It ’s also highly useful if your work relies on being precise with colors , such as with graphics designing , illustrating , video editing , etc . And after work , you may utilize the 120Hz panel — with refresh rate that variegate between 10 and 120Hz — to delight playing the cache of AAA games ported for the iPad and not expect any retardation .
This display is also splendid for watching movies and TV show , and Apple take it can go up to 1,600 nits with HDR content . The slate bear out Dolby Vision , which will further raise the visibility and dividing line , even in highly hopeful or highly dim scenes .
If you tend to use the iPad in bright scenario , such as inside a studio , a well - lit workspace , or just alfresco , you might need to fling and get the optional nano - texture anti - reflective covering on the display . The nano - texture is not only a moving-picture show but a solution that Apple has deeply implant it within the covert so it does n’t bear upon how scribbling with the Apple Pencil sense . If that sounds prognosticate , you would have to opt for at least 1 TB of storage since Apple limits it to the higher - end models .
If we were to choose the winner entirely base on the display , the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) would beat the iPad Air ( 2025 ) by a long allowance .
Winner : iPad Pro ( 2025 )
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): performance
The dissimilar internals further extend the performance gap between the iPad Air ( 2025 ) vs. iPad Pro ( 2024 ) . Despite being a year honest-to-god , the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) comes with Apple ’s more advanced M4 chip at heart . Based on the storehouse variant you pick out , you geteither a nine - core or a 10 - nucleus CPUalong with a 10 - magnetic core GPU on the M4 chipset , fabricated with an enhanced 3 nm procedure by TSMC . The chipset also make a more brawny neural locomotive , able of processing up to 38 TOPS or trillion operations per second .
Meanwhile , the iPad Air ( 2025 ) comes with an sometime M3 chipset , which , although a refresh over the M2 in the previous iPad Air , still lags behind the M4 in its power . Fortunately , Apple is at least transparent about its choice of chipsets and is not simply rebranding older chipsets as new ones as other chipmakers like Qualcomm .
It get an eight - core group CPU as touchstone along with an eight - core GPU , both of which deliver less world power outturn than the counterparts on M4 . The neural engine , too , is only up to of 18 top of the inning . And in conclusion , the M4 chip has a wide memory width , which means it will allow more applications to tend parallelly without falling little in resources .
Overall , these difference translate to a better performance on iPad Pro ( 2024 ) . Not just that , the new chip is design to last longer , which mean that despite being launched a year prior , the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) may outlast the iPad Air ( 2025 ) in terms of software bread and butter .
Simply from a performance perspective , the iPad Pro is the clear winner .
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): software
The software program experience is one orbit where the iPad Air ( 2025 ) and the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) have no differences . Both the lozenge run iPadOS , and while the iPad Pro originally shipped with iPadOS 17 , it can be upgrade to iPadOS 18 , and is expected to support several upcoming generations of the user interface . The iPad Air ( 2025 ) , on the other hired hand , come with iPadOS 18 out of the loge , bringing features such as customizable Control Center , icon customization features , and Apple Intelligence .
Both of these are expected to get iPadOS 19 , which is expected to impart a more tasteful exploiter experience and is anticipated to be the biggest graphic refresh in over a decade , aimed at unify the visuals in iOS , iPadOS , and macOS . Apple is ask to draw aspiration from glass , and is expect to expose the contingent at theWWDC 2025annual league .
achiever : wed
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): cameras
There are n’t any differences between the iPad Air ( 2025 ) vs. iPad Pro ( 2024 ) in terms of the primary rear camera . Both house a 12MP basal shooter with like technical capabilities . Apple has taken the liberty to not use an surpassing camera on the Pro , despite its pricing , as few masses really enamour photos using a tablet ’s rearward camera . However , if you were to scoot picture with it , both iPad models can appropriate 4 K video at up to 60fps . While the old iPad Pro also come with an ultrawide camera , Apple drop it when it switch over to the slimmer visibility with the 2024 mannequin .
The iPad Pro gets an extra 3D deepness sensor that enamour fourth dimension of flight using LiDAR technology . It can be used to accurately map the distance between the iPad Pro and other forcible objects . There are few practical applications for the sensing element , unless you work with 3D models , but Apple claims it indue the iPad to bridge over the disruption between physical and practical object . you’re able to use it to accurately measure the length of objective up to five measure aside from the iPad or use it within apps that require strong-arm tracking of the human body . you’re able to also take 3D still and get them on theApple Vision Proor divvy up them with anyone who does .
Finally , the front cameras on the iPad Air ( 2025 ) vs. iPad Pro ( 2024 ) are also very , with both offering Center Stage to keep you put in the centre of the frame during video calls . Additionally , confront ID on the iPad Pro enables features such as Animoji and Memoji alongside portraiture ignition effects .
With an extra set of features , the iPad Pro has a tenuous edge in terms of cameras .
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): accessories
Apple Pencil
There are principally two accessories that go well with the iPad Air and iPad Pro . These let in the Apple Pencil , which also arrive in two varieties , called “ Apple Pencil with USB - C ” and “ Apple Pencil Pro , ” and both of these piece of work with both iPad models .
Even though the two Pencils look quite standardized , some key distinctions will make a huge difference . First , the Apple Pencil Pro attach magnetically to the side of the iPad for charging , which is commodious for times you are not using it . Even though the other Apple Pencil ( which is not to be throw with the older Apple Pencil 2nd Generation ) also attach magnetically , it can only be charged using the USB - C port , which adds the extra inconvenience of carrying an additional cable .
to boot , the Apple Pencil Pro has extra feature , include barrel roll , which rotate where the penitentiary or encounter is pointing when you physically roll the pencil . The Pencil Pro also supports squeeze gesture , haptic feedback , and financial support for Apple ’s get My app . The Apple Pencil USB - C is ideal if you just want a rather low-priced solution for taking notes and casual doodling , the $ 79 Apple Pencil with USB - C does the job . But if you are serious about using the iPad Air or Pro as your drawing post , the $ 129 Apple Pencil Pro construct much more common sense .
Magic Keyboard
The other appurtenance we retrieve you should know about is the Apple Magic Keyboard . This keyboard page number slip is designed with brainchild from the MacBook and will certainly offer a more plush and optimized experience if you are using it with your iPad Air or iPad Pro .
Unlike the Apple Pencil , though , there are different versions of the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air ( M3 ) and iPad Pro ( M4 ) despite both iPad models being so tightlipped in sizing . The keyboard for iPad Pro come with a more premium metal top , a backlit keyboard , a bigger trackpad with haptic feedback , for just $ 30 extra . The keyboard for the iPad Air ( M3 ) , though price at $ 26 , miss those features , some of which can be dealbreakers . Ironically , there is another $ 299 stochastic variable — the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air ( M2 ) , which has backlighting but still no haptic feedback .
These come along like tactics to upsell the iPad Pro for those who truly desire a laptop computer - corresponding experience from the iPad , even when the Air is dead capable of that . You might palpate even more bitter on memorize that the iPad Pro ’s Magic Keyboard supports iPad Air ( 2022 ) and older models , and Apple really did n’t have a good reasonableness , at least from the consumers ’ view , to convert that .
So overall , the iPad Pro gets slimly skilful funding for accessories , but you require to pay slightly more for that experience . So it ’s just for us to leave the choice to you instead of pick a winner in the category .
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): price and availability
The iPad Air starts for $ 599 , which is what you must yield for the 128 GB variant with an 11 - inch display . With more storage and the addition of cellular connectivity , price will go up consequently . The 13 - inch model starts at $ 799 .
The iPad Pro , on the other hand , has a $ 999 starting price , but you get a 256 GB as the base computer memory option instead of 128 GB . However , if you want the surplus core on the C.P.U. , you would need to pick the poser with at least 1 TB of store , which costs $ 1,599 . tote up nano - grain anti - reflective glass and the price will go up by another $ 100 , make $ 1,699 .
If you ’d like to let in a Magic Keyboard case , you will have to shell out $ 269 more for the case fit the iPad Air and $ 299 for the iPad Pro . Even though the latter be extra , you also get feature article like a big trackpad with tactile feedback and a metal top instead of plastic . And as we hash out above , the Magic Keyboard with the iPad Pro just feels more premium .
Apple iPad Air (2025) vs. iPad Pro (2024): verdict
The vast Mary Leontyne Price conflict between the iPad Air ( 2025 ) and the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) will be the primary defining factor between the two tablet . But if we sham money is n’t the make up one’s mind factor , we can swear on your utility for the iPad you are going to grease one’s palms .
If you want an iPad simply for reading — World Wide Web pages , atomic number 99 - books , text file , etc . — the iPad Air is unspoiled enough . With enough business leader in it , it can even be a good lozenge for some episodic gambling or see Apple Intelligence feature . desire to dock it to a screen — or a brace of VR glasses — and habituate it as a desktop computer ? The iPad Air is ready for that too .
The why would one desire the iPad Pro ? Well , for fledgeling , you get a spectacularly gorgeous display , the M4 chip ’s extra muscleman power if you bid to labour it further with tasks like video editing or 3D model . Storage option up to 2 TB , an optional smudge - validation and anti - ruminative coat on the blind , and the additional benefit of an almostMacBook - like typewriting and trackpad experiencemake it a honest workhorse — an expensive one but for certain utile . This will equate to a MacBook but with an fantabulous touchscreen . It ’s not the good iPad ever for no reason .
While it may still not be capable to serve the same experience of run screen background apps , it surely has the capability if Apple ever decides to meld the maturation channels for iPadOS and macOS . On the contrary , all this big businessman might also seem overkill if you have no literal use for it . Another minor reason you might want to study buy the iPad Pro over the iPad Air is the LiDAR depth detector , which can let you rake your environs and recreate 3D models , which can be further used for impression , or jobs like mansion development planning or interior intent . Of course , the Pro will also exit a dependable impression on your clients .
Again , if money is no Browning automatic rifle , and you desire the ultimate experience , do n’t call back twice before buying the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) . Apple will influence you to spend at least $ 1,699 to get the one with the nano - grain ice , and you might as well go for it if your budget allows . If you just want the better iPad and would not be swayed by the nitty - gritty , the base $ 999 should be equally satisfying . If , however , budget is cumber , and you need value for your firmly - earned money — and have no real use for the iPad Pro , go or the iPad Air ( 2025 ) , but select at least 256 GB of storage to secure for the time to come .
