The iPad Pro ( leftover ) and iPad AirBryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends
During its “ countenance Loose ” event on May 7 , Apple tot up four newfangled iPad model to its tablet batting order . The a la mode model include an 11 - column inch and all - new13 - inch iPad Airand next - coevals 11 - column inch and 13 - inchiPad Pro models . Despite sharing similar dimensions , there ’s a significant price interruption between the least expensive iPad Air and iPad Pro tablet , indicating notable differences between the two lineups .
Screen size is normally a main centering for user when opt an iPad . The late release of the 13 - inch iPad Air offer a new option for those who have been looking for an Apple tab with a large scree , n but could n’t justify the price of an iPad Pro . On the other hand , some people might have been waiting patiently for the first iPads with OLED screen , which have now been introduced — although they number with a higher cost rag .
In this article , we will examine the differences between this year ’s iPad Air and iPad Pro lineups — and help ascertain which is the good purchase for you .
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): specs
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): display
The latest iPad Pro fashion model are equipped with OLED technology , which Apple calls the Ultra Retina XDR display . These theoretical account also feature a new Tandem OLED technology , which need pile two OLED panels on top of each other . This result in higher light , improve color accuracy , and a long life span for the exhibit .
The 11 - column inch iPad Pro has a resolution of 2420 x 1668 and 264 picture element per inch ( ppi ) . It offers a received dynamic image ( SDR ) brightness level of up to 1,000 nits and an protracted dynamic reach ( XDR ) cleverness of up to 1,600 nits for HDR content . The 13 - in iPad Pro features a resolution of 2752 x 2064 and 264 ppi and the same brightness level as the 11 - inch model .
If you purchase an 11 - inch or 13 - inch iPad Pro with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage , you could choose the Nano - texture display glass choice , which can reduce glare . Both also extend ProMotion technology for a 120Hz refresh rate , which is n’t useable on the iPad Air .
The new iPad Air models , like the 2022 iPad Air , have Liquid Retina display . They boast an LED - backlit Multi - touch video display with IPS technology . The 11 - inch model offers a solution of 2360 x 1640 at 264 pixels per column inch , while the 13 - inch poser boast a settlement of 2732 x 2048 ( 264 ppi ) . They both provide a brightness of 600 nit in SDR musical mode , which is a slight improvement over the fifth - genesis iPad Air , which had a brightness level of 500 nit .
As you may see , the iPad Pro and iPad Air line of work have noticeable difference in their display . First , Apple has ultimately introduced OLED to the iPad Pro , which many exploiter have thirstily awaited . secondly , both iPad Pro models now have the same exhibit quality , unlike the previous interpretation , where the 12.9 - inch model had a Liquid Retina XDR video display , while the 11 - inch model had a Liquid Retina show .
It ’s worth note , however , that the iPad Air lineup still uses the Liquid Retina display instead of the Liquid Retina XDR display . The SDR brightness of the 2024 iPad Air matches the old iPad Pro models , which is a cocksure panorama to believe .
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): performance, battery life, charging
The young iPad Pro serial publication vaunt thecutting - edge M4 Apple silicon . This advanced crisp delivers a staggering four time the pro interlingual rendition experience compare to the M2 chip in the iPad Air and a meaning 1.5 times the central processor performance .
The iPad Pro models have a powerful processor consisting of three or four performance cores and six efficiency cores . The 256 GB and 512 GB models feature a nine - Congress of Racial Equality central processor with 8 GB of RAM , while the 1 TB and 2 TB models derive with a 10 - core CPUwith 16 GB of RAM . These models have a 10 - core GPU , a storage bandwidth of 120GB / s , and a 16 - core Neural Engine .
The iPad Air has an eight - core central processing unit with four carrying into action and four efficiency marrow . It also has 8 GB RAM , a 10 - core GPU , a 16 - kernel Neural Engine , and a memory bandwidth of 100GB / s.
There is no discernable remainder in battery public presentation between the iPad Pro and iPad Air . Both good example offer up to 10 hours of web surfboarding on Wi - Fi or video playback and up to nine hours of usance with the cellular datum connection . charge is done via USB - C to a computer or office transcriber .
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): cameras and video
Once you dig deep into the eyeglasses , you will find a few authoritative differences between the camera system of the iPad Pro and iPad Air . Both devices have 12MP Wide and Landscape Ultrawide front cameras . The former has a digital zoom of up to 5x , f/1.8 aperture , and Smart HD4 for photos , while the front television camera offers 12MP exposure , Center stagecoach , and f/2.4 aperture with 2x zoom .
If you want to signalize between the iPads regarding the television camera , there are a few unique characteristic . The Adaptive True Tone flash on the rear photographic camera is only available on the iPad Pro . The front camera on the iPad Pro features a Portrait mode with modern bokeh and Depth Control , as well as Portrait Lighting with six effects .
Unsurprisingly , the iPad Pro has higher-ranking telecasting transcription capacity liken to the iPad Air . Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro allow for 4 special K video recording at 24 frames per 2d ( fps ) , 25 fps , 30 Federal Protective Service , or 60 fps , 1080p HD telecasting recording at 25 Federal Protective Service , 30 fps , or 60 fps , and extended dynamic range for video recording up to 30 Federal Protective Service . They also let in Slo - mo video support for 1080p at 120 or 240 Federal Protective Service and sentence - lapse telecasting with stabilisation .
However , the iPad Pro is the only model that countenance ProRes video recording up to 4 K at 30 Federal Protective Service ( 1080p at 30 Federal Protective Service for 256 GB content ) , ProRes video transcription up to 4 K at 60 fps with outside transcription , sound rapid climb , and two-channel recording .
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): accessories
To complement the raw iPads , Apple also found a unexampled Apple Pencil Pro that ’s compatible with both models . However , if you want a more affordable option , you could habituate the less expensive Apple Pencil ( USB - C ) with either twist .
It ’s important to observe that the newest Magic Keyboard is only compatible with the iPad Pro models due to its new materials and design . If you choose for the iPad Air , you must purchase the older Magic Keyboard instead .
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): software and updates
The iPad Pro and iPad Air are equip with the latest edition of iPadOS , and Apple will continue to release updates for both devices for many years . Both tablet ship with iPadOS 17 out of the corner and will be updated to iPadOS 18 later this twelvemonth .
While Android twist tend to have a laid number of guaranteed software update , Apple ’s do not . History , however , enjoin us that both models will support software updates for a long sentence . For case , the 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 - inch and 2019 iPad Air can still execute the latest iPadOS edition .
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): price and availability
The iPad Pro has four storage options : 256 GB , 512 GB , 1 TB , and 2 TB . It is available in Space Black or Silver . The 11 - inch version price $ 999 , while the tumid one be $ 1,299 . Adding Wi - Fi + Cellular will supply $ 200 on top of each model ’s home Leontyne Price .
On the other hand , the entry - horizontal surface 11 - inch iPad Air costs $ 599 , while the larger manikin costs $ 799 . Adding Wi - Fi and Cellular features will add up $ 150 to the alkali price of each model . It comes in Space Gray , Blue , Purple , and Starlight .
Preorders for the 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air are open now . The first consignment arrive the hebdomad of May 13 .
iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): which one should you buy?
The 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air serial have become more dissimilar from each other than ever before , as evidenced by the significant cost difference between the two . For a eminent cost , iPad Pro users will experience several advantages , such as an OLED showing , a thinner design , amend camera and video capabilities , and , most importantly , a better - perform M4 organisation - on - a - bit ( SoC ) . The iPad Pro can also utilize Apple ’s all - new Magic Keyboard and access more Aries .
Although lacking these upgrades , the 2024 iPad Air still offers a high - quality experience . It may not have all the bells and whistles of the iPad Pro , but it ’s a solid choice for those who need a authentic and capable equipment without break the coin bank .
If you ’re considering buying an iPad and are incertain which one to choose , the iPad Air is the honorable option for most people ; it has everything you need for casual casual manipulation . However , if you rely to a great extent on photo and video editing and require the best possible performance , then the iPad Pro is the veracious choice . It ’s also the undecomposed option if you want to have Apple ’s latest applied science . Just be prepared to pay a pretty cent for it .
