iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: You Must Know These Differences!

IPad Air and Pro have never been so close together as they are today – but how do Apple tablets actually differ and which user needs what? A little buying guide to help you find the right tablet.

The current one came in October 2020 iPad Air on the market and made the iPad Pro of that time a lot of steam under the display. Except for the processor, camera and refresh rate, the two tablets were at eye level. A fact that Apple also recognized and therefore only six months later, in April 2021, presented a new version of its Pro model of the iPad. And it has it all, namely an Apple M1 chip, which is also used in the manufacturer’s new MacBooks.

But do tablet users really need that much power or is the A14 bionic chip that does its job in the iPad Air 2020 sufficient? After all, it costs iPad Air at Apple’s suggested retail price a whopping $ 500 less than a iPad Pro in the 12.9-inch version. Not an easy question to answer because – despite the visual similarity – it is by no means the only difference.

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro 11 inch vs. iPad Pro 12.9 inch

In addition to the processor, the iPads differ primarily in the display, mobile Internet, built-in memory, speakers and of course in price. Because words cannot describe it better, a clear table helps to show the various features.

The article then goes into specific application situations of the iPads and explains for which user the different technical specifications affect. The price refers to Apple’s recommended retail price on November 5, 2021.

iPad Air 2020

iPad Pro 11 inch

iPad Pro 12.9 inches

Price (RRP):

from 649 euros

from 879 euros

from 1,199 euros

Processor:

A14 Bionic Chip

M1

M1

Random access memory:

6 GB

8 or 16 GB

max. 2 TB

Storage:

max. 256 GB

max. 2 TB

max. 2 TB

Front camera:

7 MP (without FaceID)

12 MP with FaceID

12 MP with FaceID

Rear camera:

12 MP wide angle camera

12 MP wide and 10 MP ultra wide cameras

12 MP wide and 10 MP ultra wide cameras

Connection:

USB-C

Thunderbolt (USB-C)

Thunderbolt (USB-C)

Cellular (optional):

4G

5G

5G

Display:

Liquid retina display

Liquid retina display

Liquid Retina XDR display

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: The chip makes the music

230 euros separate the various iPad Air and Pro models from each other. The main difference is of course the processor. In the iPad Air 2020, the A14-Bionic is still a mobile chip that is also used in the twelfth generation of Apple’s iPhones. The chip is quite potent, especially since Apple has given it a more powerful graphics unit in the iPad Air than in the iPhones. However, it cannot keep up with the M1 chips in the current iPad Pros. Incidentally, they are also found in iMac and MacBook.

The difference now depends on the benefit, because in theory the M1 processor can easily cope with power-hungry programs such as Final Cut. The professional editing program from Apple has not yet made it onto the tablet. The reason for this was not only the processor performance, but also the insufficient memory. And here, too, it differs iPad Air from the iPad Pro. Apple uses a maximum of 6 gigabytes of RAM for the Air – too little for complex programs. Up to 16 gigabytes can be stored in the iPad Pro for a hefty surcharge. Enough for power-hungry programs and multitasking.

But does normal consumption actually need more power? No. If you want to do simple office work, check emails, surf the web or edit PDF files, you don’t need an iPad Pro. The 6 gigabytes of RAM and the A14-Bionic will effortlessly be sufficient for this for the next few years. However, if you plan to edit pictures and videos, the iPad Pro is a better choice. And that in the 12.9-inch version. Why?

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: HDR only on the Pro

Just his 12.9-inch version of the iPad Pro Apple donated a Liquid Retina XDR display. The Air and 11-inch versions, on the other hand, “only” have a Liquid Retina display. The XDR version is particularly interesting for editors who edit HDR or Dolby Vision video material. Just that iPad Pro in the 12.9-inch version is able to display the broader color range, the higher contrasts and the higher brightness. But that’s not the only difference in the display: Both iPad Pro models have a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hertz, while the iPad Air’s display has only one of 60 Hertz.

Since video files are not necessarily small and are more likely to be processed by professional users, Apple also donated Thunderbolt ports to its Pro iPads. They offer a higher data throughput than the USB-C socket with USB protocol on the iPad Air. Again, the application decides what you need. If you only move text documents or PDF files, you won’t notice the difference. But as soon as you chase several hundred gigabytes through the connection, you are grateful for Thunderbolt.

The same applies, by the way, if you want to work on the go and are dependent on a fast mobile line. Both iPad Air and iPad Pro offer the option of connecting to the mobile data network via eSIM for a surcharge. You can only surf the LTE network with the iPad Air, while Apple has given the Pro versions a 5G module.

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: The camera

The selfie camera is mostly used on tablets for video calls. With 12 megapixel resolution, your counterpart sees you a little sharper when you are in front of you iPad Pro because the selfie camera of the iPad Air only has a resolution of 7 megapixels. But that’s not the only difference: the Pro versions have FaceID. With this, the iPad Pro automatically recognizes your face and decrypts itself without you having to enter the passcode. If you use Apple’s password manager, the iPad automatically inserts passwords in the Safari browser using facial recognition. Unfortunately, an iPad Air cannot do that. For this it offers TouchID – a scanning function of the finger on the on / off switch of the tablet.

The rear cameras also differ: there is a LiDAR sensor on the back of the Pro models, which can be important for modeling augmented reality content, among other things. If you don’t earn your money with it, you can safely do without it. Otherwise, the Pro models offer two lenses: a 12 MP wide-angle (f / 1.8 aperture) and a 10 MP ultra-wide-angle camera (f / 2.4 aperture) that offer two times optical and five times digital zoom. In contrast, the iPad Air only comes up with a 12 MP wide-angle camera (f / 1.8 aperture) and up to five times digital zoom.

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: The accessories

When it comes to accessories, the iPads come together again: everyone works with them Apple Pencil of the second generation together and there is something for everyone Magic keyboard with trackpad or alternatively that Smart Keyboard Folio. However, if you want to watch or listen to films or music on the iPad, it should be said that only two speakers can be heard on the iPad Air – there are four on the iPad Pro.

Conclusion

That iPad Air is the iPad for ambitious private users who want to draw on the tablet with the second generation Apple Pencil. It will handle office work effortlessly for the next three to four years, if not longer. It is just as suitable for a movie night as it is for surfing. Because of the juicy price difference, it remains the first choice for normal consumers compared to the Pro version. However, if you want to professionally edit videos or images on the iPad, you should go to iPad Pro to grab. Only then will you benefit from its performance and the better display.

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