Apple ’s iPad collection is n’t as simple as it once was . With brandings like iPad Air and iPad Pro , how they differ is n’t always square .
To some , Air branding might evoke a lighter , less powerful version of the stock iPad . However , that ’s not the case with the iPad Air , which is more and more looking like a mid - way pointedness between the veritable iPad and the top - end iPad Pro .
The issue is that , even with that logic in judgment , there are raft of similarities between the iPad Air and iPad Pro collecting that blur the line between the two – peculiarly when it comes to the latest models , the iPad Air M3 andiPad Pro M4 .
In this guide , we will explicate the central differences between the iPad Air and iPad Pro family line . We wo n’t focalise on individual mathematical product here but rather on the ranges as a whole to explain how they take issue .
It ’s worth take note that we ’ve tested every role model of iPad Air and iPad Pro that Apple has eject , so we ’re well - equipped to provide the best insight into the key differences between the two ranges and help guide you on your purchasing journey .
Plus , if you need any more avail , we ’ve also start out thebest iPadandbest tabletguides to point you in the right direction . Also , see ouriPad vs iPad Aircomparison to see how the gaudy model in the intimate stands up to the Air .
Pricing
Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro are very premium option not only in Apple ’s tablet collection but the pill market at bombastic . However the iPad Air is slimly more affordable than the top - conclusion iPad Pro .
The iPad Air has transitioned to become the mid - means tip between the regular iPads and the top - terminal iPad Pro , boasting key iPad Pro feature article without costingquiteas much . It has still steadily spring up in price since its revitalisation back in 2019 with the previous 11 - inch iPad Air starting at £ 599/$599 , going up to £ 799/$799 if you want the larger 13 - inch modelling .
That ’s still much more tempting than theiPad Prothough ; Apple ’s no - holds - barred tablet range has the most advanced tech and good accessory support of the entire iPad aggregation , but starting at £ 999/$999 for the 11 - in model and rising to £ 1299/$1299 for the 13 - column inch model , you ’re sure enough make up a insurance premium for the experience .
The good news program is that old models , such as the M1 - powered iPad Air and M2 - powered iPad Pro , can now be found at a discount if you do n’t need the latest and greatest tablet technical school – though with Apple no longer officially selling the tablets , stock at third - party retailers will in all likelihood be set .
Design
At one metre it was moderately easy to secernate the iPad Pro range from the rest of the iPad collection ; the tablets were not only large at 11 and 12.9 inches severally , but they also sported a unique angulate design instead of the cut physique of other models in the iPad collecting .
However , that has changed over the past few years as Apple has transition the rest of the iPad ingathering to sport the same general look and find , complete with the same angular edge and general industrial look . That ’s peculiarly lawful of the iPad Air , whose screen has also grown from 10.5 to 11 inches over the retiring few years , with the latest iteration looking pretty standardised to the 11 - in iPad Pro .
That ’s also true of the new 13 - inch iPad Air , usable in both the 2024 and 2025 variant , which brings the iPad Air nearer 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 pair the iPad Pro ’s appurtenant support , sporting the same 3 - dot connector on the rear instrument panel as the iPad Pro , and there ’s an surface area on the ripe 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 severalize between the iPad Air and iPad Pro . For one , the iPad Pro range is only ever uncommitted in muted tones like space grey and silver . The iPad Air range , on the other paw , leans into more colourful finishes like gentle and purple .
As a universal rule of thumb , the iPad Air is loosely thin and lighter than the tantamount iPad Pro – as the branding suggests .
However , that has change with the latest iPad Pro , which at 5.1 millimeter buddy-buddy , is the slender Apple Cartesian product to particular date . Thanks for confusing thing , Apple !
Design aside , the most obvious conflict should amount when you power the pill on , with the iPad Pro range sport the most advanced screenland technical school in Apple ’s collection . The crowning aura of which,120Hz Apple ProMotion technical school , remain sole to the iPad Pro kitchen range .
That means that the concealment of late iPad Pro models will look and feel smoother than most competing tablet that render at a stock 60Hz .
The difference is even more staring when compare the iPad Air to the latest generation of iPad Pro , with the latest 11- and 13 - column inch Pro model offering OLED engineering for the first metre . As with OLED panels on late iPhones , this translate to much deep blacks , more vivid color and , with double - stacked OLED panels , it ’s plenty bright too .
Performance
Performance was once an field where the iPad Pro stood head - and - shoulder above the relaxation of the competition . It was a clear subject matter to consumers : if you require the good carrying into action possible , get the iPad Pro .
That ’s still the tale with the most late models of iPad Pro , rollick Apple’sdesktop - class M2 or M4 chipsetdepending on the variant you choose for .
The M - series chipsets not only deliver the best operation of any pad of paper on the market – Malus pumila - branded or not – but start the iPad Pro to perform some fairly cool tricks include Apple ’s new Stage Manager multitasking organization , power a second show and more .
However , as with the figure , late models of iPad Air have begun to encroach on the iPad Pro ’s hold on performance baron . That ’s not so much the caseful with older model of iPad Air , usually sporting the same A - serial chipset as the equivalent flagship iPhone available at the time , but the 2022 model made the jump to the Apple M1 chipset .
That journey continued with the cellular inclusion of the M2 chipset in the 2024 model and the M3 chipset in the 2025 model .
That fundamentally think of that the newer models of iPad Air can not only perform at a standardized storey to the iPad Pro in terms of everyday performance . It ’s also the only non - Pro iPad to offer feature like the aforementioned Stage Manager multitasking scheme and , with the new M2 and M4 variants , Apple Pencil Hover tech .
That said , the M4 chip of the latest iPad Pro is still more powerful than the M3 chip in the latest iPad Air , so if you really wantthebest execution possible , the iPad Pro is the one to go for .
Just be sure you ’ll really make the most out of that force , as you could save a pretty penny with the recent generations of iPad Air .
Accessories
Apple ’s iPad Pro range initially adjust the saloon for appurtenant support with first - party accoutrement like the Apple Pencil 2 , which magnetically snaps onto the side of the tablet for storage and wireless charging , as well as the kick upstairs Magic Keyboard that provide something more akin to a traditional laptop computer experience , complete with a dedicated trackpad .
You ’ve also got the choice of the second - gen Magic Keyboard and the new Apple Pencil Pro , but these are entirely available for the former multiplication of iPad Pro .
Combined , they make the iPad Pro a powerful laptop surrogate , especially when combined with elements of iPadOS like Stage Manager .
However , the iPad Air also sport great accoutrement accompaniment . The past few generation all corroborate the Apple Pencil 2 and its own version of the pro - even Magic Keyboard , flush the add-on playing field . That trend has go forward with the 2024 and 2025 iPad Air mountain 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 whole laptop replacement ; a fairly recent iPad Air , combined with the optional accessories , is just as open .
Verdict
Both brands of iPad serve different users – the iPad Air is a great work / school comrade , while the Pro range is designed for pro - level creatives who ’ll really get the most out of the eminent - end technical school on whirl – so it ’s largely down to how you envision using your iPad .
If you truly believe you ’ll use the top - terminal specification on offer , be it for workplace or play , the iPad Pro is a desirable leverage that ’ll service all your tablet need . But for most people , the iPad Air – specially the recent M3 variant – will be all the iPad you necessitate .
Equally , you could save yourself a pretty centime if you opt for an older yet still subject Pro or Air model . Third - company retail merchant are probable to discount these iPads as they shift the remaining line of previous strain , so if you do n’t need the latest and greatest in tablet tech , an older model may adequately serve your need .
