iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Differences

iPad Air vs iPad Pro: We will review the differences between the iPad Air (2022) vs iPad Pro (2022) in a comparison that will detail the strengths and weaknesses of Apple tablets. We will not only analyze which option is most interesting to choose for each need, but also which model offers the best value for money.

In the comparison we will see that the iPad Air (2022) is a product with a unique technical sheet, while the Pro (2022) have very different screens if we choose a size of 11 inches or 12.9 inches, and the RAM memory also changes depending on the chosen storage.

iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Very different screens

The differences in the tablet screens are considerable, and there are even more changes between the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro than with the iPad Air. The 12.9-inch model offers the best screen of any Apple product, which is something to keep in mind.

The iPad Pro mounts an impressive IPS panel with Mini LED backlight , capable of regulating the brightness or turning off each of the 2,596 zones. This FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) technology reproduces better blacks, higher contrast and brightness, which makes HDR possible , bringing quality closer to OLED.

Both iPad Pro support screen refresh at 120 Hz (Apple calls it Pro Motion), while the Air stays at 60 Hz, so the fluidity is less, perhaps the most relevant of the differences.

All the tablets in the comparison use the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, which in the case of the iPad Pro (2022) supports the floating pointer function. The screen detects the pen from a few millimeters away, allowing you to preview drawing strokes and other actions before you put the tip down.

Some of the shared specifications on the screen are 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space and True Tone calibration, which adapts brightness and colors to ambient lighting.

In addition, we are talking about laminated screens, which means that the separation between the IPS panel and the protective glass is almost non-existent.

Laminated screens are the norm today, but the 10th generation iPad (2022) leaves them out, as a strategy to further separate Apple’s tablet ranges.

Performance differences thanks to the M2 chip

The new iPad Pro are more powerful than the iPad Air, something quite logical, since it is updated to the new Apple M2 processor . The performance improvement is an extra 18% in general processing, 35% in graphic tasks and 40% in artificial intelligence.

If we add to that a memory bandwidth of 100 GB/s (double that before), the experience will be somewhat better, but the iPad Air (2022) continues to stand out for its great fluidity , even in advanced tasks.

The iPad Pro (2022) gains support for recording with Apple’s ProRes and ProRes RAW video codecs. In addition, models with 5G (“Cellular” in Apple jargon) improve international coverage.

Regarding software, both tablets are compatible with Stage Manager (visual organizer) , the iPadOS 16 window manager, which allows us to display several apps at once in floating windows, much like a Mac.

iPad Air vs iPad Pro : Multimedia

The comparison of the iPad Air (2022) vs iPad Pro (2022) at the multimedia level also shows that Apple has segmented its tablets very well. For example, the Air (2022) has two speakers and a single rear camera, while the Pro (2022) has four speakers and a double camera on the back, as well as a LiDAR depth sensor.

The video call camera only includes a True Depth sensor on the iPad Pro (2022) , the biggest difference in this section. However, many users prefer the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the Air (2022) power button over facial recognition.

In both tablets we have a USB C port for charging, external storage connection or monitors , since in iPadOS 16 the desktop can be expanded on external screens. Apple wants to blur the differences between iPads and Macs, and external monitors are an important step.

Of course, the USB C Air port (2022) remains at a speed of 10 Gb/s, while the Pro (2022) goes up to 40 Gb/s.

iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Very similar design and same accessories

Apple tablets have an increasingly similar design , only if we look back at the differences between the iPad and the iPad do we find appreciable changes. Both stand out for very premium metal finishes, with flat sides and thin bezels around the screen.

Luckily, the two tablets allow you to use the same official Apple accessories, although the compatibility is not complete between models. The 2nd generation Apple Pencil is the same for both , so it’s not a problem.

The Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio keyboard covers are compatible between the 11-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro, but this is not the case for the 12.9-inch model, as they are logically larger. Finally, the standard covers are specific to each model.

iPad Air vs iPad Pro: No difference in battery

The differences in terms of autonomy of the iPad Air vs iPad Pro are non-existent, at least according to the official technical sheet. Both promise 10 hours of continuous autonomy in the WiFi models , with standard tasks such as browsing the Internet or watching video.

In the case of iPads with Cellular (mobile connectivity), the autonomy drops to 9 hours due to the energy consumption of 5G/4G , although we will obtain the standard 10 hours when we do not use the mobile network.

Apple includes a 20 W USB C charger with the tablets, for now it has not dared to remove it from the box as it has done in the latest iPhone.

iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Prices and Models

We know that Apple is not a cheap brand , and the prices of the iPads reflect this perfectly. In addition, in the tablet segment it does not have all the competition that should be expected: Google has abandoned support for Android tablets for many years, and Windows 11 is committed to a hybrid model closer to the computer than to the tablet.

These are the prices in euros of the different versions of iPad Air and Pro:

Currently, buying an iPhone in the US is much cheaper than in Spain, because since the iPhone 14 prices have become very unfavorable for Europe , and that has affected the iPad. In fact, the brand even raised the price of some iPads without making any improvements.

Many brands have increased their prices due to the devaluation of the euro against the dollar, but none like Apple, which makes its products much less competitive outside the United States.

These are the prices in dollars of all models:

In view of the differences and prices, the iPad Air is a good alternative for the general public, offering advanced features at a high price, but less than the iPad Pro. Unless we want a 12.9-inch screen, the extras on the iPad Pro are interesting, but they don’t make a huge difference.

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Editor

Editor at DataBonker Technologies

I am working as an Editor in DataBonker Technologies. Having experience of more than 15 years in working and exploring new Technologies related to AI, Travel, Food, Gadgets and other industries. I like to write about them by exploring their impact and how they can affect us for our future well being.

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