iPad Air and iPad Pro Buying Guide: 30+ Differences Compared

The iPad Air now comes in two sizes, just like the iPad Pro. Still, after a major update to the ‌iPad Pro‌ that introduced a slimmer design and OLED displays, what’s the difference between the two product lines and which one should you buy?

The introduction of the fourth generation ‌iPad Air‌ in September 2020 brought the device closer to the ‌iPad Pro‌ in terms of design, and with the newer model, the ‌iPad Air‌ gained the same M2 chip and hover support Apple Pencil than the previous iPad. Pro‌, bringing them even closer. The latest ‌iPad Pro‌ models have introduced a lot of big new changes, such as the M4 chip, OLED displays and a higher price, meaning that the higher-end iPad models are now more differentiated from the ‌iPad Air‌ than ‘previously.

Should you consider buying the ‌iPad Air‌ to save money, or do you need the premium features of the ‌iPad Pro‌? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you.

Overall, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the better option for the majority of users, simply based on value for money. For most people, the extra $400 needed to buy the ‌iPad Pro‌ isn’t justified to get features like ‌Face ID‌, a four-speaker audio system, and a ProMotion OLED display with refresh rates of up to at 120 Hz.

Some iPad Pro‌ features, such as LiDAR, up to 16GB of memory, and Thunderbolt connectivity, are practically only useful to a small niche of users and most will never use some of these high-end features. range. Many features such as audio zoom and stereo audio recording may not be used significantly by many users.

Professionals who clearly need larger amounts of RAM and storage, a matte display, Thunderbolt connectivity, and OLED for HDR content will clearly benefit from purchasing the ‌iPad Pro‌. That being said, “prosumer” style customers who simply want the best ‌iPad‌ will benefit from features like 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, deeper blacks and more vibrant colors with the OLED display, and True Tone adaptive flash for document scanning. even if they are not necessary.

Beyond these individual circumstances, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the best value for money and will be more than enough to meet the needs of most users. With the ‌iPad Air‌, users can benefit from a modern all-screen design, the ‌M2‌ chip, convenient features like USB-C and 5G connectivity, and compatibility with major Apple accessories for a price well below that of the ‌iPad Pro‌.