After nearly two years of anticipation, Apple has at last refreshed its iPad lineup, introducing a slimmer iPad Pro and a revamped iPad Air. With starting prices of $999 and $599, respectively, both models are currently available for pre-order ahead of their release on May 15th.
These are not merely incremental updates; Apple has introduced significant changes this time around. For the first time, an OLED display has been incorporated into the iPad Pro, accompanied by the debut of the new M4 chip. Additionally, the lineup now includes a 13-inch version of the iPad Air, providing consumers with the option of both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes.
Moreover, with support for the same styluses, including the Apple Pencil with USB‑C and the upcoming Apple Pencil Pro, users now have a wider array of choices for both work and leisure.
However, despite the increasing similarity in appearance between the iPad Air and iPad Pro, there are notable differences in their internal specifications. To assist consumers in selecting the most suitable tablet for their needs, we have conducted a thorough comparison of their specifications, pinpointing the key distinctions to aid in making a well-informed decision.
Here's a comparison of the key features and differences between the new iPad Pro and iPad Air:
Feature |
iPad Pro |
iPad Air |
Pricing |
Starting at $999 (11-inch), $1,299 (13-inch) |
Starting at $599 (11-inch), $799 (13-inch) |
Storage Options |
256GB to 2TB |
128GB to 1TB |
Design & Colors |
Thinner, available in black and silver |
Thicker, available in dark gray, starlight gold, light purple, and light blue |
Display Technology |
Ultra-Retina XDR display with OLED panels |
LED display |
Display Sizes |
11-inch and 13-inch |
11-inch and 13-inch |
Refresh Rate |
Up to 120Hz |
Not specified |
Processor |
M4 chip |
M2 chip |
CPU Performance |
50% faster than M2 chip |
Not specified |
Neural Engine Speed |
60 times faster than the previous model |
Not specified |
GPU |
Upgraded with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading |
Not specified |
Accessories |
Supports Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and the new Apple Pencil Pro |
Supports Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and the new Apple Pencil Pro |
Keyboard Compatibility |
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) |
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2) |
Speakers |
Quad-speaker system |
Two stereo speakers |
Front-facing Camera |
Adaptive True Tone flash |
Not specified |
In contrast, the Wi-Fi-enabled 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999, while its 13-inch counterpart starts at $1,299. Cellular models of the iPad Pro are priced starting at $1,199 for the 11-inch version and $1,499 for the 13-inch variant. Both base models of the iPad Pro boast a starting storage capacity of 256GB, which is also twice that of the latest iPad Air and can be expanded up to 2TB.