iPad Air vs. iPad Pro

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: Specifications Overview

Before we get into the iPads, let’s take a look at the specifications. Today we are looking at the newest models, both released in 2020. 

Now that we have covered the specifics let’s get into these iPads and find the best one for you! 

Size and Storage

You get a few options when it comes to the size and storage capacity of your iPad, allowing you to get the perfect one for your needs. The Air comes with a 10.9-inch screen and the choice of 64GB or 256GB of storage. The option of larger storage is excellent for those looking to install large programs, and the screen will provide a clear view of any videos or work and fantastic portability, but few other choices. 

The Pro is where we see more flexibility and sizing options. You can choose from either an 11 or 12.9-inch screen, offering you a wider space for streaming movies or creating your designs.

You get a fantastic range of storage options too. Choose from 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and a whopping 1TB of storage when purchasing your iPad. It’s here that the Pro has the edge as the winner; the storage capacity is fantastic for those wanting to run and store Photoshop, editing software, or even programming software; the Pro can handle it! 

You can also select from a range of colors too. While the Pro currently only exists as silver or space gray, you can purchase the Air in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, or sky blue, ensuring a color to suit your style! 

Display 

Whether you are streaming movies or creating designs, the iPads display is sure to be at the top of your priority list. Both the Air and Pro come with Apple’s stunning  Retina display with TrueTone technology, adjusting the color of your display to match your lighting conditions and support P3 Wide Color. 

How does the display look, you ask? Nothing short of pure clarity. Both the Air and Pro have outstanding displays, with the Pro taking the slight edge with a higher resolution of 2388×1688. Unless you are using the iPad for very intricate and detailed artwork, you are unlikely to see a massive difference in the display. 

The larger size Pro features a higher resolution of 2732×2048, and it is here you are likely to see the difference in resolution compared to the Air’s resolution of 2360×1640. While the Pro will deliver fantastic clarity and crisp images, most users notice very little difference between the screens. Both iPads feature 264 pixels per inch, allowing for a great viewing experience that rivals some gaming monitors! 

The display has an impressive refresh rate of up to 120Hz on both iPads, too, allowing for images to load quickly; whether it’s a  high-speed car chase in a movie or a game, you are sure to see quick results! It’s fantastic too for those using the iPad to create digital art; you will see an immediate reaction from your pencil touching the screen, allowing for an effortless experience. 

The screen covers almost the entire front of the iPad and features flat aluminum edges, setting them apart from other iPads on the market. The difference you will see is the home button on the Air that is missing on the Pro, thanks to Face ID. 

Performance

Performance is a vital factor to consider when it comes to selecting your new iPad. Both the iPad Air and pro feature some of the most powerful chipsets on the market. 

The iPad Air uses the A14 Bionic processor, which can also be found in the iPhone 12. The first chipset was built on Apple’s 5-nanometer manufacturing process to fit even more transistors into the chip for an improved performance and battery life!

With the iPad Pro, the A12Z chipset has more cores in its CPU and GPU, making multitasking and intense programming easy without slowing down the iPad. It features an eight-core CPU and eight-core GPU, compared to the Air’s six-core CPU and four-core GPU. 

While that sounds like a lot, there is little difference when they are both up and running. Whether you are playing games, using your Apple pencil, or streaming, both iPads perform simultaneously. 

When it comes to running tasks, the Air takes the lead. It can run games, productivity, photo editing apps, and online browsing faster than the Pro! However, the Pro is faster when it comes to graphic demanding tasks, such as those using ProCreate.

It’s worth considering the apps you wish to run and how the iPad handles their demands when deciding between the Air and the Pro. 

Features

The iPads share a range of the same features, such as speakers that makes them seem almost interchangeable, but a few features set them apart from one another. 

The included sensors are one. While the Air is still using Apple’s old friend Touch ID, the Pro features the new Face ID and LiDAR technology, setting it ahead of the Air’s game. 

LiDAR, or light detection and range, measures the distance between objects. Its features on the iPhone 12 Pro and Max, providing increased accuracy when running augmented reality applications. For example, the measure tape app offered more accurate readings and an excellent addition to the iPad for architects or interior designers. 

The cameras included are another feature that separates the iPads. The Pro features two cameras, the only iPad to do so! You get a 12-MP wide-angle lens and a 10MP ultra-wide angle lens allowing you to take photos as you would on an iPhone 12. 

The Pro also features a brighter flash than the Air and its one 12-MP wide-angle camera. The Pro also allows you to take Portrait Mode selfies with the front-facing camera thanks to its Face ID capacity, giving it the edge over the Air. 

Battery Life 

How long your iPad will last is a consideration at the front of most of our minds, isn’t it? No-one wants to be caught short with low battery flashing! 

Luckily, both the Air and Pro have up to 10 hours of battery life, allowing you to watch movies and browse the internet with ease! It’s worth remembering that running multiple applications or heavy-duty programs will take its toll on the battery. Still, with portable charging options and lightning-fast charge times, it is unlikely to be a problem that affects you. 

Accessories 

It’s always worth considering what accessories you can get to compliment your iPad. After all, you never know when you will want to attach a keyboard! Thankfully, both the Air and Pro are compatible with Apple’s Magic Keyboards and cases, allowing you to transform your tablet into a handy and portable workstation when needed! 

Now, what about Apple’s snazzy pencil? Both the new Air and Pro are compatible with the second generation of Apple’s Pencil! There have been some improvements too since its first model hit the shelves. 

It charges by magnetically attaching to your iPad instead of plugging into your charging port, offering an effortless charging experience; simply snap your pencil in place, and you are good to go! 

Price

These tablets are not cheap. Depending on the size that you opt for, these iPads can be very pricey. The Pro is the more expensive option, especially when opting for larger storage capacity. 

The Air is cheaper and with little difference in performance, an option many uses will purchase. When deciding which iPad to buy, consider its features and which would best suit your needs.

Final verdict 

As you can see, both the iPad Air and Pro would make fantastic additions to your life! When it comes to selecting between the two, the Air takes the lead. If you are after an iPad for streaming movies, browsing the web, light gaming, and productivity, it’s the one for you!

You’ll get a lightweight and powerful iPad with a beautiful screen and compatibility with Apple’s latest accessories. What are you waiting for? Get it now!

For those swayed by the  Pro, we would recommend it for those in need of a larger screen, dual cameras, and the LiDAR sensor. If you are an artist or graphic designer, it’s the one for you! Why not treat yourself today?