Apple has renewed its upper and mid-upper segment iPad series, which has an important place in the technology world. The new iPad Pro and iPad Air models were introduced to the users with their advanced features and stylish designs. Both models will officially go on sale on May 15. With this comparison we aim to help you decide which tablet is more suitable for you.
Design
The new iPad Pro stands out with its thinnest and lightest design ever offered in Apple's tablet series. The thickness of the 13-inch screen iPad Pro is at an incredible level of 5.1mm. It stands out as both an aesthetic and functional device with its aluminum body, elegant lines and stylish color options. Apple has also designed the rear camera module from aluminum instead of glass, and it fits better with the rest of the back face. There are two color options: space gray and silver.
On the other hand, iPad Air appeals to a wider range of users with its various color options and offers a customizable experience according to personal tastes. It also looks closer to the design of the previous iPad Air. Available in purple, blue, starlight and space grey. By the way, let's not forget to mention that the new iPad Airs are heavier than the iPad Pros.
Screen and image quality
iPad Pro comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. It uses Apple's new Ultra Retina XDR display. While this screen offers a higher contrast ratio and vivid colors thanks to OLED technology, it provides a superior image quality, especially for outdoor use, with peak brightness values of up to 1600 nits. Moreover, there is a Nano-texture glass option for those who prefer the 1 TB and 2 TB capacity versions of the iPad Pro. This coating disperses light and provides better vision in bright environments. However, this requires an additional expense.
iPad Air also comes in 11-inch and 13-inch screen options, but with a more affordable LED screen, and Apple continues to call this screen Liquid Retina. There are features we see on the iPad Pro screen, such as high brightness, True Tone, P3 color gamut, and it offers sufficient performance for daily use.
Performance and processor
The new iPad Pro is equipped with Apple's most powerful chip, the M4, which delivers excellent performance, especially for professional users. The processor with a maximum of 10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores can smoothly perform operations such as advanced graphic designs and heavy video editing. A note here: For the M4 with 10 CPU cores, it is necessary to choose the iPad Pro with 1 TB or 2 TB capacity. It also seems ideal for artificial intelligence-based work with its advanced Neural Engine.
On the other hand, iPad Air models have been updated with the M2 chip. M2 provides high efficiency and energy savings for basic tablet functions. However, with its Neural Engine, it will meet the needs well for artificial intelligence-based work.
Storage capacity and pricing
Both models are launched with increased initial storage capacity. While iPad Pro offers options starting from 256 GB storage up to 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB, iPad Air starts with 128 GB and offers a maximum of 1 TB storage along with 256 GB and 512 GB. iPad Pro has a higher price tag due to higher storage capacities and additional features. By the way, the iPad Pro has 16 GB of RAM instead of 8 GB in the 1 TB and 2 TB options. As a result, users need to make choices according to their budget and needs.
Camera and multimedia features
iPad Pro is equipped with a four-speaker sound system and four microphones, which provide an ideal environment for multimedia content consumption. On the other hand, the 12 MP True Depth camera has been moved to the long side and provides a better viewing angle for video calls. iPad Pros have a single 12 MP camera on the back. A LIDAR scanner and new True Tone flash are also available. This new tablet uses flash and continuous exposure, making document scanning especially better.
iPad Air, on the other hand, has a simpler two-speaker system and provides a horizontal stereo sound experience. This will be enough for games and videos. Here, too, the 12 MP TrueDepth camera has been moved to the long side. There is a 12MP wide-angle camera on the back.
Accessories and extra features
Both the new iPad Air and iPad Pro support some of Apple's accessories. However, neither of them support the second generation Apple Pencil. However, it supports Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and the new Apple Pencil Pro, which was released last year. This means both Pro and Air owners can take advantage of new Apple Pencil Pro features, including Find support, haptic feedback, and pinch gestures.
Magic Keyboard, specially designed for iPad Pro, provides more comfortable typing and navigation. iPad Air users have more basic keyboard and pen options.
Conclusion
The new iPad Pro and iPad Air represent Apple's newest innovations in the tablet market. Both models offer different advantages depending on specific user needs. If you're looking for a high-performance device, the iPad Pro may be right for you. Especially photographers, architects, and influencers who make a living through social media will do their jobs more comfortably with its bright screen and powerful M4 processor that allow good use outside.
iPad Air will be a suitable option especially for university or high school students, that is, those looking for a more economical alternative. For students who spend a lot of time outside, the 11-inch iPad Air may be suitable because it is more comfortable to carry. However, for those who plan to use the tablet more at home or at work and whose primary purpose is entertainment, the 13-inch iPad Air will also be a good choice.