2024 iPad Pro vs iPad Air: Which one is best for you?

The iPad Pro and iPad Air have for a long time been considered as top iPads for different tasks. Although they are very different, they still feature a lot of common aspects. For example, they both have a smaller 11-inch and larger 13-inch screen option.

The latest 2024 releases feature the iPad Pro 13- and 11-inch and iPad Air 13- and 11-inch options. In this post we will compare the 4 tablets to find out which one is the best. If you are not sure whether to choose an iPad or Samsung Tablet, check out our comparison.

We will consider the price, display, processing power, storage space, battery life, connectivity, security, and accessories.

iPad Pro 11 vs iPad Air 11 Comparison

Design and build quality

These tablet versions have maintained the sturdy and durable yet sleek build design found on earlier iPad versions. They come with an aluminum body with a flat-edge design and round corners.

They are both slim and seem to weigh the same overall. However, on keen observation, you will notice that the iPad Pro is thinner and slightly lighter than the iPad Air.

Most users will not notice this, so it will make no major difference. The Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2) weighs 1.03 pounds (.462 kg) with an overall .24 inches (.61 cm) thickness. The Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2) weighs 1.36 pounds (.68 kg) and is .24 inches (.61 cm) thick as well.

The iPad Pro 11 M4 measures 0.21 in thickness and 444 g in weight; similarly, the iPad Pro 13 M4 measures 0.20 inches in thickness and 579 grams. Therefore, the iPad Pro is 5-6% lighter and 15-20% thinner than the iPad Air.

Both tablets feature a modern look with thin bezels around the large-screen display. The iPad Pro will look more modern thanks to thinner bezel sizes running around the screen.

Screen and Display

Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air 2024 come in two separate screen sizes. They have a large 13-inch screen and an 11-inch screen option to choose from. The screens are similar but still quite different.

The Apple iPad Air comes with the old screen version with Liquid Retina display technology. It has a screen resolution of 2732 by 2048 pixels on the 13-inch option and 2360 by 1640 pixels on the 11-inch option. It uses an LCD-type display at 500 nits of maximum brightness.

The iPad Pro uses a better OLED screen type with an Ultra Retina XDR display, which is better. It also features a 2752 by 2064-pixel resolution on the 13-inch option and 2420 by 1668 pixels on the smaller 11-inch option.

The iPad Pro has a brighter screen at 1000 to 1600 nits, compared to 500 nits on the iPad Air. The screen refresh rate is also different, with 120 Hz on the iPad Pro and 60 Hz on the iPad Air.

Despite the difference, the display on both of them is crisp and clear thanks to the 264 pixels per inch of sharp displays. Overall, the iPad Pro is better with a nanotexture display option for high-end iPad models.

Accessories and connectivity

Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air are compatible with the older Apple Pencil 2 and the new Apple Pencil Pro. They both also support the Magic Keyboard. 

However, the keyboard on the iPad Pro features a full aluminum body and has a full row of function keys. The keyboard on the iPad Air is made of rubber and does not have any function keys included.

Connectivity slightly differs between the iPad Pro using Thunderbolt USB 4 and the iPad Air using USB 3 connectivity. Both still support one USB-C display with up to 6K or 4K resolution at 60 Hz via an adapter.

Processing Power and Storage

Thanks to its better processor, the iPad Pro is more powerful than the iPad Air. It features an Apple M4 chip processor, compared to the Apple M2 chip on the iPad Air.

It also features a 16 GB RAM size and 256 GB to 2 TB storage space that is not expandable. The iPad Air has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB to 2 TB of storage that is also not expandable.

This means that, although they are both fast and lag-free, the iPad Pro will be faster and less likely to lag.

Price

Both iPads are not cheap devices due to their top-of-the-pile premium features. They will not come with any accessories, like pencils or keyboards, which you have to buy separately. 

The iPad Pro has a better display and additional specifications. This means it comes at a higher cost than the iPad Air.

The iPad Air, on the other hand, will offer better value for your money. This is because it is cheaper and will still perform 99% of what an iPad Pro can do. The main differences between these two tablets are their price and display. Other factors are similar and negligible.

Conclusion

The iPad Pro has a better screen with a new OLED-type screen and higher brightness levels. It also has twice as good a refresh rate at 120 Hz, making it better for outdoor use.

Both have the same-sized screens, either 13 inches or 11 inches in size. We found 11 inches to be more user-friendly for both versions. It is neither too large nor too small for comfortable use.

Multitasking is easy on both tablets thanks to the iPad OS operating system on both tablets and 16 GB and 8 GB of RAM on the iPad Pro and Air, respectively. 

The iPad Pro is faster with its better M4 chip compared to the M2 chip on the iPad Air.

Both tablets feature similar cameras, only the iPad Pro includes a LiDAR scanner, which is absent on the iPad Air. Sound quality is also better on the iPad Pro, which has four speakers set up for immersive audio output.

The security features on the two tablets also differ, with Face ID on the iPad Pro and Touch ID on the iPad Air. iPad Pro scores better here as well since Face ID is the latest security technology.

iPad Pro 13 vs iPad Air 13 Comparison

iPads Vs tablets Comparison

When comparing iPads to other tablets, it becomes evident that Apple’s devices excel in several key areas. For instance, the latest iPad Pro showcases a stunning Liquid Retina display equipped with ProMotion technology, ensuring smooth visuals and responsiveness, complemented by the powerful A12Z Bionic chip that enhances performance across applications.

Meanwhile, the iPad Air boasts a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and the A14 Bionic chip, making it a versatile companion for both productivity tasks and entertainment.

These specifications highlight Apple’s commitment to delivering high-resolution screens, robust processors, and extended battery life, setting iPads apart in the competitive tablet landscape.

Market Trends and Evolution

The tablet market has witnessed significant evolution, driven largely by innovations from leading brands like Apple. iPads have pioneered trends by redefining tablets as viable alternatives to traditional laptops, a shift catalyzed by the introduction of the iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 13 M4 in 2024. You can either choose a WIFI or cellular iPad that has some phone functionality enabled as per your preference.

This transformation has influenced consumer preferences toward devices that offer not only portability but also the performance capabilities required for demanding tasks.

Concurrently, hybrid devices such as the Microsoft Surface series have expanded the market by blending tablet functionality with the productivity features of laptops.

Despite this, iPads maintain dominance through their seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, continuous hardware advancements, and the growing demand for tablets that serve as powerful productivity tools.

Company

One of the main differences between iPads and drawing tablets is the company they are manufactured by. iPads are manufactured by Apple, while drawing tablets are from various companies such as GAOMON, Wacom, Huion, XP-Pen, and many others.

Connectivity

iPads all have an inbuilt computer and a screen, meaning they don’t need a computer connected to use them. Drawing tablets, on the other hand, come in different types. Most brands create drawing tablets with screens but no computer, such as the GAOMON PD1161 from GAOMON.

However, older brands such as Wacom and Huion have in recent years come up with their own standalone tablets that are not computer-dependent.

Operating Platform

All iPads run on Apple’s iOS, while tablets use different operating systems such as Android, Microsoft’s Windows, and Apple’s iOS. When it comes to online videos and videos, iPads do not support Flash videos and Flash games, while tablets fully support them.

Multitasking is a task that most users prefer, and Apple’s iPad downplays this role. Tablets, on the other hand, allow you to interact with multiple applications to the maximum.

Software compatibility

Although iPads exhibit a load of software as compared to tablets, they are not compatible with most software on the market. Tablets come as a shell with little software and allow you to take your path depending on what software you need.

Body and Build

iPads feature an impressive premium build on all their products, with a variety of color options and features. Alternatively, since tablets are a product of different companies, the nature of the build can be quite difficult to establish, but what is obvious is that the higher the budget, the better the build.

Conclusion

The best iPad tablet will depend on your unique needs. If you’re on a budget but need good performance, we recommend the iPad Air (11-inch). For $599, it offers a powerful Apple M2 chip, an 11-inch display at 2360×1640 pixels resolution, and a bright 500 nits Liquid Retina display.

If you prefer a larger screen at a slightly higher $799 price, the iPad Air (13-inch) is your pick. It features a 13-inch screen size with 2732×2048 resolution and 600 nits of brightness. It has the same M2 processor and up to 1 TB storage space.

If you need the best performance on an iPad, the iPad Pro (11-inch) and 13-inch Pro models come with the new Apple M4 processor, Ultra Retina XDR displays, and up to 2TB of storage.

The 11-inch Pro offers 1000 nits brightness (1600 nits HDR), a 2420×1668 resolution, and a TrueDepth camera system—all in a slimmer, lighter design at 0.98 pounds. On the other hand, the 13-inch iPad Pro has a stunning 2752×2064 resolution, a powerful display, strong brightness, and only 1.28 pounds.

All models support Apple Pencil Pro, offer Wi-Fi 6E, 5G connectivity, and excellent camera systems. Whether you’re a student, creative professional, or casual user, there’s a powerful and well-designed iPad to match your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions