When Apple released the M2 iPad Air and the M4 iPad Pro, they raised the bar yet again for what tablets can offer. Three months later, the question remains: is the iPad Pro really worth the extra $400? In this in-depth comparison, we’ll explore the key differences that genuinely matter between these two iPads. From design and display to performance and price, we’ll dive into every detail so that by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which iPad is the best fit for your needs.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Design: Sleek and Professional
2.1. Aesthetics and Build
2.2. Color Options - Face ID vs Touch ID: Convenience Matters
- Display Technology
4.1. Bezels and Immersion
4.2. ProMotion and Refresh Rate
4.3. Brightness Levels
4.4. Tandem OLED vs LCD - Performance: M4 vs M2 Chip
5.1. Single-Core Performance
5.2. Multi-Core Performance
5.3. Graphics Performance - Gaming Experience: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz
- Speakers: Audio Quality and Immersion
- Magic Keyboard Support
- Thunderbolt Support
- Price and Value Proposition
- Conclusion: Which iPad is Right for You?
Design: Sleek and Professional
Aesthetics and Build
The first noticeable difference is the design. The iPad Pro is notably thinner than the iPad Air, which gives it a sleek and luxurious feel. Holding it in your hands feels premium, something you wouldn’t necessarily experience with the iPad Air. The Pro’s design is clearly aimed at professionals, with its modern, refined appearance.
Color Options
Another standout aspect is the color options. The iPad Pro offers professional tones like Space Black that exude sophistication, while the iPad Air leans towards more playful, subtle colors. For users looking for a professional look, the iPad Pro wins hands down in this category. However, is this difference alone worth an extra $400? Probably not.
Face ID vs Touch ID: Convenience Matters
One of the biggest convenience factors is authentication. The iPad Pro comes with Face ID built into the bezels, which is significantly more convenient than the Touch ID on the iPad Air. With Face ID, you don’t have to reach for the power button to unlock your device or authenticate purchases—everything is seamless and instant.
Touch ID, on the other hand, requires more effort. You have to reach up and touch the power button, which can be particularly annoying when using the Magic Keyboard, as it requires awkward hand positioning. The convenience of Face ID alone is a major quality-of-life improvement that you’ll appreciate in everyday use.
Display Technology
Bezels and Immersion
Another small yet important difference lies in the bezels. The iPad Air has noticeably thicker bezels compared to the iPad Pro, which has slimmer bezels that provide a more immersive experience. The thinner bezels on the Pro make it more enjoyable when watching videos or using the device for creative work. Apple has likely done this intentionally to make the Air resemble more of a budget option, similar to the standard iPad.
ProMotion and Refresh Rate
One of the key reasons many users prefer the iPad Pro over the Air is the ProMotion technology. The Pro’s display offers a 120 Hz refresh rate, compared to the 60 Hz on the iPad Air. This difference is crucial, especially for those accustomed to the smoothness of higher refresh rates on devices like the iPhone.
A higher refresh rate provides buttery-smooth animations and scrolling, making tasks like browsing, sketching, and video editing more enjoyable. ProMotion also helps with battery efficiency by dynamically adjusting the refresh rate based on the content you’re viewing, such as reducing it to 24 Hz when watching movies shot in 24 frames per second.
Brightness Levels
When it comes to brightness, the difference is even more striking. The iPad Air maxes out at 500 nits, which can be limiting, especially in bright environments. If you frequently use your iPad outdoors, you’ll notice the difference. In contrast, the iPad Pro reaches up to 1,000 nits of standard brightness, making it much easier to use in well-lit areas.
Tandem OLED vs LCD
The iPad Pro’s display technology takes things to the next level with its Tandem OLED panel, compared to the traditional LCD in the iPad Air. The OLED display offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional contrast, which is perfect for watching videos, playing games, or engaging in creative work.
In comparison, the iPad Air’s LCD panel, while decent, simply doesn’t match the color accuracy and brilliance of the Pro’s screen. If you’re someone who values display quality, whether for content consumption or creative projects, this alone could be worth the additional cost.
Performance: M4 vs M2 Chip
Single-Core Performance
Performance is another area where the iPad Pro clearly shines. Powered by the M4 chip, it offers up to 32% faster single-core performance compared to the M2 chip in the iPad Air. For everyday tasks like launching apps, browsing, and multitasking, this speed difference is noticeable and contributes to a snappier experience.
Multi-Core Performance
The Pro also has a significant edge in multi-core tasks, thanks to its 9-core and 10-core configurations. In multi-core benchmarks, the Pro is nearly 50% faster than the Air, making it a better choice for heavy tasks like video editing, rendering, and running resource-intensive apps.
Graphics Performance
Graphics performance is another area where the iPad Pro excels, offering almost 40% better performance in GPU-intensive tasks like gaming and 3D modeling. The M4 chip’s dedicated AV1 decoder also helps with battery efficiency when streaming content on platforms like YouTube.
Gaming Experience: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz
For gamers, the difference in display refresh rates is crucial. The iPad Pro’s 120 Hz display allows for a smoother gaming experience, especially in fast-paced games where higher frame rates provide a competitive advantage. The M4 chip can handle 120 FPS in many titles, making it an ideal gaming device.
On the other hand, the iPad Air’s 60 Hz display limits the potential of its M2 chip, making it less suitable for serious gaming. Even though the Air has decent graphics performance, the 60 Hz cap diminishes its appeal for gamers.
Speakers: Audio Quality and Immersion
The iPad Pro also has a superior audio setup with four dedicated speakers, one at each corner, providing true surround sound. This is a significant improvement for anyone who enjoys watching videos, listening to music, or gaming without headphones. The Pro delivers better volume, clarity, and immersive sound, making it a great choice for media consumption.
Magic Keyboard Support
The iPad Pro takes things further by supporting the second-generation Magic Keyboard, which offers several improvements over the original version. The new keyboard features an aluminum palm rest, a full-function row, and a larger trackpad with haptic feedback. These upgrades make the Pro feel more like a laptop replacement, enhancing productivity and comfort.
Thunderbolt Support
One of the Pro’s standout features is Thunderbolt support. This allows for faster data transfer speeds and compatibility with a range of Thunderbolt accessories, including high-speed SSDs and external displays. For professionals who require extensive connectivity options, Thunderbolt is a game-changer, and it’s exclusive to the Pro model.
Price and Value Proposition
Price is often the deciding factor when choosing between these two devices. The iPad Air starts at a lower price point, but upgrading to the 256 GB version brings it closer to the iPad Pro’s cost. Given the Pro’s superior performance, display, and features, it offers better value for those who can stretch their budget.
With the Pro currently available for $900 on platforms like Amazon, it’s an appealing option for those who want a device that’s future-proofed for years to come. Additionally, the Pro includes 256 GB of storage by default, while the Air only offers 128 GB at its base price.
Conclusion: Which iPad is Right for You?
After examining the key differences, it’s clear that the iPad Pro is the better choice for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and future-proofing. The extra $400 may seem steep initially, but when you consider the additional features, including Face ID, ProMotion, better speakers, and Thunderbolt support, the value becomes evident.
