M2 iPad Pro vs iPad Air: What’s the better choice?
The bulk of the features included in the 2021 iPad Pro, like the M1 processor, super wide front camera with Center Stage, 5G connection, and others, are present in the 2022 iPad Air. The 2022 M2 iPad Pro, on the other hand, offers the most cutting-edge features and the best performance in an iPad. But is it overkill? Here is a comparison of all the features shared by the 11′′ M2 iPad Pro and iPad Air to help you determine which is the better option.
The 5th generation iPad Air from 2022 reduced the distinction between mid-range and high-end iPads, enticing many consumers to choose the Air, which starts at $200 (or more) less than the $799 11-inch iPad Pro.
Then, last autumn, the iPad 10 was released, further blurring the lines as it incorporates a number of the popular iPad Air features into the $449 entry-level tablet.
The iPad Pro is your only option if you are certain that you want a 12.9-inch iPad. However, you now have the choice of spending more money on the newest iPad Pro with an M2 processor or less money on the M1 model.
However, when comparing the 11-inch M2 and M1 iPad Pro and iPad Air. The 11-inch M2 iPad Pro is on the left, the 11-inch M1 iPad Pro is in the middle, and the M1 iPad Air is on the right in all of the comparison tables below.
Storage
There are just two storage choices for the iPad Air. The 256GB upgrade option is available with a 64GB base model. In 2022, when applications, games, films, and images are all only going to get bigger and bigger, I predict the majority of consumers will discover that 64GB is simply not enough capacity to keep them.
The same storage options are available for both iPad Pro devices. You may choose between 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB of storage.
Your requirement for storage depends on how you now use or intend to use your iPad. But with the iPad Air, you’re virtually compelled to get the 256GB model, which costs $749 and is very close to the 11-inch iPad Pro’s $799 starting price.
iPad Pro vs iPad Air battery life
The battery life of the iPad Air and iPad Pro M2/M1 is the same.
- 10 hours of WiFi-enabled web or video use
- 9 hours of mobile web use
Design
The iPad Air and iPad Pro both make use of Apple’s most recent all-screen product design language, which is also present on the iPad mini and 10th-generation iPad as well as the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 lineups. This design language is characterized by industrially squared-off edges and flat sides.
Despite having a smaller display, the 10.9-inch iPad Air is almost precisely the same size as the 11-inch iPad Pro, giving it somewhat broader bezels around the screen.
The iPad Air comes in a broader variety of colors despite the two iPad versions having an identical design. While the iPad Pro is only offered in Silver and Space Gray, the iPad Air comes in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue.
Memory
The amount of RAM in an iPad controls how often a Safari tab has to be refreshed after being idle for a long period or when applications are put to sleep in the background.
Memory is even more crucial now that Stage Manager and the multi-window multitasking experience in iPadOS 16 have been added. The significance of having extra RAM becomes even more apparent when you consider that both iPad models will have enhanced — and real — external monitor compatibility once iPadOS 16.2 debuts (expected in December), letting you run up to eight applications simultaneously.
Except for the 2021 and 2022 iPad Pro, Apple hardly ever discusses the amount of RAM in their iPad lineup. The choice between an iPad Pro with 8GB or 16GB of RAM depends on how much storage you want to purchase. Keep your storage under 512GB if you want 8GB of RAM. Everything beyond that threshold will include 16GB of RAM.
For the iPad Air, there is just one memory size available: 8GB.
I’ve seen a distinction between my 16GB iPad Pro and other iPads with less RAM. The main thing I’ve learned is that programs operate in the background for a longer period. But I bet most people won’t need more than 8GB of storage.
To be clear, since the release of iPad 16 and Stage Manager, I haven’t utilized an 8GB iPad Air (or iPad Pro). Other internal speed enhancements made by Apple to memory consumption in the update may have improved the user experience. Apple has also been quite deliberate about which iPads acquire Stage Manager capabilities and which don’t. The crew must have faith in the entire experience, even at 8GB, as the iPad Air has always been on the list of iPad models that support Stage Manager and external monitors.
Displays
Display Sizes
The 10.9-inch display of the iPad Air is smaller than the 11- or 12.9-inch displays available on the iPad Pro.
Between the 10.9-inch iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro, the screen size difference is essentially nothing. These devices, which weigh around half as little as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, are ideal for consumers that prioritize mobility and simple handheld use.
On the other side, those who want to use their iPad more like a laptop, maybe on a table or with a keyboard add-on like the Magic Keyboard, are best served by the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. On the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, in particular, multitasking is a significantly better experience due to the huge display.
M2 iPad Pro vs iPad Air conclusion
Why buy iPad Pro?
The iPad Pro, which is powered by the new M2 chip and offers up to 16GB RAM and 2TB storage, a 120Hz ProMotion display, Thunderbolt support, and the ability to record ProRes 4K video, is the tablet that offers the best performance if you know you’ll frequently be pushing your tablet to its maximum capacity.
The M2 iPad Pro is sold by Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, BH Photo, and other retailers, and the stock is generally favorable.
Why buy iPad Air?
The iPad Air is probably going to be the greatest option for the majority of consumers when all the similarities are taken into account. While featuring most of the high-end iPad Pro capabilities, it costs around $200 less than the iPad Pro.
