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Yesterday, Apple finally launched their latest iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, alongside the iPad Air. This launch was pretty hotly anticipated, and even more so as Apple decided that the iPad Pro 2024 would skip right past the M3 chip and go straight to a new and improved M4.

There’s lots to unpack with these new models, and for those of us in the market for a new iPad, you might be wondering whether the 2024 iPad Air or iPad Pro is for you. This article is for those mainly considering the “13 display option, but we cover the 11” too.

Here are our thoughts…

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Design and Aesthetics

First and foremost, the iPad Pro 7th generation is the thinnest product Apple has ever made. 

Literally. 

It’s even skinnier than the iPod Nano at 5.3mm for the 11-inch version and 5.1mm for the 13-inch version. Consumers should notice the difference from other tablets. Especially considering that it weighs 0.98/ 1.28 pounds, whereas its predecessor, the iPad Pro 6th generation, is 1.5 pounds for its 12.9” option.

Crafted with aerospace-grade aluminium, the M4 iPad Pro comes in silver and space black colour choices. That’s not very many options but both colours look sleek and professional.

The iPad Air has a more extensive colour range, with options from blue and purple to the classic starlight and space grey. It’s chunkier than the Pro at  6.1mm thick and features the classic aluminium build, and lightweight structure at 1.02 pounds for the “13 model. That’s slightly lighter than the “13 Pro model (if that matters to you).

All in all, you aren’t buying an iPad because of the colour, especially since you’ll probably want to cover it with a case anyway, but it’s nice to have a variety of options.

It’s pretty impressive just how thin they’ve managed to make the latest Pro, whilst keeping it under a pound for the smaller version and only slightly heavier for the larger. But it’s not like the Air is ridiculously thick either and you can get a range of colours. So who wins this round?

In terms of design and aesthetics, the lightweight, thin nature of the Pro takes the cake.

Winner: iPad Pro 2024

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Display

The displays on these two iPads are the real game changer.

The iPad Pro display features an Ultra Retina XDR panel. It uses a new  OLED screen called Tandem OLED, made of two panels fused together. This setup ensures the brightness stays high. Also, the display can reach up to 1,600 nits for HDR content.

To put it simply, the Pro promises crisp and vibrant visuals, which is great for digital artists, editors and serious gamers.

The Pro is also a good choice for those who like to work outside. It costs $100 extra but you can buy your iPad Pro with an extra layer of nano-texture glass, which minimizes glare and unwanted reflections.

The iPad Pro’s display also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, meaning it has better responsiveness, a feature that the iPad Air “13 lacks. But speak of the devil.

But what about the new Air’s display? 

The iPad Air features a Liquid Retina display, complete with anti-reflective coating, True Tone technology, and support for the P3 wide colour gamut. The “13 model offers a 30% larger screen real estate compared to the “11, making it suitable for some creative visual work.

But in general, the Pro is brighter and allows you to add a layer to minimize glare whilst outside, making it the winner.

Winner: iPad Pro 2024

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Performance

Under the hood, the performance gap between these two iPads becomes increasingly apparent. They are two chips apart, but whilst reading the below, consider what your using your iPad for.

The iPad Air is powered by Apple’s M2 chip, which already offers a significant boost in performance compared to its predecessor. It has a 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine and 100GB/s memory bandwidth with 8GB RAM.  We’ve discussed the chips in depth before here.

However, the iPad Pro takes things to the next level with the M4 chip. 

Apple claims the M4 is 50% faster than the M2, delivering great processing power and hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities. This translates to improved multitasking, faster app launches, and the ability to handle demanding creative workloads.

The M4 chip has a 10-core GPU and 6-core efficiency CPU.  Its Neural Engine is capable of a huge 38 trillion operations per second. And its ability to handle AI-powered tasks (video background removal and object recognition) is one of the reasons Apple skipped releasing an M3-powered iPad Pro in the first place.

Its major pull is the ability to increase storage to 1TB or 2TB for the Pro. This is great for those looking to do animation.

While the iPad Air’s M2 chip is no slouch, the M4 makes the iPad Pro the clear choice for those seeking high-quality rendering power.

Winner: iPad Pro 2024

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Camera and Audio

Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro have been equipped with quality camera systems, but the Pro model takes the lead in certain areas. 

The iPad Air features a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, and a 12MP Wide rear camera that captures sharp 4K video and photos.

The iPad Pro, however, has a TrueDepth front camera system, which enables advanced Face ID unlocking and an even more capable Center Stage experience. The rear camera array allows an adaptive True Tone flash for improved document scanning and enhanced Smart HDR performance. It also has Face ID.

In the audio department, both tablets offer landscape stereo speakers for an immersive listening experience. But the iPad Pro has four studio-quality microphones, which work in tandem with the cameras to deliver clearer audio and video recordings.

In general, the Air and Pro both have a 4K camera, and most users won’t find the Pro’s new developments as essential. People generally use their phones to record videos and take photos.

Winner: iPad Air 2024

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Battery Life 

When it comes to battery life, both the iPad Air “13 and iPad Pro are pretty similar. 

Apple’s official specifications rate both models for up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge.

The battery capacity of the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ has been increased to 31.29 watt-hours compared to 28.65 watt-hours in the previous model. Meanwhile, the 13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ now features a battery capacity of 38.99 watt-hours, slightly reduced from the previous 40.88 watt-hours.

However, the iPad Pro’s second-generation 3-nanometer technology, combined with its M4 chip, suggests it may have a slight edge in real-world battery life.

Regarding the ‌iPad Air‌, the 11-inch variant has a 28.93-watt-hour battery, a slight increase from the 28.6-watt-hour battery found in the previous 10.9-inch model. Additionally, the new 13-inch model is equipped with a 36.59-watt-hour battery.

Ultimately, both tablets should comfortably last through a full day of typical use, with the iPad Pro potentially offering a slight advantage for power users who demand extended runtime. 

But that’s nothing to write home about considering the price difference. 

Winner: iPad Air 2024

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Pricing and Value

The iPad Air “13 starts at $799/ £799 for the Wi-Fi model and $949/ £949  for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant. 

In contrast, the iPad Pro commands a significantly higher price tag. The “11 model starts at $999/  £999 for Wi-Fi and $1,199/ £1,199 for Wi-Fi + Cellular, while the “13 variant begins at $1,299/ £1299 and $1,499/ £1,499 , respectively. This pricing disparity is largely attributable to the Pro’s superior performance, display, and camera capabilities.

For users who prioritize value and don’t require the absolute pinnacle of tablet performance, the iPad Air “13 may be the more sensible choice.

Winner: iPad Air 2024

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Accessories

Both the iPad Air “13 and iPad Pro are compatible with the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Additionally, the Magic Keyboard accessory is available for both models.

The key difference lies in the capabilities of the iPad Pro’s accessories. The Apple Pencil Pro on the Pro model boasts advanced features like pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and improved latency, making it a more compelling tool for artists, professionals, specifically those who use Procreate.

The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro also includes a built-in trackpad, providing a more laptop-like navigation experience.

But since the new accessories work with the Air, despite missing some features, it wins this round.

Winner: iPad Air 2024

2024 iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Matching the iPad to your needs

Overall, the M2 iPad Air 13″ won 4/7 categories, so I guess it’s the winner…

However!

When it comes to determining the right iPad for you, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and use cases.

The iPad Air “13 is an excellent choice for students, casual users, and those who prioritize and value. Its M2 chip offers ample power for everyday tasks, while the vibrant display and long-lasting battery make it a good companion for work, entertainment, and creativity. 

On the other hand, the iPad Pro is tailored for professionals, and those who demand the absolute best in tablet performance. Its M4 chip,  OLED display, and advanced camera and audio features make it an ideal tool for content creators, designers, and anyone who requires the utmost in tablet capabilities.

Whichever you chose, enjoy it and don’t forget to take a look at earlier models, just incase they suite your needs. You never know, you could save a couple of hundred dollars.

Comment down below your thoughts!