Apple has at last update its higher - end iPad lineup , with newfangled Air and Pro models . The acclivity admit new C.P.U. , presentation sizes , and colors , as well as an ultra - slight chassis aim for the agio models . But which one should you prefer to get the good value for money ?
Here ’s our equivalence point to theiPad Air ( M2)andiPad Pro ( M4)models that launched in 2024 .
Design & build quality
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2, 2024)
The Air was give a design service one propagation ago in theiPad Air ( 2022 ) , so it ’s not surprising that much of the construction look conversant on the latest theoretical account . Obviously , the most obtrusive difference is that the Air now comes in a selection of 11 - inch and 13 - inch variants .
Apple
Specifications are pretty much identical for both , with the magnanimous model making use of the redundant real the three estates to include a 2x bass voice response in the stereo speaker , but that ’s about it .
Dimensions run out as conform to :
There are new color schemes , with the line available in Space Gray , Starlight , Purple , or Blue . But perhaps the most useful upgrade ( at least in terms of design ) is that the FaceTime camera has been reposition on the longer edge of the iPad , create a landscape orientation that crap far more sense than the premature portrait one . The Air still does n’t get Face ID , however , so the Touch ID sensor in the exponent clitoris will be how you unlock the twist and make payments .
The service line storage has finally been advance to something sensible , plus Apple has sum mellow capability options too . Here are the different sum available :
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 2024)
On the iPad Pro ( M4 ) , meanwhile , the excogitation advances are more profound . Yes , it ’s still an aluminum rectangle , but Apple ’s engineers have operate hard to make this not only the thinnest iPad they ’ve ever make , but the thinnest Appleproductever made ! Yes , even slimmer than the iPod nano . gaga .
Here are the dimensions for the two new iPad Pro exemplar :
So , for the first time , the iPad Pros are now lighter than the iPad Airs . Maybe Apple call for to rethink the names of its iPads going ahead ?
Whereas the iPad Air ( M2 ) has duplicate stereo speakers , the Pro models double this with a four - speaker raiment . They also employ a landscape FaceTime camera , but Apple impart face up ID on its Pro models , making it even sluttish to lumber in .
colour dodge are simple on the Pros , with only Space Black or Silver to choose from , while warehousing options issue forth in the follow flavors :
All Pro and Air models , in compliancy with EU law , get along with USB - C charging ports , although the Pro version have upgraded Thunderbolt / USB 4 capability . Apple also harbinger a newApple Pencil Pro , which exploit with both the Air and Pro models ; the new Air and Pro are also both compatible with the Apple Pencil ( USB - degree Celsius ) . There ’s a newfangled Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro ( M4 ) , while the existing Magic Keyboard works with the iPad Air ( M2 ) devices .
Display
Apple has been toilsome at oeuvre on the new Ultra Retina XDR displays for the Pro models . They feature a revolutionary fresh design that combine two OLED venire layered up to create something the companionship is call off a Tandem OLED show . This leave them to be brighter , with a full screen luminance for SDR and HDR of 1,000 nit , and a upper limit of 1,600 nits for HDR , while deliver the depth of color and contrast for which OLED panel are famed .
you may also prefer for anano - texture glassif you corrupt the 1 TB or 2 TB store var. . This has microscopical etches in the panel that diffuse igniter , massively reducing the glare from surrounding wakeful author . stock glass seem on all the other models .
There is of course ProMotion ( or 120Hz refresh rate in human - speak ) , which rest a Pro - only feature .
While the Pros take the headline for their telling unexampled display , the Liquid Retina panel on the iPad Air ( M2 ) models are no slouch , and for the first metre you get to choose between an 11 - inch ( really 10.86 - inch ) or 13 - inch ( actually 12.9 - inch ) size of it . All of the new iPads put up P3 spacious Color ( P3 ) , True Tone , and resolutions that deliver 264 ppi ( pixels per in ) , as you could see below :
The brightness of the Airs does lag behind their more expensive siblings , however , topping out at 500 nits . Good tidings is that all support the Apple Pencil Hover feature , which was antecedently only available on the iPad Pro .
Processor
It ’s all alteration on the processor front , with both platforms vex solid upgrades . The Airs go from the M1 to the M2 chipset , while the Pros leap out further , swap the late M2 for the brand - new M4 .
The M1 was already powerful enough for most thing , so move to the M2 on the Air is great news show for anyone that want a fast iPad for gaming and some creative work , and one that will stay speedy for years to come . It ’s packed with an 8 - core CPU , 10 - gist GPU and a 16 - core Neural Engine to treat AI and machine learn features . It ’s so sinewy that it was the driving force of the old - gen iPad Pro manakin .
This twelvemonth ’s Pros , though , are match with some frankly cracker bonbon processing magnate . Apple claim the new M4 is one of the main reasons why the fresh iPad Pros can be made so lean and utilize the Tandem OLED display .
Built on a 3 - nanometer architecture , it features improved speed and vigor management , all powered by a central processing unit with four execution cores , six efficiency cores , and next - multiplication auto learn accelerators . Apple says that the novel M4 delivers 1.5x loyal C.P.U. performance than the M2 .
The GPU has also been level up , with 10 core and various performance sweetening that can render apps up to 4x faster than the M2 . All while give up the same performance as that chip , but using only a fourth of the power draw play .
In all money plant , the M2 in the Air is more than enough for people using the iPad as an everyday twist , while the M4 is truly Pro - level hardware that should satisfy even the most demanding iPad creative .
Cameras
We have to admit , we ’re not fans of people using iPads to take word-painting , but it take place and we just have to consider with it . There are not that many discrete conflict between the optics usable on the Air and Pro model , with the latter benefitting from some small additional capability .
All come with a 12Mp Wide tv camera ( f/1.8 ) offer a 5x digital zoom and Smart HDR 4 . The Pros get Adaptive True Tone flash as a incentive . Across the display panel you’re able to enamor video up to 4 K @ 60fps , slo - mo at 240fps , and prison term - lapse with stabilisation . The Pros again have some reward , with ProRes picture , sound recording soar and stereo recording . Again , for most the great unwashed this wo n’t be an progeny at all , as it ’s mainly for filmmakers .
The front - facing photographic camera is again received across the platforms , with a 12Mp landscape Ultra Wide ( f/2.4 ) that supports 2x zoom out , Centre Stage , Retina flash , Smart HDR 4 for photograph , Cinematic video stabilisation , and top out at 1080p @ 60fps . Where the Pros camera differ is the inclusion of TrueDepth for Face ID , Portrait modal value and Portrait Lighting , plus you’re able to use Animoji and Memoji .
Connectivity
There ’s piffling to separate the Airs and Pros in terms of connectivity . They all support Wi - Fi 6e , 5 gram ( assuming you pay extra for cellular connectivity ) , MIMO , Bluetooth 5.3 , Gigabit LTE and GPS . Physical connections are through the USB - light speed port on the Airs or the Thunderbolt / USB 4 on the Pros , while all have Smart Connectors for the Apple Magic Keyboards .
Here ’s a equipment failure of how the iPad Air M2 models liken :
Here ’s a dislocation of how the iPad Pro M4 models compare :
Price and Availability
There are several Mary Leontyne Price points available , depending on warehousing parceling , cellular connectivity or the size of the display . Here are all the variation , with the devices receiving 15 May release dates . Below each list you ’ll feel a damage - comparison widget showing the best deal in your area .
11-inch iPad Air M2:
13-inch iPad Air M2:
11-inch iPad Pro (M4):
13-inch iPad Pro (M4):
Should I buy the iPad Air M2 or iPad Pro M4?
Apple hold on thing pretty simple with the new Airs and Pros . There are next to no differences glasses - heady between the 11 - column inch and 13 - column inch simulation on either platform , so once you ’ve decided on whether it ’s an Air or Pro model you require , the only other factor is a preference of sizing .
If you desire an everyday iPad that ’s really tight , can take anything you make at it , plus making you secure in the knowledge that you wo n’t have to upgrade any time soon , then the Air is a great pick .
Those who desire the very best in terms of speeding and display will find the Pro good example hard to withstand . They are keen , but you ’ll call for to postulate yourself if you really postulate that much power ? If so , then the Pros deliver it in abundance .
To see what other options are usable , be certain to understand our guide to thebest iPadsbefore shit your determination .
