Deciding between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro is not easy - both devices are among the most powerful tablets on the market. But while the Air scores with an attractive price-performance ratio, the Pro offers even more power and exclusive features. But do you really need them? In this article, we compare the two series in terms of design, performance, creativity and productivity. At the end, you will know exactly which iPad suits you and your needs.
design and size
- iPad Air: The iPad Air impresses with its slim, lightweight design and comes with a display size of 10.9 to 13 inches. It is slightly lighter than the Pro, which makes it ideal for on the go. Color options such as rose or blue appeal particularly to creative users who are looking for a bit of personality in their device.
- iPad Pro: The iPad Pro is available in two sizes: 11 inches and 12.9 inches. The larger model in particular is perfect for creative professionals who need a lot of space for their work. Both versions offer a sophisticated design and set new standards in terms of brightness and contrast with the Liquid Retina XDR display on the 12.9-inch model.
display and image quality
- iPad Air: The Liquid Retina display delivers brilliant colors and razor-sharp images. It is fully laminated and supports True Tone and P3 color space - perfect for movies, photos and occasional creative work.
- iPad Pro: Both models (11 and 12.9 inches) offer ProMotion technology with 120 Hz, which makes a visible difference, especially in animations and scrolling. The 12.9-inch model with Liquid Retina XDR display stands out with HDR support and an impressive brightness of up to 1600 nits - ideal for video editing and professional graphics work.
performance
- iPad Air: The iPad Air offers impressive performance, which varies depending on the generation. From the A14 Bionic chip in the 4th generation to the M1 chip and the M2 chip in the latest generation, the iPad Air can handle most requirements. The two M chips in particular are well equipped for demanding tasks or intensive multitasking, making the iPad Air a real all-rounder. If you would like to find out more about the individual generations, please read here our article on the iPad Air series through.
- iPad Pro: The iPad Pro is Apple's most powerful tablet and was designed for power users. Older models, such as the 4th generation, feature the M1 chip, which still offers excellent performance. Newer models take performance to a new level with the M2 chip and the latest generation even with the M4 chip. This means intensive workloads and professional apps are handled effortlessly, making the iPad Pro the best tablet for professionals. If you want to learn more about the respective generations, please read here our article on the iPad Pro series through.
accessories and connection options
- iPad Air: Supports the 2nd generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard - a solid combination for creative and productive work. USB-C lets you connect external devices, but Thunderbolt support is missing.
- iPad Pro: In addition to the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, the Pro model offers Thunderbolt support, making it ideal for connecting professional peripherals such as external displays or fast SSDs. It also has more speakers and offers Face ID instead of Touch ID.
purchase recommendation according to user profile
everyday users
If you're looking for a tablet that will accompany you in your everyday life without breaking your budget, the iPad Air is just right for you. With its M1 chip, it offers more than enough power for browsing, streaming, emails or light creative tasks such as editing photos. Thanks to its lightness and compatibility with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, it is flexible and an ideal choice for anyone who wants a reliable tablet for everyday use.
creatives
For graphic designers, illustrators or video editors who rely on precise tools and a powerful platform, the iPad Pro is the clear recommendation. With the M2 chip, ProMotion technology and the brilliant Liquid Retina XDR display of the 12.9-inch model, it sets standards for creative work. The razor-sharp display and professional performance make it the best choice for anyone who wants to work and design with their tablet.
power users and multitaskers
If you use many apps at the same time, run computationally intensive programs or want to connect your tablet to peripherals such as external displays or SSDs, there is no way around the iPad Pro. Support for Thunderbolt, the M2 chip and up to 16 GB RAM ensure maximum performance. The Pro model is optimal for demanding tasks and allows you to multitask smoothly - ideal for anyone who wants to get the most out of a tablet.
students or professionals
The iPad Air is an excellent choice for school, university or the office. It is light, handy and offers everything you need for notes, presentations, research or writing texts. In combination with the Magic Keyboard it becomes a compact laptop replacement, while the Apple Pencil takes writing and drawing to a new level. The iPad Air offers you an ideal balance of performance and mobility without overstretching your budget.
Conclusion
The iPad Air is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a powerful tablet for everyday use - be it for creative work, multitasking or media consumption. It offers excellent performance at an attractive price and is particularly mobile thanks to its lightweight design. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, is aimed at professionals and power users who need maximum performance, a brilliant display and expanded connectivity options. Whether you're a graphic designer, filmmaker or demanding multitasker - the Pro is the best choice if you're willing to invest in the additional features.
If you think that both models are not a perfect fit for you or are too expensive, please read our comparison between iPad mini and standard iPad through.
