iPad Air 5 2022 vs iPad Pro 2021: which one to choose. If on the one hand it is fair to compare the fifth generation iPad Air with the fourth generation iPad Air, it could be interesting to compare the latest iPad Air presented with the iPad Pro 2021. Yes, because if it is true that the devices are aimed at a different audience, it is equally true that the arrival of a cheaper tablet, with M1 chip, could convince most to save, without necessarily buying a Pro. In this article we compare the fifth generation iPad Air with the iPad Pro 2021, hoping to help you choose .
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Aesthetics
If you look at the aesthetics of these two terminals, you notice a certain similarity. Particularly with the iPad Air 11, as the dimensions are very similar. It is clear, however, that if you are looking for a tablet with a larger diagonal, your attention can only turn to the 12.9-inch tablet and the comparison simply does not stand up
It should also be considered that the iPad Air 5 has a wide range of colors on its side. While the iPad Pro models are only available in Space Gray and Silver, the Air is on sale in five colors: space gray, galaxy, blue, purple, pink
On the front, in any case, the aesthetic differences are few, because both versions offer a full-screen design, without buttons. If you look at the dimensions, height and width of the iPad Air 5 and iPad Pro 11 inches 2021 are identical, equal to 247.6 x 178.5 mm, with a slight difference in thickness, to the advantage of the 5.9 mm Pro, against i 6.1 mm.
This is to say that, if you are looking for a tablet with an extremely clean, elegant aesthetic, and also suitable for a business environment, you will find in Air a very valuable ally.
Display
As for the screen, there are important differences between the two models, especially if the comparison is made with the 12.9-inch model. All iPads, net of the different diagonal and the consequent different resolution, offer the same pixel density, equal to 264 ppi. A small difference can be seen in the typical brightness of 500 nits for Air and 600 nits for Pro. Things change, however, when you consider the maximum brightness of the iPad Pro 12.9, which offers maximum XDR brightness of 100 nits, and 1600 nits. peak when exploiting HDR content. It is clear that the iPad Pro 12.9 screen is from another planet, also because it is the only one to use mini-LED technology.
We point out that the displays of the pro models use ProMotion technology, able to adapt the refresh rate automatically, according to the contents visible on the screen. This feature, rather than offering a direct advantage in the perception of image quality, serves to better optimize the consumption of the tablet.
In other words, while for most of us there won’t be such stark differences between the iPad Pro 11 screen and the iPad Air 5 screen, professionals can take great advantage of the iPad Pro 12.9 screen. we reiterate it cannot be a real alternative to iPad Air 5 due to the differences not only in size but in technologies. Probably, that’s why Apple wanted to keep the mini-LED exclusive on the most expensive of its tablets.
Processor
Even if you look at the data sheet of the fifth generation iPad Air, you can see how it shares many of the features with the iPad Pro, particularly with the 11-inch iPad Pro. Already from this it turns out that the new Apple tablet will be powerful enough for most users, who in many cases will not need the Pro features.
First of all, thanks to the presence of the M1 Chip, the fifth generation iPad Air is faster than the iPad Air 4 with a 60% improvement in CPU speed and double graphics performance, as reported by Apple. This is because the Air’s M1 chip is identical to the M1 chip found on the iPad Pro, as well as identical to the one that first debuted with Mac models in 2020. This means that most iPad Air users do not. will not even be able to push this chip to the limit of its potential.
A small difference might arise from the fact that the 1 TB models of the iPad Pro (a memory cut that isn’t available for the iPad Air) have 16 GB of RAM versus the iPad Air’s 8 GB.
Cameras
The iPad is certainly not the first device that comes to mind when it comes to taking pictures on the go. For this aspect we prefer to use a smartphone. In any case, there is no shortage of differences on the rear camera, where the iPad Pro models offer, in addition to the 12 MP wide angle also present on the Air, also a second 10 MP ultra wide angle sensor. This is not just a difference on paper but ultimately marginal if we think that the use of the iPad as a camera, as mentioned, is not a primary goal.
On the front, the camera is the same, 12 MP, with support for the Center Stage function. This yes, unlike the front, it seems to us to be of particular relevance, considering that it is used more often for video conferences, even in the workplace or professional.
5G networks
All three tablets support 5G. Apple’s iPad Air 2022 gets 5G for the first time in cellular configurations but without the faster mmWave standard, reserved for the Pro line. It is a difference on paper that is important but irrelevant in Italy for many reasons; between 5G and 4G the difference in Italy is modest but especially in Italy the millimeter wave standard is not yet available in our country and years will pass before it makes a difference. In short, for daily use with the tablet, even intense and professional use, the 5G of the iPad Air and that of the iPad Pro are no different.
Pro features
Then there is a whole series of features that are reserved for the Pro models. In front of all Face ID, which is not present on the Air, where we have the Touch ID below the power button. Again, the iPad Air 5’s USB-C port is twice as fast as that of the previous model and the current iPad mini 6, but it’s still not as advanced as the iPad Pro’s Thunderbolt / USB 4 port.
As mentioned above, if you need more RAM only the Pro configurations reach 16 GB, while Air stops at 8. The same goes for the internal memory: those who need space will find configurations up to 2TB on the PRO models, while Air stops to 256 GB.
In short, the exclusive features of the Pro models are not lacking, but these are differences that, for the majority of users, don’t really make that much of a difference. Let’s try to explain: if you look at the RAM it is true that the 16 GB of the Pros are many, but also the 8 of the Air will ensure a more than valid user experience, so much so that in most uses you will not notice the difference. In the same way, the internal disk: the 2 TB of the maximum configuration of the Pro is an endless amount, but also the 256 GB of Air will allow you to download so many data and apps, that it is difficult to feel the lack of space in a scenario of common use. storage.
When it comes to accessories, both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro support the Apple Pencil 2 and the Magic Keyboard, so the user will not miss out on any of these user experiences, regardless of the model you choose.
Prices
The iPad Pro’s listing is much more important than the iPad Air’s. For the 12.9-inch model, in fact, it starts from € 1219 for the WiFi model, while if you think about the model with Cellular data you have to spend at least € 1389. iPad Air, on the other hand, starts at 699 euros for the WiFi model. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at 899 euros, therefore 200 euros more than iPad Air, while for the more mobile Data version, it goes to 1069 euros, however a lot more than the Cellular version of the iPad Air 5 which starts at 869 EUR.
Which one to choose
At this point, let’s try to put the pillars that must guide the purchase choice between an iPad Pro and a fifth-generation iPad Air
Buy a 12.9 ″ iPad Pro
- If you want the biggest screen possible
- If you want the best tablet screen in the world
Buy a 12.9 ″ iPad Pro or an iPad Pro
- If you want an iPad with a lot of memory, iPad Air loses the comparison with both iPad Pros. The maximum capacity of the iPad Air is 256 GB.
- If you want Face ID
- If you want Thunderbolt ports as fast as possible
- If you want to take pictures with a super wide angle tablet and a lidar for measurements
- If you want better audio in both recording and playback
Buy an iPad Air
If you want a modern iPad that is as powerful as possible while spending as little as possible
In short, it will be understood, our belief is that, except for a small number of people, the best choice is that of a fifth generation iPad Air. It’s as powerful as iPad Pro, I have a big screen like iPad Pro 11 ″ with excellent quality. The lack of Face ID is not a substantial problem and if you want to use it as a writing device, you have the possibility to take advantage of the same Magic Keyboard that is used on the iPad Pro. And in the end you will save at least 200 euros.
Below is a table of current offers on Amazon of fifth generation iPad Air and iPad Pro 11 “and 12.9” 2021: if the discount on iPad Pro (especially on the 11 “model) is equal to or greater than 10%, the ratio of convenience turn more in favor of the discounted iPad Pro compared to the full-priced iPad Air 2022.