iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad Pro 2021 Buyer's Guide

Apple introduced the fifth-generation iPad Air in March of 2022, featuring the M1 chip, 5G, and a new front-facing camera system. The new iPad Air has a number of high-end features like ProMotion and a Thunderbolt port, but also features the same chip as the current iPad Pro lineup.

The fourth-generation iPad Air was introduced in September 2020 and brought the device closer to the iPad Pro. The iPad Air and iPad Pro are different for different groups of users.

Should you save money by purchasing the iPad Air or do you need the high-end features of the iPad Pro? The guide tells you how to decide which iPad is best for you.

Comparing the iPad Air and iPad Pro

The iPad Air and iPad Pro both have a number of key features, such as a squared-off industrial design, a 12MP rear Wide camera, and a 12MP front-facing Ultra.

Similarities

• Industrial design with flat edges
• Liquid Retina display with 264 ppi, full lamination, oleophobic and anti-reflective coating, P3 Wide Color, and True Tone
• ‌M1‌ chip with next-generation Neural Engine
• 5G connectivity
• ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide rear camera, with digital zoom up to 5x and Smart HDR 3 for photos
• ƒ/2.4 12MP front-facing Ultra Wide camera with 2x optical zoom out and Center Stage
• 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, 3x video zoom, slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps, time-lapse video with stabilization
• "All-day" 10 hour battery life
• Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
• USB‑C connector
• Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

Many of the most important features of the iPad are shared by the other iPad. There are a lot of differences between the iPad Air and iPad Pro that are worth highlighting.

Differences

There is an iPad Air.

• Touch ID built into the top button
• 10.9-inch display
• Liquid Retina LED display
• 500 nits max brightness (typical)
• 8GB of memory
• Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity
• ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide rear camera
• Digital zoom up to 5x
• 3x video zoom
• ƒ/2.4 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with 2x optical zoom out and Center Stage
• Two speaker audio landscape mode
• USB‑C connector
• Up to 256GB storage
• Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue
• Price starting at $599

The iPad Pro has a screen.

• Face ID enabled by TrueDepth camera
• 11-inch or 12.9-inch display, with 120Hz ProMotion technology
• Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display on 12.9-inch model with 1,000 nits max full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR)
• 600 nits max brightness (typical)
• 8GB or 16GB of memory
• Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G connectivity
• ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide and ƒ/2.4 10MP Ultra Wide rear cameras with LiDAR scanner
• True Tone flash
• Digital zoom up to 5x and 2x optical zoom out
• Video zoom up to 3x and 2x optical zoom out
• Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps
• Audio zoom
• ƒ/2.4 12MP TrueDepth Ultra Wide front camera with 2x optical zoom out, Center Stage, Portrait Mode, and Portrait Lighting, Animoji, and Memoji
• Stereo recording
• Four-speaker audio
• USB‑C connector with support for Thunderbolt / USB 4
• Up to 2TB storage
• Available in Silver and Space Gray
• Price starting at $799

The iPad Air is the better option for the majority of users because of its value for money. For most people, the additional $200+ needed to buy the iPad Pro won't be worth it.

Some features of the iPad Pro, such as the Ultra Wide rear camera, larger storage options and up to 16GB of memory, will only be useful to a small group of iPad users. Some of the high-end features will never be used by most users. Many features, such as the True Tone flash, may not be used by many users.

Professionals who have a clear use case for needing larger amounts of RAM and storage will benefit from buying the iPad Pro. Prosumers will enjoy features such as 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the mini-LED display, even if they are not necessary, and those who want a larger 12.9-inch display for content consumption.

If you want to replace your laptop or computer with the iPad Pro, you should choose the 12.9-inch model. The larger iPad Pro has a mini-LED and larger display than the iPad Air.

The iPad Air is the best option for most users and will be more than enough for them. Users can get an all-screen design, a chip with practical features, and compatibility with the latest Apple accessories with the iPad Air.