Compare iPad Pro 2021 with iPad Air 2020: Specs and Differences

iPad Pro 2021 and iPad Air: differences in specifications

These iPads are much more than a comparison table, but it would be foolish to deny that their raw specifications are not significant enough to see some first differences on paper. Here, a comparative table and in the following sections a more practical analysis of what a good part of these characteristics represent.

* Regarding the RAM memory of the iPad Air, it must be said that it is a data that has been known based on different tests carried out on the device, since Apple did not officially give the data.

Both have an “up-to-date” design.

These two tablets are very similar and not only because they both share the iconic Apple apple, but they share a form factor on all sides. Flattened edges and rounded curves are already hallmarks of the company’s latest products, and both come with it. In dimensions they are also identical, although it is striking that despite this the iPad Air has 0.1 inches less diagonally. Precisely because of this, we find more pronounced bezels on the front that, without being something disproportionate, does that visually it can seem slightly more archaic than the iPad Pro.

As far as color gamut is concerned, the iPad Air seems a more animated device that not only adds the two identifying colors of the ‘Pro’, but also adds a few that surely can excite those looking for more vivid colors than the always elegant silver and space gray. At the rear we also see obvious differences in the camera module, with a package for the dual lens and LiDAR in the ‘Pro’ and a single lens for the ‘Air’. Actually the latter is much more similar to the iPad Pro of 2018 in this sense, being there practically twin brothers.

Similar, but not identical displays

Do you notice that one is 11 inches and another 10.9? Well, unless you have used one of them for a while and go to another, you probably won’t notice an excessive difference. Even if you are in that situation, you will end up getting used to it. The 0.1 inch more of the iPad Pro is appreciated because it is also added in a front of identical dimensions, but it is not here where it really stands out but in the 120 Hz refresh rate.

This rate refers to the number of times the content is updated on the screen per second, in this case having 60 refreshments per second in the ‘Air’ and 120 in the ‘Pro’. At first it may seem that there is no difference, but it is enough to mess with one and the other to appreciate it. Having this higher rate gives the ‘Pro’ a feeling of greater fluidity when scrolling through the system or when sliding down or up in applications with a timeline. And although we consider that it is an attractive extra, being objective it must be said that in terms of utility there is little today since there is hardly any multimedia content where it is taken advantage of beyond some video games.

At a visual level we also find interesting improvements in the ‘Pro’ in terms of resolution. But again pulling the practical side, in the day to day you do not notice an excessive change. Both screens are very balanced in terms of quality and sharpness of colors. Perhaps the brightness that is 100 nits higher in the ‘Pro’ can make you gain integers, but taking into account the circumstances in which iPads are usually used, it is not something that is going to be missing in the ‘Air’ either.

In performance there is one much superior to another

The iPad Pro has neither more nor less than the best processor designed by Apple to date, the M1 that they even incorporated into the range of entry-level laptops and iMac, in addition to the Mac mini. The M1 is a chip that provides an enormous raw performance and more for an iPad, more if it is combined with its 8 or 16 GB of integrated RAM. The iPad Air for its part has an A14 chip that is still a processor made for intermediate iPhone and iPad.

Be careful, the iPad Air chip is weaker than that of the ‘Pro’, but not much less bad. In the end it is capable of executing exactly the same tasks as the M1 on the iPad, although with obvious differences in terms of time. For this reason, the iPad Pro is more oriented to the demanding public that runs heavy applications on a routine basis, such as video, photo and audio editors. Those are tasks that the iPad Air meets, but with worse times and pushing it to its processing limits.

In which nothing changes, unless Apple wants to distinguish them in the future, is in the operating system of iPadOS. This is a software already differentiated from the iOS of the iPhone despite starting from the same base and that gives options that bring the experience of the iPad closer to that obtained with a computer. In fact, there will be those who do not even require a classic computer for their routines having any of these iPads, despite the fact that macOS is still far away as a complete desktop system.

Storage capacities, enough?

The issue of storage is usually always a decisive point of choice when buying a device like this. The level of demand will always depend on the use to be made, if you will need to save many files in the internal memory (apps, photos, documents, etc.) or if you use cloud storage services such as iCloud or any other. At a general level, the 64 GB from which the iPad Air starts could fall short in many cases, although not in all as is evident. The 256GB offered as an alternative seems more reasonable.

The iPad Pro for its part has a 128 GB base that we do see more focused on any type of public regardless of whether they manage their storage mainly in the cloud. As that one said, better than missing. If we take into account that it offers capacities of up to 2 TB, we can conclude that this model cannot be blamed for absolutely anything negative in relation to this section.

5G connectivity is another differential factor

Only if you plan to acquire one of these iPad with the possibility of connecting to the internet (WiFi + Cellular versions) will you be interested in this point, since the normal versions do not include any type of internet connection other than via WiFi network. That said, the iPad Pro is ahead of its competitor in this comparison for having included the possibility of connecting to 5G networks in the aforementioned LTE versions.

As we anticipated in the title of this section, this 5G connection is a differential factor, but is it decisive? In our opinion it is not. We do not doubt that 5G networks are the future because the devilish speeds that are reached with it are amazing and help to carry out any type of action on the internet in a more agile way. However, today the infrastructure that requires this type of connection is still scarce, limited to some areas and usually always in large cities. Therefore, unless you are going to make a very intensive use of the internet connection outside the home and you have made sure that you have this 5G network available, this should not be a definitive point for you to choose the iPad Pro over the iPad Air.

Classic Face ID vs Touch ID on lock button

Both biometric systems are used for more than unlocking the iPad, since it allows you to make secure payments with Apple Pay, access passwords saved on the iCloud keychain or download apps without having to enter your password. In security we also find two very safe systems, especially Face ID, which is still the best facial unlocking on the market today. Also in fluidity we see few drawbacks to both systems.

Deciding on one or the other is frankly complicated. There are those who prefer one over the other, but the truth is that in the end neither is perfect and depending on which situations one can be more useful than another. We would love that, at least in the ‘Pro’, both possibilities had been given, but it was not like that.

Cameras and… Action!

There are those who do not give too much importance to the game of cameras of an iPad. It is partly reasonable if we take into account that this device is not usually used to take photos or videos, mainly for reasons of comfort due to its size. However, they come equipped with cameras that can be used in many circumstances and that have the following characteristics:

As we said before, whoever does not value this point in their purchase decision will give the same one than the other. But who if you have any interest will have found that the iPad Pro is superior in everything to the iPad Air, who despite everything does not defend itself badly. There are some really striking points of the ‘Pro’ such as the new FaceTime call tracking system when the front camera is used, since thanks to the ultra-wide angle that is incorporated it is possible to do that, even if you move or join other people to the call being by your side, in the end you do not lose the focus of you and the image will follow you.

Both are compatible with the same accessories

The fact that both iPads share a size and also have the Smart Connector located in the same place (rear) makes both are compatible with the same accessories. Both are with all those headphones, mice, trackpads, keyboards or external storage drives. Either via Bluetooth or via cable with its USB-C ports. Of course, in the case of the iPad Pro, the possibilities increase knowing that it has Thunderbolt compatibility and can connect to external displays of up to 6K.

Regarding official Apple accessories, we find that they have the possibility of being compatible with the classic Smart Cover cases and also with keyboards such as the Smart Keyboard or the Magic Keyboard with trackpad. All this without forgetting the Magic Mouse 2 or the second generation Apple Pencil. The latter is in fact one of the stars of these iPad, being of vital importance for those who like to take notes by hand on the tablet, draw, color or have a pointer to use to navigate the system or take advantage of some applications.

Is the price difference big?

At the price level there are differences that, depending on the pocket and what each one is willing to spend, can be more or less salvageable. We must also bear in mind that there are some stores that may sporadically lower these prices due to a temporary reduction, which could make some of them more economical. The prices that we show here are the official prices set by Apple itself through its physical and online stores.

iPad Air

• WiFi versions
  • 64 GB: 649 euros
  • 256 GB: 819 euros
• WiFi + Cellular versions
  • 64 GB: 789 euros
  • 256 GB: 959 euros

iPad Pro

• WiFi versions:
  • 128 GB of storage and 8 GB RAM: 879 euros
  • 256 GB of storage and 8 GB RAM: 989 euros
  • 512 GB storage and 8 GB RA): 1,209 euros
  • 1 TB of storage and 16 GB RA): 1,649 euros
  • 2 TB of storage and 16 GB RAM: 2,089 euros
• WiFi + Cellular version with 5G
  • 128 GB of storage and 8 GB RAM: 1,049 euros
  • 256 GB of storage and 8 GB RAM: 1,159 euros
  • 512 GB of storage and 8 GB RAM: 1,379 euros
  • 1 TB of storage and 16 GB RAM: 1,819 euros
  • 2 TB of storage and 16 GB RAM: 2,259 euros

Which of these two iPads do we recommend you buy?

The iPad Pro is undoubtedly better seen than seen. Not? Well yes and no. At the end of the day, what we have been seeing in each section are positive and negative points of each one. That the ‘Pro’ model will better satisfy all the user’s needs is a fact, but there will be those who see enough with what is offered in the ‘Air’ model. This is where, if you have doubts between buying one or the other, you should put several factors on a scale. Does the price difference make up for you? Will you take advantage of the raw performance of the M1 chip in the iPad Pro? Does the 120 Hz refresh rate seem fundamental to you? These are some of the key points that we have been seeing and that, if they do not seem enough, they could give you to opt for the iPad Air. If, on the other hand, you give great importance to those elements, the iPad Pro will be the one that best suits you.