Comparison iPad Air 5 vs iPad Pro 11 inches 2021

Characteristics of both models

Before going fully into the highlights of both iPad models, what we want to do is let you know, first of all, what are the most outstanding features of both the 5th generation iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro. 2021. Therefore, below you can find a table with all its specifications.

Once you know what the main characteristics of these two iPads are, we want to tell you what key points you have to pay attention to, from our point of view, when choosing one device or another given the tremendous similarities that these two teams present. We present them to you below.

• The first point where you have to look is, without any doubt, on the screen . Although at first glance they may seem really similar, since one has 10.9 inches and another with 11, the key is in the refresh rate .
• Power is something that matters, although in this case it will not matter to you to choose between one model or another because both have the popular M1 chip .
• The USB-C port is also one of the points that, at first glance, does not seem to make a difference, however, for those users who require a higher transfer rate, they will have an aspect here that can unbalance the balance in favor of the iPad 11-inch pro.
• Compatible accessories are key when it comes to getting the most out of these two pieces of equipment. Fortunately, in this sense both have the same possibilities.

Main differences

Once you know what the technical characteristics of the two iPad models are and you know the most important points that you have to pay attention to in this comparison, it is time to start with the differences that can be found. As we have mentioned, they are two really similar iPads, but there are key differences that you have to know.

Screen

As we mentioned before, one of the most important points of this comparison is the screen. Initially, they may seem like two practically the same panels, since their size is similar, 10.9 inches for the iPad Air and 11 inches for the iPad Pro. And yes, really in that sense there is no appreciable difference that marks the experience that users are going to have. have with each other.

The key is in the refresh rate they have. While the iPad Air has the traditional 60 Hz , the iPad Pro, as usual, has a ProMotion screen, that is, its refresh rate reaches 120 Hz , thus providing a truly pleasant user experience. But beware, this not only affects visually, but on a functional level many professionals need to work with high refresh rates, so the 11-inch iPad Pro charges a lot.

The reality is that, especially those users who until now have been using a previous iPad Pro model that already had this ProMotion screen, when using the iPad Air they will notice this drop in the refresh rate considerably, to the point that the first few days they will have the feeling of using a device slower than the previous one, although this is not really the case. You also have to keep in mind that this sensation will diminish as you use the device, since your eye will get used to it.

Storage

Taking into account that these two devices, both the iPad Air 5 and the 11-inch iPad Pro of 2021, are focused on a more or less professional use of them. The ability that Apple gives you to be able to customize the storage space of your computer itself is key, especially for those professionals who will need to work with very large files.

Again, in this aspect it is the iPad Air that loses out, since the Cupertino company has established its limit at 256 GB, a really low capacity depending on what tasks the user wants to perform. For its part, the iPad Pro does have a greater range, since it can aspire to up to 2TB of storage, something that is much closer to what a user who wants to work with the iPad will need. However, below we leave you the capacities in which both models are available.

• iPad Air 5
  • 64GB
  • 256GB.
• 2021 iPad Pro 11-inch
  • 128GB.
  • 256GB.
  • 512GB.
  • 1TB.
  • 2TB

USB-C port

In the same way that it appears on the screen, at first glance, that there are hardly any differences between them, the same thing happens with the USB-C port of both iPad models. However, since appearances can sometimes be deceiving, you should know that the iPad Air port is USB-C , while the iPad Pro port is also a Thunderbolt port .

To give you an idea of ​​what this means, the Thunderbolt port is capable of supporting higher transfer speeds than USB-C, thus it is capable of outputting high-definition video through DisplayPort. This allows many users to connect the iPad to other screens and makes the experience more satisfactory, as well as, mainly, making the transfer of files from the iPad to an external storage device and vice versa much faster, something that for many professionals is key.

cameras

The last difference we want to talk to you about is in the cameras of both teams. This is a point that really should not have much relevance for users who have to opt for one device or another, since there are really few situations in which a user needs to use the iPad camera. However, there are differences between the two that you should know and take into account, above all, depending on the use that you can finally make of them.

Placing ourselves first on the back of the iPad, the difference is clear, the iPad Pro has a dual camera module made up of a wide angle and an ultra wide angle, while the iPad Air only has one lens, the wide angle which, in addition, shares with the iPad Pro because they have an f / 1.8 aperture, on the other hand, the ultra wide angle of the iPad Pro has an f / 2.4 aperture. To these differences we must also add the presence of the LiDAR sensor in the camera module of the iPad Pro, which will greatly help all those tasks that the iPad has to perform related to augmented reality. For practical purposes, the only thing you have to know is that these lenses really take high-quality photographs in good light conditions, and that in the Pro model you will have the much-demanded ultra-wide-angle lens.

We now move to the front of the device , because obviously on an iPad, perhaps the camera that matters most is this one, which will be in charge of collecting the image that users will show in each and every one of the video calls that they can make on this device. Both have a 12 Mpx ultra wide angle lens with f / 2.4 aperture and, here comes the most important thing, the famous centered frame so striking for video calls. With this functionality, the subject will always be in the center of the image, giving you the feeling that the iPad is continuously following you. In addition, it also allows many more people to get into the picture, as the focal length on these lenses has increased.

Similarities

Once we have already told you about the differences between these two iPad models, it is time to get fully into telling you what are the points in which they hardly differ, but that you do not have to put aside for that, since they will also mark the experience you will have with both teams.

design and size

Fortunately, the all-screen design that came to the iPad with the 2018 Pro model has already been extended to practically all models, and therefore, also to the iPad Air. This design gives the iPad a completely different touch, making it even more functional and, of course, more attractive. However, despite the fact that the two have the same design, you can see how the iPad Air frames are somewhat larger than those of the iPad Pro, hence the difference in screen size.

In terms of size, both teams enjoy dimensions that if they provide anything, it is versatility. It is ideal to be able to use it comfortably in any situation, its screen size is suitable for the vast majority of productivity and leisure tasks, and of course, it is tremendously portable, since you can put it in any backpack without any problem.

Power

Both the 5th generation iPad Air and the 2021 11-inch iPad Pro can boast a lot of things, but above all, they can boast power thanks to the fact that they both have the M1 chip . In addition, this movement by Apple is somewhat strange, since the Air and Pro range have always differed, among other things, because the processor that the Pro had was more powerful than that of the Air, however, with these models it does not happen the same, and it is certainly good news for all users.

The question that many ask themselves is if so much power that they hide and that these two teams have is really usable . Well, surely no user is able to get the most out of the M1 chip in an iPad, but not because of it, but because of the limitations that the iPad itself presents at the software level. However, this can change over time and, in this case, it will be much better to have an iPad that has this M1 chip which, if it stands out for anything, is for providing performance, optimization and power.

Accessories

One of the great strengths that both the iPad Pro and the iPad Air have in this case are the different accessories with which they are compatible. The Cupertino company has not only been in charge of making good devices, but also of surrounding them with access gadgets that can best complement them and, above all, help users to get the most out of them.

Two of the standouts are undoubtedly the Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard . The first of them is an ideal tool to be able to write, draw, take notes, edit photography, make sketches, in short, which for a large number of professionals is the ideal accessory. Also, you have to know that both iPad models are compatible with the second generation Apple Pencil. On the other hand, for those users who want to adopt one of these two iPad models as their main device, that is, use them as if they were a computer, the Magic Keyboard is, without a doubt, the keyboard that provides the best experience. of user will contribute to you in all the senses. Both for its design and for the inclusion of the trackpad and everything that this means.

Also, going back to mentioning the USB-C and Thunderbolt port , you also have to keep in mind that this means that you can connect any USB-C HUB to the iPad to adapt and use many other accessories. From hard drives, memory cards or even microphones. In this sense the iPad is really versatile.

Price

We come to a crucial point of the comparison, and it is the price. Despite the fact that the number of differences between these two iPad models is not great, it is true that the ones that do exist, as we have already mentioned, are key at certain times and, above all, for certain users. This is obviously reflected in the price of both teams, which varies by a significant amount of money.

In this way, you can find the 5th generation iPad Air in the Apple Store from 679 euros in its 64 GB version, while the 11-inch iPad Pro from 2021 in its basic version, which is the 128 GB version, amounts to 879 euros . Obviously, to this cost you will have to add those accessories that you want to use, if that is your intention.

Which one is more worth it?

As usual in this type of post, we always end by telling you what our opinion is about both teams, focusing above all on making the best possible choice. As usual, everything will depend on the use you are going to make of the equipment. If you are a user who needs to draw, who is going to carry out professional tasks with the Apple Pencil, without a doubt the one that is most worthwhile for you is the iPad Pro , since the refresh rate of the screen is differential in this regard.

On the other hand, and this being the casuistry of the vast majority of users, if you are going to make normal use of the iPad, that is, consume multimedia content, use it as a digital notebook or to edit text documents and presentations, the iPad Air is , quality / price ratio, the best of these two teams. Of course, taking into account that until now you have not had an iPad Pro that did have that ProMotion screen, since as we have mentioned, in that case you will notice a lot of the jump back on the screen.