iPad Air (2022) vs iPad Pro (2022): How to choose (2023)

FAQs

What is the difference between iPad Air and Pro 2022? ›

In other words -- you likely won't notice much of a difference between the two. The iPad Pro line has a faster refresh rate of up to 120Hz (called ProMotion), a higher max brightness level, and the larger iPad Pro uses mini-LED technology for a better picture, which Apple calls a Liquid Retina XDR display.

That delivers up to an 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU (10-core vs 8-core), and a 2x boost in memory bandwidth from 50GB/s to 100GB/s. But three other advantages the iPad Pro holds over the iPad Air – in this category – are Thunderbolt support, 16GB RAM on the 1TB and 2TB models, and more storage options.

You should buy the iPad Air 5 (2022) if...

Trickling down from MacBooks and iMacs, Apple's M1 chip is expected to be up to 60% faster and more powerful than its A-series counterpart -- like the A14 found in the 2020 iPad Air. That's a significant step up, considering both iPads start on equal footing with 8GB of RAM.

There's no question that the new iPad Pro is better than its predecessor. It's the same price and comes with a more powerful chip as well as a few additional features. That said, I think it's not as sure a bet as the last iPad Pro was when it came out in early 2021.

A couple of differences – the iPad Pro front camera features support for Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and Animoji/Memoji while the iPad Air front camera does not. And when it comes to speakers, you're getting four-speaker audio with the iPad Pro while the iPad Air has a two-speaker system.

iPad Air comes with a 10.5-inch screen with a Liquid Retina display. While you get two options with iPad Pro- 11-inch and 12.9-inch screens with Liquid Retina XDR display. Pro also comes with an additional feature called ProMotion Technology that provides an adaptive refresh rate of 10Hz to 120Hz.

The main difference between the devices is their chips and amount of memory, so if you plan on using your ‌iPad‌ for more demanding tasks like 3D graphic design, advanced photo editing, and gaming, the ‌iPad Air‌ will be the better choice by far.

First, the obvious: The iPad Air has a vastly more powerful processor, Apple's M1. This is the same processor that powered the company's previous generation of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro computers — in fact, I'm writing this very text on an M1 MacBook Pro that I bought in 2020, and it still serves me perfectly.

The only major feature it's missing is the 120Hz ProMotion screen refresh rate, but that's hardly something most people will even notice. We highly recommend the iPad Air for students who need premium performance and best iPad you can buy without the Pro name.

Most iPad buyers in 2022 are only picking between two storage options since the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini only offer 64GB and 256GB configurations. If you need to spend the least possible, get 64GB and the chances are you'll be fine.

What is the best iPad for 2022? ›

Apple's 2022 iPad Pro lineup is by far the most capable and impressive iPad lineup we've seen, making it our best overall pick. It's also the most expensive, by a long shot.

On a powerful tablet like this, 128GB seems like too little memory for 2022, especially if you do anything with images and videos on your tablet. Since Apple's tablets lack any user-expandable storage options, consider your usage plans and upgrade storage before you buy.

Should you buy it? Pick the 2022 iPad Pro if you want the extra power and better screen over other iPads. It's very fast, the screen display and speakers are excellent for kicking back and watching movies, and it's a great tablet for creatives who need added power for video or photo editing.

Other than size, the iPad has Apple's Retina display, while the iPad Air has a Liquid Retina display. That's to say the iPad Air essentially has slightly richer colors. Otherwise, both iPads basically have the same sharpness relative to their display size.

If you're looking for a do-it-all tablet with top-notch accessories, the 2022 iPad Air is the best choice in Apple's tablet lineup—and a better bet than any Android tablet—earning it our Editors' Choice award.

The main difference between the 2022 MacBook Air and Pro is the included fans for the Pro and Touch Bar. But if you're worried about performance and overheating, you should probably be looking at the 14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro.

An iPad with 64GB storage or less is suitable if you want to browse the internet, check your email, Facetime, or watch series. It's enough storage capacity to download apps and play some games.

How Many Years Should an iPad Last? Apple usually supports a new iPad with iPadOS updates for at least five years and often several years longer. Most iPad models hold up well in performance, features, and storage over this timeframe which means that five years is a standard lifespan for any iPad.

Should I get iPad Air or iPad 9th generation? ›

In the iPad Air 5 (2022) vs iPad 9 (2021) battle, the former wins every single round. The latter's only advantage is its price tag. If you're on a low budget or don't want to spend a lot on a tablet, it makes a good media consumption device. The iPad Air 5 and iPad 9 start at $599 and $329 in the US respectively.

There are two storage options, 64GB and 256GB, which is generally enough for most users. It's a bit slow when you need to multitask but still powers through with the A13 chip. If you're not a power user, the iPad can do more than enough for you.

The 12.9” iPad Pro in this setup (coupled with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil) is an incredible device, one that can very well become a college student's best friend. In a sense, if money is of no concern, there is no particular issue in recommending the iPad Pro.

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021)

If you're serious about getting the best iPad for any student then there's really only one choice. The latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro is an absolute creative powerhouse with an M1 processor, laptop-size screen and storage options up to 2TB.

For most consumers, 256GB is a good option if you need a lot of room for your apps and files. Unless you are doing professional work on your tablet, it is unlikely you will find yourself maxing out the 256GB option. Every Apple tablet except the 8th generation iPad offers this much storage.

So which iPad is the best for students? Overall, we think the iPad Air at 64GB is a solid choice for college. It's more affordable than the iPad Pro, yet offers a comparable performance for all your studying, research, and note-taking needs.

anywhere from 64-128 gb should be fine. Also keep in mind cloud storage (Google drive, iCloud, etc.) will be easy to use so I wouldn't worry about storage to much.

Which is the best iPad of all time? ›

The 2022 iPad Pro models are equipped with Apple's next-generation M2 Apple silicon chip, which was previously introduced in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The M2 chip features an 8-core CPU that's up to 15 percent faster than the M1 chip, offering improvements for both the performance and efficiency cores.

Released in April 2022, the newest iPad of all is the 5th generation iPad Air.

All iPad Pro models have a fixed default capacity and this internal storage cannot be expanded or upgraded subsequently. They do not have an SD card slot, either.

Cellular data on iPad gives you the flexibility to stay connected whenever you're away from Wi-Fi.

A 64GB storage device can hold more than 1 hour and 37 minutes of video at a resolution of 2.7k at 120fps. On a 64GB memory card, recording at a resolution of 1080p at 60fps allows for around 5 hours of video time.

The cost of iPad devices is expensive than that of android tablets. You also have to buy apps to use on your device. The accessories of the iPad are also expensive. For example, the external keyboard, touchpad, Apple pencil, card reader are expensive devices.

Superfast Wireless Connectivity. The new iPad Pro supports the fastest Wi-Fi connections with support for Wi-Fi 6E,³ so users who need fast connections can take their demanding workflows with them everywhere. Downloads are up to 2.4Gb/s, 2x faster than the previous generation.

The first explains that the new machine is your next computer, but it's not a computer. Yes, it's faster than most PC laptops -- according to Apple -- but you can touch the screen and even gear yourself up for an augmented reality.

The new iPad Pro for 2021 is a luxury tablet with a luxury price tag, and for most people it will be overkill. If you can afford it, however, you won't be disappointed.

Is an iPad worth it if you have a laptop? ›

While an iPad can accomplish many of the same tasks as a laptop, that doesn't mean they're interchangeable. There are probably some tasks you'll still need your laptop for, but there are also a lot of situations where you'll be able to leave your laptop at home and only carry the much lighter iPad.

Apple upgraded both of its iPad Pro models for 2022, with the 11-inch iPad Pro starting at $799 and the 12.9-inch version starting at $1,099 (this review focuses on the latter).

Best for Most People

Yes, there's a new entry-level iPad in town, but we still think the ninth-generation iPad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2021 is the best iPad for most people. It's the most affordable (and has dipped as low as $280 at Amazon before).

With the 2022 iPad Pro models, the Apple Pencil supports Hover Mode, which allows the Apple Pencil's tip to be detected up to 12 mm above the display. Apple says that users are able to see a preview of their mark before they make it, and that sketching and illustrating can be done with greater precision.

“With a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, powerful A14 Bionic chip, a first-ever landscape front camera, fast wireless connectivity, USB-C, and support for incredible accessories like the new Magic Keyboard Folio, the new iPad delivers more value, more versatility — and is simply more fun.”

Touch ID works on the 2022 iPad just like it did on the last model; only the position of the sensor has changed. You'll still be able to use your fingerprint to unlock your iPad, access secure apps, and authorize Apple Pay payments and in-app purchases.