Is it better to buy the iPad Air and save money, or go for the extensive possibilities of the iPad Pro? In this iPad Pro 2021 vs iPad Air 2020 comparison, we indicate which tablet is right for you.
Comparison iPad Pro 2021 vs iPad Air 2020
The iPad Pro received a major upgrade in April 2021. The brand new Pro tablet has, for example, a super-fast M1 processor, beautiful Liquid Retina XDR screen, a Thunderbolt connection and much more. The iPad Air was last updated in September 2020 and both tablets have the same design. Many features also match.
However, looks can be deceiving. In reality, the iPad Pro 2021 and iPad Air 2020 are two very different devices with very different audiences in mind. In this article we put the two along the yardstick.
Screen
In terms of size, the iPads differ little from each other. The iPad Air of 2020 comes in one size, 10.9 inches, and with the iPad Pro 2021 you can choose: 11 or 12.9 inches. If you choose the smallest iPad Pro, then there is practically no difference in size with the iPad Air.
A much more important difference is the screen of the iPad you choose. The largest iPad Pro (with a 12.9-inch format) has a so-called Liquid Retina XDRdisplay. This screen is based on the thousands of euros costing Pro Display XDR monitor and uses mini LED. This technology can dim slightly locally, making the iPad Pro (12.9 inches) excel at showing contrasts.
On the other hand, the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 has a ‘normal’ LCD screen, just like the iPad Air. That of the Pro tablet is slightly brighter and also has ProMotion. As a result, the pixels in the screen refresh 120 times per second, while the Air does not go beyond 60. The result: the display of the iPad Pro is much smoother, whether you buy the 11 or 12.9 inch version.
Also interesting: You should know this about the screen of the iPad Pro 2021
Hardware
There is also an important difference under the hood. The iPad Pro (both sizes) are powered by the Apple M1 chip. This processor is also found in the latest MacBook Air and iMac, for example, and is unprecedentedly powerful for a tablet processor. So you can play games and edit photos with the iPad Pro 2021 without any problems.
The iPad Air 2021 has less powerful hardware. It is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which is also found in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, for example. So you can use the tablet perfectly for everyday tasks such as watching movies and playing games, but editing videos, for example, is smoother on the iPad Pro.
This is partly due to working memory. The iPad Pro has 8 or 16GB of RAM, while the iPad Air only reaches up to 4GB. Working memory, also called RAM, is especially important when you use many apps at the same time. RAM ensures that the iPad ‘remembers’ where you left off so that you can continue quickly and easily.
You can also choose from many more storage versions with the iPad Pro 2021. It starts at 128GB, but you can go up to 2TB. The iPad Air 2021 comes in only two versions: 64GB and 256GB.
Camera
In terms of camera, the Pro undoubtedly draws the longest straw.
The iPad Pro 2021 has a dual camera on the back. The 12-megapixel wide-angle camera is supported by a 10-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens and a LiDAR scanner. This scanner excels at registering depths and can be used, for example, for all kinds of augmented reality apps. On the back of the iPad Air is a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera.
Up front, the iPad Pro 2021 also has the best cards. With the 12 megapixel selfie camera you can make video calls in full HD quality (1080p); the iPad Air can handle a maximum of hd-ready (720p).
Also cool: the latest iPad Pro has Center Stage. This function focuses on you during video calling. This allows you, for example, to walk a bit without getting out of sight, or else sit in your chair.
Thanks to the stereo sound, you are also well understood and thanks to the four speakers you can hear other video callers without cracking. The iPad Air has no stereo sound and TrueDepth is also missing. This allows you to take well-exposed portrait photos with the iPad Pro 2021.
Design and colors
Those who like summer colors should go for the iPad Air 2020. This tablet is available in five fresh colors: sky blue, green, rose gold, space gray and silver. The 2021 iPad Pro will come in two more business lines: space gray and silver.
In terms of design, the two tablets differ little from each other. The iPad Pro is slightly larger, but both have a ‘retro design’ with a flat housing and hard edges.
It is also important to know that the iPad Air 2020 does not have a Face ID. You cannot unlock the tablet with a face scan, unlike the iPad Pro 2021. The Pro does not have a Touch ID scanner to unlock with your fingerprint.
5G and connections
The iPad Pro from 2021 is the first iPad with 5G. The successor to 4G is rolling out increasingly widely in the Netherlands and will be considerably faster from next year. That is because providers then switch on the necessary transmission towers. You can only use 4G on the iPad Air 2020.
Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro have a USB-C connection, but only the latter can handle both Thunderbolt and USB 4 devices. In practice, you can connect the iPad Pro to almost any peripheral (such as hard drives and monitors).
price
The price difference between the two Apple tablets is significant. The iPad Air 2020 starts at 668.50 euros, although you can now buy the tablet for considerably less. You will spend at least 899 euros for the iPad Pro 2021. The 12.9-inch version (with Liquid Retina XDR) even costs 1219 euros.
iPad Pro 2021 vs iPad Air 2020: our purchase advice
So, which tablet is better to buy now? As far as we are concerned, the iPad Air 2020 has a better price-quality ratio. This makes the tablet a smarter purchase for most people. The iPad Air 2020 is fast enough for everyday tasks, apps and games, has a nice design, nice screen and is comfortable in the hand.
Are you going to use your iPad professionally, for example because you are a designer or artist? Then you might want to go for the iPad Pro 2021. Apple’s best tablet of the moment is incredibly powerful and is packed with smart, useful functions such as Center Stage and has 5G internet.
To buy
Do you want to buy the iPad Air 2020? The tablet is available at all known points of sale and can now be purchased for less than the suggested retail price.
You can buy the iPad Pro 2021 now, with the tablet being widely available later this month. It starts at 899 euros and you can expand the standard storage capacity of 128GB to a maximum of 2TB for an additional cost.