Apple recently updated the iPad Pro, widening the gap with the iPad Air, but how different are the two product lines and which should you buy?
Earlier this year, Apple refreshed the βiPad Airβ with the M3 chipβa minor update over the previous model from 2024 which added the M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover. The latest βiPad Proβ models introduced the M5 chip alongside a small number of changes after last year's major redesign, which saw the debut of a thinner design with OLED displays.
Should you consider purchasing the βiPad Airβ to save money, or do you need the high-end features of the βiPad Proβ? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you.
βiPad Airβ (M3, 2025)
βiPad Proβ (M5, 2025)
Liquid Retina display (LED backlit display with IPS technology)
Ultra Retina XDR display (Tandem OLED)
ProMotion technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz
11-inch model SDR brightness: 500 nits max
13-inch model SDR brightness: 600 nits max
SDR brightness: 1,000 nits max
XDR brightness: 1,000 nits max full screen, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content only)
Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models
Drive external displays at 60Hz
Drive external displays at up to 120Hz
Adaptive Sync support
βM3β chip
M5 chip
Made using TSMC's first-generation 3nm technology (N3)
Made using TSMC's third-generation β3nmβ process (N3P)
Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
Animoji and Memoji
LiDAR scanner
Adaptive True Tone flash
Rear ambient light sensor
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 256GB capacity)
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording
Two microphones
Four studio-quality microphones
Audio zoom
Stereo recording
Landscape stereo speakers
Four speaker audio
Weight: 462 grams or 617 grams
Weight 444 grams or 579 grams
Depth: 6.1 mm
Depth: 5.3 mm or 5.1 mm
Fast-charge capable (Up to 50% charge using a 60W adapter or higher in 30 minutes with the 11-inch model or 35 minutes with the 13-inch model)
USBβC connector
USBβC connector with support for Thunderbolt/USB 4
Supports Magic Keyboard for βiPad Airβ
Supports Magic Keyboard for βiPad Proβ
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
Up to 2Γ faster SSD read and write speeds
Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue
Available in Space Black and Silver
Price starting at $599
Price starting at $999
Overall, the βiPad Airβ is the better option for the majority of users, simply on the basis of value for money. For most people, the additional $400+ needed to buy the βiPad Proβ is not justified to get the likes of βFace IDβ, a thinner design, four-speaker audio, and a ProMotion OLED display with refresh rates up to 120Hz.
Some βiPad Proβ features, such as LiDAR, up to 16GB of memory, and Thunderbolt connectivity are only practically useful to a small niche of users and most will never use some of these high-end capabilities. Many features, such as Adaptive Sync and Audio zoom, will not be meaningfully utilized by many users.
Professionals who have a clear use case for needing larger amounts of RAM and storage, a matte display, Thunderbolt connectivity, and OLED for HDR content will clearly benefit from buying the βiPad Proβ. That being said, "prosumer"-style customers who simply want the best iPad will enjoy features such as 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, a thinner design, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the OLED display, and the Adaptive True Tone flash for document scanning, even if they are not necessary.
Beyond these individual circumstances, the βiPad Airβ is the best value for money and will be more than ample for most users' needs. With the βiPad Airβ, users can get a modern all-screen design, the M3 chip, practical features like USB-C and 5G connectivity, and compatibility with the core Apple accessories for a price well below that of the βiPad Proβ.
A new βiPad Airβ with the M4 chip is in development and will likely launch in the first half of 2026, which may be worth bearing in mind if you aren't in a hurry to make a purchase. The new chip is expected to be the main upgrade, with few other new features or enhancements expected.