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The M2 iPad Air vs M4 iPad Pro battle has been a hot topic of discussion among tech enthusiasts ever since Apple updated its iPad lineup. The new "Pro" iPad brings some significant technology leaps with the latest M-series processor, cutting-edge OLED display, and impressive design changes. On the contrary, the mid-tier "Air" tab is now available in two sizes for the first time and delivers a great balance of power and price.
Choosing between these two machines can be challenging, as each boasts impressive features and excels in different areas. This article compares both tablets to assist you in making an informed decision.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and solely reflect the writer’s opinion.
M2 iPad Air vs M4 iPad Pro: Specifications
Let’s start our analysis by looking at the core configurations of these devices.
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Looking at the table, there are a lot of differences that make them stand out from each other. They have different processors, display technology, and pricing. The "Pro" model starts at $999, whereas the "Air" model starts at $599.
The iPad Pro can go up to a 16GB + 2TB option, while the Air tablet is limited to the 8GB + 1TB option. However, you will not feel a big difference in RAM performance owing to Apple’s software optimization.
That said, both devices promise 10 hours of video playback or web browsing on a single charge.
M2 iPad Air vs M4 iPad Pro: Performance
Performance is where the iPad Pro outshines its counterpart.
Both devices have received solid processor upgrades. The Air is moved to the M2 from the M1 chip, which makes the Air tablet more powerful than ever. However, the Pro lineup has jumped further, skipping the M3 chip and featuring the M4 processor.
The latest M-series processor has up to 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU with 120GB/s memory bandwidth. In comparison, the M2 chip has up to eight-core CPU and nine-core GPU with 100GB/s memory bandwidth.
To get more insight into the M2 iPad Air vs M4 iPad Pro comparison, we have compiled a few synthetic test results of their processors from the Nano Review website.
The M4 chip has consistently outperformed its competitor in all the tests. The biggest difference can be seen in multi-core tasks. For instance, in the Passmark CPU multi-core test, the latest M-series processor performs 64% better than the M2. In the Geekbench 6 multi-core test, it is 43% better.
The single-core performance also sees a significant gap favoring the M4. The latest processor shows a 45% improvement over the M2 in Geekbench 6, and a 15% improvement in the Passmark CPU test.
Overall, the M4 chip offers substantial improvements in both single-core and multi-core performance benchmarks.
M2 iPad Air vs M4 iPad Pro: Design and display
Typically, the Air lineup features devices with sleek and lightweight design. However, the new Pro models are slimmer and lighter compared to their Air counterparts.
Both tablets look very similar from the front. However, they have a completely different camera setup on the back. The "Air" model features just a 12MP camera on the back, while its "Pro" counterpart has a True Tone flash and a LiDAR scanner with the rear camera. Both machines now feature a landscape ultra-wide camera on the front, which is a sensible upgrade.
While there’s no screen size difference, both tabs use vastly different technology. The Air model uses the traditional Liquid Retina display with 600 nits SDR brightness.
On the contrary, the new iPad Pro uses an Ultra Retina XDR display. It uses tandem OLED technology that combines two OLED panels to provide stunning visuals. It has a 1000 nits max full screen and a 1600 nits peak (HDR content only) brightness level.
The "Air" model still doesn’t get Face ID. You have to rely on the Touch ID sensor to unlock your device or make payments, as compared to the "Pro" model that ships with Face ID.
The iPad Pro is available in two colors— Silver and Space Black, while the iPad Air comes in four colors —Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue.
M2 iPad Air vs M4 iPad Pro: Which one you should pick?
Based on the above analysis, it can be concluded that the "Pro" model is superior to its counterpart. It has extra horsepower and a better display. It is perfect for users who need top-tier performance and don’t want to compromise on raw power. However, it is an expensive pick and would be overkill for casual users.
If you're an average user, the iPad Air is the smarter choice. It has more than enough power to handle everything from everyday tasks to modern games. It is also significantly more affordable than the iPad Pro.
Ultimately, the choice between the M2 iPad Air and the M4 iPad Pro depends on what suits your needs best.
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