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iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: the main differences

Luca31 AUGUST 2026
Two iPads are compared side by side against a purple and pink background, with a clear ‘VS’ symbol between the models.

Apple iPad Air M4 (2026) and iPad Pro M5 (2025) combine powerful performance with versatile features. But which model should you choose? This comparison helps you make the right choice.

iPad Air (2026) vs. iPad Pro (2025): comparison

A woman sits outdoors among lush plants, using a stylus on a pale blue iPad to draw or make handwritten notes.

Apple iPad Air M4 and Apple iPad Pro M5 are 2 iPads for working, creating and using demanding apps. They differ in several ways:

  • Chip: iPad Air has the M4 chip, while iPad Pro has the M5 chip.
  • Display: iPad Air has a Liquid Retina display. iPad Pro features an Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED technology and ProMotion. This is useful when you watch HDR content or often scroll through pages and interfaces.
  • Sizes: both models are available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. iPad Pro is thinner and lighter in both sizes.
  • Memory: iPad Air has 12 GB of memory. iPad Pro memory varies depending on the storage capacity you choose.
  • Storage capacity: iPad Air is available with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB of storage. iPad Pro is also available with 2 TB of storage.

A man sits in the back of a car, concentrating on a grey iPad as warm sunlight streams in through the window.
  • Audio: iPad Air has 2 landscape stereo speakers. iPad Pro has 4 speakers. This is useful when you often watch videos or listen to music without headphones.
  • Cameras: iPad Air has a 12 MP wide-angle rear camera. iPad Pro also has a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a LiDAR scanner. These features are useful for certain apps that use depth sensing.
  • Unlocking: you unlock iPad Air with Touch ID. iPad Pro uses Face ID to unlock your tablet and protect your data.
  • Accessories: iPad Air is compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C. iPad Pro also supports these accessories. In addition, iPad Pro works with Apple Pencil hover. This feature helps you draw more accurately, annotate documents and take notes.

How to choose the right iPad

iPad Air or iPad Pro: what are the differences?

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Compare these features to find the iPad that suits you:

  • The display and dimensions.
  • The design and colour options.
  • The processor and memory.
  • The audio and camera.
  • Compatible accessories.

Two iPads display creative uses: handwritten illustrations on the left and a portrait with digital editing tools on the right.

Display and dimensions

iPad Air M4 and iPad Pro M5 are available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. Your choice mainly depends on the workspace you have available and the screen size you need. iPad Pro also uses different display technology: an Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED technology. The display also supports the P3 wide colour gamut, True Tone, a laminated display and an anti-reflective coating. ProMotion makes the biggest difference. This technology adjusts the refresh rate from 10 Hz to 120 Hz. Movements therefore look smoother when you scroll through a page, navigate the interface or use an Apple Pencil. Models with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage have a nano-texture display. This technology reduces reflections and provides slight resistance when you use an Apple Pencil. This makes writing feel more natural. iPad Air has a Liquid Retina display with an LED-backlit IPS panel. The display supports the P3 wide colour gamut, True Tone, a laminated display and an anti-reflective coating. The 11-inch model has a maximum brightness of 500 nits. The 13-inch model reaches up to 600 nits. This is useful when you regularly view photos, videos or documents in different lighting conditions.

Discover iPad dimensions
Two iPad models stand side by side on a light background, showing different displays and small colour swatches underneath.

Design and colour options

Both tablets have a similar design but differ in colour.

iPad Pro is available in:

  • Space Black
  • Silver

iPad Air is available in 4 colours:

  • Space Grey
  • Blue
  • Purple
  • Starlight

Two dark Apple chips are compared on a black background: the M4 appears on the left and the newer M5 on the right.

Processor and memory

iPad Air M4 (2026) has the M4 chip, while iPad Pro M5 (2025) uses the M5 chip. iPad Pro memory varies according to the storage capacity you choose. This configuration is suitable for tasks that require more processing and graphics performance, such as creative projects and video editing.
The M5 chip also offers faster performance for AI tasks, with response times up to 3.6 times shorter. Graphics performance improves by up to 45%. Both models support Apple Intelligence and run on iPadOS, the operating system for Apple tablets. This lets you use multiple apps and windows at the same time. For creative professionals, developers and users of apps with AI features, the additional power of the M5 chip can be an important reason to choose iPad Pro. For many other tasks, the M4 chip in iPad Air already provides more than enough performance.

What is iPadOS?
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Audio and camera

Do you enjoy taking photos and videos or often make FaceTime calls? Then a good camera and clear sound are important. iPad Air and iPad Pro both have a 12 MP rear camera. With iPad Pro, you can record in 4K ProRes and edit videos directly on your tablet. iPad Pro has a TrueDepth front camera with Face ID. This lets you unlock your tablet securely and take selfies. iPad Air uses Touch ID. iPad Air has 2 speakers and 2 microphones. iPad Pro has 4 speakers and 4 studio-quality microphones. This is useful when you record audio, edit videos or make clear video calls

An iPad is angled on a black keyboard case, while a white Apple Pencil Pro is neatly placed on the surface in front.

Compatible accessories for iPad Air and iPad Pro

iPad Air and iPad Pro are compatible with the same accessories. You can use Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Apple Pencil USB-C or Apple Pencil Pro. The built-in magnet lets you attach the stylus easily to your iPad. Would you like an Apple keyboard? Choose between a Magic Keyboard with a built-in trackpad for an experience closer to using a MacBook, or a Smart Keyboard Folio. This is an iPad case with a keyboard.

The differences between iPad Air and iPad Pro

iPad Air (2026)iPad Pro (2024)
Screen size

11 and 13 inches

11 and 13 inches

Colours

Space grey, Blue, Purple, Starlight

Space black, Silver

Storage

128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB

256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB

Processor

M4 chip with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU

M5 chip with up to a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU

Maximum battery life

Up to 10 hours

Up to10 hours

Camera

Rear camera: 12 MP wide-angle - Front camera: 12 MP Centre Stage

Rear camera: 12 MP wide-angle + 12 MP ultra-wide angle - Front camera: 12 MP TrueDepth with Centre Stage

Connection

USB-C

USB-C port with support for Thunderbolt/USB4

Apple Intelligence

Yes

Yes

Face ID

No

Yes

Touch ID

Yes

No

Sound

2 speakers and 2 microphones

4 speakers and 4 microphones

iPadOS version

iPadOS 26

iPadOS 26

eSIM

Yes

No

Take a look at our selection

Advice on choosing between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro at MediaMarkt

Beneath a clear star-filled sky, someone uses a laptop beside a telescope, apparently working on astronomy during the night.

iPad Air M4 and iPad Pro M5 are available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. Both models are suitable for working, watching videos, creating content and using several apps at the same time. Choose iPad Air M4 if you want a tablet with a Liquid Retina display, up to 1 TB of storage and Touch ID. This model is suitable for studying, work, content creation and multitasking. iPad Pro M5 has an Ultra Retina XDR display with OLED technology and ProMotion. It also offers up to 2 TB of storage, Face ID, 4 speakers and Apple Pencil hover. This model is suitable if you regularly use creative apps, HDR content, AI tools or large files. iPad Air and iPad Pro are compatible with the same accessories. Do you mainly use your tablet for browsing the web, watching videos, opening documents and using everyday apps?

Compare iPad and iPad Air