On March 8, Apple introduced a new generation, the fifth, of its iPad Air. A discreet update, but which focused on two essential points.
The consumer tablet, but high-end, thus retains its design very close to that of the iPad Pro. The aluminum case offers marked and pleasant edges, which facilitate handling, and give it a more modern look. Its 10.9-inch screen with thin edges is still there, with a Touch ID button moved to the On / Off button – where the Pro model uses Face ID.
In this case, change comes from within. The Cupertino giant is upgrading its tablet to 5G, still optional, which will allow it to be more up to date and long term. Finally, Apple created a little surprise by equipping its tablet not with the A15 Bionic, but with the M1, the same chip as in the MacBook Air and Pro 13 inch, mac mini, 24 inch iMacand obviously iPad Pro, 11 Where 12.9 inches.
Therefore, it seems obvious that the iPad Air, which is getting closer and closer to the 11-inch iPad Pro, and nibbles more and more of its prerogatives, all of a champion who comes to dispute the supremacy of the small pro tablet. Is it the iPad to choose? What’s left for the 11-inch iPad Pro? Our opinion, point by point.
Size, and weight: small differences
Let’s start with the exterior: iPad Pro and iPad Air are almost twins. They share the same height and width. The Pro tablet even allows itself to be thinner by a few millimeters, but it is heavier by a few grams. The iPad Air therefore justifies its name.
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When we turn to the screen, we obviously see that the difference in size is slight: 0.25 cm brings a very slight gain in comfort on a daily basis, and to the eye. The difference is mainly due to the fact that the display covers a larger part of the front of the tablet, as indicated by the screen ratio. A few percent which means that the Pro model could win our preference on this point.
We also note that, even without being entitled to the mini-LED backlighting of the Retina Display XDR panel, the screen of the 11-inch iPad Pro offers better brightness (618 cd / m2 against 511) and much better contrast ( 1873:1 versus 1343:1). The logic of the range is respected, even in the colorimetric fidelity, which sees the iPad Pro displaying an almost perfect delta E2000.
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Virtually equal ergonomics
As we said, the subtle screen differences make it slightly more pleasant to work with the iPad Pro. However, this difference alone does not justify the purchase of the Pro model. Split-screen work is equally comfortable on either tablet, although the visual impression is slightly favorable to the Pro.
On the accessories side, Apple had the good idea to put the two tablets on an equal footing. Both iPad Air and Pro are compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which is very pleasant to use for drawing or taking notes, even if it can be criticized for not yet rendering the feeling of a real pen on paper.
As for transforming these iPads into small ultraportable PCs, both are entitled to the same two types of keyboard at Apple (and at Logitech, for that matter). The Smart Folio Keyboard, for those who want a keyboard-shell that sticks to a wider variety of uses. It is lighter, and flexible, which allows it to be folded over the back of the iPad Air or Pro, to read a comic strip, for example.
The Magic Keyboard is the choice if you really want to use your iPad like a PC most of the time. With its more adjustable foot that incorporates a USB-C socket, it is perfect for working with the iPad for a long time, typing a lot of text, even in the discomfort of a cramped seat or on your lap.
In terms of ergonomics, it’s almost a draw, with perhaps a slight advantage to the iPad Pro.
Almost twin performances
As we said, the big surprise this year is the arrival of the same chip that powers the Pro models. The M1 slips into the iPad Air, and is perfectly at ease there.
To the point that our performance stability tests with 3Dmark Wild Life give it a much better score than the iPad Pro (96.7 against 62%). It must be said that it seems that Apple has slightly reduced the performance for long efforts, in order to avoid the heating of the chip, the difference in power score being quite significant (17,141 against 10,021 for the best run).
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However, this power adjustment has no negative effect when using the iPad Air. The fluidity of the interface is never called into question, any more than the needs when playing or running applications for graphic, video or musical creations that are a little demanding. To be honest, it will probably be difficult to find a program that will harm the M1 on the App Store.
The results obtained with Geekbench 5 show that the M1 behaves very well in the iPad Air, and that power is not an issue. On this point, especially in storage capacity of less than 1 TB, which sees the iPad Pro also have 8 GB of Ram, the cheapest iPad is a good choice.
Autonomy: the Pro, a safe bet
Finally comes an essential point, that of autonomy. Since the first model launched in 2010, Apple promises that its iPad can last ten hours before being recharged.
With this fifth generation of iPad Air, Apple is slightly down on the previous model. Autonomy remains good, but a little less. No doubt this is the price to pay for the power of the M1.
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In any case, for a similar form factor, the iPad Pro undoubtedly does better than the iPad Air. In this case, if it is endurance that is most important, especially because you plan to move around a lot with your tablet, the 11-inch iPad Pro has the most assets to seduce you.
The price: the advantage to Air… although
As you will have understood, the iPad Pro is logically superior to its younger brother the iPad Air on many points – logical. The presence of the M1 in both tablets nevertheless establishes a common basis that levels out the differences.
To the point that, if we consider the price, the iPad Air is obviously the tablet that offers the best value for money by default. However, there is an important but. Those who would like to buy the iPad Air with more than 64 GB of storage, because that is a bit too little and in the long run they are right, will realize that the increase to 256 GB (there is no 128 GB option) is really expensive.
Above all, it brings the iPad Air closer to the entry-level price of the 11-inch iPad Pro, for the Wi-Fi model only and with 128 GB – which in use is often sufficient if you do not sink into the dark. all-round installation of applications.
At 869 euros (in Wi-Fi only) for the iPad Air, against 899 euros for the iPad Pro, the price is then close enough that the thirty euros difference encourages us to advise you to choose the Pro model.
You will gain a little in comfort of use, thanks to the small differences in the panel, and to the sound delivered by the four speakers. You will also and above all benefit from a much better autonomy, according to our two measures. You will also benefit from a better photo/video experience, and even in augmented reality, thanks to lidar.
In short, if 128 GB does not seem prohibitive to you – it is not our case for non-professional use, the iPad Pro is, in this case, your best choice. For once the top of the range is at a more interesting price, we will not sulk its pleasure.