The iPad Air is a high-end tablet that offers a powerful yet modest M2 processor at an exceptional value.
The 2024 iPad Pro is the tablet of choice for peak performance and exclusive high-end features.
Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro offer dedicated hardware for video editing, with the latter being compatible with Apple’s ProRes and ProRes Raw formats.
The iPad Pro's OLED Ultra Retina XDR panel produces exceptional contrast compared to the iPad Air's LED-based Liquid Retina display.
In terms of storage alone, the iPad Air offers better value across the board, as its comparable storage options are at least $300 cheaper than those of the iPad Pro.
The iPad Pros use Face ID for unlocking, which is more reliable and works significantly better than the iPad Air's Touch ID.
The front-facing cameras on both models are on the long side of the tablet and support Center Stage.
Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air support the Apple Pencil Pro and the more basic Apple Pencil (USB-C).
The iPad Air is an excellent high-end tablet that offers exceptional value. The iPad Pro is a premium tablet that justifies its cost with its superior performance and exclusive high-end features.
The decision between the two boils down to the level of performance needed and how long the device is expected to last.