Apple iPad Air 13 (2024) vs. Google Pixel Tablet: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and a mature tablet ecosystem, the Apple iPad Air 13 (2024) is the clear winner. Its M2 chip delivers significantly faster processing speeds, making it ideal for demanding tasks. However, the Google Pixel Tablet offers a compelling alternative for those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem and value its smart home features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air 13 (2024) | Google Pixel Tablet |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A2899 | N/A |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2899, A2900 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, May 07 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May 15 | Available. Released 2023, June 20 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.24 in) | 258 x 169 x 8.1 mm (10.16 x 6.65 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | eSIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 617 g (Wi-Fi) / 618 g (5G) (1.36 lb) | 493 g (1.09 lb) |
| - | Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~276 ppi density) |
| Size | 13.0 inches, 519.3 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.46 GHz performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (9-core graphics) | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | iPadOS 17.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 1), magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| - | Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 9705 mAh (36.59 Wh) | Li-Po 7020 mAh (27 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue | Porcelain, Hazel, Rose |
| Models | A2898, A2899, A2900, iPad14,10, iPad14,11 | GA06156-EU, GA06157-EU, GA06158-EU |
| Price | About 950 EUR | About 670 EUR |
Apple iPad Air 13 (2024)
- Significantly faster M2 processor for demanding tasks
- Faster 45W wired charging
- Mature tablet ecosystem with a vast app library
- Likely higher price point
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard) sold separately
Google Pixel Tablet
- Integrated charging dock for convenient use
- Strong Google ecosystem integration
- More affordable price
- Slower Tensor G2 processor compared to M2
- Slower 15W wired charging
- Less refined tablet experience compared to iPadOS
Display Comparison
While specific display specs are not provided, the iPad Air 13 (2024) is expected to feature a high-quality Liquid Retina display, likely with True Tone technology. The Pixel Tablet's display, while competent, is likely to be less bright and may lack the color accuracy of the iPad. The iPad Air's potential for higher peak brightness and wider color gamut will benefit content creators and media consumers. Bezels are likely to be slimmer on the iPad Air, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Given the context, camera details are limited. However, Apple typically prioritizes camera quality in its iPad Air line, likely offering better image processing and low-light performance than the Pixel Tablet. While the Pixel Tablet benefits from Google's computational photography expertise, the M2's image signal processor (ISP) is likely more powerful. We can expect the iPad Air to capture sharper, more detailed photos and videos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple's M2, an octa-core processor with 4 performance cores clocked at 3.46 GHz, significantly outperforms the Google Tensor G2 (2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2.35 GHz Cortex-A78). The M2's architecture, built on a more advanced process, delivers superior single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive experience, especially in demanding applications like video editing or 3D rendering. The Tensor G2, while capable, is optimized for AI and machine learning tasks, not raw processing power. The iPad Air's likely use of LPDDR5x RAM further enhances its performance advantage.
Battery Life
The iPad Air 13 (2024) supports 45W wired charging, allowing for a significantly faster recharge compared to the Pixel Tablet's 15W charging. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the iPad Air minimizes downtime. The Tensor G2's 5nm process *should* offer good power efficiency, but the M2's optimized architecture and software integration likely provide comparable or better real-world battery life despite the charging disparity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Air 13 (2024) if you need a powerful tablet for creative work, gaming, or demanding productivity tasks, and if you value a large app ecosystem and seamless integration with other Apple devices. Buy the Google Pixel Tablet if you prioritize smart home control, a convenient charging dock, and a more affordable entry point into the tablet space, particularly if you're already heavily invested in Google services.