Apple iPad Air (2022) vs. iPad Pro 11 (2021): The Ultimate Showdown

Apple's iPad lineup offers incredible power and versatility, but choosing the right model can be tricky. The iPad Air (2022) brings the M1 chip to a more affordable package, while the iPad Pro 11 (2021) retains its premium features. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which tablet is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad Air (2022) offers exceptional value with the M1 chip, a vibrant display, and a sleek design. While the iPad Pro 11 (2021) boasts a superior display, ProMotion, and Thunderbolt connectivity, the Air's price makes it a compelling choice for most users. It's a win for value and performance.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad Air (2022)	Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2589	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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2301, A2459, A2460
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2589, A2591	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2301
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2591	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2459, A2460

Launch
Announced	2022, March 08	2021, April 20
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 18	Available. Released 2021, May 21

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in)	247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb)	466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (1.03 lb)
	Stylus support (2nd gen)	Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution	1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)	1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density)
Size	10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)	11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz)	Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz)
Chipset	Apple M1	Apple M1
GPU	Apple GPU (8-core graphics)	Apple GPU (8-core graphics)
OS	iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1	iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	-	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Features	HDR	Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
Single	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	Face detection, HDR, panorama
Single	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video	1080p@30/60fps	1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, EDR	5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS (5G model only)	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector	USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer	Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer

Battery
Type	Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh)	Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue	Silver, Space Gray
Models	A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17	A2301, A2459, A2460, iPad13,4, iPad13,5, iPad13,6, iPad13,7
Price	About 550 EUR	About 870 EUR

Apple iPad Air (2022)

Excellent value for money
Powerful M1 chip
Sleek and lightweight design
Vibrant display
Available in multiple colors

Lacks ProMotion display
No Thunderbolt connectivity
Less advanced camera system

Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)

ProMotion 120Hz display
Thunderbolt connectivity
Advanced camera system with LiDAR
Premium build quality
Slightly better sustained performance

Higher price
Less color variety
Incremental upgrade over previous Pro models

Display Comparison

The iPad Pro 11 (2021) features a Liquid Retina display with ProMotion (120Hz adaptive refresh rate), offering smoother scrolling and a more responsive feel. The iPad Air (2022) has a Liquid Retina display, but lacks ProMotion. Both offer excellent color accuracy and brightness, but the ProMotion on the Pro model is noticeable.

Camera Comparison

The iPad Pro 11 (2021) has a more advanced camera system, including a LiDAR scanner for improved AR experiences and better depth sensing for portrait mode. Both have decent front-facing cameras suitable for video calls. The Pro's rear camera setup is generally considered superior.

Performance

Both tablets are powered by the Apple M1 chip, delivering blazing-fast performance for demanding tasks. Real-world performance differences are minimal for most users, though the Pro's additional cooling might allow for slightly sustained performance in extremely intensive workloads. The M1 chip handles everything from gaming to video editing with ease.

Battery Life

Both tablets offer excellent battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. The iPad Pro 11 (2021) has a slightly larger battery capacity, but the efficiency of the M1 chip means the difference in real-world usage is minimal.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPad Air (2022)? Students, casual users, and those seeking a powerful tablet without breaking the bank. Who should buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)? Creative professionals, power users needing the best display and connectivity, and those who prioritize ProMotion and Thunderbolt.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPad Air 2022 a significant upgrade over the iPad Air 2020?

Yes, the M1 chip provides a substantial performance boost, and the design is slightly refined. It's a worthwhile upgrade for those seeking more power.

❓ Does the iPad Air 2022 support Apple Pencil 2?

Yes, the iPad Air 2022 supports Apple Pencil 2, offering magnetic attachment and wireless charging.