Apple iPad Air (2022) vs iPad Pro 11 (2022): The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Pro 11 (2022) edges out the iPad Air (2022) thanks to its M2 chip, ProMotion display, and advanced features like Thunderbolt. However, the iPad Air offers incredible value and performance for most users, making it a compelling choice.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air (2022) | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022) |
| 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 - A2435, A2761 |
| 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2435 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2761, A2762 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 08 | 2022, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 18 | Available. Released 2022, October 26 |
| 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 (cellular model only) |
| 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 (4x3.49 GHz performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Apple M2 |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Apple GPU (10-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 16.1, 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, ProRes |
| 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, HDR |
| 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (cellular model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 3), 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/6e, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, 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 | A2435, A2761, A2762, A2759, iPad8,9, iPad8,10, iPad14,3, iPad14,4 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 1050 EUR |
Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Excellent value for money
- Powerful M1 chip
- Lightweight and portable
- Beautiful Liquid Retina display
- Available in multiple colors
- Lacks ProMotion display
- Less advanced camera system
- No Thunderbolt port
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022)
- Blazing-fast M2 chip
- Stunning ProMotion display
- Advanced camera system with LiDAR
- Thunderbolt port for faster data transfer
- More RAM options
- Higher price point
- Can be overkill for casual users
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 11 (2022) boasts a 120Hz ProMotion display, offering smoother scrolling and a more responsive feel. The iPad Air (2022) has a vibrant Liquid Retina display, but lacks ProMotion. Both offer excellent color accuracy and brightness, but the ProMotion advantage gives the Pro a slight edge for visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
The iPad Pro 11 (2022) features a more advanced camera system, including a LiDAR scanner for improved AR experiences and better low-light performance. Both have excellent front-facing cameras for video calls.
Performance
The M2 chip in the iPad Pro 11 (2022) provides a noticeable performance boost over the M1 in the iPad Air (2022), especially in demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design. Both tablets handle everyday tasks with ease, but the Pro offers more headroom for intensive workloads.
Battery Life
Both iPads offer all-day battery life under typical usage. Real-world battery performance is very similar, with both easily lasting 8-10 hours.
Buying Guide
The iPad Air (2022) is ideal for students, casual users, and those seeking a powerful tablet without breaking the bank. The iPad Pro 11 (2022) is perfect for creative professionals, power users, and anyone who demands the absolute best performance and features.