iPad Air (2020) vs iPad Pro 11 (2020): A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the iPad Air (2020) represents the better value. Its A14 Bionic chip delivers comparable performance to the A12Z in the iPad Pro 11 (2020) for everyday tasks and many creative workflows, all within a lighter and more affordable package. The Pro's advantages are niche.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) | Apple iPad Air (2020) |
| 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, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2324 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 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 - A2072 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 18 | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, March 19 | Available. Released 2020, October 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 471 g (Wi-Fi), 473 g (LTE) (1.04 lb) | 458 g (Wi-Fi) / 460 g (3G/LTE) (1.01 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density) | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) | Hexa-core (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) |
| Chipset | Apple A12Z Bionic | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 13.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 14.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | - |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 7 MP, f/2.0, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | GPS, GLONASS (LTE model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector | USB Type-C, 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 | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh) | Li-Ion 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue |
| Models | A2068, A2230, A2228, A2231, iPad8,9, iPad8,10 | A2324, A2072, A2325, A2316, iPad13,1, iPad13,2 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 640 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020)
- ProMotion 120Hz display for smoother visuals
- LiDAR Scanner for enhanced AR experiences
- Ultrawide camera lens for greater versatility
- Higher price point
- A12Z chip is less power efficient than A14
Apple iPad Air (2020)
- More affordable price
- A14 Bionic offers excellent performance
- Lighter and more portable design
- Standard 60Hz display
- Lacks LiDAR Scanner and ultrawide camera
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 11 (2020) boasts a Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology, offering a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. This results in noticeably smoother scrolling and a more responsive Apple Pencil experience. The iPad Air (2020) features a standard 60Hz Liquid Retina display. While both displays offer excellent color accuracy and brightness, the Pro's ProMotion is a significant advantage for artists, designers, and anyone who values fluid visuals. The iPad Pro's LTPO technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate, contributing to better power efficiency when high refresh rates aren't needed.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature a 12MP wide camera, but the iPad Pro 11 (2020) adds a 10MP ultrawide lens and a LiDAR scanner. The LiDAR scanner enhances augmented reality experiences and improves low-light autofocus. While the iPad Air's camera is capable, the Pro's additional lens and LiDAR scanner offer greater versatility and functionality for content creators and AR enthusiasts. Image processing is similar across both devices, delivering vibrant and detailed photos.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The iPad Air (2020) utilizes the A14 Bionic, built on a 5nm process, featuring a hexa-core CPU (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm). The iPad Pro 11 (2020) has the A12Z Bionic, an octa-core chip (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest). Despite having more cores, the A12Z's larger 7nm process and slightly lower clock speeds on its performance cores mean the A14 often matches or exceeds its performance in single-core tasks. In multi-core workloads, the A12Z can pull ahead, but the difference isn't substantial for typical iPad use. Both utilize LPDDR4X RAM, but the A14's architectural improvements provide a performance edge.
Battery Life
The iPad Pro 11 (2020) has a 28.6 Wh battery, while the iPad Air (2020) has a 28.6 Wh battery. Despite the similar capacity, the A14 Bionic's 5nm efficiency gives the Air a slight edge in battery life during typical usage. Both support 20W USB-C charging, with a full charge taking approximately 2-3 hours with a compatible power adapter. The A14's efficiency translates to less heat generation, potentially leading to more sustained performance during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) if you absolutely require the 120Hz ProMotion display for incredibly smooth scrolling and Apple Pencil responsiveness, or if you need the wider range of storage options and the potential for Thunderbolt connectivity. Buy the Apple iPad Air (2020) if you prioritize portability, value, and a modern design, and don't need the Pro's advanced display or connectivity features.