Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022) vs iPad Air (2022): The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Pro 11 (2022) wins on raw power and features like ProMotion and Thunderbolt, making it ideal for professionals. However, the iPad Air (2022) offers excellent value and performance for most users, delivering a premium iPad experience at a more accessible price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022) | Apple iPad Air (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 - A2435, A2761 | 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 |
| 5G bands | 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 | 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 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 | 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 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 18 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 26 | Available. Released 2022, March 18 |
| 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 (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (1.03 lb) | 461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | Stylus support (2nd gen) | |
| 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 | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (typ) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.49 GHz performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Apple GPU (10-core graphics) | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 16.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM | 64GB, 256GB 8GB 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 | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, ProRes | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR | 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (cellular model only) | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 3), DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, 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, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh) | Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue |
| Models | A2435, A2761, A2762, A2759, iPad8,9, iPad8,10, iPad14,3, iPad14,4 | A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17 |
| Price | About 1050 EUR | About 550 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022)
- Blazing-fast M2 chip
- ProMotion 120Hz display
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 port
- LiDAR scanner for AR
- Excellent build quality
- Higher price
- Can be overkill for casual users
- No headphone jack
Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Excellent value for money
- Powerful M1 chip
- Beautiful Liquid Retina display
- Lightweight and portable
- Available in more colors
- Lacks ProMotion
- No Thunderbolt / USB 4
- Less powerful than the Pro model
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 11 (2022) features a stunning Liquid Retina display with ProMotion (120Hz adaptive refresh rate) for incredibly smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The iPad Air (2022) also has a Liquid Retina display, but lacks ProMotion. Both offer excellent color accuracy and brightness, but the ProMotion on the Pro model is a noticeable advantage for demanding users.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature a 12MP Wide camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera. The iPad Pro 11 (2022) has a LiDAR scanner, which enhances AR experiences and improves low-light photography. Video recording capabilities are similar on both devices.
Performance
The M2 chip in the iPad Pro 11 (2022) provides a significant performance boost over the M1 in the iPad Air (2022). While the M1 is still incredibly capable, the M2 handles demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design with greater ease. Both tablets offer smooth multitasking and responsive app performance for everyday use.
Battery Life
Both iPads offer all-day battery life, typically lasting around 10 hours of mixed usage. Battery capacity is similar, but the M2's efficiency can slightly impact the Pro's longevity under heavy load.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022)? Creative professionals, power users, and anyone needing the absolute best performance and features. Who should buy the Apple iPad Air (2022)? Students, casual users, and those seeking a premium iPad experience without breaking the bank.