You might think that the iPad Air 5 vs iPad Pro 2022 dilemma is not really a big dilemma; after all, the newly announced iPad Pro (2022) brings top-tier laptop performance to the tablet form factor. But iPad Air (2022) – Apple’s other big tablet release from earlier in the year – isn’t far behind either.
In fact, when the fifth-generation iPad Air launched, we were a little concerned that it was invading the iPad Pro 2021‘s ground, when it came to pricing and feature set. So how does it compare now that we have a fresher, newer Pro model?
We’re not ready to deliver a verdict on the 2022 iPad Pro just yet, but that’s how we see things based on official specs and features.
iPad Air 5 vs iPad Pro 2022 price and availability
The iPad Air 5 shipped on March 18, 2022, and prices currently start at $599 / £669 / AU$999 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model. This goes up to $749 / £849 / AU$1,249 for the 256GB drive. There’s also a 5G cellular option that costs $749 / £669 / AU$1,249 for 64GB and $899 / £1,029 / AU$1,499 for 256GB.
It should be noted that this price has received a huge boost for the UK and Australian markets since its launch, which is believed to be driven by global economic pressures.
Meanwhile, the iPad Pro 2022 was released on October 18, 2022 in two sizes. Prices for the 11-inch model start at $799 / £899 / AU$1,399, while prices for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro start at $1,099 / £1,249 / AU$1,899.
Those prices are for the Wi-Fi-only 128GB models, it should be noted; adding cellular connectivity and more storage (256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB) will increase the rate significantly. At the top of the scale, a 2022 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 2TB of storage and cellular connectivity will set you back $2,399 / £2,679 / AU$4,099. Ouch.
iPad Air 5 design vs. iPad Pro 2022
The 2022 iPad Pro and iPad Air 5 have very similar designs. Both have flat surfaces and sharp all-aluminum bodies, with smooth display bezels.
In terms of size, the iPad Air 5 is again very similar to the 2022 11-inch iPad Pro. The cheapest tablet measures 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm, while the 11-inch Pro measures 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm. Other than a 0.2mm difference in thickness in favor of the Pro, they’re identical.
The iPad Air 5 is slightly lighter than its Pro sibling, however we’re talking 461g vs. 466g, so you’re unlikely to notice it in your hand.
Of course, there’s also a 2022 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which measures 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm and weighs 682g, making it significantly larger than the previous two.
All three of these tablets have ditched Apple’s creaky old Lightning connector in favor of a universal USB-C port, though the Pro models use the faster Thunderbolt 4 standard. Nor is the difference in biometric authentication systems easily visible. While the iPad Air 5 hides a Touch ID sensor behind its power button, the 2022 iPad Pro includes Apple’s brilliant Face ID system using its front-facing camera and sensors.
One way the iPad Air 5 responds is through its color choice. The cheapest tablet comes in a stunning selection of Space Grey, Starlight, Pink, Purple and Blue. The iPad Pro 2022, on the other hand, only offers silver and space gray.
iPad Air 5 screen vs. iPad Pro 2022
The iPad Air 5 and the smaller iPad Pro 2022 have similar displays, though they’re not identical. You’re looking at 10.9-inches and 1640 x 2360 for the Air, while the Pro gives you 11-inches and 1668 x 2388. The larger iPro, meanwhile, scales things up to 12.9-inches and 2048 x 2732.
Both Pro displays are distinguished by a 120Hz ProMotion adaptive refresh rate, while the iPad Air 5 sticks to 60Hz. The 2022 11-inch iPad Pro also gets a bit brighter than its cheaper sibling, with 600 nits instead of 500 nits.
However, the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9-inch outperforms both by switching from standard IPS LCD technology to a mini-LED LCD panel. This brings a number of benefits, including a much higher typical brightness of 1,000 nits and much more vibrant and contrasty color output.
If anything, we’re disappointed that the 2022 11-inch iPad Pro hasn’t joined its full-size sibling in the mini-LED department. Its screen is better than the iPad Air 5, but not by much.
iPad Air 5 vs. iPad Pro 2022 camera
While the iPad Air 5 packs in a single 12MP wide camera, the 2022 iPad Pro tablets feature dual-camera setups made up of a 12MP wide and a 10MP ultrawide. The latter also incorporates a ToF 3D LiDAR scanner, completing a much more complete package for the Pro that complements AR (augmented reality) experiences.
Both the Air and Pro give you 12MP selfie cameras, although as we already mentioned, the Pro is a TrueDepth camera that supports Face ID authentication. Both are compatible with Center Stage, which tracks your face in video calls.
Along with the most advanced processor (more on that in a bit), we’re backing the 2022 iPad Pro to feature a better all-round camera system than the Air 5.
iPad Air 5 specs and performance vs. iPad Pro 2022
Apple has increased the power of its two 2022 iPad Pro models, equipping them with the laptop-class Apple M2 chip. Not that the iPad Air 2022 is anything to sniff at, with its slightly older laptop-class Apple M1 chip.
Both the M1 and M2 feature 8-core CPUs, but while the M1 has an 8-core GPU, the M2 gives you a 10-core graphics processor. Apple claims that the M2 CPU is 15% faster than its M1 equivalent, while the M2 GPU is 35% faster than its M1 equivalent.
As well as a simple performance boost, the M2 gives the 2022 iPad Pro an improved “media engine” and better image processing abilities than the iPad Air 5. It can record ProRes video this time, rather than just transcode.
We have a bit of a problem with the iPad Air 5’s storage provision. As entry models go, 64GB just isn’t enough these days, especially when the only other option is a full 256GB. The 2022 iPad Pro doesn’t have those issues, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options all on the table.
Elsewhere, the 2022 iPad Pro gives you Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. That’s better than the iPad Air 5’s Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. Both mobile variants offer 5G connectivity, though.
While both tablets support Apple Pencil 2, the 2022 iPad Pro includes improved connectivity for the stylus, with the ability to detect its tip when it comes within 12mm of the screen. This means that when you hover the Pen over a text box, it will expand, to name one example. On that front, the new iPad Pro 2022 also features improved handwriting recognition.
iPad Air 5 battery vs. iPad Pro 2022
The iPad Air 5 has a 28.93 Wh battery, which is equivalent to 7,606 mAh. That’s a fraction larger than the 2022 iPad Pro 11-inch’s 28.65 Wh or 7538 mAh battery, and much smaller than the 12.9-inch Pro’s 40.88 Wh or 10758 mAh cell.
Different sizes aside, Apple makes the exact same endurance claim of “up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching videos” for each model, as well as “up to 9 hours of surfing the web using mobile data network. in each of the 5G variants.
put off
Apple has now completely revamped its tablet range for 2022, with Air and Pro models offering laptop-level performance, sleek flat-edged designs and 5G connectivity options.
The iPad Pro 2022 seems (unsurprisingly) to be the better and more capable of the two. Its new Apple M2 chip means a healthy boost in performance, and its two displays are brighter, smoother, and (in the case of the 12.9-inch Pro, at least) more vibrant.
The Pro also gives you a more advanced camera system, Face ID authentication, improved connectivity, and improved Apple Pencil interactivity.
But is all that worth the $200/£200 premium Apple is charging for the 11-inch Pro? For most people, we suspect it won’t be, as they are functionally very similar. We’ll know for sure, though, once we’ve had a chance to put the 2022 iPad Pro through its paces.
If you can’t wait that long, check out our roundup of the best iPads currently available, and if you’re looking to buy, we’ve got a constant update. The best iPad deals feature and, as we get closer to November 25, a better Black Friday iPad Deals piece for your reading.
