iPad Air 11 Inch M1 vs iPad Pro 13 Inch M4
Verdict: The iPad Pro 13-inch M4 wins decisively with its tandem OLED 120Hz display and M4 chip delivering 45% higher multi-core scores than the M1 (per Geekbench 6). The Air M1 remains capable for basic use but lacks the Pro's Thunderbolt speeds and advanced display. The Pro justifies its cost only for users needing the OLED panel and top-tier performance.
How we scored it
Spec verificationOwner sentimentLive pricing (4h refresh)Editorial review
Our methodology
Winner: iPad Pro 13 Inch M4
iPad Air 11 Inch M1: 6.5/10
iPad Pro 13 Inch M4: 8.5/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| iPad Air 11 Inch M1 | iPad Pro 13 Inch M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M1 | Apple M4 |
| Display | 10.9-inch | 12.9-inch |
| RAM | 8GB/16GB | 8GB/16GB/32GB |
| Storage Options | 64GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB |
| CPU | M3 | M5 |
| GPU | M14 | M19 |
iPad Air 11 Inch M1
What works
- M1 delivers strong multi-core performance for productivity apps
- Lower price point compared to current Pro models
- Thin and light at 1.02 lbs for everyday carry
What doesn't
- Only 60Hz refresh rate limits smoothness in scrolling and gaming
- No Thunderbolt support and limited to USB-C 2 speeds
iPad Pro 13 Inch M4
What works
- M4 chip with hardware ray tracing and up to 50% faster GPU than M1
- Tandem OLED display reaches 1000 nits full-screen brightness
- Ultra-thin 5.1mm body with Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E
What doesn't
- Higher starting price than previous Air models
- Overkill for users who only need basic apps and browsing
Bottom line
Our pick: iPad Pro 13 Inch M4.
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