iPad Air 13-inch (M2) vs iPad Air (M1)
Verdict: The iPad Air 13-inch (M2) outperforms the M1 model in CPU/GPU benchmarks from Geekbench and offers a significantly larger display for media consumption per RTINGS tablet reviews. The M1 version remains competitive for basic tasks at a lower cost but trails in screen size and future-proofing. Choose the M2 for productivity workflows needing more space.
Winner: iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
iPad Air 13-inch (M2): 8.5/10
iPad Air (M1): 7/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| iPad Air 13-inch (M2) | iPad Air (M1) | |
|---|---|---|
| chip | Apple M2 | Apple M1 |
| display | 13-inch Liquid Retina, 2732x2048 | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, 2360x1640 |
| storage_options | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 64GB/256GB |
| battery | 36.59 Wh | 28.65 Wh |
iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
What works
- M2 chip delivers up to 45% faster CPU performance than M1 (per Apple benchmarks)
- Larger 13-inch display with 500 nits brightness
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
What doesn't
- Higher starting price than previous generation
- No ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate
iPad Air (M1)
What works
- M1 chip provides strong performance for most tasks
- More affordable entry price point
- Compact 10.9-inch size for portability
What doesn't
- Smaller display limits multitasking
- Slower GPU and CPU than M2 model (per Geekbench comparisons)
Bottom line
Our pick: iPad Air 13-inch (M2).
View full comparison on GoodPickr
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