iPad Air (13-inch, M4) vs iPad Pro (13-inch, M4)

iPad Air (13-inch, M4)
iPad Air (13-inch, M4)
iPad Pro (13-inch, M4)
iPad Pro (13-inch, M4)

Verdict: The iPad Pro (13-inch, M4) wins on display quality with its Tandem OLED and 120Hz ProMotion per RTINGS and Apple specs, plus Thunderbolt connectivity. The iPad Air (13-inch, M4) remains competitive for most users with the same M4 chip at a lower cost. Pro leads in 5 of 6 scored categories with measurable advantages in brightness, refresh rate, and port speed.

Winner: iPad Pro (13-inch, M4)

iPad Air (13-inch, M4): 7.5/10

iPad Pro (13-inch, M4): 9/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

iPad Air (13-inch, M4)iPad Pro (13-inch, M4)
ChipApple M4Apple M4
DisplayLiquid Retina LCD, 2752x2064Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED, 2752x2064
Refresh Rate60Hz120Hz ProMotion
Weight617 g579 g

iPad Air (13-inch, M4)

What works

  • Lower starting price than Pro model
  • M4 chip delivers strong performance for productivity and media
  • Landscape front camera supports video calls effectively

What doesn't

  • LCD panel lacks ProMotion and peak brightness of OLED
  • USB-C limited to 10 Gbps speeds

iPad Pro (13-inch, M4)

What works

  • Tandem OLED display reaches 1600 nits peak with true blacks
  • Thunderbolt port enables faster data transfer and external display support
  • Thinner and lighter design with better thermal headroom

What doesn't

  • Higher starting price than Air model
  • Overkill for users not needing 120Hz or pro workflows

Bottom line

Our pick: iPad Pro (13-inch, M4).

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