iPad Air 2026 vs iPad Pro 11-inch M5
Worth-It Score: 75/100
WAIT
iPad Pro 11-inch M5 scores well, but current pricing sits above our fair-price band. Wait for a price drop before pulling the trigger.
Verdict: iPad Pro 11-inch M5 leads with superior M5 performance and XDR display for pros, while iPad Air 2026 delivers strong value at $599 with M4 chip and 12GB RAM. Air suits most users per its 2026-03-11 release specs; Pro justifies cost for creators needing max power. Air wins on price but trails in display and chip specs.
How we scored it
Spec verificationOwner sentimentLive pricing (4h refresh)Editorial review
Our methodology
Winner: iPad Pro 11-inch M5
iPad Air 2026: 7.5/10
iPad Pro 11-inch M5: 8.5/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| iPad Air 2026 | iPad Pro 11-inch M5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M4 | Apple M5 |
| Display | 11-inch Liquid Retina | 11-inch Liquid Retina XDR |
| RAM | 12GB | — |
| Release Date | 2026-03-11 | — |
iPad Air 2026
What works
- Starts at $599 MSRP
- M4 chip with 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU
- Wi-Fi 7 and 5G support
What doesn't
- Only 12GB RAM
- Liquid Retina display lacks ProMotion
iPad Pro 11-inch M5
What works
- M5 chip for higher performance
- Superior Liquid Retina XDR display
- Advanced features for pro workflows
What doesn't
- Higher starting price than Air
- Overkill for basic tasks
Bottom line
Our pick: iPad Pro 11-inch M5.
View full comparison on GoodPickr
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