iPad Air (5th generation) 11‑inch M1 vs iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2

iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2 wins — The iPad Pro 11‑inch M2 delivers markedly higher performance (Apple M2 vs M1, 10‑core GPU) and a 120 Hz ProMotion displa…

Scores: iPad Air (5th generation) 11‑inch M1 7/10 · iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2 8.5/10

The iPad Pro 11‑inch M2 delivers markedly higher performance (Apple M2 vs M1, 10‑core GPU) and a 120 Hz ProMotion display, which Notebookcheck measured as 30 % smoother scrolling (per Notebookcheck). However, its $200 premium is hard to justify for casual users, especially since the Air’s battery life and core performance are comparable (per Apple). For students or light creators, the Air’s low...

iPad Air (5th generation) 11‑inch M1 lists at $599 while iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2 lists at $799 — iPad Air (5th generation) 11‑inch M1 undercuts iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2 by $200 (33%).

Spec-by-spec comparison

iPad Air (5th generation) 11‑inch M1iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2
ProcessorApple M1 (8‑core CPU, 7‑core GPU)Apple M2 (8‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU)
Display10.9" Liquid Retina 2360×1640 264 ppi 60 Hz11" Liquid Retina 2360×1640 264 ppi 120 Hz ProMotion
Storage64 GB128 GB
BatteryUp to 10 h web browsing (per Apple)Up to 10 h web browsing (per Apple)

iPad Air (5th generation) 11‑inch M1

What works

  • Lower price point
  • Lightweight at 1.02 lb
  • Same 10.9" display size as Pro

What doesn't

  • No 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate
  • Base storage only 64 GB

iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2

What works

  • Faster M2 chip
  • 120 Hz ProMotion display
  • LiDAR scanner for AR

What doesn't

  • Higher price
  • Slightly heavier at 1.04 lb

Bottom line

Our pick: iPad Pro (3rd generation) 11‑inch M2.

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