Apple iPad Air 5th Generation (M1) vs Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
Verdict: The iPad Pro 13-inch M4 wins decisively with its tandem OLED display at 1000 nits, M4 chip benchmarks 45-60% higher than M1 in Geekbench 6, and Thunderbolt connectivity per Apple's technical specs. The Air 5th Gen M1 remains capable for media but trails on refresh rate, brightness, and future-proofing. RTINGS and Notebookcheck reviews confirm the Pro's superior color accuracy and sustained performance under load.
Winner: Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Air 5th Generation (M1): 6.5/10
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4): 9/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Apple iPad Air 5th Generation (M1) | Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) | |
|---|---|---|
| chip | Apple M1 | Apple M4 |
| display | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD | 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED |
| storage_options | 64GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB |
| weight | 1.02 lbs | 1.28 lbs |
Apple iPad Air 5th Generation (M1)
What works
- Affordable entry into Apple tablet ecosystem
- Solid M1 performance for media consumption
- Lightweight for one-handed use
What doesn't
- LCD display with 60Hz refresh rate only
- No Thunderbolt support or advanced camera system
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
What works
- M4 chip delivers up to 50% faster CPU than M1 (per Geekbench 6)
- Tandem OLED display reaches 1000 nits full-screen brightness (per Apple specs)
- Thunderbolt 4 port and 120Hz ProMotion support
What doesn't
- Higher starting price than prior Air models
- Heavier than the 11-inch Pro variant
Bottom line
Our pick: Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4).
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