It's always an exciting time when Apple unveils new iPads, and the recent M4 iPad Air has certainly stirred up the conversation. You might be wondering, with the M4 chip now making its debut in the Air, how does it stack up against its Pro sibling? Let's dive in.
First off, the raw performance numbers are pretty telling. When we look at benchmarks, the new iPad Air with its M4 chip is hitting scores around 3714 for single-core and 12296 for multi-core performance. Now, for comparison, the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro clocks in very close, with single-core scores around 3691 and a slightly higher multi-core score of about 13663. It makes sense that the single-core performance is so similar; they're sharing the same core architecture for that.
The difference in multi-core performance, where the Pro has a slight edge of about 10%, comes down to the core count. The iPad Air's M4 chip features an 8-core CPU (3 performance cores and 5 efficiency cores). The iPad Pro, on the other hand, can be configured with up to a 10-core CPU (4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores). For most of us, though, those two extra cores in the Pro are unlikely to be a game-changer in everyday use. Apple is pushing the boundaries with its M-series chips, but honestly, there are still relatively few apps that can truly push these chips to their absolute limits. Whether you're editing a video, working on some graphics, or just juggling multiple apps, the 8-core M4 in the Air is more than capable.
Beyond the chip, the comparison between these two models reveals some other nuances. The iPad Air, for instance, is noted for its sleek design, measuring 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches, and features a vibrant 2420-by-1668-pixel resolution display at 264 ppi. The iPad Pro, while slightly thicker at 0.24 inches and a bit more compact in width at 9.75 x 7.03 inches, boasts a comparable 2388-by-1668-pixel resolution at the same 264 ppi. Both come with a 12MP Wide rear camera, so no major surprises there.
When it comes to battery, the Air packs a 31.29-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, while the Pro has a slightly smaller 28.93-watt-hour unit. Both are designed to keep you going, though actual usage will always vary.
Under the hood, the M4 chip in the Pro is a beast, offering a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, with features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and a beefy 120GB/s memory bandwidth, supporting up to 16GB of RAM. The M4 in the Air, while still incredibly powerful, is the 8-core CPU variant we discussed, paired with a 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. Storage options also differ, with the Pro starting at 256GB and going up to 2TB, while the Air begins at 128GB and tops out at 1TB.
Both devices run iPadOS 17, promising a smooth and intuitive experience with all the familiar Apple features like Siri, SharePlay, and advanced camera capabilities. Connectivity-wise, both support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with cellular models offering robust 5G capabilities. The Pro, however, does list "5G+" which might indicate slightly more advanced network support in certain regions.
Ultimately, the choice between the new iPad Air and the iPad Pro with the M4 chip really boils down to your specific needs. If you're looking for top-tier performance for demanding tasks and need the absolute maximum core count, the Pro might be your pick. But for the vast majority of users, the M4-powered iPad Air offers a fantastic blend of power, efficiency, and value, delivering an experience that feels incredibly premium and capable.
