Apple’s two most advanced tablets – iPad Air 5 and M2 iPad Pro – share a few features in common, leaving many customers asking which to buy. Of course, the name and price difference between these two products is not for fun; they are different. iPad Air is Apple’s attempt to pack as many features as a tablet can carry in a very light and thin body. In contrast, the M2 iPad Pro represents Apple’s best initiative in the tablet category as it features cutting-edge technology and productive capacities.
When there is a question about which product to purchase, buyers often have to consider several parameters. Thankfully, this article considers these parameters, making the buying decision much more straightforward. A convenient starting point will be to itemize the differences between these two leading Apple tablets. The table below x-rays this.
2022 iPad 5 Specs vs M2 iPad Pro
| Specification | 2022 iPad Air 5 | 2022 M2 iPad Pro |
| Screen Size | 10.9” | 11” or 12.9.” |
| Chip | M1 | M2 |
| Display | Liquid Retina.; True Tone | Liquid Retina XDR; Liquid Retina; ProMotion Technology; True Tone |
| Back Camera | 12MP Wide | 12MP Wide; 10MP Ultra Wide; |
| Front Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide | 12MP TrueDepth + Ultra-Wide |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C & Thunderbolt/USB4 Support |
| Internet Connectivity | 5G | 5G |
| Maximum Storage | 256GB | 2TB |
| ID Verification | Touch ID | Face ID |
| Apple Pencil | 2nd Generation | 2nd Generation |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard & Smart Keyboard Folio | Magic Keyboard & Smart Keyboard Folio |
| Price | Starts from $599 | Starts from $799 |
The differences between these two iPad models become more evident in the table above. Now, let’s highlight a few of them.
Screen Size
iPad Air 5 screen size is 10.9 inches with minimal bezel and rounded corners, which is small compared to the 11 or 12.9 inches size of the M2 iPad Pro. However, you cannot decide solely on the screen size because it all depends on your purpose for buying the tablet.
A traveler will surely prefer something compact and light to a heavy and large package that can cost more to transport. But a larger screen is preferable if you use your iPad at home or in the office. Since the iPad is primarily an entertainment-giving device, the larger the screen, the better.
Processor
Apple’s second-generation silicon chip M2 is better in graphics than its first Generation by as much as 25%. In terms of speed, the M2 is also faster than the M1 chips. So, a photo editor or a designer will find the iPad Pro more efficient than the iPad Air 5.
That said, if your aim of buying an iPad is not to do any chip-intensive work, the iPad Pro 2022 may be too much of a gadget, and the iPad Air 5 is more than enough for entertainment, presentation, and other essential uses.
Camera
iPads are generally not camera-centric in their designs, but recent ones have produced excellent images. The camera output difference is almost identical for the two tablets under review. Of course, the 2022 iPad Pro features a TrueDepth 12MP Ultra-wide back camera, which gives a sharper, easily-centralized image than the Air 5, which is only 12MP. This difference is, however, not too pronounced and may not be a standalone reason to choose one over the other.
Face ID & Connectivity
Both tablets support 5G connectivity, which is understandably the new standard for internet connection. However, the Pro version has Face ID verification for unlocking the device, while iPad Air 5 five only supports Touch ID.
This difference is, again, not a serious consideration as it does not directly affect the function of both tablets. But for someone keen on having the Face ID feature, it can add up as a reason to choose the iPad Pro over its Air 5 counterpart.
Storage Capacity
Here is why someone may prefer one of the two tablets. The maximum storage capacity of the iPad Air 5 is 256GB, which is not expandable. However, iPad Pro offers up to 2TB, which many PCs don’t even offer. Therefore, if you envisage having many data saved on your device with a substantial space left for OS activities, the Pro version gives all the room for that.
Again, that is not to say that 256GB is small. You can take all the pictures and download as many games as necessary. However, for someone into gaming and photography, they may have to delete some items to make room for more space.
Display
iPad Pro beats the Air 5 rival in the display department, especially with the seamless 120GHz ProMotion. With ProMotion, it’s super smooth and fast to scroll on the screen and perform other screen-related functions. iPad 5 let its customers down in this regard.
Price
Every buyer wants something superb for a small price. iPad Air 5 offers a significant price reduction than the least iPad Pro, making this consideration noteworthy. Or why would you spend an extra $200 on something that provides features that you may not need?
iPad Pro – 11 or 12.9 inches – is the most expensive in the iPad category, and it is understandably so. However, for anyone tight on budget, the less expensive iPad Air 5 is a worthy replacement, given some of the salient features they both present
Which One Should You Buy?
Your choice between the two iPad categories should depend on what you plan to do with the iPad. iPad Air 5 and M2 iPad Pro 2022 are among the closest in features compared to others. The Air 5 iPad is sufficient for your needs if you are not heavy. Besides, you get to save money, which you can use on something else.
The M2 iPad Pro 2022 is ideal for heavy users like programmers, designers, gamers, and web users. It has no rival in build and functionality, especially with the introduction of the super-fast M2 chip. The massive 2TB storage capacity is also endearing, making it the best slate that anyone should buy if searching for a worthy alternative to a MacBook.
