iPad Air (M1) vs iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z)
54.1chipPerformance33.3
32.9Display56.8
28.4Battery48.2
85Portability59.3
74.4Features64.4
4 spec wins — iPad Air (M1)5 spec wins — iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z)
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: iPad Air (M1) scores 49.8 against 49.4 for iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z). Pick by the categories that matter to you — iPad Air (M1) edges ahead in portability and performance, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the iPad Air (M1)
- Stronger performance score: 54 vs 33
- Stronger portability score: 85 vs 59
- Stronger features score: 74 vs 64
- 71% higher Front camera: 12 MP vs 7 MP
- 33% higher RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB
- Lower launch price: $599 vs $999
Reasons to pick the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z)
- Stronger display score: 57 vs 33
- Stronger battery score: 48 vs 28
- 100% higher Refresh rate: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
- 28% higher capacity: 9,720 mAh vs 7,600 mAh
- 20% higher Peak brightness: 600 nits vs 500 nits
Display
| Spec | iPad Air (M1) | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10.9 ″ | 12.9 ″+18% |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2360x1640 | 2732x2048 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz+100% |
| Peak brightness | 500 nits | 600 nits+20% |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air (M1) | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Apple A12Z Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB+33% | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
Battery
| Spec | iPad Air (M1) | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 7,600 mAh | 9,720 mAh+28% |
| Charging | 20 W+11% | 18 W |
Design
| Spec | iPad Air (M1) | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 461 g+28% | 641 g |
| Thickness | 6.1 mm | 5.9 mm+3% |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Camera
| Spec | iPad Air (M1) | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP+71% | 7 MP |
Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air (M1) | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cellular | 5G optional | LTE optional |
| USB | USB-C (10Gbps) | USB-C (USB 3.1) |
Features
| Spec | iPad Air (M1) | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (A12Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) |
| Keyboard support | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Stereo | Quad stereo |
| Operating system | iPadOS 15.4 | iPadOS 13.4 |
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