Apple hosted its Let Loose event earlier this week to announce its highly anticipated OLED iPad Pro models and the M2 iPad Air. Both iPads in the lineup have received their fair share of improvements but there are various reasons why the M2 iPad Air should be the one to get against the OLED model. While the OLED display on the 'Pro' models is something that users have been demanding for a while, the 'Air' will allow you to accomplish the same task but at a much lower price tag.
The M2 iPad Air is still a better choice than the OLED iPad Pro, despite missing features
If you are on the verge and looking to buy a new iPad, we have curated the list of reasons why the M2 iPad Air is better than the 'Pro.' To our surprise, Apple has also launched a new 13-inch variant of the iPad Air, which makes the decision process a lot easier. This allows us to portray a direct comparison between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro models.
Display
Apple introduced the iPad Pro to the new tandem OLED technology, and the panels are not only sharp but color-accurate and consume less power. While the technology is advanced under the hood, the Liquid Retina Display with True Tone and P3 wide color support will be able to deliver more or less the same results. Professional artists, creators, and editors can utilize the OLED display on the 'Pro' models, but the average student will hardly notice the difference. If you opt for the 13-inch iPad Air, it has been reported that the display is 20 percent brighter compared to the 11-inch models of the iPad Air.
Performance
The iPad Air has been upgraded with an M2 chip, the same processor that powered the 'Pro' models before the announcement of the OLED version. The chip is plenty fast to handle any app you throw at it. It can work blazing fast in video editing, creating 3D renders, playing graphic-intensive games, and practically anything the new iPad Pro models are capable of. The M4 chip in the OLED iPad Pro models is overkill for an iPad as the company is yet to introduce features that will be able to take advantage of the hardware.
iPadOS
With iPadOS 18 on board, it does not really matter which model you choose, as the feature set will be the same on the Air as well as the Pro models. Apple has added some exclusive features to the mix, but most people would not use them, including the New Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro apps. iPadOS delivers the same experience across the board, and with the OLED iPad Pro, all you are getting is slightly faster performance, which you will find negligible. At launch, both models will run iPadOS 17 with the same features.
Pricing
This is one of the most crucial reasons why users should get the M2 iPad Air in contrast to the OLED iPad Pro. The 11-inch OLED iPad Pro is priced at $999 while the iPad Air is priced at $599 and you will have to pay $1,299 for the 13-inch OLED iPad Pro and $799 for the 13-inch M2 iPad Air. This shows that the price gap between the two models is gigantic, and the utility they offer is more or less similar, with a few extra perks leaning towards the 'Pro' models.
Utilities
Both iPad models come with their own set of accessories, such as the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil support. This means that the iPad Air is as much of a computer as the iPad Pro models. Moreover, you also get Touch ID in the Power Button and front camera in landscape mode, similar to the 'Pro' models. As for the battery life, all models of the iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro feature the same battery life, with Apple claiming 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi and video playback. Henceforth, these factors are negligible when making a decision.
Ultimately, it all boils down to your needs and requirements, depending on your budget as well. If you require features like 120Hz ProMotion technology, Face ID, a LiDAR scanner, or a slightly better camera, then the OLED iPad Pro might be the right choice that caters to your needs. However, despite these compromises, the M2 iPad Air is still a better deal compared to the OLED iPad Pro.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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