iPad Air 3 (2019, A12 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series)

The iPad Air 2019 and the iPad Pro 2021 are two distinct tablet offerings from Apple, released in March 2019 and May 2021, respectively. While both devices run on Apple's iPadOS, they cater to different user needs through their internal hardware and feature sets. The iPad Air 2019, powered by the A12 Bionic chip, offers a balanced experience for everyday tasks, whereas the iPad Pro 2021, featuring the M1 chip, delivers significantly enhanced performance, a more advanced display, and a sophisticated camera system for demanding professional workflows.

The longevity of a tablet is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two iPads offer different expectations in these areas.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The iPad Air 2019 was released in March 2019, while the iPad Pro 2021 launched in May 2021. This two-year difference means the iPad Pro 2021 will likely receive major iPadOS updates for a longer period, extending its software longevity compared to the iPad Air 2019.
• Durability Features: Both models feature an aluminum unibody construction, contributing to their overall robustness. The iPad Air 2019 has a fully laminated display, which, while offering a good visual experience, can make display repairs more intricate. The iPad Pro 2021 also features a fully laminated display and is built with similar quality materials.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Users can expect the iPad Pro 2021 to remain highly capable for demanding tasks for more years due to its powerful processor and newer release date. The iPad Air 2019 remains a capable device for general use, but its performance headroom for future intensive applications will be more limited.

The performance capabilities of these two iPads vary significantly, impacting their suitability for different types of tasks and user demands.

• Processor Capabilities: The iPad Air 2019 is equipped with a capable processor that handles everyday computing tasks, gaming, and photo/video editing efficiently. The iPad Pro 2021, however, features a more advanced processor that delivers a substantial leap in performance, making it exceptionally fast and responsive for demanding applications, advanced multitasking, and graphics-intensive games.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: For general use and light multitasking, both devices offer a smooth experience. However, the iPad Pro 2021 provides significantly more performance headroom, allowing for seamless operation with multiple complex applications open simultaneously and smoother handling of professional-grade software.
• Storage Options: The iPad Air 2019 was available with 64 GB or 256 GB of internal storage. The iPad Pro 2021 offers a wider range of storage configurations, from 128 GB up to 2 TB, with higher storage tiers also featuring increased RAM, catering to users with extensive storage and memory needs.

The visual experience on these two tablets presents notable differences, primarily in display technology and advanced features.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPad Air 2019 features a 10.5-inch Liquid Retina IPS display with a resolution of 2224 x 1668 pixels, offering clear visuals and good color reproduction. The iPad Pro 2021 comes in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. The 11-inch model has a Liquid Retina IPS display, while the 12.9-inch model boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED technology, providing superior contrast, deeper blacks, and enhanced HDR capabilities.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPad Air 2019 offers a typical brightness of around 500 nits. The iPad Pro 2021's displays offer higher brightness levels, with the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR reaching up to 1000 nits full-screen brightness and 1600 nits peak brightness for HDR content. A key differentiator is the iPad Pro 2021's ProMotion technology, which provides an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more fluid motion, a feature absent on the iPad Air 2019's 60Hz display.
• Viewing Experience: Both displays support True Tone and wide color (P3), ensuring accurate and vibrant colors. However, the iPad Pro 2021's higher refresh rate and, for the 12.9-inch model, the mini-LED technology, offer a more immersive and visually dynamic viewing experience, particularly for high-frame-rate content and HDR media.

The camera systems on these two iPads reflect their intended uses, with the iPad Pro 2021 offering a more advanced setup.

• Rear Camera System: The iPad Air 2019 features a single 8-megapixel rear camera capable of capturing photos and 1080p HD video. The iPad Pro 2021 comes with a more versatile dual-camera system, including a 12-megapixel wide camera and a 10-megapixel ultra-wide camera, along with a LiDAR scanner for enhanced augmented reality experiences and improved depth sensing. It supports 4K video recording.
• Front Camera Performance: For video calls and selfies, the iPad Air 2019 has a 7-megapixel front-facing camera. The iPad Pro 2021 significantly upgrades this with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera that supports Center Stage, a feature that automatically keeps the user framed during video calls.
• Audio and Media Consumption: The iPad Air 2019 features stereo speakers. The iPad Pro 2021 enhances the audio experience with a four-speaker audio system and five studio-quality microphones, providing richer sound output and clearer audio input for calls and recordings.