iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2021, M1 series)

The iPad Air 2020, released in October 2020, and the iPad Pro 2021, launched in May 2021, represent distinct tiers within Apple's tablet lineup. While both devices offer a premium tablet experience running on iPadOS, the iPad Pro 2021 introduces a more powerful internal architecture and advanced display technology, setting it apart from the capable iPad Air 2020.

Both tablets operate on Apple's iPadOS, providing a consistent and intuitive user experience, but their hardware differences cater to varying user demands and workflows.

When considering the long-term usability of these tablets, their release timelines and hardware capabilities play a significant role in expected software support and practical lifespan.

• Software Longevity: The iPad Pro 2021, being released approximately seven months after the iPad Air 2020, is likely to receive software updates for a slightly longer period. Both devices launched with iPadOS 14, and Apple typically provides 5-6 years of major OS updates for its tablets.
• Build Quality: Both models feature a durable aluminum enclosure and a glass front. The physical dimensions of the 10.9-inch iPad Air 2020 and the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 are very similar, suggesting comparable resilience in daily handling.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, both devices are designed with integrated components, making user-level repairs challenging. Professional servicing is generally recommended for both models.

The core difference in performance between these two tablets stems from their internal processing units, impacting how they handle demanding applications and multitasking.

• Processing Power: The iPad Pro 2021 features a desktop-class processor, offering a substantial leap in performance compared to the iPad Air 2020's advanced mobile processor. This translates to smoother operation for intensive tasks like 4K video editing, complex 3D rendering, and professional-grade creative applications.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPad Pro 2021 comes with higher RAM configurations, starting at 8GB and going up to 16GB for higher storage models, whereas the iPad Air 2020 is equipped with 4GB of RAM. This difference allows the iPad Pro to manage a greater number of active applications simultaneously and switch between them with enhanced fluidity, benefiting users who frequently juggle multiple demanding tasks.
• Storage Options: The iPad Pro 2021 offers a wider range of storage capacities, from 128GB up to 2TB, providing ample space for large projects and extensive media libraries. The iPad Air 2020 is available in 64GB and 256GB configurations, which are suitable for general use but may be limiting for users with significant storage needs.

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with the iPad Pro 2021 offering more advanced display technologies, particularly in its larger variant.

• Display Technology and Refresh Rate: The iPad Air 2020 features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 also uses a Liquid Retina IPS LCD, but crucially includes ProMotion technology, enabling an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more responsive interactions. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 further elevates this with a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, offering superior contrast, deeper blacks, and higher peak brightness for HDR content.
• Brightness and Clarity: The iPad Air 2020 provides 500 nits of brightness, which is suitable for most indoor and outdoor conditions. The 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 increases this to 600 nits, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 can reach 1000 nits of sustained brightness and up to 1600 nits for HDR content, making it exceptionally bright and vibrant for media consumption and professional work.
• Screen Size and Viewing: The iPad Air 2020 has a 10.9-inch display, offering a generous viewing area. The iPad Pro 2021 is available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch options, with the latter providing a significantly larger canvas for creative tasks and immersive media.

The camera systems on both tablets serve different purposes, with the iPad Pro 2021 offering a more comprehensive and advanced setup.

• Rear Camera System: The iPad Air 2020 features a single 12MP wide-angle rear camera capable of 4K video recording. The iPad Pro 2021 includes a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide-angle and a 10MP ultra-wide-angle lens, along with a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality experiences and improved low-light focusing.
• Front Camera and Video Calls: The iPad Air 2020 has a 7MP FaceTime HD front camera. The iPad Pro 2021 features a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, a feature that automatically keeps the user in frame during video calls, even as they move around.
• Audio Experience: Both tablets offer stereo speakers, but the iPad Pro 2021 typically provides a more robust audio experience with a four-speaker setup, delivering richer sound for media consumption and video conferencing.