The iPad Air provides a balance of performance and portability with its M3 chip and anti-reflective display, making it suitable for users who need a powerful yet lightweight device. The iPad offers a wider range of models and configurations, catering to different needs and budgets, but its performance and features vary significantly depending on the specific model chosen.
| Attribute | iPad Air | iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size (inches) | Available in 11-inch (10.86 inches diagonally) and 13-inch (12.9 inches diagonally) models | Varies by model, ranging from 8.3 (iPad mini) to 13 (iPad Pro). Examples: 10.2, 10.9, 11. |
| Display Technology (e.g., Liquid Retina, LED) | Liquid Retina display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, Wide color (P3), True Tone, Anti-reflective coating, fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating | Retina Display (LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology), Liquid Retina Display, Ultra Retina XDR display (Tandem OLED) |
| Processor (e.g., Apple M1, A15 Bionic) | Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine | A13 Bionic, A14 Bionic, A15 Bionic, A16 Bionic, M1, M2, M3, M4 |
| Storage Options (e.g., 64GB, 256GB) | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB | 64GB to 2TB, depending on the model. Examples: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| RAM (e.g., 8GB) | 8GB (16GB in 1TB or 2TB models) | Varies by model and storage configuration. Examples: 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 16GB. iPad Pro models with 1TB or 2TB storage often have more RAM. |
| Battery Life (hours) | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video. Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network. | Up to 10 hours during typical usage (web surfing, video playback, or music). Actual battery life varies. Expect around 9-12 hours for tasks like web browsing and video playback. Shorter (4-6 hours or less) when doing more intensive tasks. |
| Operating System (e.g., iPadOS 16) | iPadOS 18 | iPadOS. The current stable version is iPadOS 18.5, released on May 12, 2025. |
| Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Cellular) | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, optional 5G Cellular | Wi-Fi and Cellular options are available. |
| Camera Resolution (front and rear) | Rear: 12MP Wide camera with /1.8 aperture. Front: Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage. | Front: Examples include 12MP Ultra Wide. Rear: Examples include 8MP Wide, 12MP Wide. |
| Stylus Support (e.g., Apple Pencil 2nd generation) | Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil (1st generation, 2nd generation, USB-C, and Pro). Compatibility varies by iPad model. |
| Weight (grams or pounds) | 11-inch: Wi-Fi models: 1.01 pounds (460 grams). Wi-Fi + Cellular models: 1.01 pounds (460 grams). 13-inch: Wi-Fi models: 1.36 pounds (616 grams). Wi-Fi + Cellular models: 1.36 pounds (617 grams). | Ranging from approximately 0.65 pounds (293 grams) to 1.5 pounds (682 grams), depending on the model and whether it's Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular. |
| Price | Starting from $599 | $349 to over $1000 |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |