iPad Air 6 (2024) vs iPad Pro 11 (2022): expectations،
Introduction
Even though there have been plenty of iPad rumors throughout 2023, we haven't received a new tablet from Apple. And it's quite curious since the company is on a good roll: whether it's a new iPad Pro, a new basic iPad, an iPad Air or a new mini, we We are generally entitled to at least one update per year.
For some reason, Apple decided to leave a bigger gap between updates this time. That's great: contemporary iPads are pretty awesome, no matter which level you prefer. However, given how widely the iPad Air and iPad mini are rumored towards the end of 2023, we're confident we'll see them appear in early 2024. Well… it's not at us ultimately, but call it a hunch.
- Very similar shape and size
- Interchangeable accessories
- 120Hz refresh rate only on the Pro line
- USB C with 2-speed USB on Air, 3-speed USB on Pro
- Two speakers (landscape stereo) versus four speakers
- LiDAR camera will remain a Pro feature
- We may see a 12.9-inch iPad Air (2024)!
Contents:
Design and size
Similar in almost every way
The modern iPad Air range is here to give you an iPad Pro 11 at a lower cost. Corners that were cut: It has a 60Hz display instead of 120Hz ProMotion and it has 64GB of storage at its base level. We expect (hope?) that the latter may change this year, but we'll talk more about that in the hardware section.
The camera bump on the back is also very different – since the Air line generally only has a single lens, instead of the dual camera + LiDAR that the iPad Pros rock.
But if you look at a contemporary iPad Air and an iPad Pro from a distance, they look similar. And that's very welcome, because it means they fit the same accessories. You can use a Magic Keyboard with both. You can use an Apple Pencil gen 2 with both. So if you buy an Air first and jump into the accessories, you can upgrade to a Pro and continue using them. Or just get the basic iPad Pro experience without the Pro price. Cool!
iPads have had USB C ports for a while now, so no changes are expected. Additionally, as before, we expect USB 3 file transfer speeds to still be exclusive to the iPad Pro line, and anything non-Pro to be stuck with USB 2.
Display differences
The displays on the Airs and Pros are very similar. These are laminated screens, which means there is no air gap between the glass and the screen itself, which is really great (can only be appreciated if you are using a tablet less expensive). The panels are LCD and the iPad Pro is the one with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Only the iPad Pro 12.9 has slightly different technology here: a mini-LED screen with 2,500 local dimming zones. But that's not the case on the iPad Pro 11 or iPad Air, at least not yet.
So other than the refresh rate and the 0.1-inch size difference, there aren't many differences between the displays. We kind of expect the iPad Air (2024) to also get the Apple Pencil Hover feature – it's one of the newer features in the iPad Pro (2022) line – when you pass the tip of the Apple Pencil on the screen, you get a cursor. like experience, where menus and items can appear and act as if they were under the mouse pointer. It's still… just a hunch.
Performance and software
#M2
So, in 2024, we expect to see the new iPad Air receive an M2 chip while the Pro range prepares to receive an M3.
That said, if we're right, the iPad Air (2024) will have the same M2 chip inside as the iPad Pro 11 (2022). Their performances will therefore be very, very comparable.
Where the Air line differs is its base level of storage. It is currently 64 GB, which is far too little, especially for tablets now marketed as video or audio editing tools (Final Cut and Logic for iPad are now a reality!). Its next step up is 256GB and its price increases to the base price of an iPad Pro 11. We think it's time for the iPad Pro to get a base level upgrade to 128GB , but we'll have to wait and see. if Apple agrees.
Camera
Are tablets cameras?
Typically, you want two cameras on a tablet: the selfie camera for video calls, and then some sort of rear-facing camera for scanning documents or for some sort of emergency “Hey, look at this” to take a photo. photo.
The iPad Air lineup generally includes a 12 MP selfie camera with the ultra-wide lens that enables Center Stage (the camera automatically tracks your face) and a 12 MP main camera on the back, which is quite usable.
The iPad Pros go further with an additional 10 MP ultra-wide camera on the back, then a LiDAR sensor for AR applications. Cool technology, but we don't know how many regular users actually find any use for it.
We don't expect anything to change unless Apple introduces a new feature or notable upgrade for the selfie camera, since it is the most used camera on tablets.
Audio quality
The iPad Air line features two speakers, located at the top and bottom of the tablet, also called “landscape stereo” because they transform into left and right speakers when watching movies or YouTube videos. iPad Pros have four speakers. We hope this configuration remains the same for future generations.
In our experience, the Air's dual speakers are only slightly worse than the Pro's. They sound a little more boxy, with a slight mid-range bump, and compress a little more at higher volumes, where the iPad Pro's four speakers have an easier time pushing air and sounding smooth. a little more spatial. The difference is there but isn't huge, so speaker configuration won't be a deciding factor here.
Battery life and charging
iPads last
iPads, all iPad models, typically give us around 10 hours of screen time. We've used the large 12.9-inch iPad Pros, the 11-inchers, the Airs, and the base iPads, and it's generally the same story. They're reliable for a full day, unless you want to play those shiny console-level games or output 4K video to them, of course. For playing YouTube, working on the web, or even music apps, they can easily spend a day. For heavy workloads, you can still get about 5 hours out of it.
Specification Comparison
The iPad Air generally lags behind the iPad Pro. If we're to assume we'll see an M3 chip in the 2024 Pros, then the Air will surely get an M2 chip. What else?
| iPad Air 6 (2024) | iPad Pro 11 (2022) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size weight | 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches* (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm)* |
9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 inches (247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm) |
| Screen | 10.9″ LCD screen 60Hz |
11″ LCD screen 120 Hz promotion |
| Processor | Apple M2* 5nm |
Apple M2 5nm |
| RAM, storage | 8 GB / 64 GB* 8 GB / 256 GB |
8 GB / 128 GB 8 GB / 256 GB 8 GB / 512 GB 16 GB / 1 TB 16 GB / 2 TB |
| Cameras | 12 MP main
12 MP ultra-wide front with Center Stage |
12 MP main 10 MP ultra-wide LiDAR 12 MP ultra-wide front with Center Stage |
| Battery | 7,606mAh | 7,538mAh |
| Loading | USB-C 18W wired |
USB-C 18W wired |
*Alleged specifications or rumors
Thus, the iPad Air 6 (2024) more or less replaces the iPad Pro (2022). You'll still miss the 120Hz display and, if you ask us, once it launches, you'll be better off tracking down an iPad Pro 11 (2022) at clearance prices than opting for a new iPad Air.
Summary
So, the iPad Air 6 will arrive sooner or later and will be – once again – a viable alternative to the iPad Pro of its own generation. As long as you don't mind the 60Hz screen, you'll be able to enjoy full Apple Pencil support, Magic Keyboard, Stage Manager, and a powerful processor, which honestly has nothing to do with a tablet (but we're glad it is).
But nevertheless, striking a deal on the iPad Pro 11 (2022) will simply be the best choice. Four speakers, a 120Hz display, and 128GB of base storage: it's simply a win. Now, if the iPad Air (2024) gets a storage upgrade, its value will increase. We will see how the market and the products offered will evolve once launched.
