iPad Air M4 vs iPad Pro M5
The iPad Air M4 and the iPad Pro M5 share their roots, so the useful question isn’t which is “good” but where each one differs. Of the 5 areas we compared, the iPad Pro M5 wins 4. If one area explains the result, it’s display. Add $400 of difference in launch price, and the iPad Air M4 has a strong argument before a single spec is compared. Here’s where the iPad Air M4 and the iPad Pro M5 part ways, and where they don’t.
At a glance
- Display iPad Pro M5 wins
- Performance iPad Pro M5 wins
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M5 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity iPad Pro M5 wins
- Price iPad Air M4 wins
- Display1.4
- Performance6.7
- Memory & Storage4.8
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.1
- Display8.6
- Performance8.8
- Memory & Storage7.5
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPad Pro M5 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
The iPad Pro M5 clearly leads on refresh rate, and 120 Hz versus 60 Hz is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate.
-
The iPad Pro M5 has 100% higher brightness
On peak brightness (sdr), the iPad Pro M5 posts 1,000 nits against 500 nits for the iPad Air M4, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Indoors, both may be plenty bright; the gap matters most in strong daylight.
-
The iPad Pro M5 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 256 GB for the iPad Pro M5 versus 128 GB for the iPad Air M4. Base storage decides how many movies, games and projects you can keep on the tablet without paying for an upgrade.
-
The iPad Pro M5 has a 0.03 in slimmer body
The iPad Air M4 lists 0.24 in; the iPad Pro M5 comes in at 0.21 in. That’s not a rounding error. Thickness sometimes buys battery or cooling, so the iPad Air M4’s extra depth isn’t automatically a flaw.
-
The iPad Pro M5 has a bigger top storage option
At 2 TB versus 1 TB, this is a decisive lead for the iPad Pro M5, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Most buyers won’t need the maximum, so this is a niche advantage rather than an everyday one.
-
The iPad Pro M5 has 1 more CPU cores
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the iPad Pro M5 leads with 9 to 8. Core count is only part of the picture, since chip design and clock speeds also shape performance.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M4 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Pro M5 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other. The iPad Pro M5 keeps a lower profile: 0.03 in thinner than the iPad Air M4.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.21 in (winner) |
| Weight | N/A (not specified) | 15.66 oz |
Display
iPad Pro M5 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the iPad Pro M5 leads the display section with room to spare. Here the iPad Pro M5 offers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. If you draw, take handwritten notes or play games, the iPad Pro M5’s smoother display is a real advantage. For anyone who cares most about display, the iPad Pro M5 is the safer choice.
Refresh rate
iPad Air M4: 60 Hz iPad Pro M5: 120 Hz Once you’ve seen a high-refresh tablet, standard-rate scrolling can feel a little choppy.
Peak brightness (SDR)
iPad Air M4: 500 nits iPad Pro M5: 1,000 nits Higher brightness keeps the screen readable next to bright windows, on a balcony or on a sunny train ride.
Performance
iPad Pro M5 leads
The iPad Pro M5 clearly takes the performance round. Choose the iPad Pro M5 and you get 1 more CPU cores. For browsing and streaming, core count rarely matters; for creative work, the iPad Pro M5’s extra cores give more headroom. The performance verdict goes to the iPad Pro M5.
CPU cores
iPad Air M4: 8 iPad Pro M5: 9 More CPU cores help when you run several demanding apps at once or export large files.
GPU cores
iPad Air M4: 9 iPad Pro M5: 10 More GPU cores mean more graphics muscle for games, video editing and 3D apps.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M5 leads
The iPad Pro M5 wins the memory & storage section decisively. The iPad Pro M5 answers with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. Downloaded shows and large creative files fill space fast, so the iPad Pro M5’s bigger starting capacity is a practical win. Anyone shopping mainly on memory & storage should start with the iPad Pro M5.
Base storage
iPad Air M4: 128 GB iPad Pro M5: 256 GB If you mostly stream and use cloud storage, the base tier matters less; if you work offline, it matters a lot.
Max storage
iPad Air M4: 1 TB iPad Pro M5: 2 TB A bigger top storage option matters for people who keep large video projects or media libraries on the device.
Accessories & Productivity
The accessories & productivity entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the iPad Air M4 and the iPad Pro M5 part ways.
Cameras
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the cameras section; the two are too close to separate. So cameras is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery & Connectivity
iPad Pro M5 leads
In the battery & connectivity category, the iPad Pro M5 is a step ahead rather than a leap ahead. The iPad Pro M5 makes its case with 8.2% more battery capacity. Capacity is only half of the story, since screen size and chip efficiency also shape real endurance. The takeaway: on battery & connectivity, the iPad Pro M5 is the stronger tablet.
Battery
iPad Air M4: 28.9 Wh iPad Pro M5: 31.3 Wh A bigger battery usually means more hours of reading, streaming and working between charges.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2420 x 1668 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | 1,000 nits (winner) |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | M5 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 9 (winner) |
| GPU cores | 9 | 10 (winner) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 2 TB (winner) |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) |
| OS at launch | N/A (not specified) | iPadOS 26 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Landscape edge | Landscape edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.9 Wh | 31.3 Wh (winner) |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4) |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.21 in (winner) |
| Weight | N/A (not specified) | 15.66 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 (winner) | $999 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The iPad Air M4 launched at $400 less than the iPad Pro M5, a gap of 67%. Is the iPad Pro M5 worth $400 extra? What you get for the money is a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 100% higher brightness.
Based on US launch pricing as of March 2026. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M4 if…
- you’re working to a firm budget and $400 matters
- you plan to keep it for a long time and want to start from the newer generation
Choose the iPad Pro M5 if…
- you play games or draw and like fluid motion (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the brighter screen (1,000 nits vs 500 nits)
- you keep movies, games or large projects on the device (256 GB vs 128 GB base storage)
- you want the slimmer tablet (0.21 in vs 0.24 in)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Air M4 or the iPad Pro M5?
For most people, the iPad Pro M5 is the stronger choice, unless you have better plans for $400.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Pro M5 to the iPad Air M4?
The iPad Air M4 adds a handful of small refinements. That’s welcome, but owners of the iPad Pro M5 who are happy with it can reasonably wait.
Does the iPad Air M4 last longer on a charge than the iPad Pro M5?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the iPad Air M4 and the iPad Pro M5 land in almost the same place.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M4 or the iPad Pro M5?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the iPad Air M4 and the iPad Pro M5 is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the iPad Air M4 or the iPad Pro M5?
The iPad Pro M5 has the edge in performance thanks to 1 more CPU cores and 1 more GPU cores.
Which has the better screen, the iPad Air M4 or the iPad Pro M5?
Going by the numbers, the iPad Pro M5’s screen comes out ahead: a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 100% higher brightness.
Which costs less, the iPad Air M4 or the iPad Pro M5?
The iPad Air M4 is the cheaper option, launching at $400 less than the iPad Pro M5 (launch prices as of March 2026).
Which has more storage, the iPad Air M4 or the iPad Pro M5?
The iPad Pro M5 comes with more room: 256 GB versus 128 GB.
Executive Summary
A lineup gives you options, and options give you headaches. Let me try to cure this one: the iPad Air M4 or the iPad Pro M5. The iPad Pro M5 wins me over with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. And if that weren’t enough, the iPad Pro M5 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
Match the strength to your habits (price for the iPad Air M4, display for the iPad Pro M5), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the iPad Pro M5. The iPad Air M4 only comes out ahead if the extra $400 would stretch your budget.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.