iPad Air M4 13-inch vs iPad Pro M5
A family lineup gives you options, and options create homework. Here’s the homework for the iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5. Scoring each area separately, the iPad Pro M5 comes out on top 3 times out of 5. Its lead is sharpest in display. The iPad Pro M5 also costs $200 more at launch, which raises the bar for what it needs to deliver.
At a glance
- Display iPad Pro M5 wins
- Performance iPad Pro M5 wins
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M5 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity iPad Air M4 13-inch wins
- Price iPad Air M4 13-inch wins
- Display2.0
- Performance6.7
- Memory & Storage4.8
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.3
- 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
When it comes to refresh rate, the iPad Pro M5 wins comfortably with 120 Hz against 60 Hz. If you draw, take handwritten notes or play games, the iPad Pro M5’s smoother display is a real advantage.
-
The iPad Air M4 13-inch has a 2-inch larger screen
We don’t score this one. The iPad Air M4 13-inch lists 13 in and the iPad Pro M5 11 in, and the better choice depends on your needs. Larger tablets shine on a desk or a couch; smaller ones are better for reading in bed or using on the move.
-
The iPad Pro M5 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
It’s a lopsided result (256 GB for the iPad Pro M5, 128 GB for the iPad Air M4 13-inch) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. 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 67% higher brightness
The spread here is large: 1,000 nits on the iPad Pro M5 versus 600 nits on the iPad Air M4 13-inch. Expect to notice it. The iPad Pro M5’s brighter panel also gives HDR video more punch.
-
The iPad Air M4 13-inch has 17% more battery capacity
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the iPad Air M4 13-inch makes its strongest case: 36.6 Wh against 31.3 Wh. Capacity is only half of the story, since screen size and chip efficiency also shape real endurance.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M4 13-inch 11.05 in × 8.46 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Pro M5 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
The iPad Air M4 13-inch is the larger tablet of the two, while the iPad Pro M5 is the more compact choice. On thickness, the iPad Pro M5 leads by 0.03 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11.05 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 8.46 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
When it comes to display, the iPad Pro M5 is comfortably ahead. The iPad Pro M5 delivers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Once you’ve seen a high-refresh tablet, standard-rate scrolling can feel a little choppy. Prioritize display, and the iPad Pro M5 is where you should land.
Refresh rate
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 60 Hz iPad Pro M5: 120 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate.
Screen size
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 13 in iPad Pro M5: 11 in A bigger screen gives you more room for split-screen apps, documents and movies, while a smaller one is easier to hold and carry.
Performance
iPad Pro M5 leads
In the performance category, the iPad Pro M5 isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The iPad Pro M5 has the edge with 1 more CPU cores. Core count is only part of the picture, since chip design and clock speeds also shape performance. Net result: the iPad Pro M5 leads this part of the comparison.
CPU cores
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 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 13-inch: 9 iPad Pro M5: 10 If you mainly read, browse and stream, the GPU gap is unlikely to affect you much.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M5 leads
The iPad Pro M5 is the clear pick if memory & storage is what you care about most. On its side, the iPad Pro M5 has 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. So if memory & storage tops your list, lean toward the iPad Pro M5.
Base storage
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 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 13-inch: 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 iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 differ on accessories & productivity in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Cameras
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if cameras was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. The takeaway: cameras is not where these two differ.
Battery & Connectivity
iPad Air M4 13-inch leads
Here the iPad Air M4 13-inch opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The iPad Air M4 13-inch comes with 17% more battery capacity. A bigger battery usually means more hours of reading, streaming and working between charges. That makes the iPad Air M4 13-inch the natural choice for buyers focused on battery & connectivity.
Battery
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 36.6 Wh iPad Pro M5: 31.3 Wh The iPad Air M4 13-inch carries more capacity, which helps with heavier work that drains a battery faster.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) |
| Resolution | 2732 x 2048 | 2420 x 1668 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 600 nits Brightest screen in class | 1,000 nits (winner) |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | M5 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 9 (winner) |
| GPU cores | 9 | 10 (winner) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | 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 13-inch | 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 13-inch | 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 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 36.6 Wh (winner) Biggest battery in class | 31.3 Wh |
| 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 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11.05 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 8.46 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 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (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
That’s $200 between the two launch prices, a spread of 25% that makes the iPad Air M4 13-inch the value-minded choice. For $200 more, the iPad Pro M5 adds a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
Launch prices in the US as of March 2026; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M4 13-inch if…
- you want the bigger battery (36.6 Wh vs 31.3 Wh)
- you’d put the $200 saving toward something else
- you’re buying fresh and prefer the more recent model
Choose the iPad Pro M5 if…
- you want smoother scrolling and pen strokes (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want more room without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you want the brighter screen (1,000 nits vs 600 nits)
- you slip your tablet into tight bags and sleeves (0.21 in vs 0.24 in)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the iPad Pro M5?
For most people, the iPad Pro M5 is the stronger choice, unless you know that 17% more battery capacity would make a real difference in your routine.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Pro M5 to the iPad Air M4 13-inch?
It depends on what you need. The iPad Air M4 13-inch brings 17% more battery capacity, but if your iPad Pro M5 still does the job, there’s no urgency.
Does the iPad Air M4 13-inch last longer on a charge than the iPad Pro M5?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 land in almost the same place.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the iPad Pro M5?
The larger model here is the iPad Air M4 13-inch (11.05 × 8.46 × 0.24 in); the iPad Pro M5 is more compact at 9.83 × 6.99 × 0.21 in.
Which is faster, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the iPad Pro M5?
The iPad Pro M5 should be the quicker of the two, with 1 more CPU cores and 1 more GPU cores on its side.
Which has the better screen, the iPad Air M4 13-inch 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 67% higher brightness.
Executive Summary
The iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 are relatives, and relatives can be surprisingly different once you read the fine print. Start with the headline difference (the iPad Pro M5 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz), and a lot of the decision falls into place. Another thing in the iPad Pro M5’s favor is 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The iPad Air M4 13-inch isn’t without merit: 17% more battery capacity is a real advantage.
The iPad Air M4 13-inch is for you if battery & connectivity tops your list; the iPad Pro M5 is for you if display does.
My pick: the iPad Pro M5 gets my vote, but the iPad Air M4 13-inch is the right call if having 17% more battery capacity matters more to you than the rest.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.