iPad Air M4 13-inch vs iPad Pro M5 13-inch
The iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch sit side by side in the same lineup, built on a shared foundation but aimed at slightly different buyers. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 4 of 5 areas go to the iPad Pro M5 13-inch, and the gap is widest in display. The launch prices sit $500 apart, with the iPad Air M4 13-inch on the more affordable side.
At a glance
- Display iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins
- Performance iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity iPad Pro M5 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 & Connectivity5.0
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
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The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
The iPad Air M4 13-inch gives up a lot on refresh rate: 60 Hz, compared with 120 Hz on the iPad Pro M5 13-inch. If you draw, take handwritten notes or play games, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s smoother display is a real advantage.
-
The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
Few buyers will miss this one. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch brings 256 GB to the table; the iPad Air M4 13-inch brings 128 GB. Downloaded shows and large creative files fill space fast, so the iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s bigger starting capacity is a practical win.
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The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has 67% higher brightness
When it comes to peak brightness (sdr), the iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins comfortably with 1,000 nits against 600 nits. Indoors, both may be plenty bright; the gap matters most in strong daylight.
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The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has a 0.04 in slimmer body
It’s a lopsided result (0.20 in for the iPad Pro M5 13-inch, 0.24 in for the iPad Air M4 13-inch) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Thickness sometimes buys battery or cooling, so the iPad Air M4 13-inch’s extra depth isn’t automatically a flaw.
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The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has a bigger top storage option
The spread here is large: 2 TB on the iPad Pro M5 13-inch versus 1 TB on the iPad Air M4 13-inch. Expect to notice it. A bigger top storage option matters for people who keep large video projects or media libraries on the device.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M4 13-inch 11.05 in × 8.46 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Pro M5 13-inch 11.09 in × 8.48 in × 0.20 in
If you already know the size you like, the iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch should suit you equally. There’s 0.04 in of extra thickness on the iPad Air M4 13-inch.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11.05 in | 11.09 in |
| Width | 8.46 in | 8.48 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.20 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
| Weight | N/A (not specified) | 20.42 oz |
Display
iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads
Here the iPad Pro M5 13-inch opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch comes with 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 13-inch is where you should land.
Refresh rate
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 60 Hz iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 120 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate.
Peak brightness (SDR)
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 600 nits iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 1,000 nits The iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s brighter panel also gives HDR video more punch.
Performance
iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads
The iPad Pro M5 13-inch clearly takes the performance round. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch pulls ahead with 1 more CPU cores. For browsing and streaming, core count rarely matters; for creative work, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s extra cores give more headroom. For anyone who cares most about performance, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch is the safer choice.
CPU cores
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 8 iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 9 Core count is only part of the picture, since chip design and clock speeds also shape performance.
GPU cores
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 9 iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 10 More GPU cores mean more graphics muscle for games, video editing and 3D apps.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads
The memory & storage comparison is one-sided. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads where it counts. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch brings 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. If you mostly stream and use cloud storage, the base tier matters less; if you work offline, it matters a lot. In short, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch is the better-equipped tablet for memory & storage.
Base storage
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 128 GB iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 256 GB Base storage decides how many movies, games and projects you can keep on the tablet without paying for an upgrade.
Max storage
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 1 TB iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 2 TB Most buyers won’t need the maximum, so this is a niche advantage rather than an everyday one.
Accessories & Productivity
This section is descriptive. The iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch list different components for accessories & productivity, and the table spells them out.
Cameras
Too close to call
If cameras matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Net result on cameras: level.
Battery & Connectivity
iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads
The iPad Pro M5 13-inch does a little better in the battery & connectivity section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the iPad Air M4 13-inch. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch adds 6.6% more battery capacity. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch carries more capacity, which helps with heavier work that drains a battery faster. For battery & connectivity, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch is the one to beat.
Battery
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 36.6 Wh iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 39 Wh A bigger battery usually means more hours of reading, streaming and working between charges.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13 in | 13 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) |
| Resolution | 2732 x 2048 | 2752 x 2064 |
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | M5 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 9 (winner) |
| GPU cores | 9 | 10 (winner) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 36.6 Wh Biggest battery in class | 39 Wh (winner) Biggest battery in class |
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11.05 in | 11.09 in |
| Width | 8.46 in | 8.48 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.20 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
| Weight | N/A (not specified) | 20.42 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $1,299 Priciest in class |
“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
Price alone could settle this for some buyers, with the iPad Air M4 13-inch launching $500 lower, a gap of 63%. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s premium of $500 isn’t just for the name; it brings a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
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 13-inch if…
- you’d rather keep $500 in your pocket
- you want the changes the iPad Air M4 13-inch brings over its predecessor
Choose the iPad Pro M5 13-inch if…
- you play games or draw and like fluid motion (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you keep movies, games or large projects on the device (256 GB vs 128 GB base storage)
- you want the brighter screen (1,000 nits vs 600 nits)
- you slip your tablet into tight bags and sleeves (0.20 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 13-inch?
We’d point most buyers to the iPad Pro M5 13-inch. The main exception is if you want to keep that $500 difference in your pocket.
Is the iPad Air M4 13-inch worth it over the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
Only if the changes matter to you. Compared with the iPad Pro M5 13-inch, the iPad Air M4 13-inch offers a handful of small refinements, which is useful but not essential for everyone.
Which has better battery life, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch are too close to call.
Is the iPad Air M4 13-inch bigger than the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPad Air M4 13-inch and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
Going by the specs, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch comes out ahead: it offers 1 more CPU cores and 1 more GPU cores.
Is the iPad Air M4 13-inch’s display better than the iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s?
The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 67% higher brightness.
Executive Summary
If you’ve settled on this lineup, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the iPad Pro M5 13-inch is the last call to make. Here’s mine. My main argument for the iPad Pro M5 13-inch? It comes with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A second reason: the iPad Pro M5 13-inch comes with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
The iPad Air M4 13-inch is for you if price tops your list; the iPad Pro M5 13-inch is for you if display does.
My pick: the iPad Pro M5 13-inch gets my vote, but the iPad Air M4 13-inch is the right call if paying $500 more feels hard to justify for you.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.