iPad Air 5 vs iPad Pro M2
The iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro M2 are variations on one theme; the trick is working out which variation suits you. Look at the scorecard and the iPad Pro M2 stands out, ahead in 3 of 5 areas. The display numbers explain a lot of that. Budget is a real factor too: at launch, the iPad Air 5 undercut the iPad Pro M2 by $200.
At a glance
- Display iPad Pro M2 wins
- Performance iPad Pro M2 wins
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M2 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity Tie
- Price iPad Air 5 wins
- Display1.4
- Performance5.8
- Memory & Storage1.6
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.0
- Display6.3
- Performance7.5
- Memory & Storage6.4
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.1
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 M2 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
Put simply, the iPad Pro M2 is far ahead here: 120 Hz compared with 60 Hz. If you draw, take handwritten notes or play games, the iPad Pro M2’s smoother display is a real advantage.
-
The iPad Pro M2 has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB
The iPad Pro M2’s 128 GB leaves the iPad Air 5’s 64 GB well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Downloaded shows and large creative files fill space fast, so the iPad Pro M2’s bigger starting capacity is a practical win.
-
The iPad Pro M2 has a bigger top storage option
Not a close call. The iPad Pro M2 lists 2 TB and the iPad Air 5 lists 256 GB. That’s a substantial gap. A bigger top storage option matters for people who keep large video projects or media libraries on the device.
-
The iPad Pro M2 has 2 more GPU cores
It’s a small lead (10 versus 8), but it’s real, and it goes to the iPad Pro M2. The iPad Pro M2’s extra GPU cores are most noticeable in demanding games and pro creative apps.
-
The iPad Pro M2 has 20% higher brightness
The iPad Air 5 isn’t far behind at 500 nits, but the iPad Pro M2’s 600 nits still comes out ahead. Indoors, both may be plenty bright; the gap matters most in strong daylight.
Design & Size
- iPad Air 5 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Pro M2 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.23 in
Expect the same physical presence from both; their dimensions are very close. Neither the iPad Air 5 nor the iPad Pro M2 has a weight advantage worth mentioning.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.23 in |
| Weight | 16.26 oz | 16.44 oz |
Display
iPad Pro M2 leads
When it comes to display, the iPad Pro M2 is comfortably ahead. The iPad Pro M2 takes this one with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate. On display alone, the iPad Pro M2 gets the nod.
Refresh rate
iPad Air 5: 60 Hz iPad Pro M2: 120 Hz Once you’ve seen a high-refresh tablet, standard-rate scrolling can feel a little choppy.
Peak brightness (SDR)
iPad Air 5: 500 nits iPad Pro M2: 600 nits Higher brightness keeps the screen readable next to bright windows, on a balcony or on a sunny train ride.
Performance
iPad Pro M2 leads
Slight edge to the iPad Pro M2 on performance. Most buyers could live happily with either. On the iPad Pro M2, you get 2 more GPU cores. If you mainly read, browse and stream, the GPU gap is unlikely to affect you much. The takeaway: on performance, the iPad Pro M2 is the stronger tablet.
GPU cores
iPad Air 5: 8 iPad Pro M2: 10 More GPU cores mean more graphics muscle for games, video editing and 3D apps.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M2 leads
If memory & storage is high on your list, the iPad Pro M2 makes the stronger case by a wide margin. Choose the iPad Pro M2 and you get 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. Base storage decides how many movies, games and projects you can keep on the tablet without paying for an upgrade. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPad Pro M2.
Base storage
iPad Air 5: 64 GB iPad Pro M2: 128 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 5: 256 GB iPad Pro M2: 2 TB Most buyers won’t need the maximum, so this is a niche advantage rather than an everyday one.
Accessories & Productivity
For accessories & productivity, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Cameras
Too close to call
Call the cameras round a draw. Treat cameras as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Battery & Connectivity
Too close to call
Both the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro M2 cover battery & connectivity equally well on paper. For battery & connectivity, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10.9 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Liquid Retina (LCD), ProMotion |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2388 x 1668 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | 600 nits (winner) Dimmest screen in class |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M1 | M2 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 Fewest CPU cores |
| GPU cores | 8 | 10 (winner) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
| Base storage | 64 GB | 128 GB (winner) Least base storage |
| Max storage | 256 GB | 2 TB (winner) |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with hover, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 15 | iPadOS 16 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Portrait edge | Portrait edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.6 Wh | 28.7 Wh Smallest 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 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.23 in |
| Weight | 16.26 oz | 16.44 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | iPad Pro M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 (winner) | $799 Lowest price 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
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 33% apart, a difference of $200. If $200 isn’t a stretch, the iPad Pro M2 gives you a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB.
Based on US launch pricing as of October 2022. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air 5 if…
- you want more value for your money ($200 less at launch)
Choose the iPad Pro M2 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 (128 GB vs 64 GB base storage)
- you need a high-capacity version (2 TB vs 256 GB maximum)
- you want more graphics power (10 vs 8)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPad Air 5 or the iPad Pro M2?
The iPad Pro M2 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless saving $200 matters more to you than the extras.
Which has better battery life, the iPad Air 5 or the iPad Pro M2?
On paper, the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro M2 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Which is larger, the iPad Air 5 or the iPad Pro M2?
Neither by much. The iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro M2 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the iPad Air 5 perform better than the iPad Pro M2?
The iPad Pro M2 has the edge in performance thanks to 2 more GPU cores.
Is the iPad Air 5’s display better than the iPad Pro M2’s?
The iPad Pro M2 has the edge here, offering a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 20% higher brightness.
Is the iPad Air 5 cheaper than the iPad Pro M2?
Going by launch prices, the iPad Air 5 costs $200 less than the iPad Pro M2. Prices as of October 2022; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
A lineup gives you options, and options give you headaches. Let me try to cure this one: the iPad Air 5 or the iPad Pro M2. I think the iPad Pro M2 makes its strongest case with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. It also helps that the iPad Pro M2 has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB.
The iPad Air 5 is built for people who weigh price heavily, and the iPad Pro M2 for people who weigh display.
My pick: the iPad Pro M2. I’d only go for the iPad Air 5 if your budget can’t stretch another $200.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.