Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) vs Apple iPad Air 11" (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) (#1, best overall) vs Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) (#2, best value): in our Performance Tablets scoring the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) totals 9.7/10 and the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) 9.2/10.
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Side by side
| Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) | Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13" Ultra Retina XDR, 2752×2064, 120Hz OLED | 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640, 60Hz |
| Processor | M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | M4 (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) |
| RAM | 12GB (16GB with 1TB+) | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB | 128GB |
| Battery | 38.99Wh, 10-11 hours | 28.93Wh, up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 579g | 464g |
| Thickness | 5.1mm | 6.1mm |
| Brightness | — | 500 nits |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Biometrics | — | Touch ID |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
How they differ in real use
Built from our best display tablets scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) and the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) made our Top 5 Performance Tablets, at #1 (best overall) and #2 (best value). The clear performance leader with the M5 chip: 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU with ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine. Geekbench 6 scores exceed 3,800 single / 15,000+ multi. Edits 4K ProRes, runs AAA games. Apple's current iPad Air, which replaced the discontinued M3 model in March 2026. Its M4 and 12GB of RAM post about 3,700 single-core and 13,300 multi-core in published Geekbench 6 results, ahead of the OnePlus Pad 3's Snapdragon 8 Elite (3,125 and 9,553 in GSMArena's testing), at a far lower price than the iPad Pro and sold by Amazon itself. The trade-offs are a 60Hz LCD and 128GB of base storage.
We score performance tablets on CPU Performance (30%), GPU Performance (30%), RAM & Storage (20%), Sustained Performance (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) totals 9.7 out of 10 and the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) 9.2. The widest gap is RAM & Storage, where the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) scores 10 against 8.5 for the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4): memory. Value also separates them: 9 for the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) versus 7 for the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5).
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display: 13" Ultra Retina XDR, 2752×2064, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640, 60Hz on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4); Processor: M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus M4 (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4); RAM: 12GB (16GB with 1TB+) on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 12GB on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4); Storage: 256GB-2TB on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 128GB on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4); Battery: 38.99Wh, 10-11 hours on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 28.93Wh, up to 10 hours on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4); Weight: 579g on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 464g on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4).
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) for 1600 nits peak brightness and tandem OLED technology; the most common complaint is $1,299+ entry price. Owners praise the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) for M4 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) posts about 3,700 single-core and 13,300 multi-core in published Geekbench 6 results and 12GB of unified memory, 50% more than the M3 iPad Air's 8GB; the most common complaint is 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD, with no ProMotion or OLED.
Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5)
- 1600 nits peak brightness
- Tandem OLED technology
- M5 chip fastest
- ProMotion 120Hz
- $1,299+ entry price
- Slight warm color cast
- Overkill for basic use
Apple iPad Air 11" (M4)
- M4 chip (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU) posts about 3,700 single-core and 13,300 multi-core in published Geekbench 6 results
- 12GB of unified memory, 50% more than the M3 iPad Air's 8GB
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple's N1 chip
- Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support
- 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD, with no ProMotion or OLED
- 128GB base storage and no storage expansion
- Trails the iPad Pro in multi-core performance
Which should you buy?
The Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) is the better fit for professional creatives and 4K video editing; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for RAM & Storage and CPU Performance. The Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) is the better fit for most iPad buyers who want Pro-class speed and students and creatives using Apple Pencil Pro, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. The Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) is a poor fit for budget buyers; the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) is a poor fit for 120Hz or OLED display needs.
Choose the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) if
- Professional creatives
- 4K video editing
- Display enthusiasts
Skip it if
- Budget buyers
- Basic tablet needs
Choose the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) if
- Most iPad buyers who want Pro-class speed
- Students and creatives using Apple Pencil Pro
- Magic Keyboard productivity
Skip it if
- 120Hz or OLED display needs
- Large local storage without paying for upgrades
Common questions
Is the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) better than the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4)?
In our Performance Tablets ranking the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) scores higher overall, 9.7 to 9.2, with the biggest advantage in RAM & Storage. The Apple iPad Air 11" (M4) is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
What is the main difference between the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) and the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4)?
The headline spec difference is Display: 13" Ultra Retina XDR, 2752×2064, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640, 60Hz on the Apple iPad Air 11" (M4). In use, the gap that matters most is RAM & Storage (10 vs 8.5 in our scoring): memory.