Since March 2019, Apple’s tablet portfolio has comprised a total of five different iPad models, each meet different demands. The iPad Mini, which was last updated in 2019, appears to be the least attractive due to its relatively high price. The new highlight is the iPad Pro with M1 chip, which clearly positions itself as a high-end tablet compared to the Air 4 (test), which was completely overhauled in September.
- Still the crème de la Cream: The iPad Pro in 2 sizes
- Apple’s medium tablet: iPad Air (2020) is the first with A14 bionic chip
- iPad Air (2020): The new bestselling tablet?
- Apple saves memory and true-tone display on the iPad (2020)
Still the crème de la crème: The iPad Pro in 2 sizes
Apple iPad Pro 2021. (Image: Apple)
As in our iPad comparison from March 2019, Apple’s Pro series with its 11 and 12.9 inch display diagonals is still the spearhead of the tablet family, which, according to Apple, can also function as a notebook replacement should. With iPadOS 13, the manufacturer had made all sorts of adjustments to bring the devices even closer to the notebook. With iPadOS 15, another big step in this direction is planned.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro (Max): This is how they look, that’s probably inside
Only the iPad Pro models have a dual camera and lidar scanner on board. (Photo: Apple)
Nevertheless, the following still applies: Notebooks are likely to continue to be the better productive devices for many. In terms of performance, the Pro models with their M1 processors, which Apple also installed in its Macbooks announced in November 2020, can easily keep up with the notebooks and even outperform them. With the announcement of the new Pro models, the Apple tablets are once again ahead of the iPad Air 4 and the iPhone 12 models, which are equipped with A14 chips, in terms of performance. The Pro models are not only ahead in terms of performance, but also in terms of other features such as storage, the USB 4 port, which also supports Thunderbolt 3, and the storage options. The iPad Pros can be equipped with up to two terabytes of memory.
The new iPad Pro from Apple. (Image: Apple)
When it comes to the display, the iPad Pros are also one step ahead: especially the 12.9-inch model with its new mini-LED screen, which is particularly bright and with over 1,000 nits Contrast is stronger than that of the 11-inch device and should cast its spell on users. The smaller Pro model has a brightness of up to 600 nits and, like the large iPad Pro, supports a dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hertz – Apple calls this technology Promotion. The new Pro models are not cheap: In the 11-inch version, the new iPad Pro costs between 879 and 2,259 euros . The 12.9 inch iPad Pro is depending on the specifications for 1,199 up to 2,579 euros .
Apple’s medium tablet: iPad Air (2020) is the first with A14 bionic chip
The core features of the iPad Air 2020. (Screenshot: t3n; Apple)
The iPad Air was extensively overhauled in September 2020 and is optically based on the iPad Pros. Thanks to the A14 bionic processor, it delivers a very decent performance that is on the iPhone 12 level, but not necessarily on the M1 level. Despite the similar look, the Air differs from the Pro tablets: These are the only models in Apple’s iPad family that are equipped with the promotional technology. The high refresh rate enables fluid scrolling, greater responsiveness and smoother movements. Likewise, only Pro models offer a USB 4 connection and quad speakers, dual cameras with lidar sensors for use in augmented reality applications and Face ID facial recognition. In addition, the display of the Air is not quite as bright with 500 nits.
The iPad Air 2020 is offered in bright colors. (Image: Apple)
The Pro models have always lacked the audio jack, the Air has also been deleted with the new design with the change from Lightning to USB-C port. If you value this classic headphone jack, you have to use the iPad or iPad mini. With the other models, wired headphones can still be connected via a USB-C to 3.5 jack adapter.
iPad Air (2020): The new bestseller tablet?
iPad Pro and iPad Air support below among other things the new Magic Keyboard. (Screenshot: t3n)
The iPad Air has risen to a higher league with its update. Because of the new design with its narrow edges and the repositioning of the Touch ID sensor in the power button, it not only looks almost like an iPad Pro 11 – it is also just as big – it is also only 6.1 millimeters 0.2 millimeters thicker than the Pro. Thanks to the identical size and the dock connector on the back, it can even use the same accessories – it is even compatible with the Magic Keyboard. In addition to the keyboards, the Air also supports the Apple Pencil 2.
iPad Pro 12.9 next to the iPad Pro 11 and the new iPad Air. (Screenshot: Apple)
Thanks to the massive upgrade of the Air, many users who would have chosen a Pro up to now should save a few euros. You would have to do without lidar and the 120 Hertz screen, but the package that Apple has put together with its Air should be sufficient for most users. However, 256 gigabytes of maximum internal memory must be enough for you. Only the Pro models come with 512 gigabytes or two terabytes of memory.
New iPad Mini with 9 inch iPad Mini in progress – AR glasses not earlier than 2022
If the storage options of 64 or 256 gigabytes are sufficient, you can get a solid semi-pro tablet that is optionally equipped with an LTE modem. If you want a better display, the 2020 iPad Pro would also be an option, which plays at 128 gigabytes in similar price ranges as the 256 gigabyte Air. Unfortunately, Apple has saved the 128 gigabyte storage option for the Air.
From iPad Pro, via iPad Air (2020) to iPad Mini: Apple tablets in comparison
| iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) | iPad Pro 11 (2021) | iPad Air (2020) | iPad (2020) | iPad Mini | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 12.9-inch mini LED display (2,732 x 2,048 pixels, 264 ppi; 1600 nits (peak, HDR); P3), ProMotion with 120 Hertz, True-Tone | 11-inch true-tone display (2,388 x 1,168 pixels, 264 ppi; 500 nits; P3), ProMotion with 120 Hertz | 10.9-inch true-tone display (2,224 x 1,668 pixels, 264 ppi; 500 nits P3) | 10.2 inches, 2,160 x 1,620 pixels with 264 ppi, 500 nits | 7.9-inch true-tone display (2,048 x 1,536 pixels, 326 ppi; 500 nits P3) | |
| Processor | M1 chip | M1 chip | A14 Bionic | A12 Bionic | A12 Bionic | |
| Storage | 128 , 256, 512 GB, 1 or 2 TB | 128, 256, 512 GB, 1 or 2 TB | 64 or 256 GB | 32 or 128 GB | 64 or 256 GB | |
| R.A.M | 8 GB (128 to 512 GB memory) 12 GB (1 and 2 TB memory) |
8 GB (128 to 512 GB memory) 12 GB (1 and 2 TB storage ) |
4 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | |
| Camera | Rear: 12 MP wide-angle (f / 1.8) and 10 MP ultra-wide-angle camera (f / 2.4, 125 degrees) with Smart HDR and 4K video with 24 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps + lidar sensor; Front: 12MP ultra wide angle, 122 degrees, f / 2.4 aperture | Rear: 12 MP wide-angle (f / 1.8) and 10 MP ultra wide angle camera (f / 2.4, 125 degrees) with Smart HDR and 4K video with 24 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps + lidar sensor; Front: 12MP ultra wide angle, 122 degrees, f / 2.4 aperture | Rear: 12 megapixel camera with f / 1.8 aperture ; 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps; Front: 7 megapixels with f / 2.0 aperture | Rear: 8 megapixels with f / 2.4 aperture; Front: 1.2 megapixels with f / 2.4 aperture | ||
| Face or Touch ID | Face ID | Face ID | Touch ID in the power button | Touch ID | Touch -ID | |
| Connection | USB C (USB 4; Thunderbolt 3) | USB C (USB 4; Thunderbolt 3) | USB C | Lightning | Lightning | |
| Apple Pencil Support | 2. Generation | 2. Generation | 2. Generation | 1. Generation | 1. Generation | |
| External keyboard | Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio and Bluetooth keyboards | Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio and Bluetooth keyboards | Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio and Bluetooth keyboards | Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards | Compatible with Bluetooth Keyboards | |
| Connectivity | Wifi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5, optional 5G (eSIM) | Wifi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5, optional 5G (eSIM) | Wifi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5, optional LTE (eSIM) | WLAN 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 4.2, optional LTE (eSIM) | Lightning | |
| Battery pack | 40.88 Wh: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web with WiFi, video or music playback, 9 hours via 5G | 28.65 Wh; Up to 10 hours of surfing the web with WiFi, video or music playback, 9 hours via 5G | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web with WiFi, video or music playback, 9 hours via LTE | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web with WiFi, video or music playback | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web with WiFi, video or Music playback | |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm | 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm | 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm | ||
| Miscellaneous | Laminated display, pro Motion, anti-reflective coating, 4 loudspeakers | Laminated display, Pro-Motion, anti-reflective coating, 4 speakers | Laminated display, anti-reflective coating, audio jack, stereo speakers | Lightning port, audio jack, stereo speaker | Laminated display, anti-reflective coating, Lightning port, stereo speakers, audio jack | |
| Weight | 682 g (WLAN) 685 g (Cellular) |
466 g (WLAN) 470 g ( Cellular) |
458 g (WLAN) 460 g (Cellular) |
490 g (WLAN) 495 g (Cellular) |
300.5 g (WLAN) 308.2 g (LTE) |
|
| Price (RRP) | from 1,199 euros | from 879 euros | from 632.60 euros | from 369.40 euros | from 437 .65 euros |
