iPad 10.5" iPad Pro or 10.5" iPad Air?

[Dj64Mk7]

Seemingly the only 10.5" iPad Pro models left in existence are being sold on the Apple Online Store for Certified Refurbished products, where they are listed as $469 for a 64GB model. The complication, however, is that the 10.5" iPad Air is available in an equivalent capacity for $69.01 less, or $400. Obviously, the big differences lie in the refresh rate of the screen, the rear camera and its capabilities, the four-speaker audio system, and the SoC. My understanding is that, other than the LED flash alongside the rear camera, and the two additional speakers, there are no major cosmetic difference between the Air and the Pro. So, then, what does one stand to gain by spending the additional money? Is there anything that is a downgrade from the Air to the Pro?

 

[EssModelsRule]

Pro has 4GB RAM to Air’s 3.

 

[Jack Neill]

I have both. They are both awesome only noticeable difference in day to day stuff for me is the quad speakers are best in class and the pro motion is nice. Otherwise they are both great.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Pro! Several perks over the Air 3.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Pro has 4GB RAM to Air’s 3.

I have both. They are both awesome only noticeable difference in day to day stuff for me is the quad speakers are best in class and the pro motion is nice. Otherwise they are both great.

Pro! Several perks over the Air 3.

Is it worth the potential hassle of returning the Air to Best Buy, waiting for the money to be returned to the credit card, and waiting again for the order of the Pro from Apple to be fulfilled and delivered?

 

[NastyNatex]

Is it worth the potential hassle of returning the Air to Best Buy, waiting for the money to be returned to the credit card, and waiting again for the order of the Pro from Apple to be fulfilled and delivered?

No I don’t believe it’s worth the hassle however I just bought the IPad Pro off Amazon and I’m really loving the 120hz display and promotion. But if you’ve never experienced it I don’t think it would make much a difference

 

[Jack Neill]

Is it worth the potential hassle of returning the Air to Best Buy, waiting for the money to be returned to the credit card, and waiting again for the order of the Pro from Apple to be fulfilled and delivered?

I would say no it’s not. Just buy both of them.

 

[rui no onna]

Is it worth the potential hassle of returning the Air to Best Buy, waiting for the money to be returned to the credit card, and waiting again for the order of the Pro from Apple to be fulfilled and delivered?

Apple certified refurbished products regularly go in and out of stock particularly during holidays so nope, wouldn't be worth the hassle and risk that the configuration you want might go out of stock while waiting.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Is it worth the potential hassle of returning the Air to Best Buy, waiting for the money to be returned to the credit card, and waiting again for the order of the Pro from Apple to be fulfilled and delivered?

It isn't worth the hassle.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I would say the Pro is better, but it isn’t worth the hassle of a return.

 

[lambertjohn]

I just bought an Air 3 at Costco for $399, and I have to say, this thing is fabulous!! Bright, colorful screen that's so easy to read, comfortable to hold, and fast fast fast. I am 100% happy with it and don't regret buying it over the Pro at all. And the money I saved is nice as well. Definitely get the Air 3.

 

[Isamilis]

Air is still lighter than Pro (456/464 vs 469). If that made difference.

 

[dumastudetto]

Go iPad Pro
The iPad Air is so far behind the capabilities of the superior device

 

[hotr32]

So for all the Pro users out there, what do we think about the longevity of the device? I know Apple usually gives us about 5 years average of OS updates, so I’m curious if the Air 3 would have better “longevity”?

 

[EssModelsRule]

Apple releasing the A10-equipped 10.2” iPad seventh gen recently should help the A10X 10.5” Pro longevity.

 

[coach_ditka]

I went through the same dilemma and settled on the Air3 because I am coming from an Air2, so I wouldn't be missing the better screen. Also, my Ipad is on mute unless I am using headphones, so the extra speakers are irrelevant to me.

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

I’m working through that choice myself right now and I just ordered the Air 3... but I’m wondering how much of an improvement it really is on the new 10.2 or the old 10.5 Pro. I have to pull the trigger by the 31st for business reasons or else I’d wait. I really want the pro but can’t cost justify it since it’s mostly surfing the web/checking mail and writing an occasional paper. Speakers make no difference because I use ear pods. I was also tempted to go the older 12.9 since I love the big screen but it’s 3 year old technology at this point and it’s hard to throw down that extra money plus the extra $60 for AppleCare over the non-pro. I’d use none of the pro features. The Air seems like the middle of the road.. little bit better than the 10.2, not as good as the pro. I still may bite for the old 12.9 though... I really like the big screen and it is my TV for all intents and purposes. Looks like I still have to dig.

 

[Shanghaichica]

This age old question. I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

 

[Donar]

I went with the Air 3. In my opinion it has the better CPU, and enough RAM (the current 10.2 iPad also has 3GB of RAM) . I admit that the Pro‘s GPU should be better, but in Antutu Benchmark the Air 3 gets better scores for GPU than the 10.5 Gen 2 Pro, maybe because of the better CPU to “feed“ the GPU fast enough. The Pro has more (better?) speakers but i usually use headphones if i need sound output. I usually do not use the camera on my iPad, so no comment. Better refresh rate: Pro is nicer to scroll, but not a deal breaker.

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

I went with the Air 3. In my opinion it has the better CPU, and enough RAM (the current 10.2 iPad also has 3GB of RAM) . I admit that the Pro‘s GPU should be better, but in Antutu Benchmark the Air 3 gets better scores for GPU than the 10.5 Gen 2 Pro, maybe because of the better CPU to “feed“ the GPU fast enough. The Pro has more (better?) speakers but i usually use headphones if i need sound output. I usually do not use the camera on my iPad, so no comment. Better refresh rate: Pro is nicer to scroll, but not a deal breaker.

Yes.... but sadly the child in me wants the 12.9 Pro toy despite the logical adult that can only cost justify the base model. The Air is a compromise. I’d go for a bigger screen if they had a non-pro since it is my “TV”. Sadly, I have what photographers call “lens envy”. 😂😩

 

[hamiltonDSi]

Got the 256GB LTE Air 3 this month.

I too was looking at the 10.5” Pro but sorry, i’m not investing in a 2 year SoC (A10X).
Four speakers and ProMotion would have been nice but the A12 is a better choice for me, considering that I keep my iPad for 5 years. My last iPad purchase was in December 2014 (64GB LTE Air 2).

However i’ll be honest, 4GB of RAM just like the Pro would have been nice.

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

Agreed 100%. My other option as well would have been a 12.9" refurb - but that's a lot of money for an old product - especially refurb. I'll live with the Air 3. What really shocked me was the trade in on the iPad 6th gen - Apple is offering $120. I bought it in February for close to $400. Talk about depreciation ...

 

[rui no onna]

Agreed 100%. My other option as well would have been a 12.9" refurb - but that's a lot of money for an old product - especially refurb. I'll live with the Air 3. What really shocked me was the trade in on the iPad 6th gen - Apple is offering $120. I bought it in February for close to $400. Talk about depreciation ...

Dollar-wise, that's not so bad. Apple only offers $270 for the 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 512GB LTE ($1079 at launch).

I don't have the serial number with me right now so can't confirm but I think they're only giving $290 for the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9 512GB LTE ($1229 at launch).

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

And they’re only selling it for $719 refurb. The gen 6’s are going for $229 refurb.

 

[Aydy]

I too was looking at the 10.5” Pro but sorry, i’m not investing in a 2 year SoC (A10X).

I too thought this but then when apple released its very latest iPad in 2019 (10.2) with a Soc a full generation behind the 2017’ A10X I figured these processors have little to do with age and even capability.

I’ve posted this before and am still adamant the a10x chip in my (now daughters) pro 2nd gen runs identical, in some cases faster than my 12.9 pro 3rd gen which has an a12x chip. I can’t get my head around it but it’s there and I’ve side by side tested on several occasions. That a10x is a beast imo.