My main use for the iPad is watching Netflix, YouTube, browsing Reddit, etc. I do prefer the 120Hz display for movies on the Pro. I watch a lot on planes and on the couch/in the bed. In your opinion, is the $699 iPad Pro a better option than the $449 iPad Air for my needs?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad iPad Pro 11‑in. (6th generation) VS iPad Air (5th generation)
- Thread starter jshelton
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The main difference between these 2 is the 120 hz screen and quad speakers on the Pro, and i suppose the M2 chip over the M1 (though for your use case, wont really matter). Everything else is the same. If you use headphones/airpods to watch videos a lot, then the quad speakers wont make any difference. So it really boils down to that 120 hz screen being worth the extra $250?
64GB Air 5 vs 128GB Pro 11. I’d go for the 128GB Pro.
Personally, I’m finding 64GB quite cramped nowadays even without any music/videos/photo library downloaded. I’ve had to offload/delete apps on 64GB devices just so I can install OTA updates.
Personally, I’m finding 64GB quite cramped nowadays even without any music/videos/photo library downloaded. I’ve had to offload/delete apps on 64GB devices just so I can install OTA updates.
120hz doesn't matter for video watching since, only for browsing/scrolling. Quad speaker could matter a lot. And storage could be a factor too
Personally from experience I would go with the pro. You get double the storage space, better speakers and a better screen. Also if im not mistaken you also get HDR which would be the #1 feature that would interest you for media consumption. Then you get the added features like FaceID etc, pro motion etc.
Better microphone array as well, better connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 6E), LiDar, Thunderbolt 4 as opposed to regular USB C and yeah HDR10 support.
Given the usually small difference in price, the Pro is a no-brainer in many regions.
If you're comparing a 4th/5th Gen iPad Air and any 11-inch iPad Pro side-by-side, the latter will always have the superior speakers. I don't know that the difference is otherwise worth it and you're probably going to be just as well served by an Apple Certified Refurbished 3rd Generation (M1) version of the 11-inch iPad Pro as you would by the current 4th Generation (M2) version. For watching movies, I don't know that it's worth the extra money. Certainly if the speakers are a concern, you could, for the same money, buy enough HomePod minis to make whatever room you're watching your movie in sound WAY better than it would from any 11-inch iPad Pro's speakers alone.
I think they’re close enough so that the difference isn’t worth it. Also, I didn’t find the screens too different, but perhaps I’m not perceptive enough to the 120 Hz, who knows.
The speakers are significantly better on the Pro, but that’s also personal: I don’t use iPad speakers. I love my 9.7-inch iPad Pro’s speakers, and they’re significantly better than the ones on my Air 5, but I don’t use them. If you do, maybe it’s worth considering.
I don’t think the Pro is worth the difference, honestly.
The speakers are significantly better on the Pro, but that’s also personal: I don’t use iPad speakers. I love my 9.7-inch iPad Pro’s speakers, and they’re significantly better than the ones on my Air 5, but I don’t use them. If you do, maybe it’s worth considering.
I don’t think the Pro is worth the difference, honestly.
The Pro also has a flash that the Air doesn't. Hey, don't laugh. That little light is useful sometimes.
Plus, the Pro offers larger storage capacities and more RAM on 1TB or higher.
Plus, the Pro offers larger storage capacities and more RAM on 1TB or higher.
Touch ID is the biggest advantage the Air having. Except that, unless the storage options are too small, the Air would be perfect for the OP needs.
I haven't tried the side touch id but I much prefer the old touch id to face id. I actually hate Face ID on iPad. It doesn't work most of the time, because I am either too far, or too high (standing while iPad is on a magic keyboard) or not at the right angle (in front my my pc with iPad to the side). Windows Hello has a much wider angle for instance. Or I am blocking it with my thumb while holding the device.
I ended up disabling biometric completely at home (and removing the code/password as well) on my face id iPads and only enable it if I go on a trip... (for short trips I take my Mini 5 with touch id)
You prob already have taken precautionary steps to this, but still curious of what steps.
What if someone burgles your home and steals the iPad, easy peasy to change your iCloud password and take ownership of all your devices connected to that icloud account?
Face ID on the iPad would be nicer if it had the extra functionalities that the iPhone has- unlock with Watch and with a mask on. But yes, I do find myself contorting sometimes to get the iPad's Face ID sensor to find my face to unlock, which just doesn't happen with iPhone.
That depends on your device i guess. If its a trusted device they can use the device to reset it.
And it might be a case that you don't have any personal info such as mail or apps and only using it for browsing, but if you don't have no passcode device can't be locked and you can turn off "find my device" functionality.
If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support
Here's how to reset your Apple Account password and regain access to your account.
I am not sure about what that means. I tend to think that a trusted device is a device where some kind of biometrics or passcode still works not a totally unlocked device....That depends on your device i guess. If its a trusted device they can use the device to reset it.
And it might be a case that you don't have any personal info such as mail or apps and only using it for browsing, but if you don't have no passcode device can't be locked and you can turn off "find my device" functionality.
If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support
Here's how to reset your Apple Account password and regain access to your account.support.apple.com
Also I disable find my iPad in all my devices as these reduces standby time (although it still tells me find my eats my battery anyway)
Having said that burglary is not a big concern where I live and I am home most of the day every day.
Tried to disable the passcode on my iPhone to see if it was possible that a device can be trusted without a passcode but can't to it on my main device due to policy restrictions. Will have a look at it on another device, I would hope not and then a burglar at least can't use your iPad to reset your iCloud password.
Last edited:
had same dilemma as many - 128gb pro or 256gb air 5 for about same price. i decided to go with the air to be on a safe side storage wise. two years later i am still satisfied with my choice except one thing - the air screen brightness is not high enough for me, watching dark movies in a well lit environment is uncomfortable. the pro has 600 nit screen vs 500 nit on air, so that might help. on the other side i could imagine that pro has an even worse than air battery life due to 120ghz screen.
Same here, Touch ID for edge to edge iPads are in fact better than the classic iPads and iPhones