iPad Air 3 (2019, A12 series) Vs iPad Pro (2022, M2 series)

The longevity and expected support for these two iPad models differ primarily due to their release dates and the typical software update cycles.

• Software Longevity: The iPad Pro 2022, released in October 2022, is expected to receive major iPadOS updates for a longer period, potentially extending its functional lifespan by several years compared to the iPad Air 2019, which was released in March 2019.
• Build Quality: Both models feature durable aluminum enclosures, offering a similar level of structural integrity for daily use.
• Repairability: While specific scores vary, iPads generally require specialized tools for repairs, with both models offering comparable repair pathways for common component replacements.

The internal components of the iPad Pro 2022 offer a substantial upgrade in processing power and efficiency compared to the iPad Air 2019.

• Processing Power: The iPad Pro 2022 handles demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphics-intensive games with exceptional fluidity, making it suitable for professional creative work and heavy computational tasks. The iPad Air 2019 provides smooth performance for general browsing, streaming, and most productivity apps, but may show limitations with very intensive workloads or future high-end applications.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPad Pro 2022's advanced internal components allow for seamless switching between numerous applications and running multiple demanding apps simultaneously without slowdowns. The iPad Air 2019 manages everyday multitasking effectively, but its older architecture means it may exhibit more noticeable pauses when juggling many active applications.
• Storage Options: The iPad Pro 2022 offers a wider range of storage configurations, starting at 128GB and extending up to 2TB, catering to users with extensive storage needs for large files and projects. The iPad Air 2019 comes with 64GB or 256GB options, which are sufficient for many users but may be restrictive for those who store a lot of media or large applications.

The display experience differs notably between these two iPad models, impacting visual clarity and responsiveness.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPad Pro 2022 (11-inch model) features a Liquid Retina IPS LCD with ProMotion technology, offering a sharp and vibrant viewing experience with adaptive refresh rates. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2022 further enhances this with a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, providing deeper blacks, higher contrast, and superior HDR content playback. The iPad Air 2019 uses a Liquid Retina IPS LCD, which delivers good color accuracy and brightness for general use, but lacks the advanced contrast and refresh rate capabilities of the Pro model.
• Refresh Rate: The iPad Pro 2022's ProMotion technology allows for an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, resulting in noticeably smoother scrolling, more responsive touch input, and a more fluid experience in supported applications and games. The iPad Air 2019 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for most tasks but does not offer the same level of visual smoothness.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The iPad Pro 2022 offers higher peak brightness, especially the 12.9-inch model with its XDR display, making it more comfortable to use in bright outdoor conditions or for viewing HDR content. The iPad Air 2019's display is bright enough for indoor use and most outdoor scenarios, but may struggle more in direct sunlight compared to the Pro model.

Both iPads provide capable audio and visual experiences, though the iPad Pro 2022 offers enhancements for more demanding multimedia tasks.

• Camera System: The iPad Pro 2022 features a more advanced camera setup, including a 12MP wide and 10MP ultrawide rear camera with a LiDAR scanner for improved augmented reality experiences and low-light focusing. Its front-facing 12MP ultrawide camera supports Center Stage, which keeps subjects automatically framed during video calls. The iPad Air 2019 has an 8MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera, suitable for casual photos, document scanning, and video calls, but without the advanced features or resolution of the Pro model.
• Video Recording and Quality: The iPad Pro 2022 can record 4K video at higher frame rates and offers ProRes video recording, appealing to content creators. The iPad Air 2019 records 1080p video, which is sufficient for everyday use and sharing.
• Audio Experience: The iPad Pro 2022 is equipped with a four-speaker audio system, delivering a richer, more immersive sound experience for media consumption and gaming. The iPad Air 2019 features a two-speaker stereo system, which provides clear audio but lacks the depth and spatial quality of the Pro model's setup.

Practical features such as connectivity, ports, and biometric authentication also distinguish these two iPad generations.

• Connectivity: The iPad Pro 2022 supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, offering faster and more reliable wireless connections, especially in congested network environments, and improved accessory pairing. It also offers optional 5G cellular connectivity for faster mobile data speeds. The iPad Air 2019 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0, which are still robust for most wireless needs, with optional LTE cellular connectivity.
• Port Type: The iPad Pro 2022 features a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port (USB-C), enabling faster data transfer speeds and compatibility with a wider range of high-bandwidth accessories, including external displays and storage. The iPad Air 2019 uses a Lightning port, which is versatile for charging and connecting many accessories but offers slower data transfer rates.
• Biometrics and Accessories: The iPad Pro 2022 utilizes Face ID for secure authentication and supports the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), which attaches magnetically and charges wirelessly, along with a new hover feature. The iPad Air 2019 uses Touch ID integrated into the home button and supports the Apple Pencil (1st Gen), which charges via the Lightning port.