iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series)
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iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series)
Starting at
£243.92£579.00 new
iPad Pro (2025, M5 series)
Starting at
£921.11£1,098.90 newWhat's the difference between the iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) and iPad Pro (2025, M5 series)?
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. Refurbished, the iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) starts at £243.92, £677.19 less than the iPad Pro (2025, M5 series). The iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Software updates
Weight
- The iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) has a bigger screen: 13 inch vs 10.9 inch.
- Screen type: Liquid Retina display on the iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series), Ultra Retina XDR display on the iPad Pro (2025, M5 series).
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) specs
The iPad Air 4 and the iPad Pro offer different strengths suited to different users. The iPad Air 4 is lighter and has a smaller, sharp Liquid Retina screen, making it easier to carry and comfortable for everyday tasks. It has 4 GB of RAM and comes with a base storage of 64 GB, which fits well for general use and moderate app multitasking. The iPad Pro has a larger 13 inch Ultra Retina XDR display with higher resolution, ideal for watching videos or working on detailed projects. With 12 GB of RAM and a minimum of 256 GB storage, it suits those who need more power and space for demanding apps and files. The Pro also includes features like Face ID and a lidar scanner for additional functionality.
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) price
Colour
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) battery life and software updates
Durability covers software support and operating system, key for long-term use and compatibility.
Operating System Support
This means you can expect ongoing software improvements and security patches on either device.
Release Year Context
The iPad Air 4 was released in 2020 and the iPad Pro in 2025. This shows their place in Apple's product timeline but does not affect their current software support.
Maximum operating system supported
Software updates
Year of release
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) performance
Performance determines how smoothly the device handles apps, multitasking, and storage needs. The two iPads differ in processor power, memory, and storage options.
Processor and RAM
The iPad Air 4 has an Apple A14 Bionic processor with 4 GB of RAM, which is suitable for everyday use and light multitasking. The iPad Pro features an Apple M5 processor and 12 GB of RAM, making it better suited to demanding apps and keeping many apps open at once.
Storage Capacities
The iPad Air 4 comes in 64 GB and 256 GB storage options, fitting users with moderate space needs. The iPad Pro offers larger options starting at 256 GB up to 2 TB, which suits those who store large files or many apps.
Processor
Processor speed ghz
RAM
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) screen
Screen quality affects how content looks and feels. Differences include size, resolution, and display technology, which influence viewing comfort and detail.
Display Size and Resolution
The iPad Air 4 has a 10.9 inch screen with a resolution of 2360 by 1640, offering a sharp and portable display. The iPad Pro's 13 inch screen with 2752 by 2064 resolution provides a larger and more detailed viewing area, ideal for video watching or detailed work.
Screen Type
The Air's Liquid Retina display delivers clear colours and brightness suitable for most uses. The Pro's Ultra Retina XDR display offers enhanced brightness and contrast, which benefits viewing high dynamic range content.
True Tone Feature
Both devices include True Tone technology, adjusting screen colour temperature to match ambient light. This makes viewing more comfortable in different environments.
Brightness
Display glass
Pixel density
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
True tone
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) camera
Audiovisual features affect how well you capture and enjoy video and sound. Key differences lie in camera resolution and speaker setup.
Camera Quality
The iPad Air 4 has a 7 megapixel front camera, suitable for video calls and selfies. The iPad Pro offers a 12 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail in video and photos. Both have 12 megapixel rear cameras for similar photo quality.
Speakers
The iPad Air 4 has stereo speakers, delivering balanced sound for everyday listening. The iPad Pro features four speaker audio, which provides richer and fuller sound, enhancing media playback.
Video Recording
Both devices record video at 4K 60 frames per second, supporting high-quality video capture.
Front camera definition
Rear camera definition
Speakers
Video recording
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) size and design
Additional features influence convenience and user experience. Each device offers distinct capabilities that suit different preferences and needs.
Biometric Security
The iPad Pro includes Face ID, allowing facial recognition for unlocking and authentication. The iPad Air 4 does not have Face ID but uses other unlocking methods.
Lidar Scanner
The iPad Pro has a lidar scanner, which can improve augmented reality experiences and depth sensing for compatible apps.
Weight and Portability
The iPad Air 4 weighs 458 grams, making it lighter and easier to carry. The iPad Pro is heavier at 579 grams, reflecting its larger size and additional features.
Connectivity and Ports
Both use USB Type-C for charging and headphones connectivity. Neither device has a SIM port, so they rely on Wi-Fi for internet access.
Screen Promotion
The iPad Pro features a promotion display, which can make animations and scrolling appear smoother, benefiting users who value fluid screen performance.
120hz
Apple pen compatible
Bluetooth version
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Double sim
Face
Generation number
Headphones connectivity
Height
Lidar scanner
Minimum system requirements mac
Minimum system requirements windows
Promotion
Sim format
Touch
Weight
Width
Wifi technology
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) or iPad Pro (2025, M5 series): which should you buy?
Buy the iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £243.92, £677.19 less than the iPad Pro (2025, M5 series)
- you want a lighter build (458 g vs 579 g)
Buy the iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (13 inch vs 10.9 inch)
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) FAQs
iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) vs iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. The iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB. The iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) has a bigger screen: 13 inch vs 10.9 inch.
The iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) is cheaper refurbished, from £243.92 compared with £921.11 for the iPad Pro (2025, M5 series).
The iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) gets updates until Sep 2027. The iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) is still supported and can run iPadOS 27.
The iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB) and a bigger screen (13 inch vs 10.9 inch). Refurbished, it costs £677.19 more (from £921.11 vs £243.92).
Refurbished, the iPad Air 4 (2020, A14 series) comes in 64GB and 256GB, and the iPad Pro (2025, M5 series) in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
