As technology advances over the years, each annual update becomes more subtle. Today's differences and updates for most products are quite minor. So the question is, “Should you buy the budget version of something new or the old version of something premium?” It's becoming increasingly difficult to answer. The current iPad lineup, particularly the new iPad Air M2, is a great example of this. Should you buy a new iPad Air M2 or find a used iPad Pro M1/M2? Let's see if we can answer this question.
Be sure to check out our video below that discusses this topic. I discuss the iPad Air M2 vs. iPad Pro M1 in detail to illustrate which one is right for you. For some, the iPad Air M2 makes sense, for others, a used iPad Pro.
M2 iPad Air vs Old iPad Pro Design Differences
If someone gave you an iPad Air M2 and a 2018 iPad Pro, the differences would be so small that you might not notice them. There are only three very small visible differences (four if you count the different camera bump from the new iPad Pro).
- The back of the iPad Air says “iPad Air,” while the back of the iPad Pro just says “iPad.”
- The lock buttons are different sizes because they have There is a TouchID sensor. iPad air
- The new iPad Air M2 M2 has a few more holes in the speaker grille (zero benefit)
The only visual difference will be the color choice. The iPad Air has a wider selection of colors and a more pastel look, while the iPad Pro is available in Space Gray or Silver. So, there's nothing in the design that really helps you make a decision. The iPad Air M2 is essentially a redesign of the 2018 iPad Pro with a new color scheme. Your decision will determine the internal components and compatible accessories.
Hardware differences
This is where comparisons start to matter. I used my 12.9-inch iPad Pro M1 in my video, so I'll mainly be comparing the M2 iPad Air to it. There are reasons to choose the older iPad Pro, but there are also reasons to consider the new iPad M2 Air. There are three main factors to consider when choosing between the two options. Display, USB-C port and RAM.
Display
One of the biggest selling points of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is its stunning MiniLED ProMotion display. . It has a 120Hz display that is fast and responsive; It's very bright, has a fantastic contrast ratio, and can handle anything you throw at it. Meanwhile, the iPad Air M2 still has a 60Hz IPS panel. This IPS display is great in its own right and will 100% get the job done, but it doesn't compete with the iPad Pro. But if you've never used a 120Hz display before or used MiniLED, you might not care too much. The only way to truly compare them is when the iPad is next to each other. But if not, then this is a kind of laundering. So it's worth considering.
USB-C port
Another important factor will be the USB-C port. iPad Air M2 has a USB 3 USB-C port. This provides data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, which is fast enough for most. It also still supports image output: with the right charger, it charges at up to 33W, so it can handle most tasks.
Meanwhile, the iPad Pro M1 and M2 have a Thunderbolt port. This provides data transfer rates of up to 40 Gbps. So, if you want the fastest data transfer speeds, you should go for the Pro models. I'm constantly moving data back and forth to the iPad, and editing it on the SSD, which has faster speeds. But some people use their port for more than just charging, so 10 Gbps will be more than enough.
Storage and amplifier; RAM
With the release of the iPad Pro M1, Apple has finally allowed us to upgrade our iPads’ RAM. It was a very expensive option, but it was there. To get 16GB of RAM on the iPad Pro, you'll need to upgrade to the 1TB or 2TB storage option. Then your iPad Pro would have 16GB of RAM, and boy would that make a difference. Productivity has almost doubled. As for the iPad Air M2, the maximum storage capacity is 1TB, and there is no 16GB RAM option at all. So if you really need extra RAM, the iPad Air isn't an option.
Other smaller differences
There are a few more differences between these two options that are worth considering .
- iPad Air uses TouchID, and iPad Pro uses FaceID.
- The iPad Air's selfie camera orientation is in the correct landscape position, while the iPad Pro's is in portrait (a win for the iPad Air).
- The iPad Pro has a second ultra-wide-angle camera lens, while the iPad Air only has one ( I never use cameras)
- The iPad Pro has a LiDar scanner, but the iPad Air does not.
Supported accessories
What's nice about the fact that the form factors are identical is that they support a lot of the same accessories. Both directly from Apple and third-party accessories. I recently reviewed the X33 Pro Max Magnetic Charging Cradle and it works with the iPad M2 Air and any iPad Pro from 2018 to 2022. The iPad Air M2 and older iPad Pros work with the same Magic Keyboard and Apple's slim flip keyboard. One of the big differences is the situation with the Apple Pencil. The new iPad Air M2 works with the new Apple Pencil Pro, but the older iPad Pros do not. Therefore, if you want the Apple Pencil Pro, you should choose the iPad Air M2.
Final Thoughts
After all, you know who you are and what your use cases are. There is a lot of overlap in terms of form factor and features; it's just a matter of what you need and how much you're willing to pay. The last thing I want to say is that the battery life of a new device will always be better than the old device. If you're buying a used iPad, you won't know how the previous owner took care of the battery, so that's something to keep in mind.
The 13-inch iPad Air M2 starts at $799 for the 128GB version. While the iPad Pro M1 or M2 on the used or refurbished car market can cost much less. I've seen people bundle their iPad Pros with Magic Keyboards and Apple Pencils and sell them for $600 to $800. I usually prefer FB Marketplace or ebay. Be sure to find a trusted seller!
If I had to choose personally, I would choose the iPad Pro because of the display and the Thunderbolt port. I know I will take advantage of these opportunities. But some may not care and just want the cheapest way to use their Apple Pencil Pro.
Let me know what you think! Which iPad would you choose? How much would you spend on a used iPad? Let's discuss below!
