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Comparison of Apple iPad Air 2024 and iPad Pro 2024: Performance, Features, and Market Position

GOOVER DAILY REPORT September 22, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Introduction to iPad Air 2024 and iPad Pro 2024
  3. Performance Comparison
  4. Display Technologies
  5. Storage and Additional Features
  6. Market Position and Recommendations
  7. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • This report provides a comprehensive comparison between the Apple iPad Air 2024 and the iPad Pro 2024. It focuses on several aspects including performance, display technologies, storage options, and market positioning. The Apple iPad Air 2024, powered by an M2 chip, offers significant upgrades in terms of GPU performance and storage options, available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. On the other hand, the iPad Pro 2024 features the new M4 chip, which offers substantially higher CPU and GPU performance, along with a Tandem OLED display. The Pro model also offers a wider range of storage options and is aimed at high-end users with demanding needs. Both models aim to cater to different segments of the market, allowing Apple to cover a wider range of user requirements and preferences.

2. Introduction to iPad Air 2024 and iPad Pro 2024

  • 2-1. Overview of iPad Air 2024 launch

  • The Apple iPad Air 2024 was launched with significant upgrades compared to its predecessor. It incorporates an M2 chipset, which enhances performance and efficiency for various tasks. The iPad Air 2024 now offers more storage options, ranging from 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, to 1TB, catering to a diverse user base including creatives and gamers. It is available in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, which feature a 60Hz default refresh rate, thereby improving the viewing experience. Additionally, the new model supports the Apple Pencil Pro, which adds more functionality over the previous generation. The iPad Air 2024 comes at a higher price point than the earlier models, reflecting its improved capabilities and extended support for future iPadOS versions.

  • 2-2. Overview of iPad Pro 2024 launch

  • The iPad Pro 2024 has been recognized as the best iPad in the market, setting a high standard for tablet performance. It features the new Apple M4 chip, which offers a remarkable boost in performance and efficiency compared to the previous models. The iPad Pro is available in two screen sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches, similar to the iPad Air 2024. The M4 chip provides a 50% increase in CPU performance and quadruples GPU rendering performance compared to the M2 chip. This particular upgrade enables the iPad Pro to support advanced features, including the Tandem OLED display, enhancing both visual quality and device capabilities. With a variety of storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB, the iPad Pro 2024 is aimed at users who demand high performance and extensive functionality in their devices.

3. Performance Comparison

  • 3-1. iPad Air 2024's M2 chip and 9-core GPU details

  • The Apple iPad Air 2024 represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor with the introduction of the M2 chip instead of the previous M1. This new chip enhances its performance capabilities significantly for most tasks. Notably, the iPad Air 2024 is equipped with a 9-core GPU, as confirmed by Apple's official specifications. According to performance benchmarks, the iPad Air 2024 scores around 6.2K in GFXBench Wild Life Extreme Unlimited, positioning it between the 8-core and 10-core variants found in the MacBook Air, which scores between 5.7K and 6.8K. The default display refresh rate for the iPad Air 2024 is 60Hz for its 11” and 13” models, which may affect the GPU's performance potential.

  • 3-2. iPad Pro 2024's M4 chip and performance enhancements

  • The iPad Pro 2024 has made a substantial leap in performance by upgrading directly from the M2 chip to the new M4 chip. This jump allows the iPad Pro to achieve a 50% increase in CPU performance, alongside a 20% increase in memory bandwidth. The GPU rendering performance boasts an impressive 300% increase compared to the M2 chip, thus achieving four times the performance. Apple highlights that the M4 chip is critical for enabling the iPad Pro's thin design of 5.1mm and allows it to be paired with a high-quality Tandem OLED display. This combination makes the iPad Pro 2024 particularly appealing to high-end users seeking superior performance.

4. Display Technologies

  • 4-1. iPad Air 2024 screen sizes and display features

  • The iPad Air 2024 offers two screen size options: 11-inch and 13-inch. This change marks a significant upgrade from the previous 10.9-inch display of the iPad Air 5th generation. The larger display sizes make activities such as drawing, note-taking, and watching movies more enjoyable and effective. Additionally, the iPad Air 2024 features an M2 chipset, which enhances performance, making it 50% faster than its predecessor and thrice as fast as the iPad Air (2021) equipped with the A14 Bionic chip. Notable improvements also include a landscape-oriented front-facing camera and stereo speakers with spatial audio.

  • 4-2. iPad Pro 2024 Tandem OLED display and design

  • The iPad Pro 2024 showcases a Tandem OLED display, contributing to its ultra-thin design of just 5.1mm. This achievement is credited to the advanced M4 chip, which not only facilitates this design but also enhances overall performance. Compared to earlier models, the iPad Pro's M4 chip provides a 50% increase in CPU performance and a 300% improvement in GPU rendering efficiency. In terms of display capabilities, while the iPad Air 2024 offers impressive features, the iPad Pro remains superior due to its advanced display technology, offering a richer viewing experience.

5. Storage and Additional Features

  • 5-1. Storage options in iPad Air 2024

  • The iPad Air 2024 comes with a variety of storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and a substantial 1TB capacity. This range of choices provides ample storage for creatives, gamers, and any users requiring significant tablet storage. The enhancements in storage options reflect Apple's effort to cater to diverse user needs.

  • 5-2. Storage options in iPad Pro 2024

  • Similar to the iPad Air 2024, the iPad Pro 2024 also offers multiple storage configurations. However, specific details regarding the storage capacities for the iPad Pro were not detailed in the collected references. Users can expect advanced storage capabilities that align with its high-performance profile.

  • 5-3. Additional features such as camera, speakers, and more

  • The iPad Air 2024 presents notable additional features, including a landscape-oriented front-facing camera and stereo speakers that provide spatial audio, enhancing the user experience for tasks such as video calls and media consumption. In contrast, the iPad Pro 2024, which includes all iPad Air features, excels further with advanced capabilities, reinforcing its position as the premier tablet in the market.

6. Market Position and Recommendations

  • 6-1. Target audience for iPad Air 2024

  • The iPad Air 2024 is designed for users who do not require the advanced capabilities of the iPad Pro but still seek a powerful and versatile tablet experience. It is targeted towards creatives, gamers, and anyone needing ample storage, with options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB available. The device is well-suited for individuals looking for an affordable upgrade from older models while offering significant improvements in performance, such as the M2 chipset, which is 50% faster than the previous M1 chip.

  • 6-2. Target audience for iPad Pro 2024

  • The iPad Pro 2024 is aimed at high-end users who demand maximum performance and versatility from their devices. It features the exclusive Apple M4 chip, providing unmatched processing power compared to other tablets on the market. This device is optimal for professional creatives and power users who engage in demanding tasks, such as high-resolution video editing and professional-grade design work, benefiting from its superior display and capabilities.

  • 6-3. Recommendations based on use case and budget

  • For users with a budget constraint or those who do not require top-tier performance, the iPad Air 2024 is recommended as it offers an excellent balance of performance and cost, making it an ideal choice for everyday use and creative tasks. On the other hand, for users seeking the utmost performance and willing to invest in a premium device, the iPad Pro 2024 is the recommended option due to its advanced features, such as the M4 chip and superior display technology, making it the best Apple iPad on the market.

7. Conclusion

  • The comparison highlights the distinct differences between the iPad Air 2024 and iPad Pro 2024, emphasizing their targeted user bases. The iPad Pro 2024, with its advanced M4 chip and superior Tandem OLED display, is geared towards high-end users who require maximum performance for tasks such as high-resolution video editing and professional-grade design. Its storage options of up to 2TB make it suitable for power users. In contrast, the iPad Air 2024, equipped with an M2 chip and more modest storage options up to 1TB, is tailored for users who need a versatile but more affordable tablet. While it offers significant improvements over its predecessor, it remains a balanced choice for creatives and gamers. However, the report does not detail the specific storage capacities available for the iPad Pro 2024, which may be a limitation for some users seeking that information. Future developments might include further enhancements in GPU performance and expanded storage options for both models. Practical application of these findings suggests that potential buyers should evaluate their specific needs and budget before choosing between these two advanced models.

8. Glossary

  • 8-1. iPad Air 2024 [Product]

  • The iPad Air 2024 is a tablet by Apple featuring a 9-core GPU M2 chip, available in 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes. It offers significant upgrades in performance, storage (up to 1TB), and additional features like a landscape-oriented front-facing camera and stereo speakers with spatial audio.

  • 8-2. iPad Pro 2024 [Product]

  • The iPad Pro 2024 is Apple's top-end tablet, equipped with an M4 chip and available in 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes. It features a Tandem OLED display, increased memory and GPU performance, and storage options up to 2TB, aiming at users needing maximum power and efficiency.

  • 8-3. M2 Chip [Technology]

  • The M2 chip is used in the iPad Air 2024 and represents an upgrade over the M1 chip. It includes an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU, offering better performance and efficiency for most tasks.

  • 8-4. M4 Chip [Technology]

  • The M4 chip powers the iPad Pro 2024 and is a significant leap from the M2 chip, with a 50% increase in CPU performance and 300% up in GPU rendering performance. It supports the 5.1mm thin design of the iPad Pro and its Tandem OLED display.

9. Source Documents