New iPad Air 13 M2 2024 (6th Gen) is the iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen minus…

The new iPad Air 13 M2 2024 is Apple’s attempt of align its product offerings just as they did with iPhone and iPhone Pro series. The iPad Air now comes in 11 and 13 inch displays to mirror the new iPad Pro 11 and 13 display sizes.

While the new iPad Pro 13 2024 makes a giant leap to M4 chip, its predecessor launched in 2022 is the first 13-inch tablet to be powered by the M2 chip, the same chip used in the current iPad Air M2 two years later. This begs the question how far off is iPad Air 13 M2 vs iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen (2022) with M2?

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Is the new iPad Air 13 M2 (2024) a rebadged iPad Pro 12.9 M2 (2022)? Read on to find out.

Two iPad Air M2 and Two iPad Pro M4 tablets in 2024

The last generation iPad Air 5th gen was launched in March 2022. Seven months later, the iPad Pro 12.9 6th gen was launched in October 2022. Back then, the 5th generation iPad Air that featured the Apple’s M1 chip with 8GB memory and 64GB starting storage and is only available in one size, with 10.9-inch display. While the iPad Pro 12.9 6th gen featured the M2 chip.

Forward to 2024, there are now two iPad Airs, 11 and 13-inch models. Apple has decided to remove the decimal and round up the number from 10.9 and 12.9 to 11 and 13 respectively. This mirrors their iPad Pro offerings, a strategy they applied to the iPhone and iPhone Pro series, offering two sizes each.

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iPad Air 13 M2 (2024) vs iPad Pro 12.9 M2 6th Gen (2022)

We look at the similarities and differences between the new iPad Air 13 M2 compared to the outgoing iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen M2.

Similarities

Both tablets are powered by the same Apple Silicon, the Apple M2 chip. They are both identical down to the number of CPU (8-core), GPU (10-core) and Neural Engine Core (16-core).

Same starting storage and storage options on both devices from 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. The Pro has an extra storage option at 2TB.

Same dimensions but not thickness, both tablets measure 280.6mm wide and 214.9mm tall in landscape mode. When placed side by side, screen up, you won’t be able to tell the difference. The depth on the iPad Pro is only 0.3mm bigger.

Apart from the front camera’s location, both devices have the same 12MP Ultra Wide Front camera sensor and both supports Center Stage.

Same WiFi+5G cellular connectivity option. And, for the WiFi only model, both tablets feature WiFi 6E support.

Both devices support Apple Pencil 2nd Gen and the new Apple Pencil USB-C. Since the launch of the new Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C with iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M3, there are now four Apple Pencils on offer.

They also support Magic Keyboard (not the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4) and Smart Keyboard Folio.

Summary:

1. Processor: Both tablets are powered by the Apple M2 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
2. Storage Options: Both devices offer storage options starting from 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, with the Pro having an additional 2TB option.
3. Dimensions: Both tablets measure 280.6mm in width and 214.9mm in height in landscape mode, though their thickness differs but only slightly (0.3mm – WiFi only)
4. Front Camera: Both devices have a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera supporting Center Stage, though their placements differ.
5. Connectivity: Both support Wi-Fi 6E + 5G cellular connectivity.
6. Accessory Support: Both support Apple Pencil 2nd Gen, the new Apple Pencil USB-C, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio.

Differences

1. Liquid Retina display vs Liquid Retina XDR display

The iPad Air 13 M2 2024 has a standard Liquid Retina display capable of 600nits brightness. The iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen has the brighter Liquid Retina XDR display with mini LED back lighting. The panel also supports ProMotion technology. For comparison the iPad Air 13 M2 has a peak brightness of 600 nits while the iPad Pro 12.9 6th gen’s panel has a typical brightness of 1000nits and peak brightness of 1600 nits.

2. Landscape front facing camera vs Portrait front facing camera

Just like the iPad 10th generation, the location of the iPad Air 13 M2 2024’s front facing camera is now on the long edge, facilitating landscape use Face Time or video calls. It still uses the 12MP Ultra Wide sensor and capable of Center Stage. It does not however support TrueDepth camera.

3. Single rear shooter vs Dual rear cameras and Lidar

iPad Air 13 M2 2024 comes with a single rear shooter using the 12MP Wide sensor and flash. The iPad Pro 12.9 comes with two rear shooter, True Tone flash and LIDAR sensor. The two cameras are 12MP Wide camera which it shares with Air and a 10MP Ultra Wide sensor. Both devices are capable of 4K video capture with additional ProRes support on the Pro.

4. No Thunderbolt/ USB4 support.

While both features USB-C connector, the iPad Air 13 M2 2024 lacks Thunderbolt/USB4 support for high bit-rate data transfer. It only supports USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 and DisplayPort.

5. Lighter and Slimmer

The iPad Air 13 M2 2024 is slimmer at 6.1mm vs 6.4mm on the iPad Pro 12.9 6th gen. However, the difference is so small that it can still use the current generation Apple Magic Keyboard. Unlike the new iPad Pro 13 M4 that is so much slimmer thanks to the use of OLED panel that it needed a new Apple Magic Keyboard that will fit. As for its weight, the iPad Air 13 M2 2024 is also a smidge lighter at 617mm vs 682grams (Wi-Fi only compared).

6. No FaceID but Touch ID in the top button vs FaceID

Like its predecessor, the new iPad Air 11 and 13 M2 do not come with Face ID, Apple’s version of facial recognition to unlock, complete purchases or for security authentications. The iPad Pro 12.9 6th gen on the other hand supports Face ID.

7. Two landscape stereo speakers vs four speakers

The iPad Air speakers are no longer just at the bottom end in portrait mode. It is now located on either sides in landscape mode for proper stereo effects. However, instead of 4 speakers, you will only get two which can mean lower volume.

8. Two microphones vs four studio-quality microphones

If you use your iPad to record 4K footage, you would want the studio-quality microphones for high quality audio. For the rest of us, the iPad Air with its two microphone setup is enough, for video calls and the occasional short family videos. Dual microphone

9. Cheaper full size tablet

With both tablets measuring a full 13-inch, the iPad Air 13 M2 2024 is cheaper $799 compared to the price of iPad Pro 12.9 6th gen 2022 which if you can get your hands on one, would still be priced at nearly $1200.

Summary:

1. Display: The iPad Air 13 M2 has a standard Liquid Retina display with 600 nits brightness, while the iPad Pro 12.9 features a Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting and ProMotion technology.
2. Camera Placement: The iPad Air 13 M2’s front camera is on the long edge for landscape use, unlike the Pro’s portrait placement.
3. Rear Cameras: The iPad Air 13 M2 has a single 12MP Wide rear camera, whereas the iPad Pro 12.9 includes dual rear cameras (12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide) and a LiDAR sensor.
4. Port: The iPad Air 13 M2 supports USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 and DisplayPort but lacks Thunderbolt/USB4 support.
5. Size and Weight: The iPad Air 13 M2 is slimmer at 6.1mm compared to the iPad Pro 12.9’s 6.4mm and slightly lighter at 617g vs. 682g (WiFi only).
6. Authentication: The iPad Air uses Touch ID, while the iPad Pro supports Face ID.
7. Audio: The iPad Air has two landscape stereo speakers, while the iPad Pro has four speakers.
8. Microphones: The iPad Air has two microphones, while the iPad Pro has four studio-quality microphones.
9. Price: The iPad Air 13 M2 2024 is priced at $799, while the iPad Pro 12.9 6th gen 2022 is nearly $1200.

Summary

If you are in the market for a large iPad and not one to pay top dollar for things you don’t need or use like LIDAR sensor, multiple rear cameras, super bright OLED displays, Thunderbolt 4 transfer rate or fancy four way audio output, then save yourself some money and go with the iPad Air 13 2024. Under the hood, it has the same power as the iPad Pro 12.9 from Oct 2022 giving you plenty of gaming (GPU) and computing (CPU) power. And, for what you will pay, it is much better value.

If you are a pro-level users, and uses the cameras and studio quality microphone to capture videos, shooting outdoor, editing it on the device or over Thunderbolt 4 port to an external storage device then consider the new iPad Pro 13 M4 (2024). This will definitely shorten the wait time to finalise those videos with thanks to the faster Apple M4 silicon.

At the point of writing, with the outgoing iPad Pro 12.9 M2 6th gen (2022) still selling at full price or close to, there is no real reason to even consider this. If it drops to the price significantly to match or at least close to iPad Air 13 2024 and this does happen when vendors try to clear their back stocks, then the iPad Pro 12.9 M2 6th gen (2022) definitely worth considering judging from the list of extras you get with it above.

Comparison Table

Feature	Apple iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen 2022	Apple iPad Air 13 6th Gen 2024
Display	12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR with ProMotion, True Tone, P3 wide color	13-inch Liquid Retina with True Tone, P3 wide color
Processor	Apple M2 Chip, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU	Apple M2 Chip, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU
Camera	12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide rear, 12MP Ultra Wide front with Centre Stage	12MP Wide rear, 12MP Ultra Wide front with Centre Stage
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB,
Operating System	iPadOS	iPadOS
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C with Thunderbolt / USB 4	Wi-Fi 6, USB-C
Audio	Four-speaker audio	Two-speaker audio
Battery Life	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours
Additional Features	Face ID, Apple Pencil 2nd gen support, Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio support	Touch ID, Apple Pencil 2nd gen support, Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio support
Price	£1,189.99	£939.99