Apple's new iPad Air 4 has the latest processor and a larger screen. In fact, it has many of the features that were once reserved for the iPad Pro. This raises two clear questions. The first is what's is actually the difference between the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro? The second, is the older Pro model still better than the iPad Air 4?

Apple has five tablets currently, and the size difference is enormous, from the smallest iPad mini 5 to the largest 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The middle range all have screens from 10.2 to 11 inches. That means size alone won't be a good way to distinguish between these iPad models. The iPad mini 5 is the oldest of these, but matches the 10.2 in most other specs. The iPad Air 4 and the 11-inch iPad Pro is where the comparison gets interesting.

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The brand new iPad Air 4, had a dramatic boost in performance over the Air 3. The newest iPad Air is the only Apple product containing the A14 processor, resulting in big gains in speed and efficiency due to the move to a 5nm manufacturing process. The latest iPad Pro has an A12Z. The 'Z' at the end means it can use all of its processing cores simultaneously and has other performance optimizations that make it much faster than the regular A12. Until the iPad Air 4 can be tested, nothing is for certain, but it’s doubtful Apple would undercut its Pro line with the lower-priced iPad Air. In day-to-day browsing and light use, the iPad Air 4 may actually feel snappier than an iPad Pro. However, when it comes time for rendering video, the Pro model will probably edge out the newer iPad Air by sheer number of active cores.

Then There's ProMotion & LiDAR

Apple iPad Pro LiDAR

Apple's new iPad Air 4 has a larger display. By removing the home button, there is enough room for a 10.9-inch screen. Compare this to the iPad Pro's 11-inch screen and it may seem like there isn't much reason for the iPad Pro. However, there is more to Apple's top tablet than a fast processor and large screen. The iPad Air's Touch ID was simply relocated to the sleep button, but the iPad Pro has Face ID, and that's a big time-saver. Simply look at the screen to authenticate makes a huge difference. Apple's latest iPad Air also makes the switch to USB-C and is compatible with the Magic Keyboard and improved Apple Pencil 2, resulting in even more overlap.

The iPad Pro features ProMotion screen technology. This means the screen refresh rate can go as high as 120Hz, making scrolling super smooth and improving gaming. The 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are also the only Apple devices so far to include LiDAR, which can 3D scan objects up to five meters away for augmented reality use and development. These are the professional features that can make an important difference, depending on the owner's occupation. The iPad Air 4 is $599, while the 11-inch iPad Pro is $799, but the $200 difference won't matter if work requirements demand the Pro features. That said, for most, Apple's new iPad Air 4 may be the perfect tablet and laptop replacement.

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Source: Apple