Apple iPad Pro vs iPad Air: Which Offers Better Value in 2025?

The tablets market in 2025 is more competitive than ever, and Apple’s latest iPads are leading the way. If you’re thinking about upgrading, one key question stands out: is the premium iPad Pro worth the higher price, or does the iPad Air offer better value?

Both models now come packed with desktop-level power, gorgeous displays, and serious multitasking features. The gap between them has definitely gotten smaller. But getting the best value isn’t just about the specs, it’s about which tablet fits your needs and your budget.

In this comparison, we’ll break down the iPad Pro and iPad Air to help you decide which tablet delivers the strongest balance of performance, features, and value in 2025.

Breaking Down the iPad Pro and the iPad Air

Apple’s 2025 iPad lineup brings major upgrades to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air, making the choice between them more nuanced than ever. The iPad Pro, powered by the M4 chip, is built for demanding tasks like video editing, design, and high-end multitasking. Meanwhile, the iPad Air, featuring the capable M2 chip, delivers impressive performance at a more accessible price.

So, which one offers better value in 2025?

Whether you're eyeing the latest iPad Pro or the more budget-friendly iPad Air, it comes down to which Apple tablet gives you the most for how you plan to use it.

Comparing the Apple iPad Pro and the iPad Air: Finding the Best Value in 2025

Both iPad lineups feature two models, the 11” models (the Apple iPad Pro 11 and the Apple iPad Air 11) and the 13” models. For a fairer comparison, we’ll compare both 13” models.

Before we start, here’s a look at their specs.

Specification	Apple iPad Pro 13 (MPN: MVXX3NF/A)	Apple iPad Air 13 (MPN: MV2K3NF/A)
Display	13” Ultra Retina XDR 2752 x 2064 pixels OLED Display	13” Liquid Retina 2732 x 2048 pixels LED Display
Processor	Apple M4	Apple M2
Memory	16GB	8GB
Storage	1TB	512GB
Cameras	12MP front/12MP back	12MP front/12MP back
Battery Capacity	38.99 Wh	36.59 Wh
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Ports	Four built-in speakers, four microphones	Four built-in speakers, two microphones
Audio	Four built-in speakers, four microphones	Four built-in speakers, two microphones
Price	£2074.99	£1038.99

Design and Display

The Apple iPad Pro 7th Gen showcases a thin and lightweight slate design in elegant silver, weighing just 579 grams and measuring 215.5 mm wide, 281.6 mm deep, and only 5.1 mm thick. Its 13-inch OLED Ultra Retina XDR display offers a crisp 2752 x 2064 resolution at 264 ppi and peaks at 1000 nits brightness. Featuring rounded edges, anti-reflective and fingerprint-resistant coatings, it delivers stunning colour accuracy and sharp visuals with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

In contrast, the Apple iPad Air 13” features a sleek slate form factor with an aluminium housing in blue colour, weighing 617 grams and measuring 214.9 mm wide, 280.6 mm deep, and 6.1 mm thick. It boasts a stunning 13-inch Liquid Retina LED display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, a pixel density of 264 ppi, and 600 cd/m² brightness. The display includes rounded corners, an anti-reflective coating, an oleophobic fingerprint-resistant surface, and an IPS panel, providing vibrant, sharp, and colour-accurate visuals with a native 4:3 aspect ratio.

Clearly, the iPad Pro offers a better OLED Ultra Retina XDR display with higher brightness and sharper visuals.

Hardware and Performance

When examining the hardware and performance of these Apple iPads for 2025, the differences are significant, primarily stemming from their core processors and memory configurations.

The Apple iPad Pro 13 is a true performance beast, powered by the latest Apple M4 chip. It features a 10-core CPU (with 4 performance and 6 efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU, capable of hardware-accelerated ray tracing. It also boasts a 16-core Neural Engine, making it an absolute powerhouse for AI tasks. Crucially, the iPad Pro 13’s memory configuration provides ample memory bandwidth for the most demanding professional workflows and extensive multitasking with large files and complex applications.

By comparison, the Apple iPad Air 13 is equipped with the highly capable Apple M2 chip. The chip features an 8-core CPU (4 performance, 4 efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU, along with a 16-core Neural Engine. While still incredibly powerful for most tasks, the M2 is a generation behind the M4 in raw processing power and graphics capabilities. The iPad Air 13 consistently comes with 8GB RAM across all storage configurations. While 8GB is sufficient for smooth performance in most applications and daily use, it offers less headroom for extreme multitasking or highly specialised professional software compared to the iPad Pro's higher RAM.

In essence, the iPad Pro 13 is engineered for peak performance and memory-intensive professional applications, while the iPad Air 13 provides excellent, efficient performance for a broader range of users without the absolute bleeding edge of processing power and higher RAM configurations.

Software and Features

For those considering Apple iPads in 2025 based on software and features, the Apple iPad Pro 13, running iPadOS 17, uniquely leverages its powerful M4 chip. This enables enhanced AI capabilities for demanding tasks like scene removal in Final Cut Pro, efficient ProRes video recording, and superior performance for graphic-intensive applications. Its ProMotion display offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, vital for fluid creative work, while Thunderbolt connectivity expands versatility for professional workflows with external displays and storage. The iPad Pro also features Face ID for secure authentication and a robust four-speaker audio system.

The Apple iPad Air 13, also running iPadOS 17, provides a robust software experience for most users, benefiting from features like Stage Manager for enhanced multitasking. Its M2 chip still delivers remarkable performance for daily tasks, gaming, and creative projects, and it supports the same Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard accessories as the Pro. The iPad Air features Touch ID for secure unlocking and a landscape front camera with Center Stage, which is great for video calls.

Camera and Audio

In camera and audio, the Apple iPad Pro 13 leads with a dual rear camera system, including a LiDAR Scanner for advanced depth sensing, and studio-quality four-microphone array with four speakers, offering rich, immersive sound. It excels in shooting 4K ProRes video and AI-enhanced document scans.

The Apple iPad Air 13 features a competent 12MP wide back camera and dual studio-quality mics with landscape stereo speakers, delivering good photo and video capture and clear audio. Both iPads have a landscape 12MP front camera with Center Stage for improved video calls.

Ultimately, for professionals prioritising advanced photography, videography, and superior audio, the iPad Pro 13 offers unmatched capabilities; however, for everyday video calls and general media consumption, the iPad Air 13 provides terrific value for money.

Battery Life

The 13-inch iPad Pro offers up to 9 hours of battery life for browsing or continuous video playback on Wi-Fi. Powered by a 38.99 Wh Lithium Polymer battery, it supports fast charging via USB-C with up to 45W power delivery. This combination ensures solid all-day use for most users.

The iPad Air 6th Gen delivers up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing with its efficient M2 chip and 36.59 Wh battery, outlasting many competitors. Plus, fast USB-C charging means less downtime and more productivity on the go.

In a nutshell, the iPad Air 6th Gen offers slightly longer battery life with efficient performance, while the 13-inch iPad Pro provides robust all-day use with a larger battery and faster charging.

Price and Value

The Apple iPad Pro 13 commands a higher price, justified by its M4 chip, advanced Ultra Retina XDR display, Thunderbolt, and features like LiDAR scanner. This latest iPad delivers unparalleled capability for professionals in fields like 4K video editing and graphic design, offering the absolute best performance and a top-of-the-line experience for those pushing the tablet's limits.

Conversely, the Apple iPad Air 13 offers exceptional value, being a more accessible Apple tablet for the majority of users. While featuring the M2 chip, not the M4, it still provides significant power for day-to-day productivity, entertainment, and creative tasks. Its Liquid Retina display and USB-C connectivity are perfectly adequate, making the iPad Air 13 the superior value proposition for the average consumer in 2025.

Choosing the Right iPad Model in 2025

Apple iPad Pro 13”

For the Apple iPad Pro 13, the ideal user is a creative professional: think videographers, graphic designers, or 3D artists, who need the absolute maximum power and the highest-end features. The M4 chip, Ultra Retina XDR display, advanced camera system with LiDAR, and other features are crucial for demanding workflows. This latest iPad is for those for whom every millisecond of processing power and pixel of display quality directly impacts their livelihood and creative output.

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Apple iPad Air 13” 

Alternatively, the Apple iPad Air 13 is the perfect choice for the vast majority of consumers, including students, everyday users, and even many creative hobbyists. Its offers abundant power for general productivity, streaming, gaming, and various creative applications without the high price tag. For anyone seeking a powerful, versatile, and fantastic-value Apple tablet that handles everyday tasks with ease and delivers a superb user experience, the iPad Air 13 is the clear recommendation in 2025.

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The Value Verdict: Pro vs. Air in 2025

While the Apple iPad Pro 13 is undeniably the most powerful and feature-rich tablet Apple offers, its significant premium price makes it a specialised tool. Its advanced capabilities cater specifically to an exclusive group of creative professionals who rely on the highest level of performance and precision to handle complex projects efficiently and bring their most ambitious ideas to life.

On the contrary, for the vast majority of users, the Apple iPad Air 13 provides an outstanding balance of performance, features, and price. Its M2 chip is remarkably capable for most tasks, the Liquid Retina display is still excellent, and it supports the same key accessories. The value proposition of the iPad Air lies in its ability to deliver a premium Apple tablet experience that meets or exceeds most users' needs, without the substantial financial outlay required for the Pro's focused and often overkill features for non-professional use.

Therefore, the Apple iPad Air 13 offers significantly better value for the broader market in 2025.

Conclusion

In today's dynamic digital landscape, Apple's latest iPads redefine how we work and play. The iPad Pro 13, with its powerhouse features, remains the pinnacle for creative professionals, offering unbeatable power for 4K video editing and complex design. Its elevated price is warranted by its superior, cutting-edge performance.

On the other hand, the Apple iPad Air 13 presents superior value for most. Its M2 chip delivers ample power for daily productivity, entertainment, and diverse creative tasks, all without the Pro's premium price. This makes it the more sensible and cost-effective investment for a broad audience.

If you’re ready to make a choice, shop either of these two models or explore the complete tablets lineup at Box.co.uk to find other iPads from Apple like the iPad Mini and more! Discover easy payments and flexible finance options like PayPal Pay in 3 and PayPal Credit to buy your desired device without worrying about the cost! We also offer the best iPad deals to help you save tremendously! Place your order now!

FAQs

Do both iPads support the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard?

Yes, both the iPad Pro 13 and iPad Air 13 are fully compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, enabling seamless creativity, productivity, and precise control across professional tasks.

What is the main benefit of the iPad Pro's ProMotion display?

ProMotion offers adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, ensuring extremely fluid scrolling and responsiveness, crucial for professional creative work.

Does either model offer unique features for advanced drawing or audio production?

The iPad Pro features a LiDAR Scanner and studio-quality four-microphone array, enhancing professional creative capabilities.