Preorder the Brand-New 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro Now on Amazon

Earlier this week, on May 7, Apple held its annual spring event and this year, it was all about the iPads.

During the “Let Loose” event, the tech giant introduced the first-ever M4 chip promising more speed and power in the newly redesigned iPad Pro. For the first time since 2022, the iPad Air was upgraded. Some accessories for both iPad models, like the Apple Pencil, were also given updates.

All of the new iPads and accessories are available to preorder now ahead of a May 15 release; check them out below and read more to find out the key differences between the two models.

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro:

Though the new tablets are available in similar sizes, the different features in their construction make them better suited for different activities.

Starting off, a major difference is the price: the starting price for the iPad Air (M2) is $200 lower than that of the iPad Pro (M4).

The new iPad Air is powered by the M2 chip — the same one that powered the last iPad Pro — so it’s faster and more powerful by nearly 50%. Of course, that means the iPad Pro has also gotten a major power upgrade in the form of Apple’s brand new M4 chip.

Thanks to upgrades to the GPU, an improved CPU, and overall performance-boosting Dynamic Caching tech, the new iPad Pro could realistically replace a laptop.

In a fascinating turn of events, according to reporters who got a chance to test the new devices, the iPad Pro is actually thinner and lighter than the iPad Air, which was originally introduced to be thinner and lighter than the flagship iPad.

Display-wise, the iPad Air has a typical LED liquid retina screen, while the iPad Pro has an OLED display. Apple also introduced a new, matte screen on the 1 TB and 2 TB iPad Pros: the iPad nano-texture glass.

Preorder new Apple iPads and Accessories:

• Apple iPad Air M2 (11″or 13″)

  • Available Styles: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular
  • Storage Sizes Available: 128GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
  • Colors Available: Space Gray, Starlight, Blue, Purple

  For the first time, the iPad Air is available in two portable sizes with a liquid retina display. It’s powered by Apple’s M2 chip — the same one that is used in the 2023 MacBooks and the 2022 iPad Pro — making it nearly 50% faster than the last update to the iPad Air.

  AMAZON 11″ $599.00+

  AMAZON 13″ $799.00+
  BEST BUY $599.99+

• Apple iPad Pro M4 (11″ or 13″)

  • Available Styles: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular
  • Storage Sizes Available: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
  • Colors Available: Space Black, Silver

  The new and improved iPad Pro is the first product from Apple to use the new M4 chip, which is said to deliver 1.5x faster CPU performance than the M2 chip. Overall, it’s faster, smoother, more powerful, and at the cutting edge of technology right now. It’s also the thinnest iPad Pro to date.

  Another improvement is available exclusively in the 1 TB and 2 TB models: Apple’s iPad nano-texture glass. While the new iPad Airs and lower models of the iPad Pro have anti-glare displays, nano-texture takes that one step further with a completely matte display.

  IPAD PRO 11″
  $999.00+

  IPAD PRO 13″ $1,299.00+

• Apple Pencil Pro

  A new and improved Apple Pencil is launching alongside the iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4. It does everything the old Apple Pencil does, with new features like Apple Pencil Hover to preview your mark before drawing it, new haptic feedback that makes switching color palettes and tools a breeze, and a new gyroscope for precise control.

  AMAZON $129.00

  BEST BUY $129.99

• Apple Pencil (USB-C) ​​​​​​

  Not sure you need the Apple Pencil Pro? The already-available Apple Pencil with USB-C charging is compatible with all new iPad models.

  BUY NOW $79.00 $69.00

• Apple Magic Keyboard

  Apple didn’t make a new Magic Keyboard for the new M2 iPad Air models, but this one will connect and fit perfectly with the 11-inch size.

  BUY NOW $299.00 $249.00

• Apple iPad Magic Keyboard Case for iPad Pro (M4) for 11″ and 13″ Models

  Available in both white and black, this newly redesigned Magic Keyboard comes in two sizes for both new iPad Pro sizes available.

  11″ MAGIC KEYBOARD $299.00

  13″ MAGIC KEYBOARD $349.00

Why Trust Decider Shopping

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews. 

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