iPad Air 3 (2019, A12 series) vs iPad Pro (2022, M2 series)

The iPad Air 2019, released in March 2019, and the iPad Pro 2022, launched in October 2022, represent different tiers and generations within Apple's tablet lineup. While both run on iPadOS and offer a versatile tablet experience, the iPad Pro 2022 features a significantly more powerful processor and advanced display technology, catering to more demanding tasks and professional workflows. The iPad Air 2019, on the other hand, provides a capable and balanced experience for everyday use.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, primarily their release dates and the duration of software support.

• Release Timeline: The iPad Air 2019 was released in March 2019, making it several years older than the iPad Pro 2022, which launched in October 2022. This age difference directly impacts their remaining software support window.
• OS Support Duration: The iPad Air 2019, powered by the A12 Bionic chip, is compatible with iPadOS 18 and is expected to receive updates for a considerable period, potentially up to iPadOS 21 or 22. The iPad Pro 2022, with its M2 chip, is likely to receive major iPadOS updates for a longer duration, potentially until iPadOS 26 or beyond, offering a longer practical lifespan for accessing the latest features and security updates.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Users typically hold onto tablets for four to five years. The iPad Pro 2022, being newer and equipped with a more advanced processor, offers a longer runway for future demanding applications and operating system updates, extending its useful life further into the future compared to the iPad Air 2019.

The performance capabilities of these two iPads differ significantly due to their respective processors and memory configurations, impacting how they handle various tasks.

• Processor Capabilities: The iPad Air 2019 is equipped with the A12 Bionic chip, which provides smooth performance for everyday tasks, web browsing, and most applications. The iPad Pro 2022 features the M2 chip, offering a substantial increase in processing power, with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. This translates to significantly faster performance for demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphics-intensive tasks like video editing and 3D rendering.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPad Air 2019, with 3GB of RAM, handles typical multitasking well, allowing users to switch between several apps without significant slowdowns. The iPad Pro 2022 comes with 8GB or 16GB of RAM, enabling it to manage a greater number of active applications and more intensive workflows with enhanced fluidity and responsiveness.
• Storage Options: The iPad Air 2019 offers storage options of 64GB and 256GB. The iPad Pro 2022 provides a wider range of storage, from 128GB up to 2TB, catering to users with extensive storage needs for large files, projects, and media.

The display is a key area of distinction, with the iPad Pro 2022 offering a more advanced visual experience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The iPad Air 2019 features a 10.5-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2224 x 1668 pixels, providing clear and vibrant visuals for general use. The iPad Pro 2022 (11-inch model) also uses a Liquid Retina IPS LCD, but the 12.9-inch model boasts a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, offering superior contrast, deeper blacks, and higher brightness. Both Pro models have a resolution of 2388 x 1668 pixels for the 11-inch and 2732 x 2048 pixels for the 12.9-inch.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPad Air 2019 has a typical brightness of 500 nits. The iPad Pro 2022 offers higher brightness, with the 11-inch model reaching 600 nits and the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display capable of up to 1000 nits full-screen brightness and 1600 nits peak brightness for HDR content. A significant difference is the refresh rate: the iPad Air 2019 has a standard 60Hz display, while the iPad Pro 2022 features ProMotion technology, providing an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more responsive interactions, especially with the Apple Pencil.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The iPad Air 2019 offers a 10.5-inch screen, which is a comfortable size for media consumption and light productivity. The iPad Pro 2022 is available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch options, with the larger size providing a more expansive canvas for creative work, multitasking, and immersive viewing.

The camera systems on these two tablets cater to different user needs, with the iPad Pro 2022 offering more advanced capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The iPad Air 2019 features a single 8 MP rear camera, suitable for casual photography and document scanning. The iPad Pro 2022 includes a more versatile dual-camera system with a 12 MP wide lens and a 10 MP ultrawide lens, along with a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality experiences and improved depth sensing.
• Front Camera and Video Quality: Both devices feature a front-facing camera for video calls and selfies. The iPad Air 2019 has a 7 MP front camera. The iPad Pro 2022 upgrades to a 12 MP ultrawide front camera with Center Stage, which automatically keeps the user in the frame during video calls. The iPad Pro 2022 also supports ProRes video capture, allowing for higher quality video recording.
• Audio Experience: The iPad Air 2019 features stereo speakers, providing a decent audio experience for media consumption. The iPad Pro 2022 is equipped with a four-speaker audio system, delivering a richer and more immersive sound experience with better bass and clarity.