iPad Pro vs iPad Air 2
APPLE HAS finally revealed the long-rumoured iPad Pro, the Surface Pro clone that the firm hopes will appeal to the enterprise with a 12.9in screen and optional keyboard and stylus add-ons.
Apple isn't looking only to businesses, claiming that the iPad Pro's display is perfect for watching films and its upgraded processor perfect for gaming.
With that in mind, those in the market for a new Apple tablet are no doubt considering whether the new iPad Pro, or the more manageable iPad Air 2, is the best to suit their needs.
Display
iPad Pro: 12.9in 2732x2048 264ppi
iPad Air 2: 9.7in 2048x1536 264ppi
The iPad Air 2 has a 9.7in IPS display with a 2048x1536 resolution and pixel density of 264ppi. This is the same pixel density as the iPad Pro's 12.9in screen, but Apple said that the iPad Pro is the sharpest and most pixel-dense iOS device yet, having crammed in 5.6 million pixels on the 2732x2048 resolution display.
Design and dimensions
iPad Pro: 306x221x6.9mm, 713g
iPad Air 2: 240x196.5x6.1mm, 437g
Renowned for its skinny profile, the iPad Air 2 is 6.1mm thick and weighs a very portable 437g. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, is a beast at 713g, the same as the original iPad. However, it's just 6.9mm thick, ensuring that even those with small hands won't struggle too much.
The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 look similar in terms of design. Both are made from premium aluminium and are available in the same gold, space grey and silver colours. Getting one up on its little brother, the iPad Pro comes with four speakers integrated into the case.
Processor
iPad Pro: A9X
iPad Air 2: A8X
The iPad Air features the latest 64-bit A9X processor with an M9 motion co-processor, a newer chip than the A8X inside the iPad Air 2. The A9X offers 1.8 times the power of the processor before it, according to Apple, along with better GPU performance and power efficiency.
Operating system
iPad Pro: iOS 9
iPad Air 2: iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 9
There's not much of a contest between the iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 when it comes to software. Both run iOS - the iPad Pro will ship with iOS 9 on board, while the iPad Air 2 can be upgraded for free once the software is released to all on 16 September, equipping it with Apple's new multitasking features and upgraded Siri virtual assistant.
The iPad Pro does offer some features not seen on its smaller brother, however. Companies have begun developing apps that take advantage of the optional Apple Pencil stylus, including Adobe and Microsoft, which showed off a Pencil-optimised version of Office during Apple's launch event on Wednesday.
The iPad Pro ships with an optional Keyboard Cover, which the iPad's software automatically registers when attached and adjusts accordingly.
Cameras
iPad Pro: 8MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing
iPad Air 2: 8MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing
The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 feature identical camera set-ups. Both offer an 8MP rear-facing sensor, and a 1.2MP FaceTime camera on the front.
Storage
iPad Pro: 32GB, 128GB
iPad Air 2: 16GB, 64GB, 128GB
The iPad Pro doesn't offer as many storage options as the iPad Air 2, which is available with 16GB, 32GB or 128GB. Instead, it is available in 32GB and 128GB versions only, Apple having seemingly decided that 16GB simply isn't enough for the power user it has its sights set on.
Battery
iPad Pro: 38.5 watt-hour, 10-hour life
iPad Air 2: 27.3 watt-hour, 10-hour life
The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 are evenly matched when it comes to battery life, and Apple promises 10 hours of internet browsing on each model.
Overall
So, is Apple's bigger tablet better? It's a tough call. The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 are fairly evenly matched on paper, with similar designs, identical cameras and matching battery life.
However, those in the market for a big-screened powerhouse of a tablet will no doubt be won over by the iPad Pro, thanks to its enormous 12.9in screen and improvements in performance. µ
Apple isn't looking only to businesses, claiming that the iPad Pro's display is perfect for watching films and its upgraded processor perfect for gaming.
With that in mind, those in the market for a new Apple tablet are no doubt considering whether the new iPad Pro, or the more manageable iPad Air 2, is the best to suit their needs.
Display
iPad Pro: 12.9in 2732x2048 264ppi
iPad Air 2: 9.7in 2048x1536 264ppi
The iPad Air 2 has a 9.7in IPS display with a 2048x1536 resolution and pixel density of 264ppi. This is the same pixel density as the iPad Pro's 12.9in screen, but Apple said that the iPad Pro is the sharpest and most pixel-dense iOS device yet, having crammed in 5.6 million pixels on the 2732x2048 resolution display.
Design and dimensions
iPad Pro: 306x221x6.9mm, 713g
iPad Air 2: 240x196.5x6.1mm, 437g
Renowned for its skinny profile, the iPad Air 2 is 6.1mm thick and weighs a very portable 437g. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, is a beast at 713g, the same as the original iPad. However, it's just 6.9mm thick, ensuring that even those with small hands won't struggle too much.
The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 look similar in terms of design. Both are made from premium aluminium and are available in the same gold, space grey and silver colours. Getting one up on its little brother, the iPad Pro comes with four speakers integrated into the case.
Processor
iPad Pro: A9X
iPad Air 2: A8X
The iPad Air features the latest 64-bit A9X processor with an M9 motion co-processor, a newer chip than the A8X inside the iPad Air 2. The A9X offers 1.8 times the power of the processor before it, according to Apple, along with better GPU performance and power efficiency.
Operating system
iPad Pro: iOS 9
iPad Air 2: iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 9
There's not much of a contest between the iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 when it comes to software. Both run iOS - the iPad Pro will ship with iOS 9 on board, while the iPad Air 2 can be upgraded for free once the software is released to all on 16 September, equipping it with Apple's new multitasking features and upgraded Siri virtual assistant.
The iPad Pro does offer some features not seen on its smaller brother, however. Companies have begun developing apps that take advantage of the optional Apple Pencil stylus, including Adobe and Microsoft, which showed off a Pencil-optimised version of Office during Apple's launch event on Wednesday.
The iPad Pro ships with an optional Keyboard Cover, which the iPad's software automatically registers when attached and adjusts accordingly.
Cameras
iPad Pro: 8MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing
iPad Air 2: 8MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing
The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 feature identical camera set-ups. Both offer an 8MP rear-facing sensor, and a 1.2MP FaceTime camera on the front.
Storage
iPad Pro: 32GB, 128GB
iPad Air 2: 16GB, 64GB, 128GB
The iPad Pro doesn't offer as many storage options as the iPad Air 2, which is available with 16GB, 32GB or 128GB. Instead, it is available in 32GB and 128GB versions only, Apple having seemingly decided that 16GB simply isn't enough for the power user it has its sights set on.
Battery
iPad Pro: 38.5 watt-hour, 10-hour life
iPad Air 2: 27.3 watt-hour, 10-hour life
The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 are evenly matched when it comes to battery life, and Apple promises 10 hours of internet browsing on each model.
Overall
So, is Apple's bigger tablet better? It's a tough call. The iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 are fairly evenly matched on paper, with similar designs, identical cameras and matching battery life.
However, those in the market for a big-screened powerhouse of a tablet will no doubt be won over by the iPad Pro, thanks to its enormous 12.9in screen and improvements in performance. µ
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