A GUIDE TO DECIDING
Apple announced Air M4 in March 2026 and Pro M5 in October 2025. Comparing them today does not turn Pro M5 into a 2026 release. Identify the exact version in each listing.
Start with the Air for general tablet work. Evaluate the Pro when its display or faster peripheral connection solves a recurring problem in your workflow.
Teveotecno · Content updated November 4, 2026
| Aspect | iPad Air M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | March 2026 | October 2025 |
| Display | Liquid Retina LED IPS | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED; ProMotion |
| Memory | 12GB | 12GB or 16GB by capacity |
| Storage | 128GB to 1TB | 256GB to 2TB |
| Port | USB 3, up to 10Gb/s | Thunderbolt/USB 4, up to 40Gb/s |
| Authentication | Touch ID | Face ID |
The Pro M5 uses tandem OLED and adaptive ProMotion from 10 to 120Hz. The Air M4 has an LED-backlit IPS Liquid Retina display. Try the activities that matter to you, such as drawing, reviewing an image or navigating a large document.
Compare equivalent screen sizes first. Both families offer 11-inch and 13-inch versions, so an improvement caused by a bigger screen should be considered separately from the display technology.
Air M4 provides 12GB unified memory. Pro M5 has 12GB in the 256GB and 512GB versions, and 16GB in the 1TB and 2TB configurations. Its CPU configuration changes too. A specification quoted for the maximum-capacity model cannot describe every Pro.
The Pro’s Thunderbolt/USB 4 connection matters when you use compatible fast storage or peripherals. It may add little to a routine built around notes and small documents. Actual transfer performance also depends on the connected device and software.
Both support Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C. Check any keyboard, case and adapter against the exact iPad. Confirm application requirements and licences before treating either tablet as a replacement for a computer.
Compare published Air listings and published Pro devices by chip, capacity, condition and accessories. These catalogues can contain earlier generations; their existence does not establish M4 or M5 stock.
No. The 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB; the 256GB and 512GB versions provide 12GB.
This comparison describes the Air M4. Check the individual specifications for an M1, M2 or M3 Air.
Listings describe individual devices. Price, condition and availability can change.
No exact matches with confirmed specifications are listed today. Ask us about availability before choosing an alternative.
Stock changes; if the configuration you want is missing, ask about alternatives.