Request a product

Apple iPad Air 2 vs Apple iPad Pro 9.7-inch

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPad Air 2AppleiPad Pro 9.7-inch
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2014March 2016
Display
Screen size9.7″9.7″
Resolution2048 × 15362048 × 1536
Sharpness264 pixels per inch264 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Display typeRetina; LED-backlit IPS LCDRetina; LED-backlit LCD
Pixel density264 ppi264 ppi
Display featuresFully laminated; anti-reflective coating; fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatingP3 wide colour; True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective and oleophobic coatings
Performance
ChipA8XA9X
Memory2 GB2 GB
Storage16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
CPU64-bit A8X; M8 motion coprocessor; 2 GB RAM confirmed by iFixit64-bit A9X; M9 coprocessor; 2 GB LPDDR4 RAM confirmed by iFixit
Cameras
Rear camera8 MP12 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera1.2 MP5 MP
Rear cameraiSight; f/2.4 five-element lens; autofocus; backside illumination; hybrid IR filter; auto HDR; panorama up to 43 MP; burst; timer; auto image stabilisation; face detectionf/2.2; Focus Pixels autofocus; True Tone flash; Live Photos; wide colour capture; sapphire lens cover
Front cameraFaceTime HD; f/2.2; backside illumination; auto HDR; burst; timer; face detectionFaceTime HD; f/2.2; Retina Flash; Live Photos
Video recordingRear 1080p at 30 fps; slow-motion at 120 fps; stabilised time-lapse; video stabilisation; 3x video zoom; front 720pRear 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 30/60 fps; slow-motion 1080p at 120 fps or 720p at 240 fps; front 720p
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity27.3 Wh27.5 Wh
Battery (mAh)–7,306 mAh
Mobile data optionYesYes
StylusNot supportedSupported, sold separately
Keyboard made for itNoYes
Battery life detailUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours cellular browsingUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours cellular browsing; 7,306 mAh and 27.91 Wh battery label reported by iFixit, compared with Apple's 27.5 Wh specification
ChargingPower adapter or USB computer chargingPower adaptor or USB computer charging
USB-CLightning; 3.5 mm headphone jackLightning; USB 2 data (Ars Technica); 3.5 mm headphone jack; Smart Connector
Wi-FiDual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMODual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2 (current Apple UK specifications)Bluetooth 4.2
Mobile networkLTE, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, GSM/EDGE and CDMA EV-DO; nano-SIM with Apple SIM support; Wi-Fi calling; cellular model weighs 444 gLTE Advanced; UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA; GSM/EDGE; CDMA EV-DO; embedded Apple SIM and nano-SIM; cellular model weighs 444 g
Stylus supportNo Apple Pencil supportApple Pencil (1st generation), sold separately
KeyboardsNo Smart ConnectorSmart Keyboard through Smart Connector, sold separately
Design
Weight437 g437 g
Thickness6.1 mm6.1 mm
Height × width240 × 169.5 mm240 × 169.5 mm
Operating systemiPadOSiPadOS
BiometricsTouch ID in Home buttonTouch ID in Home button
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersFour-speaker audio
MicrophonesDual microphonesDual microphones
SensorsThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; assisted GPS and GLONASS on cellular modelGyroscope; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; assisted GPS and GLONASS on cellular model
ColoursSilver, Gold, Space GreySilver, Gold, Space Grey, Rose Gold
Software at launchiOS 8.1; orders opened 17 October 2014, with availability the following weekiOS 9.3; subsequently received iPadOS
In the boxiPad Air 2; Lightning to USB cable; USB power adapteriPad Pro; Lightning to USB cable; USB power adaptor

More comparisons