Apple has just unveiled the new and smaller iPad Pro, which measures 9.7 inches, compared to 12.9 inches of the first edition that was released in 2015.

The company noted that the 9.7-inch size remains the most popular among iPad users, with 200 million units sold. The last iPad that Apple released featuring that size was the iPad Air 2, which was launched in 2014.

It was expected that Apple would be unveiling the continuation of the iPad Air line with the iPad Air 3, but it turned out that the company was continuing the iPad Pro line. While they both feature the same 9.7-inch size, just how much better is the new iPad Pro compared to the iPad Air 2?

Similarities

Aside from the 9.7-inch display, the new iPad Pro and the iPad Air 2 both feature a 2,048 x 1,536 pixel resolution and an estimated battery life of 10 hours. In addition, the tablets have identical physical measurements of 6.6 x 9.4 x 0.24 inches, weighing 0.96 pounds. The similarities, however, end there.

Processor And RAM

The iPad Air 2 is powered by the A8X processor with 2 GB of RAM. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro, on the other hand, is powered by the A9X processor, which is said to be 1.8 times faster compared to the A8X, along with 4 GB of RAM.

Storage

The iPad Air 2 offered buyers with memory capacities of 16 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. The new iPad Pro doubles the featured capacities of the tablet, offering buyers 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB of internal storage.

Cameras

The new iPad Pro has a 12 MP rear-facing camera and a 5 MP front-facing camera, which are both much better than the 8 MP rear-facing camera and 1.2 MP front-facing camera of the iPad Air 2.

Accessories

Accessories for the iPad Air 2 were made available, but only through third-party companies. For the new iPad Pro, it will be supporting the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard, which were introduced alongside the bigger version of the tablet.

Price

When the iPad Air 2 was launched, it had a base price of $399 for the 32 GB model. For the new iPad Pro, the base price for a 32 GB model is much higher at $599, taking into account all the better features and specifications it has over the iPad Air 2.

Verdict

Any which way you look at it, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is a superior device compared to the iPad Air 2. Users who are looking to purchase an Apple tablet should definitely consider the new iPad Pro, if budget permits.

Nevertheless, the iPad Air 2 is still a very capable device and will be enough for usage of some tablet users. Purchasing the now cheaper tablet is still a very viable option.