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The 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro delivered a sharper divide than a simple chip upgrade: the 11- and 13-inch iPad Air with M2 offered a lower-cost, capable tablet, while the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro with M4 brought tandem OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, Face ID and Thunderbolt. The Air is the better value for most everyday uses; the Pro earns its premium mainly through its display, responsiveness and high-end workflows.
Those expectations are now historical. Apple announced the models on May 7, 2024, and they went on sale May 15. As of 2026, newer iPad Air hardware exists, so these 2024 models make most sense as discounted, refurbished or used options. Apple’s launch announcement confirms the lineup and original U.S. pricing.
What Apple delivered in 2024
The sixth-generation iPad Air gained an M2 chip, a landscape front camera and— for the first time in the Air line—a 13-inch size. The redesigned iPad Pro moved to M4 and introduced a tandem OLED display, while becoming exceptionally thin and light. Both lines came in 11- and 13-inch versions and supported Apple Pencil Pro.
The broad pre-launch expectations were right: a larger Air, a next-generation Pro, new accessories and a more visible distinction between the two tiers. The overreach was expecting the Air to inherit Pro display technology. It did not: the M2 Air remained an LCD tablet with a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
#1 Best Overall
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
At a glance
| Feature | iPad Air 11/13-inch (M2, 2024) | iPad Pro 11/13-inch (M4, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Liquid Retina LCD, 60Hz | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED, up to 120Hz ProMotion |
| Starting storage | 128GB | 256GB |
| Authentication | Touch ID in top button | Face ID |
| Front camera | 12MP landscape Center Stage | Landscape camera system with Face ID sensors |
| Port | USB-C, USB 3-class | Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| Stylus | Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C | Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C |
| Best fit | Study, notes, general productivity and value | Display-sensitive work, demanding creative tasks and fast peripherals |
Launch prices: remember the storage difference
Original U.S. Wi-Fi prices were $599 for the 128GB 11-inch Air and $799 for the 128GB 13-inch Air. The 256GB 11-inch Pro began at $999; the 256GB 13-inch Pro began at $1,299. Cellular versions launched at $749, $949, $1,199 and $1,499, respectively. The Pro therefore began $400 more than the 11-inch Air and $500 more than the 13-inch Air—but its base storage was twice as large. These are launch prices, not a statement of 2026 retail pricing.
A tablet-only comparison also understates the cost of an iPad setup. The Pencil Pro is sold separately, and a keyboard can add substantially to either model’s total. The 2024 Pro’s new Magic Keyboard added a function row and a more laptop-like design; compare the tablet, storage, keyboard, stylus and cellular plan together rather than treating accessories as free.
The display is the biggest reason to choose Pro
The Air’s fully laminated LCD has wide color, True Tone, an antireflective coating and 500-nit brightness. It is a good screen for reading, documents, browsing, schoolwork, drawing and streaming. What it does not offer is OLED contrast, the Pro’s HDR capability or 120Hz motion.
The Pro’s tandem OLED is the more consequential upgrade than its chip for many buyers. Apple specified up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and up to 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness; those figures describe different conditions, not a brightness level to expect across the whole screen at all times. Higher-capacity Pro configurations can be ordered with optional nano-texture glass, which is not standard on every model.
Rank #2
- 13" Screen size
- iOS Operating System
- 256 GB Flash Memory
- Movies and HDR: The Pro’s OLED contrast and HDR headroom make bright highlights and dark scenes more striking.
- Scrolling, gaming and Pencil use: ProMotion’s up-to-120Hz refresh rate makes motion look smoother and can make stylus interaction feel more immediate. The Air is 60Hz.
- Reading and everyday work: The Air’s screen remains sharp and capable; many people will not need OLED or 120Hz to read, take notes or work through documents.
- Color-sensitive work: The Pro is the stronger choice for users who rely on its display for photo and video review, though a suitable workflow and calibrated expectations still matter.
If you are moving from an older 120Hz iPad Pro, the Air’s 60Hz screen may be a noticeable downgrade in motion even though the Air is otherwise fast. If screen technology is not a priority, the Air’s larger 13-inch option may be more useful than a smaller Pro.
M2 versus M4: plenty of power versus more headroom
The M2 Air handles common iPad workloads comfortably: school and office apps, split-screen work, handwriting, illustration, photo editing, many games and 4K video editing for many users. The M4 Pro has a higher performance ceiling and newer media capabilities, which matter more for complex video timelines, large 3D scenes, sustained rendering and other demanding creative work.
That does not mean everyday tasks feel proportionally faster on the Pro. Opening a document or browsing the web does not necessarily reveal the chip gap as clearly as the display, refresh rate, port or speakers do. Nor does an M4 turn iPadOS into macOS: check that the apps and file-handling workflows you need exist on iPad before treating either model as a laptop replacement.
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Design, camera, sound and connections
The 2024 Pro was redesigned to be exceptionally thin and light. The Air is portable too, but the Pro is the slimmer choice, particularly for buyers carrying it in a keyboard case. The 13-inch Air deserves special consideration: it offers more workspace than the 11-inch Pro at a lower launch price, even though the Pro has the better panel.
Rank #3
- 13" Screen size
- iOS Operating System
- 256 GB Flash Memory
The Air’s landscape-oriented 12MP Center Stage camera is a practical improvement for video calls, especially when the iPad is attached to a keyboard. Both product lines place the front camera on the landscape edge. The Air uses Touch ID in its top button; the Pro uses Face ID, a convenience difference that comes down to preference and how the tablet is positioned.
The Pro’s speaker and microphone system is more elaborate and better suited to media playback, recording and editing without external equipment. The Air is still adequate for casual video and calls. The Pro also has a rear camera and media feature set aimed more at advanced capture and production. The Air can handle everyday camera uses such as scanning documents and occasional photos; consider whether you actually record or process video on a tablet before paying for Pro camera capabilities.
Both have USB-C, but the Pro’s Thunderbolt/USB 4 port offers higher bandwidth than the Air’s USB 3-class connection. That can matter when moving large files to external SSDs or using demanding docks and capture devices. The Air supports an external display; the Pro’s faster port is better suited to high-bandwidth peripherals. Do not assume every Mac-style monitor or storage workflow behaves identically on iPadOS—check the specific app, accessory and OS version you plan to use.
Accessories, battery and software
Both 2024 models support Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C. Pencil Pro features include squeeze and barrel roll; it attaches magnetically and charges on compatible iPads. It is an extra purchase, not an included accessory. Owners of an older Apple Pencil should check compatibility rather than assume it will work with a new Air or Pro.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Apple’s battery estimate for both families is up to about 10 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing or video playback under its test conditions; cellular use is rated lower. Real runtime changes with screen brightness, network use, workload, screen size and battery condition. The Pro’s newer chip alone is not a reason to assume longer battery life.
Both devices were built around Apple silicon and are listed for relevant iPadOS 26 features, including Apple Intelligence features subject to model, language, region and feature-specific requirements. Software support is not identical to guaranteed access to every feature, and Apple has not promised a precise number of future update years for either model. See Apple’s iPadOS 26 feature document for support qualifications.
Which one suits your work?
- Student or general home user: Choose the Air for notes, research, documents, streaming and browsing. Spend the savings on storage or accessories you will actually use.
- Artist or handwritten-note taker: Either supports Pencil Pro. Choose Air for value; choose Pro if 120Hz feedback and the OLED screen are priorities.
- Photographer or video editor: The Pro is the better fit for display review, demanding editing and fast external storage. The Air can still suit lighter editing; the workflow, not the word “Pro,” should decide.
- Frequent traveler: The Pro is thinner and lighter, while the Air costs less. If workspace matters more than panel quality, consider the 13-inch Air.
- External-drive or dock user: Favor Pro when high transfer bandwidth is central. Confirm your particular dock and iPadOS workflow first.
- Existing 120Hz iPad Pro owner: The M2 Air may feel like a display downgrade. Move to it only if the savings and other changes outweigh that trade-off.
Buying one in 2026
Apple has since introduced newer Air hardware, including an M4 iPad Air in 2026, so the 2024 M2 Air is no longer the current Air generation. Treat both 2024 models as potential deals, not current flagships. Check the current price of a newer Air before buying an older model; the M2 makes sense when the discount is meaningful, while a discounted M4 Pro may be compelling if OLED, ProMotion or Thunderbolt matters to you. Apple’s current iPad Air specifications help distinguish newer hardware from the 2024 model.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Apple Certified Refurbished availability is configuration-specific and changes. Apple says its refurbished products include a one-year warranty, manuals and accessories, a new battery and a new outer shell; confirm the terms and return policy on the listing at purchase. Its 2024 refurbished iPad page is the official place to check current stock. Captured 2026 price examples in the research included a 13-inch M2 Air Wi-Fi 128GB at $539, an 11-inch M4 Pro Wi-Fi 512GB at $1,079, and a 13-inch M4 Pro Wi-Fi 256GB at $1,169. These are dated examples, not guaranteed current offers.
For used or refurbished stock, verify the exact size, storage, Wi-Fi or cellular configuration, screen glass, battery condition, warranty and return window. Check Pencil and keyboard compatibility before reusing accessories. Cellular is only worth paying extra for if you need an iPad connection away from Wi-Fi and a phone hotspot; service may also require a carrier plan.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
