iPad Pro vs. iPad Air 4 - Which is Better for Musicians?

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If you’re a musician looking for a tablet, you might feel a bit overwhelmed trying to narrow down your options. Today I’m comparing my iPad Pro 4th Generation and my mom’s new iPad Air 4, specifically for musicians.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

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Comparing the Specs

	iPad Pro (4th Generation – 2020)	iPad Air 4 (2021)
Screen Size	12.9 or 11 inches (I own the 12.9in)	10.9 inches
Storage	128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB	64 GB or 256 GB
Port Type	USB-C	USB-C
Apple Pencil Compatibility	Apple Pencil 2	Apple Pencil 2
Rear Camera(s)	12MP Wide, 10MP Ultra Wide	12MP Wide
Front Camera	7MP	7MP
Headphone Jack	No	No
How to Unlock	Face ID, Passcode	Touch ID, Passcode

Screen Size: The Noticeable Difference

The most noticeable difference between the two iPads is absolutely the screen size. As a musician, I use my iPad most often to read sheet music. I chose the 12.9 inch Pro so the screen would look the most similar to physical sheet music.

The first thing I noticed after downloading sheet music onto both iPads was the size difference. My iPad Pro was easy to read, and was a similar size to physical sheet music. The iPad Air 4 was harder to read, and I had to hold the screen closer to my face. If I was playing music on the viola, I would have to move the iPad closer than I’d like to read the music.

One workaround is to rotate the iPad to a landscape orientation. This zooms in on the sheet music. You won’t be able to see as much music on the screen, but it was much easier to read, and the notes were only a little bigger than they were on the iPad Pro in portrait orientation.

The downside to reading sheet music in landscape orientation is the you’ll have twice the amount of page turns. This is where a Bluetooth pedal is essential.

Connecting with a Bluetooth Pedal

Connecting my Bluetooth pedal was exactly the same between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air 4. It’s super simple, and the pedal worked just as fast and fluidly on both tablets.