ipad air 3 vs ipad pro 12.9 4th gen

We cannot tell you that.

Only you can decide which iPad will meet your needs.

All current iPad models all run the same full iPadOS.

So, iPads are more like cars, now.

You are paying for iPad optional features, now.

Do you want/need larger internal data storage space for data, like music. movies and photos/images and room for other types of data?

Do you want/need a bonded, laminated display?

Do you/want/need higher color gamut display with Tru-tone room brightness calibration?

Do you want/need faster internal CPU?

Do you want/need more internal RAM?

Do you want/need better iPad cameras?

Do you want/need better/more iPad speakers?

Do you want/need the improved, 2nd gen Apple Pencil?

Do you want/need to have the new Magic Keyboard portfolio for the 2018/2020 iPad Pro models?

All of these options are what you need to decide if you really need, or not, and to decide to pay for accordingly.

The more iPad features you decide you need, the more you pay.

Best of Luck to You!

We are just users here, like you.

No one here is going to tell you what iPad model you should purchase, or not.

Like I stated, ALL newest iPad run the exact same iPadOS without compromise or missing OS features.

Only you can decide if you want all the additional bells and whistles an iPad Pro brings VS lower priced iPads with some lesser and/or removed features.

I use an older 256 GBs storage, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro with a third party Bluetooth stylus, as I use this iPad as a digital sketch and drawing tablet, note taking tablet, a music creation/sound generating device and as a image reference library/repository.

And my budget, at the time, allowed for such an expensive purchase.

You need to decide what you really want/need in an iPad and budget accordingly.

The ONLY thing I will stress that you should consider is purchase the largest internal storage size iPad you can afford as iPads have a fixed amount of internal data storage that is NOT expandable later.

Having s larger internal storage iPad means having quicker and much easier access to data inside of your iPad without having to rely on external drive options to carry around with you and/or other offsite, online “cloud” data storage service options to save your iPad data to.

Best of Luck to You!

In my own opinion there is too much emphasis placed on the practically imperceptible lag of the older, 1st gen Apple Pencil or slight lag of some other older third party Bluetooth stylii.

This has never been a deal breaker for me.

The 1st gen Apple Pencil and the current third party Bluetooth stylus I use have a very unnoticeable lag that is NOT annoying or any BIG problem for me.

But, again your decision to make.

For all the compatible iPad apps my stylus of choice uses, the lag of the stylus is pretty minor and barely detectable.

If you want/need to have the largest screens possible, then iPad Pro models are your only options.

If you think you can get by with a 10.5 inch screen, then an iPad Air 3 will do the job just fine.

Always plan to have more internal data storage than you think you will need.

I can’t stress that point enough.

Best of Luck to You!

Hello,

Both iPad models would adequately suit you.