Apple claimed that the new 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro models have a battery runtime of up to 10 hours, whether you’re surfing the web via Wi-Fi or enjoying video playback.
The 13-inch iPad Pro’s battery life on the left and the 13-inch iPad Air’s battery life on the right.
Credit: Mashable / Apple
So when we ran our TikTok rundown test on both 13-inch models in our possession — the iPad Pro and the iPad Air — we weren’t expecting the tablets to last more than a typical work or school day.
The “Space Black” 13-inch iPad Pro on the new Magic Keyboard.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
As it turns out, both tablets last much longer than Apple’s battery-life claims — especially the 13-inch iPad Pro — which had our jaws dropping to the floor.
2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air battery-life results
Mashable’s battery life chart for iPad Pro and iPad Air
Credit: Mashable composite; Apple
Curious about how long the iPad Air lasts on a single charge, we ran a TikTok video continuously on a loop at 50-percent brightness until the tablet died.
Mashable Light Speed
13-inch iPad Air
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
To my surprise, the 13-inch iPad Air, now packed with the M2 chip, lasted three hours longer than expected, for an impressive battery runtime of 13 hours and 10 minutes. Now, if you think that’s commendable, wait until you find out the results we got on the new 13-inch iPad Pro, which skipped a generation and features an M4 chip.
As mentioned, Apple claimed that we’d only get up to 10 hours on this bad boy. As it turns out, the 13-inch iPad Pro lasted 16 hours and 24 minutes.
Keep in mind that our battery rundown test doesn’t account for any idle time, a common occurrence in the average person’s usage profile, so the iPad Pro and iPad Air may last even longer on a charge for most users.
The 13-inch iPad Pro
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
As such, if you want long-lasting iPad that truly delivers all-day battery life, the iPad Pro will definitely keep a need for wall outlets at bay.
The iPad Pro starts at $999 and the iPad Air starts at $599; they’ll both start shipping on May 15.