iPad Pro M4 vs iPad Air — Which One Needs a More Powerful Charger?

iPad Pro M4 is the most powerful tablet in the world — OLED display, M4 chip that outperforms many laptops, and just 5.1mm thin. iPad Air M2 is the smart alternative — 90% of Pro's performance at 60% of the price. But both share a common problem: Apple doesn't include a charger in the box.

In the box you'll find a USB-C to USB-C cable and nothing else. No charger. Not even a power adapter. Apple says "buy your own charger." And Apple's original 30W charger costs 1,200 EGP while the 35W Dual costs 1,600 EGP. Inflated prices for a standard charger.

The good news: iPad runs on the open USB-C PD protocol — meaning any reputable PD charger charges it at exactly the same speed as the original. There's zero advantage to the original charger — not in speed, not in safety. This isn't like some brands that lock their protocols.

Charging Specs — All Current iPads

Important note: All current iPads ship without a charger — even the iPad Pro that costs over 50,000 EGP. Apple saves on production and shipping costs while letting users choose their own charger.

The Numbers — 20W vs 30W vs 45W on iPad Pro M4 11"

iPad Pro M4 — The Optimal Charger

iPad Pro M4 accepts up to 38W — meaning you need at least a 45W charger to reach maximum speed (the charger needs headroom above the device's max draw).

Our pick: Anker Nano 45W at 750 EGP — GaN III, smaller than Apple's 30W charger, charges iPad Pro at full 38W speed. Also charges iPhone 15/16 at 27W (max speed) and MacBook Air at 45W. One charger for all Apple devices.

Why not Apple's original? Apple's 30W USB-C charger costs 1,200 EGP — and charges iPad Pro at only 30W (not max speed). Anker Nano 45W charges at 38W (max speed) for 750 EGP. The alternative is faster and cheaper. There's no logical reason to buy Apple's charger unless you specifically want the white aesthetic.

Another important advantage of Anker Nano 45W: GaN III technology keeps the charger significantly cooler than traditional silicon chargers — especially important during Egypt's summer. A cooler charger means a longer lifespan and higher safety. The compact size also makes it perfect for travel — outperforming Apple's charger in every way.

Charging While Using iPad — Does It Affect Performance?

A common question, especially from designers and photographers who work on iPad Pro for hours: "If I charge iPad while using it — does performance drop?"

The answer: No — as long as you use a sufficient charger. If you're using a 45W charger with iPad Pro while doing video editing (which consumes 15-20W) — the charger provides 25-30W to the battery. Meaning iPad charges and works simultaneously. But with a 20W charger under heavy use — the battery might stay flat or even slowly drain because usage draws more than the charger provides.

The advice: if you work on iPad Pro with demanding tasks (Procreate, LumaFusion, DaVinci Resolve) — a 45W charger is essential, not optional. Not just for faster charging — but to charge during heavy use without the battery draining.

One Charger for the Entire Apple Ecosystem — Is It Possible?

Yes — and that's the biggest advantage of a universal PD charger. A single Anker Nano 45W charges:

• 📱 iPhone 15/16 Pro — at 27W (max speed)
• 📱 iPad Pro M4 — at 38W (max speed)
• 📱 iPad Air M2 — at 30W (max speed)
• 💻 MacBook Air M3 — at 45W (sufficient for normal use)
• ⌚ Apple Watch (with magnetic cable) — at 5W
• 🎧 AirPods Pro — at 5W

Instead of buying 3-4 different chargers — one charger at 750 EGP serves all your devices. That's real savings and life simplification. Especially for travel — one small charger instead of a bag of chargers.

iPad Air M2 — A Smaller Charger Is Enough

iPad Air accepts up to 30W — so you don't need a 45W charger. Anker GaN 30W at 500 EGP is perfectly sufficient — charges Air at maximum speed in a tiny form factor.

But if you have iPad Air + iPhone — consider the Anker 35W Dual at 600 EGP — with two USB-C ports, charging both simultaneously. iPad gets 20W and iPhone gets 15W — not max speed for either but very convenient for daily use.

iPad 10th Gen — Any 20W Charger Will Do

The standard iPad (10th generation) accepts only 20W. Any 20W PD charger maxes it out. Even an old iPhone 20W charger works perfectly. Don't overspend — save your money for a case or Apple Pencil instead.

Why Doesn't Apple Include a Charger?

Apple started removing chargers from iPhone 12 in 2020, and the decision extended to all iPads. The stated reasons: "reducing electronic waste" and "most users already have chargers." The real reasons: saving 3-5$ per unit × millions of units = hundreds of millions in annual profit. A smart business decision, but it leaves the user paying the difference.

The positive side: this gives you freedom to choose the charger that suits you — not forced into Apple's expensive charger. And that's exactly why this article matters: so you know which charger fits your device exactly without overpaying.

The Cable — USB-C to USB-C Is Sufficient

The cable included with iPad is a USB-C to USB-C one-meter cable — sufficient for max-speed charging. You don't need a new cable unless:

• 📏 You need a longer cable: Anker PowerLine USB-C 2m at 200 EGP — if you charge in bed or at a desk with a distant outlet.
• 🔄 The original cable broke: Replace it with an Anker or Joyroom cable — cheaper and more durable than Apple's replacement cable.

Power Bank for iPad — Do You Need One?

iPad Pro M4 lasts 10 hours of video — enough for a full normal day. But if you work on the road or do photography or video editing — you might need a power bank. The problem: most 10,000mAh power banks can't fully charge an iPad (iPad Pro 11" battery = 31Wh ≈ 8,400mAh at actual voltage).

Our recommendation: Anker Prime 25,000mAh — gives iPad Pro two full charges at 67W PD. This is a professional power bank for designers and photographers who rely on iPad for fieldwork. Not for every user — but if your work depends on iPad, it's a worthy investment.