Since the iPad Pro debuted in 2015, Apple has offered two sizes of its high-end tablet. The two sizes have traditionally been essentially the same, with the larger version costing $200 extra for more screen. For one, the price gap has stretched to $300, but that’s because the 12.9-inch model has a really significant difference—a new HDR display with mini-LED backlights. Here’s how the two Pros stack up and whether it’s worth it to spend so much money on the flagship iPad.
While the 11-inch iPad Pro has Apple’s Liquid Retina LCD, the 12.9-inch model introduces what Apple calls a “Liquid Retina XDR” display to the iPad line. It’s very similar to Apple’s Pro Display XDR in that it uses an array of thousands of micro-LED backlights arranged in 2596 lighting zones to give it amazing brightness and contrast.
But it makes a strong case for superiority: a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, P3 wide color gamut, and full-screen brightness of 1,000 nits (with peak brightness of 1,600 nits)—not to mention True Tone, and ProMotion—make this one of the best HDR displays you can get anywhere. Video content will look stellar and images and apps will be bright, crisp, and incredibly detailed.
As Apple describes it, “Even the most detailed HDR content with the finest specular highlights — like galaxies and action movie explosions — are more true to life than ever.”
Part of it is the size, part of it is Apple’s history of making excellent iPad displays, but the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s XDR Display isn’t the eye-popping upgrade we thought it would be.
The new iPad Pro is Apple’s first tablet with RAM listed in the tech specs. While the previous generation iPad Pro had 6GB of RAM, the new model has either 8GB or 16GB, depending on the storage.
We think 8GB is plenty and wouldn’t recommend paying for a gig of storage, no matter which iPad you choose to buy. Other than the chip and the screen, the other major revision in this year’s iPad Pro is the front camera. Apple has also introduced a new feature called Center Stage that’s exclusive to the iPad Pro (for now). Our take: Either model will greatly improve your FaceTime experience, no matter which iPad you’re upgrading from. One small detail to note about the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is that the new display makes it ever-so-slightly thicker than the previous model. It’s enough that Apple had to tweak the latest Magic Keyboard a little bit in order to close neatly.
Apple says you can use the Magic Keyboard made for last year’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro since the other dimensions are the same, but it won’t be perfectly flush when closed. Most third-party cases, covers, and keyboards follow suit—for example, Logitech’s Combo Touch is $199 for the smaller model and $229 for the larger one.
Apple’s new 12.9-inch iPad Pro is great but not worth the upgrade
When Apple released its iPad Pro last year, it came with a ton of new and worthwhile upgrades: dual cameras, a LiDAR scanner, trackpad support with iPadOS, and a new chipset. The latest iteration of Apple’s workhorse tablet only brings along its M1 chip, a mini-LED display, and an upgraded front-facing camera with a new feature for video calls. And neither of those new additions makes all that much of a discernible difference when using the iPad Pro as a regular tablet on a daily basis. Those new features also don’t revolutionize the experience in a way that makes the 2021 iPad Pro feel exciting to use — mostly because it’s targeted specifically at creatives.
With the M1 chip, the new tablet is meant to make heavy-duty tasks — like editing large batches of RAW images and streams of 4K video footage, or designing 3D prototypes — a lot faster and smoother of an experience. For the regular people, the iPad Pro is still a reliable and capable device for common tasks like web browsing, streaming Netflix, word processing, and messaging.
But with a starting price of $1,099 for the base model, Apple is asking its customers to drop a lot of money for an incremental update that feels more like an enterprise machine than a main-stream tablet. Having just reviewed that iMac, the iPad Pro’s Space Gray or Silver color options feel more boring than usual in comparison.
On top is the lock button, while the right side of the iPad is home to the volume rocker, magnetic connector for the Apple Pencil, and a Nano SIM tray. Apple implemented the same exact rear-camera system on its new 12.9-inch iPad Pro as it did for last year’s model.
The main difference from the previous iPad Pro model can be found in the front-facing camera. It’s thanks to the new front-facing camera and M1 chip that Apple was also able to incorporate a new feature called Center Stage.
I rarely video chat unless I’m at my desk, and I found the feature a bit nauseating to use while sitting down since it has a tendency to pan or zoom with every move you make. There’s no denying that it’s certainly a feature fit for a pandemic world where we’re constantly video chatting with loved ones while also trying to get other things done.
But for someone like me who is using the iPad Pro for basics such as word processing, watching Netflix, answering emails, and iMessage, I can’t say it felt any different than using the previous generation’s version.
It’s also the exact same amount I experienced with 2020 iPad Pro which makes sense, so those upgrading from last year’s model won’t see any improvements to battery life.
I can’t say I got much use out of the Pencil, but I relied on the Magic Keyboard throughout my work days to write stories and emails. While that accessory helps the iPad Pro more closely mimic a laptop, I’d recommend really thinking about how you’re going to use the device as a whole.
Considering the base iPad Pro coupled with the Magic Keyboard brings you to a grand total of $1,448, you may want to weigh your options compared to a full-blown laptop. While it’s a snug fit, the 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro works perfectly fine with last year’s Magic Keyboard case.
During my time with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, I can’t say I ran into any issues that would deter anyone from purchasing this tablet.
Switching between laptop and tablet mode whenever I wanted was ideal; it performed without a hitch; it offers good battery life; and its display is stunning.
iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) review
It isn’t for everyone though, on account of its large size and high price tag, and you may be better served by another more portable and affordable tablet, but make no mistake: this is the best of the best. The biggest caveats are that it’s incredibly expensive, and that it’s an overwhelmingly large device for those who don’t need a screen this big. This is slightly smaller and costs less than the 12.9-inch model, with a screen that measures just 11-inches across, but in terms of specs it’s an identical tablet. For those who can handle both the physical size and the price tag, though, the iPad Pro 2021 is an outstanding offering that boasts next-gen power, a fantastic display experience, and everything else we’ve come to love from Apple’s very best tablets.
The new Liquid Retina XDR Mini LED display is gorgeous, with max brightness levels unseen on other tablets – this slate can compete with the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, which felt like a major upgrade for tablet screens just last year. Then there’s the power – much has been made of Apple’s M1 chipset, and this is the first time the company has included its new, own-brand silicon in an iPad.
Probably not, but if you want some truly impressive power that blows every other tablet out of the water, again the latest iPad Pro is a great choice. You likely won’t appreciate having this much power on tap unless you’re intensively gaming, using power-hungry apps, or pushing the tablet to its multi-tasking limits.
There’s a higher-capacity storage variant than ever before at 2TB, a new Center Stage camera feature that keeps you in the frame on video calls, and Thunderbolt 4 support in the USB-C slot. Battery life is solid – in our testing we found that the tablet would last for around 10 hours on a full charge. The iPad Pro 2021 is a phenomenal machine that’s a must-have if you’re an Apple evangelist, or if money is no object when you’re buying your next tablet. For a few weeks after launch, the iPad was pretty hard to buy due to supply shortages, but that’s long cleared up now.
The price for Apple’s top-specced 12.9-inch slate is remarkably high, and as we’ve mentioned, you’ll only want this tablet if you want the absolute best iPad on the market. The tablet has an aluminum rear and frame, and the front is glass with a scratch-resistant coating – but you’ll want to buy a case if you want to maximize protection against knocks and scrapes.
Both look attractive, but at a time when the company is expanding its color choices for the new iMac with some striking tones, it’s a shame it isn’t giving us the option of a pastel pink or purple iPad Pro.
The iPad Pro 2021 12.9-inch measures 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm, which means it’s a touch thicker than the last-gen tablet, although it isn’t a difference we particularly noticed in everyday use.
Don’t expect a dramatically different looking iPad Pro here from Apple; instead the company has focused on improving the internals, along with the display. The display is one area where Apple has noticeably upped its game for the new iPad Pro 2021, with a top-end 12.9-inch screen.
If you’d prefer a smaller premium tablet you can buy the 2021 iPad Pro 11-inch, but the screen tech isn’t as impressive on that device. The 12.9-inch Pro’s display features new Mini LED technology that offers a crisp image as well as improved brightness.
The company calls this a Liquid Retina XDR screen, and we’ve found it to provide a great viewing experience. It’s especially effective when you’re scrolling through social media feeds, or playing an intense game and need the image on the screen to keep pace with the action. The resolution is 2048 x 2732, which works out to 265 pixels per inch, which is similar to the quality you’d expect on a top Android tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. This is one of the best visual experiences we’ve had on a tablet, and if display quality is an important factor in your choice of slate, the iPad Pro 2021 won’t disappoint.
If you’re a more typical iPad user, you may not notice this power jump in everyday tasks, but the new silicon is designed to make the iPad Pro a powerhouse device for those who need it, such as those who want to make music on their tablet, edit video, draw, or perform other power-intensive tasks. That’s a huge gap between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus – which TechRadar currently ranks as the best Android tablet – that scored 2,846. 2TB of storage is the most we’ve ever seen on an iPad, and that’s impressively high if you want to be filling your slate full of video clips, audio and other files that take up a lot of space.
128GB does seem a touch limited if you’ll be filling your tablet with lots of apps, and media on top, so it’s something to be aware of before you make your purchase. There’s 5G connectivity on this tablet for the first time, which means you can make the most of next-gen internet speeds if you opt for a more expensive cellular version of the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro 12.9 2021 with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (Image credit: TechRadar)
Optional accessories are available for the iPad Pro, and the two main highlights are the existing Apple Pencil 2 as well as a new version of the company’s Magic Keyboard. We found that the iPad Pro was capable of lasting the full 10 hours that Apple claims, with us performing a variety of tasks including web browsing, streaming video, writing in a word processor, gaming, and bouncing around a variety of apps.
Unlike with Apple’s iPhone 12 series of smartphones, you do get a charger included in the box with the new iPad Pro 2021. Fast-charging isn’t that remarkable on the iPad Pro 2021, which means it takes a little longer to charge than some Android tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. If you’re looking for solid battery life that will last you a whole working day plus a bit extra, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch should suit you just fine. Your older tablet’s screen is looking tired One of the true highlights of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch is its gorgeous display.
If you just need a tablet that’s great for browsing the web, and can run a variety of apps and play most games, you probably won’t need the new iPad Pro. If this iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) review hasn’t helped you decide on which tablet to buy, perhaps these three alternatives might pique your interest.
Samsung’s Ultra-tab is a potent rival to the iPad Pro – it’s not quite as powerful but it has a bigger, better-looking screen and a stylus that you don’t have to buy separately.
11-inch iPad Pro vs iPad Air: Which M1 tablet is right for you?
The standard 10.2-inch iPad is the budget option, with an aging design (big bezels, home button, Lightning port) and older processor, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at a whopping $1,099 and is geared toward only the most demanding of users. But a tablet is more than its processor, and the Pro model does offer a few improvements that might be worth your money.
You’re also getting ever-so-slightly smaller bezels on the iPad Pro, which is why Apple says it has room for an 11-inch display instead of 10.9 inches. Both displays also have True Tone and a wide P3 color gamut and follow Apple’s “liquid” retina design, meaning the corners of the screen are rounded to match the device itself. But the big benefit is ProMotion, which lets the display run-up to 120Hz for smoother motion and lower latency, especially when using the Apple Pencil. The difference is palpable when switching between devices, and once you’ve tried the Pro, it’s very hard to go back.
Our pick: The extra brightness isn’t a huge deal, but ProMotion is really nice and helps justify the higher price of the iPad Pro. Those storage options don’t come cheap, however, and the extra RAM probably isn’t going to make much of a difference with iPadOS.
On the other hand, the iPad Pro’s brighter display will likely drain the battery a little faster if you crank up the brightness. More important is that the starting storage is twice as big on the iPad Pro, and 64GB might be a little small for all of the apps and games you’re going to download. Like the iPhone, the iPad Pro uses Face ID, which uses the TrueDepth sensors on the front to unlock the tablet and authenticate purchases and passwords. The iPad Air doesn’t have a TrueDepth module; it has Touch ID built into the side button.
We don’t think you’ll be taking too many pictures with either of these somewhat awkward cameras, but if you want to, the iPad Pro has a clearly superior array. Apple upgraded the iPad Air to a 12MP Ultra-Wide camera on the front, with support for Center Stage, which pans and zooms to keep you the subject (you) in the frame. The iPad Pro has a TrueDepth sensor for Face ID, which means it also supports Apple’s Animoj/Memoji, but photo and video-taking should be about the same when using the front camera. The iPad Pro has an edge with its 10MP Ultra Wide rear camera if that sort of thing matters to you. The iPad Air has decent sound from its two-speaker stereo setup and a dual microphone array. We love the iPad Air’s USB-C port, and it’s event fast with the fifth-generation model, supporting data transfers up to 10Gbps.
Both models support the new Magic Keyboard—though the camera cutouts fit a little nicer on the 11-inch Pro—as well as the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil. Both iPads have Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO, simultaneous dual-band, and speeds up to 1.6Gbps, so they’ll work great at home.
Our pick: You should consider carefully whether you really need cellular access on your iPad—using your iPhone as a wireless hotspot works extremely well. This year, thanks to the processor upgrade and improved front camera in the iPad Air, our opinion has reversed.
The iPad Pro is essentially the same size and performance and supports the same peripherals, but it costs $200 more ($250 more if you want a cellular-equipped model).
iPad Pro 2021 11-inch Vs. 12.9-inch: Which Should You Buy?
An excellent way to answer this question and help you decide the one you should buy is by comparing and contrasting the main features of these two flagship Apple tablets. Main Features iPad Pro 2021 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 12.9-inch Weight 1.04lbs 1.51lbs Processor M1 with 16-Core M1 with 16-Core Connectivity Optional 5G with Wi-Fi 6 Optional 5G with Wi-Fi 6 Display 2388 x 1668 pixels (11-inch) 2732 x 2048 pixels with mini LED (12.9-inch) Starting Price 799 USD 1,099 USD Front Cameras TrueDepth of 12MP TrueDepth of 12MP Rear Cameras Ultra-wide 10MP (f/2.4); Wide 12MP Ultra-wide 10MP (f/2.4); Wide 12MP Storage 2TB, 1TB, 512GB, 256GB, and 128GB 2TB, 1TB, 512GB, 256GB, and 128GB Accessories Gen 1 and 2 Apple Pencil with Magic Keyboard Gen 1 and 2 Apple Pencil with Magic Keyboard Rated Battery Life 10hrs on wireless web 10hrs on wireless web Port Thunderbolt USB-C (USB-4) Thunderbolt USB-C (USB-4) These flagships, according to reports, also give a double improvement in storage access speed over the iPad Pro 2020, which was already highly rapid. You can spend more for more storage or the ability to have cellular connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi, and if you kit either of these tablets out with all the trimmings, you’ll be paying $2,099 for the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 and $2,399 for the 12.9-inch edition.
You can buy any of the two on Apple’s website (in your choice of Space Gray or Silver paint treatments), so the decision depends on whether you think an extra screen size deserves your $300. If you want to take notes, sketch, edit photographs or perform other duties with better precision, the Apple Pencil for both the iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch costs $129. No matter the size of the iPad Pro you choose, you’re getting one of the most powerful tablets on the market (due to the M1 chip) with one of the brightest and most attractive displays. So if you don’t need the most beautiful display or you like the smaller, lighter size of the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021, know that you’re saving $300 (or more if you’re going to purchase a keyboard or cover) without sacrificing too much.
But if you have to see what a mini-LED display looks like on Apple’s most powerful tablet yet, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro looks like it could be worth the extra $300 you’ll pay to acquire it.
11-inch iPad Pro vs 12.9-inch iPad Pro: Is the XDR display worth the expense?
Since the iPad Pro debuted in 2015, Apple has offered two sizes of its high-end tablet. The two sizes have traditionally been essentially the same, with the larger version costing $200 extra for more screen. For one, the price gap has stretched to $300, but that’s because the 12.9-inch model has a really significant difference—a new HDR display with mini-LED backlights. Here’s how the two Pros stack up and whether it’s worth it to spend so much money on the flagship iPad. While the 11-inch iPad Pro has Apple’s Liquid Retina LCD, the 12.9-inch model introduces what Apple calls a “Liquid Retina XDR” display to the iPad line. It’s very similar to Apple’s Pro Display XDR in that it uses an array of thousands of micro-LED backlights arranged in 2596 lighting zones to give it amazing brightness and contrast.
But it makes a strong case for superiority: a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, P3 wide color gamut, and full-screen brightness of 1,000 nits (with peak brightness of 1,600 nits)—not to mention True Tone, and ProMotion—make this one of the best HDR displays you can get anywhere. Video content will look stellar and images and apps will be bright, crisp, and incredibly detailed. As Apple describes it, “Even the most detailed HDR content with the finest specular highlights — like galaxies and action movie explosions — are more true to life than ever.” Part of it is the size, part of it is Apple’s history of making excellent iPad displays, but the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s XDR Display isn’t the eye-popping upgrade we thought it would be.
The new iPad Pro is Apple’s first tablet with RAM listed in the tech specs. While the previous generation iPad Pro had 6GB of RAM, the new model has either 8GB or 16GB, depending on the storage.
We think 8GB is plenty and wouldn’t recommend paying for a gig of storage, no matter which iPad you choose to buy. Other than the chip and the screen, the other major revision in this year’s iPad Pro is the front camera.
Apple has also introduced a new feature called Center Stage that’s exclusive to the iPad Pro (for now). Our take: Either model will greatly improve your FaceTime experience, no matter which iPad you’re upgrading from.
One small detail to note about the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is that the new display makes it ever-so-slightly thicker than the previous model. It’s enough that Apple had to tweak the latest Magic Keyboard a little bit in order to close neatly.
Apple says you can use the Magic Keyboard made for last year’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro since the other dimensions are the same, but it won’t be perfectly flush when closed. Most third-party cases, covers, and keyboards follow suit—for example, Logitech’s Combo Touch is $199 for the smaller model and $229 for the larger one.
Which iPad Pro should you buy: 11-inch or 12.9-inch?
The 11-inch iPad Pro (2021) is much more lightweight and portable than its bigger sibling, making it a great size to read, watch, and work on. The new Liquid Retina XDR display is amazing for viewing and editing high-brightness and high-contrast HDR content, and everything is insanely fast and snappy with the M1 chip. If you are the type of person who cares solely about internal specs, both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro are the same on the inside. 2TB Display Liquid Retina Liquid Retina XDR Wide Color Yes Yes True Tone Yes Yes Laminated Display Yes Yes Face ID Yes Yes Ports Thunderbolt/USB 4 Thunderbolt/USB 4 Smart Connector Yes Yes Rear camera 12MP/4K 12MP/4K Ultra Wide lens Yes Yes LiDAR Scanner Yes Yes Front camera 12MP True Depth 122-degree FoV 12MP True Depth 122-degree FoV Speakers Four Four Apple Pencil 2nd-Generation 2nd-Generation Full-size keyboard accessories No Yes
Both models support accessories like the Apple Pencil 2 and the Smart Keyboard Folio. With the M1 chip inside, you are getting a powerful iPad gaming machine, as well as a device that is no pushover when it comes to getting work done. And even though it’s using the regular Liquid Retina display from the last generation, it’s still very capable and beautiful for most people, especially when it comes to watching videos or reading. Plus, since the 11-inch is more compact, it’s easier to hold up when reading eBooks or watching movies without feeling fatigued on your wrist.
iPad Pro 2021 review (Image credit: Daniel Bader / iMore)
The new Liquid Retina XDR display was made to deliver extreme brightness, deep blacks, and all of the subtle details that may otherwise be hidden. It’s the best way to view and edit high-brightness and high-contrast content, such as HDR photos and videos. The larger screen estate for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is also warranted if you need a bigger, more comfortable canvas for the best drawing apps for Apple Pencil.
You’ll also benefit from full-size keyboard accessories, allowing you to transform your iPad Pro into a full-on laptop replacement.
12.9-inch vs. 11-inch iPad Pro 2021: What’s different?
It’s an exciting piece of tech, but if you want to see that screen in person you’re going to be paying at least $300 extra for the privilege — and that’s on top of the $800 minimum Apple is asking for a new iPad Pro. You can buy either through Apple’s website (opens in new tab) (in your choice of Space Gray or Silver paint jobs) fairly easily, so the decision ultimately comes down to whether the larger iPad Pro is worth an extra $300 to you.
If true, that makes it a significant improvement over the 2020 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which achieved an average brightness of 559 nits in our lab testing. We won’t know for sure what a difference the larger iPad Pro’s new Liquid Retina XDR display will make until we get one in for testing and see it for our own eyes.
Since mini-LEDs are so much smaller than regular LEDs manufacturers can fit a lot more of them into a screen, giving the display tinier, more tightly controllable lighting zones that can be independently dimmed and brightened. We look forward to verifying that with our Tom’s Guide battery test, which is based on web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. These new iPad Pro 2021 models look remarkably similar to their predecessors, sporting the same thin black bezels and rounded edges on a machined aluminum body. The additional thickness is rumored to be due to the inclusion of the new mini-LED display, but in practical use we doubt you’d notice the extra size. If you want to take notes, draw, edit photos or perform other functions with more precision, the Apple Pencil for both the iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch costs $129.
The premium price tag Apple puts on its iPad Pro means it’s rarely an easy decision to invest in one.
No matter which size iPad Pro you buy, you’re getting one of the most powerful tablets on the market (thanks to the M1 chip) with one of the brightest and most beautiful displays. So if you don’t need the most amazing display or you like the smaller, lighter size of the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021, know that you’re saving $300 (or more, if you’re planning to invest in a keyboard or cover) without sacrificing too much.
But if you absolutely, positively must have the best screen possible, or if you just have to see what a mini-LED display looks like on Apple’s most powerful tablet yet, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro looks like it could be worth the extra $300 you’ll pay to own it.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch vs iPad Pro 11-inch: What’s same and what’s not
model lineup with the launch of two new variants featuring 11-inch and 12.9-inch display sizes. The latest iPad Pro models come powered by Apple’s M1 chipset that made its debut with the In India, the price of the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 71,900 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro can be purchased at a starting price of Rs 99,900. The 12.9-inch of iPad Pro offers a 2D mini-LED-backlit display, while the 11.9-inch doesn’t.
Both the models of the iPad Pro are said to deliver up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi or watching a video or up to 9 hours of surfing the web using a cellular data network.
New Apple iPad 11 Pro vs iPad Pro 12.9 vs iPad Air compared
The iPad Pro models feature Face ID at the top of their displays, while the iPad Air has Touch ID built into the power button at the top – both allow for as much screen as possible in the body available though. All models have a Smart Connector on the back and all are compatible with the second generation Apple Pencil and Magic Folio Keyboard. The iPad Pro models come in Silver and Space Grey colours, but the iPad Air comes in Rose Gold, Green and Sky Blue on top of Silver and Space Grey, making for some more exciting finish options. iPad Pro 12.9 (2021): 12.9-inch, Liquid XDR, 2732 x 2048 resolution (264ppi), 1600nits, ProMotion, True Tone
iPad Pro 11 (2021): 11-inch, Liquid Retina, 2388 x 1668 resolution (264ppi), 600nits, ProMotion, True Tone iPad Air (2020): 10.9-inch, Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640 resolution (264ppi), 500nits, True Tone
iPad Pro 12.9 (2021): Apple M1 chip, 8GB/16GB RAM, up to 2TB storage, 10-hour battery, 5G iPad Pro 11 (2021): Apple M1 chip, 8GB/16GB RAM, up to 2TB storage, 10-hour battery, 5G
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) and the iPad Pro 11 (2021) both run on Apple’s M1 chip – which is the same chip that can be found in the new iMac and the latest MacBook Pros so you’re talking about quite a bit of power here. The iPad Air (2020) meanwhile, runs on the A14 Bionic chip which although still more than capable and a very powerful processor, isn’t quite as advanced as the M1.
The iPad Air has a single 12-megapixel wide camera on the rear with an f/1.8 aperture. It offers an f/2.4 aperture with 2x optical zoom out and a number of features including Centre Stage, portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji and Memoji and extended dynamic range for video up to 30fps.
It has a Retina Flash, Smart HDR 3 for photos and cinematic video stabilisation like the iPad Pro models, but it doesn’t have the other features mentioned above. The iPad Pro offers an extra camera on the rear, an improved front camera with features like Centre Stage, a more powerful processor, a higher storage option of 2TB, 5G capabilities, Thunderbolt over USB-C, RAM options and ProMotion on the display.
iPad Pro 11″ vs. 12.9″: Which Screen Size Should You Choose?
Since Apple released the high-end iPad Pro models in 2015, the screen size choice has been between 11-inch and 12.9-inch. However, we want to help you decide the screen size that suits you better, so we will focus on similarities, differences, and the most frequently asked questions. W x D) 9.74″ x 7.02″ x 0.23″ 11.04″ x 8.46″ x 0.25″ Weight 1.03 pounds (Wi-Fi) and 1.04 pounds (Wi-Fi + Cellular) 1.5 pounds (Wi-Fi) and 1.51 pounds (Wi-Fi + Cellular) Display 11-inch Liquid Retina (IPS) 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR (miniLED) Resolution 2,388 x 1,668 at 264 pixels per inch 2,732 x 2,048 at 264 pixels per inch Brightness Up to 600 nits (typical) Up to 600 nits (typical) Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz Speakers Four stereo speakers Four stereo speakers Processor Apple M1 Apple M1 Storage capacity 128 GB
16 GB (in 1 and 2 TB versions) Battery life Navigation and video playback using Wi-Fi: 10 hours Navigation and video playback using Wi-Fi: 10 hours Front camera 12 Mpx ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.4 aperture 12 Mpx ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.4 aperture Rear cameras 12 Mpx wide-angle lens with f/1.8 aperture
It is clear that the differences in terms of performance and characteristics are not the central pillar when deciding your next purchase. These are the main similarities between the two iPad Pro 2021 models that you should look at before pointing out differences and making your final decision:
The excellent performance of the Apple-made chip has no limits: multitasking demanding apps, playing videogames, editing photos and video at a professional level, and practically anything you wish to do with your device. They both have up to ten hours of continuous use, which translates into an all-day battery if you use it for work or studying for long periods. This means more room or people for your video calls, something that could help you with meetings, presentations, teaching, or learning online. If you have a 5G contract with your carrier, you’ll benefit from very high speeds in your iPad, and you will be able to stream anything you want at any place. If that is not the case, and you want to get the biggest possible screen size at the expense of portability, the iPad Pro 12.9″ could be your choice. The 12.9″ iPad Pro has a unique display called Liquid Retina XDR, which has an array of 10000 mini LEDs that turn off and on independently.
With a Liquid Retina XDR display, the areas of the screen that are darker, or need black color, are directly turned off. It is undoubtedly the best iPad screen that Apple has ever developed, and it could revolutionize tablet displays. Buying a refurbished iPad Pro can make you save time and money while getting a completely functional device. On RefurbMe, we specialize in offering the best refurbished Apple products from multiple merchants.
In order to help you choose between the iPad Pro 11″ vs. 12.9″, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about the two screen sizes. Although the 12.9-inch model has its advantages, the 11-inch iPad Pro has a decent amount of space to sketch and draw on.
Having a Liquid Retina XDR display will allow you to play games with a brighter screen of a higher quality. In this case, check if the games you want to play support a control pad to improve comfort.
Even if the iPadOS is still far from macOS, you will enjoy the extra screen real estate for multitasking, studying, and working.
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