Apple unveiled the most anticipated new iPad Pro 2021 that features the M1 chip and promises a significant performance improvement. It was released by Apple on 20th, April 2021. The powerful M1 chipset is going to take user experience to a whole new level, among a slew of other incredible features.
The new fifth-generation iPad Pro 2021 is the fastest and most advanced iteration of the iPad family. It succeeds the fourth-generation iPad Pro, released in 2020. With the 11-inch version starting from $799 and 12.9-inch version starting from $1099, the latest iPad is equipped with the Apple-designed M1 chipset and improved Liquid Retina XDR display, among other solid features.
The fifth-generation iPad Pro 2021 is built with a glass front and aluminum frame. It contains ultra-speed custom technologies, including an advanced image signal processor (ISP) and a high-bandwidth memory architecture with up to 16GB memory, 2TB capacity, and 5G capability.
iPad Pro 2021: M1 Chipset
iPad Pro 2021 is powered by the new breakthrough M1 chip, making it the first iPad not run by the A-series processor. It features an 8-core CPU design that provides a 50% faster CPU performance than the previous A12Z Bionic chipset. The M1 chip integrates smoothly with the iPadOS, allowing powerful software optimization, handling everything from basic navigation to complex functions with ease. The M1 chip is also designed to take full advantage of the custom technologies available in the iPad Pro 2021, such as an advanced image signal processor.
Front and Back Cameras
iPad Pro 2021 is equipped with a 12-megapixel TrueDepth selfie camera. It offers a ƒ/2.4 aperture and up to 5x digital zoom. The ultra-wide field of view can go up to 122 degrees, enabling a brand new feature known as “Center Stage” that keeps the users in the middle of the frame by zooming in and panning the viewfinder as the users move.
On the back, it offers a 12MP wide and 10MP ultrawide dual-camera system, aided with state of the art LiDAR depth scanner. These cameras have 4K video recording capability at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps (wide).
It also features a portrait mode with advanced bokeh and depth control and portrait lighting with multiple effects. For the first time ever, the latest iPad Pro brings Smart HDR 3 to the iPad family, along with an advanced Image Signal Processor that swiftly focuses images and videos on capturing in-depth details in low-light conditions.
iPad Pro 2021: Display
The 12.9-inch version of the iPad Pro 2021 comes with a Liquid Retina XDR display that uses mini-LED technology, allowing much better contrast and local dimming than the conventional LED-backlit panels. This allows a significant improvement in terms of the display’s contrast ratio and brightness. The bigger variant comes with a pixel resolution of 2732 x 2048 at 264 pixels per inch (PPI), 1000-nits brightness, and a fully laminated display. The 11-inch version, meanwhile, retains the previous models’ Liquid Retina display, with a resolution of 2388 x 1668 at 264 PPI and 600-nits brightness.
Both variants are also equipped with “ProMotion”, an adaptive refresh rate feature that allows the iPad Pro 2021 to support a high refresh rate of up to 120Hz, depending on the app being used. Not only that, the display of both variants supports True Tone and support for Dolby Vision.
iPad Pro 2021: Battery
The 11-inch version comes with a built-in 28.65-watt per hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, and the 12.9-inch version is packed with 40.88 watts. Charging is done through a 20W USB-C port, supporting fast charging. Both models support over 10 hours of web surfing or video streaming on WiFi. The WiFi and cellular model, on the other hand, provides 9 hours of web surfing.
Storage, Color, and Design
In terms of storage, both variants come with five options – 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. The latter two are equipped with 16GB RAM and the former three have 8GBs.
Both variants of the iPad Pro 2021, like their predecessors, are available in two colors – space gray and white. In terms of design, there is a minimal difference from the previous models; both variants come with the same modern build, with an aluminum back and frame containing minimalistic symmetrical black bezels that surround the display.
The 11-inch variant has the exact same dimensions as its 2020 counterpart, measuring 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 5.9mm, whereas the 12.9-inch version betters its predecessor’s thickness by 0.5, making its dimensions 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.4mm. As for the weights, the smaller model’s 5G variant weighs 470g and the larger model weighs 685g.
iPad Pro 2021: Price
Despite the performance improvements aided by the M1 chipset, the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 is priced at the same amount as its 2020 predecessor. It costs $799 for the WiFi-only model, while the WiFi and cellular model with 5G support is priced at $999. The price goes all the way up to $2099 for the 2TB version.
The 12.9-inch version is available for $1099 for the 128GB, WiFi-only variant. In an additional payment of $200, you can get the cellular variant. For the 2TB model, the price goes up to $2399. Moreover, the Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 is for $299, while the one for the 12.9-inch version sells for $349.
Should you buy M1-chip iPad Pro 2021?
The 12.9-inch version of the iPad Pro 2021 packs a real punch in terms of lightning-quick performance, mainly due to its M1 chipset. Additionally, its stunning new Liquid Retina XDR display is unlike any of its rivals in the market, bringing users a breathtaking visual experience. Other noticeable features like thrilling video-calling experience with Center Stage, LiDAR scanner, and blazing 5G technology solidify its claim to be a true jewel in the Apple crown. For those looking to splurge, the high-end model is truly a must-have.
Just like the previous model, Face ID acts as the primary tool to provide a convenient and safe way to unlock the iPad Pro, sign in to multiple third-party applications and authorize payments and purchases. The ‘Find My’ app allows you to find your iPad in case of theft or misplacement and prevents any unauthorized person from activating it.
Furthermore, the iPadOS 14 comes with expected security features, the most notable of which is for the Safari internet browser. It can now tell the user about weak passwords, while the App Store also shows the user privacy information.
| iPad Pro 11-inch | iPad Pro 12.9-inch | |
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray |
| Weight | 466g (WiFi), 470g (5G) | 682g (WiFi), 685g (5G) |
| Capacity | 128GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1TB, 2TB | 128GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Display | 11’’ Liquid Retina Display | 12.9’’ Liquid Retina XDR Display |
| Front Camera | 12 MP TrueDepth Ultra Wide | 12 MP TrueDepth Ultra Wide |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP + 10 MP | 12 MP + 10 MP |
| Chip | Apple M1 Chip | Apple M1 Chip |
| Touch ID | ✖ | ✖ |
| Face ID | ✔ | ✔ |
| Waterproof | ✖ | ✖ |
| Fast charging | ✔ | ✔ |
| 5G | ✔ | ✔ |
| Price | 128GB – $799, 256GB – $899, 512GB – $1099, 1TB – $1499, 2TB – $1899 | 128GB – $1099, 256GB – $1199, 512GB – $1399, 1TB – $1799, 2TB – $2199 |
Images: Apple
