After a deluge of rumors and leaks, the iPad Pro 2021 is finally here. Unveiled at Apple’s Spring Loaded event on April 20, 2021, the all-new iPad Pro 2021 delivers several key upgrades such as the blazing fast Apple M1 chip, a Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED, 5G wireless connectivity, and much more.
Unfortunately, Apple’s latest pro-targeted tablet doesn’t come cheap. Retail iPad Pro 2021 prices start at $1,099 for the 12.9-inch model with 128GB of internal storage, ballooning up to $2,399 for 2TB and a 5G modem. Keep reading to learn more about the iPad Pro M1, how to get one for less, and whether you should upgrade from your existing iPad.
iPad Pro 2021 Specs
The iPad Pro 2021 is a technological powerhouse. Powered by the Apple M1 chip, it’s easily the fastest and most powerful tablet in 2021. Beyond speed, the iPad Pro 12.9″ 5th Gen and iPad Pro 11″ 3rd Gen feature class-leading displays and are available with 5G wireless connectivity if desired.
| 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 | 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 | 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2020 | 11-inch iPad Pro 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M1 8-core CPU 8-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine | Apple M1 8-core CPU 8-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine | Apple A12Z Bionic 8-core CPU 8-core GPU 8-core Neural Engine | Apple A12Z Bionic 8-core CPU 8-core GPU 8-core Neural Engine |
| Display | 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR 2048 x 2732 resolution, 265 ppi 120 Hz Refresh Rate True Tone and ProMotion Over 10,000 Mini-LED Backlight 2596 Local Dimming Zones 1,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio | 11-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD 1668 x 2388 resolution, 265ppi 120 Hz Refresh Rate True Tone and ProMotion | 12.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD 2048 x 2732 resolution, 265 ppi 120 Hz Refresh Rate True Tone and ProMotion | 11-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD 1668 x 2388 resolution, 265ppi 120 Hz Refresh Rate True Tone and ProMotion |
| RAM | 8GB (128GB – 512GB storage) 16GB (1TB and 2TB storage) | 8GB (128GB – 512GB storage) 16GB (1TB and 2TB storage) | 6GB RAM | 6GB RAM |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Primary Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 wide-angle lens 10MP, 4/2.4 ultrawide lens with 125-degree FOV | 12MP, f/1.8 wide-angle lens 10MP, 4/2.4 ultrawide lens with 125-degree FOV | 12MP, f/1.8 wide-angle lens 10MP, 4/2.4 ultrawide lens with 125-degree FOV | 12MP, f/1.8 wide-angle lens 10MP, 4/2.4 ultrawide lens with 125-degree FOV |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.4 ultrawide lens with 122-degree FOV | 12MP, f/2.4 ultrawide lens with 122-degree FOV | 7MP, f/2.2 wide-angle lens | 7MP, f/2.2 wide-angle lens |
| Battery Capacity | 9720 mAh (36.7 Wh) | 7538 mAh (28.7 Wh) | 9720 mAh (36.7 Wh) | 7538 mAh (28.7 Wh) |
| Security | Face ID secure face detection | Face ID secure face detection | Face ID secure face detection | Face ID secure face detection |
| Cellular Modem | 5G with mmWave | 5G with mmWave | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.23 in | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in |
| Weight | 682g (1.50 lb) | 466g (1.03 lb) | 641g (1.41 lb) | 471g (1.04 lb) |
| Release Date | April 30, 2021 (preorder) | April 30, 2021 (preorder) | March 19, 2020 | March 19, 2020 |
| MSRP | Starting at $799 | Starting at $1099 | Starting at $799 | Starting at $1099 |
Apple M1 Chip
Apple traditionally uses turbocharged versions of its A-series silicon in the iPad. For example the 11-inch iPad Pro 2020 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2020 were powered by the 8-core A12Z Bionic chip, a souped up version of the 6-core A12 Bionic found in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
The latest iPad Pro marks a fundamental departure from this strategy. Rather than using a scaled-up smartphone processor, the iPad Pro 2021 shoehorns the very same Apple M1 system-on-a-chip powering the latest MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and iMac.
This means the iPad Pro 2021 is fast. Really fast. In fact, Apple claims that the iPad Pro 2021’s 8-core M1 chip delivers 50% faster CPU performance and 40% faster graphics performance than last year’s model, and that it’s up to 1,500 times as fast as the original iPad in GPU-intensive tasks.
So what does all this mean? And more importantly, is the Apple M1 iPad Pro compatible with your existing games and apps? Although the Apple M1 iPad Pro is based on a desktop-class processor, it is using the same ARM instruction set as Apple’s A-series chips found on previous iPads and iPhones. This means that the iPad Pro 2021 will run all your existing games and apps — just faster. So if you’re a competitive gamer or someone who likes to push the boundaries of what can be done on a tablet, the iPad Pro 2021 is for you.
Better Connectivity
The iPad Pro 2021 also offers faster connectivity than last year’s model. For starters, the USB-C port now supports Thunderbolt with USB4, giving you four times as much bandwidth compared to last year’s model. This opens the door to using high-resolution external displays, high-performance storage devices, and much more.
Cellular-equipped iPad Pro 2021 models now support 5G wireless connectivity with mmWave technology. With up to 4 Gigabit network transfer speeds in ideal conditions, the iPad Pro 2021 is the perfect weapon for road warriors who can’t waste time transferring large files.
iPad Pro 2021 Display
A fast chip is no good without an equally impressive screen. Fortunately, the iPad Pro 2021 packs a class-leading display — no matter which model you choose.
The 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 packs a very similar screen to last year’s iPad Pro 2020 11-inch. You get the same 1668 x 2388 resolution, 265 ppi sharpness, and smooth 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate as before, but now with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision with 600 nits maximum brightness.
While the smaller iPad Pro packs an impressive panel, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 takes the cake with its Liquid Retina XDR display. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 shares the same 2048 x 2732 pixel resolution and 120 Hz high refresh rate as last year’s model, but features an all-new backlight system with over 10,000 mini-LEDs and 2,596 local dimming zones.
All this technology helps Liquid Retina XDR deliver a mind-blowing 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio with 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness. This means you get extremely vibrant HDR video with vibrant colors and inky blacks, without the bloom or light bleed seen on other panel types.
Both iPad Pro 2021 models are compatible with high-resolution external displays such as Apple’s Pro Display XDR. And thanks to Thunderbolt with USB4, the iPad Pro 2021 can drive Pro Display XDR at its full 6K resolution.
iPad Pro 2021 Cameras
Virtual meetings and teleconferencing are more prevalent than ever before. Accordingly, Apple overhauled the front-facing camera on the iPad Pro 2021 with new hardware and software. The True Depth camera now includes an all-new ultrawide camera with a massive 120-degree field of view. Apple’s Center Stage technology uses the M1 chip’s advanced AI processing to leverage the ultrawide FOV and keep you in-frame as you move around — zooming in and out, depending on who’s in view.
iPad Pro 2021 Accessories
The iPad Pro 2021 is compatible with Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The Magic Keyboard essentially transforms your iPad into a laptop, thanks to its comfortable backlit keys and large, multi-touch trackpad. The Magic Keyboard costs $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $350 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and is available in either black or white.
iPad Pro 2021 Price and Availability
If you’ve made it this far, you already know that the iPad Pro 2021 is the best tablet that money can buy. Unfortunately, with prices starting at $799 for the 11-inch model and topping out at over $2,399 for maximum storage on the 12.9-inch model with 5G, the iPad Pro 2021 isn’t cheap.
Here’s an iPad Pro 2021 cost breakdown for all the different storage configurations when paying retail at the Apple Store:
| 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 | 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | Starting at $799 | Starting at $1099 |
| 256GB | Starting at $899 | Starting at $1199 |
| 512GB | Starting at $1099 | Starting at $1399 |
| 1TB | Starting at $1499 | Starting at $1799 |
| 2TB | Starting at $1899 | Starting at $2199 |
Regardless of which size and storage combination you choose, you’ll be waiting a while for delivery. iPad Pro 2021 preorders open up on April 30, and the iPad Pro 2021 release date is set for the second half of May 2021.
Is iPad Pro 2021 worth it?
The iPad Pro 2021 is a flagship tablet with a flagship price. It combines the powerful and energy efficient Apple M1 chip with the best display ever put in a tablet. But with such a high price tag, it’s firmly out of reach for most consumers.
Let’s face it — not everyone needs a tablet that’s faster than their home desktop or a display that can deliver cinema-quality HDR. In fact, last gen’s A12Z Bionic chip is so fast that you probably wouldn’t be able to notice the speed difference unless you’re a competitive gamer or are pushing the boundaries of what can be done on a tablet through video editing, 3D rendering, and so on.
Instead, you can save hundreds of dollars by buying a generation or two back. You can currently pick up last year’s 11-inch iPad Pro 2020 for as little as $625 or step up to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2020 for $825. Or if you want to save even more, pick up a 10.5-inch iPad Pro 2017 for just $330!
How can I get a cheap iPad Pro 2021?
The iPad 2021 is expensive. And depending on which model you choose, the price tag could come in at well over two grand.
Here at Swappa, we don’t believe that wanting the best should mean paying full price. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to save money on your upgrade:
✅ Sell your existing iPad
Selling your existing iPad is a great way to fund your upgrade. We’ve shown time and time again that Swappa is the best place to sell your iPad for the most money. Selling on Swappa gets you two to three times as much as you’d get trading it in — and you get paid in cash, not some store gift card you’ll never use. Plus, if you own a recent model such last year’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2020, you could stand to earn around $1,000 or more by selling it.
The earlier you sell, the more you’ll make. And if you sell your existing iPad before people start getting their hands on the new model, you’ll make the most cash. What are you waiting for? Sell your used iPad today!
✅ Save by getting an older model instead
Going back a generation or two saves you several hundred dollars compared to buying new. This means you still get a great iPad with a large display and Apple Pencil support, without breaking the bank. There are dozens of affordable models to choose from, such as a 10.5-inch iPad Pro 2017 for just $330 or an iPad 8th Gen for just $285! Check out our best tablets guide to find the perfect tablet for any budget.
✅ Skip the preorder and pick up a newish iPad Pro 2021 on Swappa
Take your finger off that preorder button! If you’re set on buying an iPad Pro 2021, wait a few weeks and pick up a newish iPad Pro 2001 on Swappa instead. New releases generally start making their way to Swappa a few days after launch, and you can usually save hundreds by buying from our safe and easy-to-use marketplace.
Also, don’t forget to use our listing subscription feature. Click the 🔔 Subscribe button at the top of every item page to be notified when new listings match your criteria.
Whichever iPad you choose, you’ll always get the best deals on Swappa. Click below to find the right iPad for you.
