iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd Gen 2017 vs iPad Pro 12.9" 5th Gen 2021

The iPad Pro 12.9” (2017) and the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021) both feature a 12.9-inch display size, but the 2021 model is smaller and lighter than the 2017 model. Measurements for the iPad Pro 12.9” (2017) are 12” (H) x 8.68” (W) x 0.27” (D), and measurements for the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021) are 11.04” (H) x 8.46” (W) x 0.25” (D). The 2017 WiFi-only model weighs 1.49 pounds and the WiFi + Cellular model weighs 1.53 pounds. The 2021 WiFi-only model weighs 1.5 pounds and the WiFi + Cellular model weighs 1.51 pounds.

The iPad Pro 12.9” (2017) features a 12.9” Retina display, and the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021) features a 12.9” Liquid Retina XDR display. These two displays support a native resolution of 2732 x 2048 at 264 pixels per inch, an SDR max brightness of 600 nits, wide color (P3), True Tone, and ProMotion technology. Both displays are also fully laminated and have an anti-reflective coating and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. Along with the SDR max brightness of 600 nits, the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021) display also supports an XDR max brightness of 1000 nits and an HDR max brightness of 1600 nits.

The battery capacities of the iPad Pro 12.9” (2017) and the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021) can provide up to 10 hours of battery life when using WiFi or up to 9 hours of battery life when using cellular. The iPad Pro 12.9” (2017) has a 41-watt-hour battery and charges via the Lightning connector, and the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021) has a 40.88-watt-hour battery and charges via USB-C.