New iPad Pro 2021: Detailed specs, release date, prices

New iPad Pro was presented at an Apple event on April 20, 2021. The new models will be available in two colors – Silver and Space Gray, and now come equipped with 5G, much-anticipated mini-LED display on the 12.9” model, and the powerful Apple M1 chip.

Find out all the details about the new release, price range for the upcoming models, as well as announced preorder and release dates in our overview below.

Introducing M1 chip in iPads

The powerful M1 chip has taken the tech world by storm, and it’s now coming to iPad Pro. According to Apple, the chip made it possible to keep the iPad Pro thin and light while ensuring a long and comfortable day-long battery life. Portability is why people use iPads, so we call this a win.

Soon we will see how the new chip actually fares in real life performance from user experiences shared on the web, indicating how much on-screen time they manage to get out from the new iPad Pro, but for now, based off the specs alone the new update looks very promising.

The 2021 iPad Pro processor has 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core neural engine. According to Apple, the CPU brings 50% faster performance, while GPU is responsible for 40% faster graphics. Play video games, edit video, develop AR models, or draw? The new iPad Pro is probably an exceptional medium for you.

Depending on the storage size option you choose, you get either 8 or 16 GB RAM.

iPad Pro screen technology

The new iPad Pro comes in two sizes – one with the 12.9 inch display and one with the 11 inch display. Whether you go with more screen real estate or a more portable version is up to you, but the two screens have some major differences this year.

Let’s take a look.

The 12.9” iPad Pro model

The larger model boasts Liquid Retina XDR display. The contrast ratio for the screen is 1,000,000:1, bringing “true-to-life” detail to your lap. Whether you are just consuming media or actually creating and editing it on your iPad Pro 2021 12.9”, the experience promises to be unparalleled.

Peak brightness for the display is listed at 1,600 nits (HDR), and maximum full-screen brightness is at 1,000 nits. The screen is a wide color P3 display. It supports True Tone and has 1.8% reflectivity. It also works with second generation Apple Pencil. The screen uses ProMotion technology to support the adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate.

The much-rumored mini-LED technology is indeed coming to iPad Pro 2021, but only to the 12.9 inch model.

The screen on the 12.9 inch Ipad Pro this year is powered by more than 10,000 mini-LEDs, boasts Apple. Mini-LEDs allow for more precise dimming and illumination as they are smaller. On the iPad, they are grouped into 2,500 “local dimming zones”, which enables the high contrast ratio we’ve listed above. This means much more detail in your media.

Mini-LEDs aren’t just about good quality of your on-screen picture though, they are also said to be more energy efficient, allowing for more screen time on the same battery. What’s more, mini-LEDs are also taking up less space. This means the iPad Pro 12.9” can have a great screen at just 6.4 mm thickness!

The 11” iPad Pro model

While thinner than the large iPad Pro (the 11 inch model is 5.9 mm thick, as per Apple official product page), the 11” iPad Pro has just a regular LED Liquid Retina display. It has 600 nits maximum brightness.

Just like the 12.9 inch model, the 11 inch iPad Pro offers True Tone, adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate via ProMotion, P3 wide color display, 1.8% reflectivity, and supports Apple Pencil gen 2.

Both models offer 264 ppi screen resolution.

And since we are talking screens and media consumption, let’s also touch on the speaker system for the iPad Pro 2021 series. Both have four speakers for “theater-like sound” and support surround sound technology Dolby Atmos.

iPad Pro camera rig

Now, let’s move to the cameras. If you are using your iPad for video calls, take lots of photos or videos, ad/or are using the LiDAR scanner, you will want to learn everything about this year’s set.

The backs of the iPad Pro models are equipped with 12 MP Wide camera (f/1.8 aperture), 10 MP Ultra Wide camera (f/2.4 aperture), and a LiDAR scanner. iPad Pro has Smart HDR 3. And, of course, you can film 4K video with the main Wide camera.

The front-facing camera is 12 MP Ultra Wide with 122º field of view. Center Stage enables it to pan and keep you centered in the frame during video calls as you move around.

The LiDAR scanner scans your environment to map it out in 3D. That can be handy for AR, but also makes it easier for the cameras to focus in low-light conditions and take much better shots.

And if you are taking that 4K video with your iPad Pro Wide camera, you’ll want the sound to fit the image quality, which is why Apple put five studio-grade mics across the device to help capture quality sound.

iPad Pro 2021 connectivity

The two new iPad models come with the Wi-Fi 6. They support simultaneous dual band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connection.

And if you choose the model with cellular connectivity, iPad Pro now has 5G for super fast cellular internet speeds.

For wired connections, including file transfers, accessories, external storage, docks, displays, and the like, iPad Pro has a Thunderbolt port with up to 40 Gbps bandwidth. According to Apple, it can drive the Pro Display XDR at 6K resolution.

Accessories

Many iPad users love their accessories. Some transform their iPads into a full-blown PC experience, others use them for niche professional purposes like drawing, designing, video editing, etc.

iPad Pro works with all the iPad accessories you know and love – the Apple Pencil (for drawing, sketching, taking notes, marking up your docs, etc.), Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio. Magnetic connection allows for easily snapping the keyboards onto the device.

Magic Keyboard is especially fascinating with its backlit keys, responsive typing, and touchpad. You can even charge your iPad through the USB-C port on this keyboard.

Environmental impact

Apple is also sharing info on the safety of their devices for the environment. The company lists mercury-free display, arsenic-free display glass, 100% recycled aluminium enclosure and tin. The device is also announced as highly recyclable, as well as BFR-, PVC-, and Beryllium-free.

iPad Pro 2021 Price

The iPad Pro models start at $799. The 12.9 inch model starts at $1,099. Price goes up for more storage space as the models come with storage options of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB. If you want cellular connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi, you will also have to pay extra.

Wi-Fi-only, 128 GB 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, 12.9-inch – $1,099. Wi-Fi + cellular 128 GB 11-inch starts at $999, 12.9-inch – $1,299.

Release date

Can’t decide which model to go with? Do you need cellular or the Wi-Fi-only version will do? What storage size to pick? No worries, orders are not open yet, so you have a few days to mull over the news! Apple product price page states that orders open on April 30, and the devices should become available in the second half of May.